Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name is Amelia Frahm and I’m an author, advocate, cancer survivor, and mom of two . I’ve written two award-winning children’s picture books and I’m a contributor to “How we Became Breast Cancer Survivors”, and creator of Crack Open a Book! School Programs.
A breast cancer diagnosis in 1994 led to my writing career. I was dismayed to discover there were no children’s books to help explain what I was going through to my children.
Children today find this unbelievable, but back then talking about cancer to children was taboo. I had to establish my own publishing company to get my book published. In October 2001 “Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy” was launched on the Rosie O Donnell talk show. Rosie’s mom had died of breast cancer and she really helped bring cancer awareness to the public.
After the book was released I was invited to speak to elementary classrooms, but it was always about writing and not about cancer. It was not until 2007 the Tickles Tabitha character brought the first cancer awareness school program created by a cancer survivor to elementary schools.
In 2011, in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster I released another contentious children’s picture book, “Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works!”
That experience is why I plan to participate in the March for Science this April 22, 2017 on Earth Day.
The children that inspired my books are now young adults. I live in the mountains of East Tennessee and commute between North Carolina, where my children live, and Alabama where my husband works. I have a pug named Charleston Chew, who keeps me company.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works!”
I was the type of student who fell asleep reading anything technical, and consequently my first professional job after college was working at a nuclear power plant. It was under construction in South Texas. One of my job assignments was to create and implement a school program about how the nuclear plant would work. I always wished I had a more creative brochure than the schematic I handed out to my students. I never thought I’d be the one to write it, but the idea was always in the back of my mind.
When my family relocated from Minnesota to North Carolina there was a nuclear power plant nearby our home, and I started to format a story. It had been a work in progress for years when the Fukushima nuclear disaster occurred. I thought if there was ever a time a book like mine might useful that would be it.
I soon found out not everyone agreed about that. Both the book and I received backlash due to the its nuclear power title. However, if you read the book you’ll see that it’s a creative twist to the “How a Nuclear Power Plant Works” schematic in the back of the book. In fact, there was a time I worried the nuclear industry would think it was anti-nuclear.
The book is neither pro nor con, but I’m pro-nuclear power plants.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Coffee, chocolate and listening to my pug snore is how I work.
When I’m working on something creative, I keep my PC or my phone next to my bed. I seem to have the best ideas when I’m so tired I can’t keep my eyes open. I’ll get up and make notes. I commute a lot and driving seems to promote ideas as well.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The person who influenced me most was my dad, who never wrote a book, but published many an op-ed piece in the local newspapers. I was always the one why had to type them up and I learned at an early age the power of the pen.
What are you working on now?
An article for “Coping (with Cancer) Magazine” and, any former science teachers are raising their eyebrows in disbelief, but articles for Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy and Go Nuclear, Inc.
I’m also working on another children’s book. The little girl I titled Tickles Tabitha after is all grown up and a talented artist. I’d like her to do the illustrations. Unfortunately, this may take a while as she received a fellowship to UNC, and has way too many internships and school related professional grad school functions to work for free for her mother.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So much has changed since I began my writing career. I’ve had success pitching the media directly, but I think it helps to have your own website or author’s profile that showcases what you have done or are doing. Social media didn’t exist back when I got into the field. People paid more attention to critical or expert reviews.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Come up with your pitch prior to publishing.
POD and social media has both helped and hurt new authors. It’s easy to get published, but marketing has become even more difficult.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is a 24/7 job and writing a book is the easy part
What are you reading now?
“The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales”
What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now I’m working on getting my cancer education curriculum formatted into a book.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I have several, but the one I’ll share now is: “Captain Underpants” by Dav Pilkey. It was one of my son Jordan’s favorite books when he was in grade school. He dressed the part and gave his book report on it. The memory makes me happy and I’ll always love that book.
Author Websites and Profiles
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