About me
I am a teen author who was born and raised in PNW Washington, but am now sprouting roots in north-eastern Tennessee. Although I call the East-Coast my home now, I'll take mountains, pretty trees and rainy days anytime.You will usually find me writing, reading a book, eating shrimp tacos or
Mac & Cheese, listening to music or an audiobook, writing, watching Star Wars, Pixar, or other classic movies, or writing (yep, a lot of writing)I mainly write romances (along with LOTS of poetry), but I have drafted and dabbled in other genres as well, including Christian-Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Mystery.Koru: the Trainer I Used to Know is my first published book, along with a couple poems (see Poetry). I have so many other ideas, poems, and stories in the works, that I am excited to share with you when the time comes!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
When I first started working towards publishing Koru, my agent asked me what my goal was. Was it to sell 1,000 copies? No. Was it to become an instant-bestseller? No. Was it to get an award? Haha, no. Not just yet...
My goal, was to get my name out there. Publishing my debut novel was the first step to fame. All I had to do was take it. Well, publishing was a catalyst for things to come. Getting my name "out there" would mean more than just publishing a book.
Below are some of the ways that my name has been spread, meaning I'm one step closer to being a world-famous author. All it takes is that first step, and before you know it, a wildfire has sparked.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up for my non-spammy, monthly email newsletter here!Each month I will update you on the books I'm working on, with exclusive excerpts, announcements of upcoming titles, reader participation, author Q&A sessions and potential giveaways.Sign up below!
SIGNED COPIES
I would love to sign your very own copy of Koru! Due to our current, nomadic lifestyle, it's a little tricky but not impossible.
You can also request a signed bookplate, see below.For a signed copy:1. Purchase a copy of 'Koru: The Trainer I Used To Know' from Amazon.com.
2. Mail your book, along with an appropriately sized, postage-paid, self-addressed envelope, to this address:Katelynn Balcom
218 Peters Private Dr
Bristol, TN, 37620(Not sure how to do this? Your local post office would be happy to show you how!)
4. Email me with the anticipated arrival date so I can be on the lookout for your book. Include any special message or name you'd like written in the book on a separate piece of paper.
5. I will sign your copy and send it back in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope you provided.
Please make sure to include adequate postage on the self-addressed, return envelope, as I will not be responsible for additional shipping costs.For a signed bookplate:
1. Email me your Amazon order #, your mailing address, any special name or message you'd like inscribed on your bookplate.
2. I will mail it to you. Easy peasy!
Leave a review
I love hearing from my readers!You can leave a review for Koru on Goodreads or Amazon. Simply click the icons below then search the title, and I'm pretty sure you know what to do from there ;D. When you have left a review, please reach out! I'd love to hear what you thought of Koru!If you'd like to send me your review directly, please use the email below to send me your review.If you have feedback for me as an author, you can send it to me at:
author@katelynnbalcom.com or head over to my contact page and send a message via the form.
Contact
Comments, feedback, questions?The email and form below are some ways that you can reach out! (You might notice I don't have any social media links below... and you are totally right!)
Curious about a signed copy of my debut novel?
Click here for more information!
author@katelynnbalcom.com
After five years of working on my debut manuscript, 'Koru: The Trainer I Used To Know' is finally ready to be released into the reader world!
'Koru' is a fantasy romance about rebuilding trust after it has been broken.
You can check it out (literally and figuratively) in print and e-book on Amazon.com
Join my Koru Book Ambassador Team
When seasoned authors release a book, they have a budget that includes publishers, bloggers & influencers, multiple social media outlets at their disposal and teams of people working to promote their book and create a buzz, even after the book has been published...I, however, am self-published.
I do not have a blog or any social media accounts.
I can't afford to pay bloggers or influencers to review or highlight my book.
And with the exception of a few dear friends offering to help edit my content for free and my mom as my "agent" to help with the techy stuff, it's a one girl show!But what I DO have is an amazing network of friends and fellow bibliophiles who are excited to help me launch this debut novel. I call them my Book Ambassador Team! They help get the buzz spread through their own networks of connections.
Koru is a young adult fantasy with clean romance. This may not be a great fit for everyone, but I'm sure you'll know just the right people who would enjoy this!
Spreading the word includes (but isn't limited to):
--sharing about my book 'Koru' on various social media platforms (I will provide you with images and content),
--contacting local libraries and bookstores,
--telling the groups you're connected with about Koru (groups can be in-person and virtual/social media),Think of it like a Kickstarter, but with no financial investment - just your time and excitement to help a friend! (Your friends will thank you for a new book recommendation, too!)
To get a special thank you gift, once you've spread the word about Koru, please send me proof (screenshots, links to newsletters, pictures of flyers, etc.) so I can send you a special edition Book Ambassador signed bookplate you can place in your printed copy of Koru (if you choose to purchase one) as a special thank you, just for my ambassadors!Since Koru has already been released, I still need and welcome the help to spread the word so I will continue to welcome Ambassadors.If you're interested, please fill out the form below and I will send you all the details including promotional images.
Koru: The Trainer I Used To Know