LDS Ladies Book Club discussion

Hi everyone, not sure if this is the right spot for my topic but let me know - thanks!

I am the author of a new YA Paranormal book called The Realm: Secrets Unlocked (It's a 3 book series).

Amazon has it under several genres based on key words in my description. One of them being fantasy. My book was a bestseller for 5 days straight on Amazon at #2 in Demons and Angels categories and #27 in Teen & Young Adult. Because of this it attracted readers of all types.

I began to experience an extreme mix of reviews. People who absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down, and people who loved it and couldn't put it down until it made any references about Christianity (As my characters are Christian). I have been getting attacked by atheists who are fuming mad that my book is classified under fantasy and has mentioning of Christianity. I've even been getting personal emails and messages about 6-8 paragraphs long. They are mad because they loved my book, my story line and my characters but felt I ruined it by mentioning God. Believe it or not, I even received an outraged email from a Christian woman who felt I was tainting Christianity by unintentionally angering atheists and trying to convert them. I let her know I was LDS and that if I was trying convert people my book would have had LDS characters. I had to research non-denominational churches to get facts right about my characters.

In addition to that, my novel is based on certain true events that happened to my father. I make it very clear in the acknowledgements that we fictionalized the story but were inspired by these events (that are mentioned in the book). This really angered people that I have a fiction/fantasy book based on true experiences. So I have been getting threats and all kinds of attacks. It's really been quite a shock at the controversy this has stirred up.

Is it not appropriate for books with Christian characters to be classified under broad genres? Dan Brown books have Christianity in them and are under the same broad genres as my book. Just wondering if I need to change my genre to Christian Paranormal Fantasy - is there such a genre? Will that limit my audience?

I've never received such extreme praise and extreme hatred over a book. Would love some feedback - thanks! Lindsey Rietzsch
Lindsey Rietzsch

I downloaded your book, and while I haven't had the chance to read it yet, I really am intrigued by the storyline, and can't wait to read it!

I'm not shocked that people went crazy over the Christianity thing since our world is unfortunately going in the direction of anything mentioning God is Taboo! That being said, don't change... You'll always find opposition in everything you do... A well published author, Cynthia Tobias had written many books, but it wasn't until she wrote a specific one, "You Cant Make Me," that she was met with more opposition, road blocks, and obstacles than ever before....something she called "great spiritual oppression"... She stayed courageous and determined and true to who she was, and it turned out to be an amazing help for all us mothers with Strong-willed children... An effective tool to bring up our children in righteousness!

I believe that when we meet opposition, it is usually because Satan knows that what we are doing will matter to someone else, and will be the key to bringing them closer to God... So don't stop. Stay strong. Write about what you know is right, and label it with as many keywords as you can to reach it out to the most unlikely people... You never know how your stories could prick a heart into searching out God for themselves!

I agree with Maurine. You're not going to please everyone all the time, especially when you do something courageous. I think the best thing to do is to write more!

Thanks Rachel and Maurine, I appreciate your encouraging words! :)

Hey all, check out this interview with Lindsey: http://bookpound.blogspot.com/2013/07...

Thanks Rachel! It turned out fantastic!

I was hoping your book was LDS based. That is really weird that atheists would be so upset by your book. I am sorry you are getting hate mail. I was getting some LDS vibes from your book.

Lindsey, take a look at the comments for any of Orson Scott Card's books, and remember, you are in great company. As my son says, "Haters gotta hate." Stick to what you know is right!

Nancy wrote: "I was hoping your book was LDS based. That is really weird that atheists would be so upset by your book. I am sorry you are getting hate mail. I was getting some LDS vibes from your book."

LDS readers will pick up on certain things in the book which is the fun part - but I wrote it for a general audience so that I could reach a larger group of readers. Book 2 and Book 3 will throw out some amazing stuff that will be completely new to people not of the LDS faith but will get them thinking and pondering if it's fiction or not and possibly wanting to know more. It's certainly been fun to see how this book has effected people.

Laurie wrote: "Lindsey, take a look at the comments for any of Orson Scott Card's books, and remember, you are in great company. As my son says, "Haters gotta hate." Stick to what you know is right!"

Thanks Laurie!

Lindsey K. wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I was hoping your book was LDS based. That is really weird that atheists would be so upset by your book. I am sorry you are getting hate mail. I was getting some LDS vibes from you..."

I understand your wanting to reach a larger audience. Its fun reading a book, and seeing the LDS perspective coming out. I just finished reading, To Sing Frogs, by John M. Simmones, and he tells of his son's mission in Spain. That came pretty close to the end of the book.