Why hello!!
Wednesday, August 17, 2050
My name is Jessica Smith. I publish under a pen name of Paula Jean Ferri. The two names are interchangeable in my mind though. While I was born as Jessica, around the age of 17, I developed a new lifelong friend, who I affectionately call Paula. Her name is a little more searchable than mine is. Besides, I probably wouldn't have had anything to write about without her, so she became the author.
Feel free to wander the blog and discover a little more about Paula's antics. I am also on Medium writing as often as I can between my three outlets (books, blog and Medium). I would LOVE to hear more about you and any questions you may have. Please send an email to Paulajeanferri@gmail.com.
Last, but CERTAINLY not least... I can't thank you enough for visiting!! I LOVE that you are here and hope to see more of you! Be sure to keep up to date on my website:
paulajeanferri.com
Friday, July 18, 2025
Another week come and gone! I managed to get Madamn out to beta readers on Monday and I was so proud of myself! So while I'm waiting for feedback from them, I've been working on fulfillment for other items needed for the Kickstarter and still working on filling the Reader's Escape.
It's wonderful to feel like I'm making so much progress after so long where movement was minimal. I'm still thankful every day that I quit my job at the bank, even if I'm still wishing I had done it a couple of months earlier.
I'm still cutting all of these deadlines really close. I'm honestly worried I might have to push the launch date back a few weeks just so I have time to promote it. But I guess that depends on what I hear back from beta readers.
In the meantime, I'm spending my time working my part time job as I continue to build and prepare as much as possible!
It doesn't feel like there is really much to tell right about now, but soon there will be more than plenty!
This week has had a few days where I've been barely able to function, but luckily those were also days when I had support and things were still moving.
Every once in a while, I feel successful. It's not often tied to any kind of income. Back in the fall of 2020 I had what I then considered the most successful I had ever felt. It might still be the top, to be honest.
I was working as an elementary school librarian at the time and had just showed up to clean the books that had come in the day before (because COVID). I had been there maybe 10 minutes when my grandma called very worried because Grandpa had doctor appointments in a town 2 hours away but wasn't feeling well enough to drive. Grandma couldn't drive because she is blind.
She asked if I would be able to take them to the doctor. I said, "Absolutely." I stood up and walked out the door. I did not have to ask to use any time off or cancel any classes or explain to anyone. I just left.
This week, I had another one of those, but different.
My goal for this week was to finish one specific project for Kickstarter fulfillment. I had asked for the help of a woman I go to church with. I thought the two of us would knock it out pretty quickly. However, I was not feeling well, but everything got finished while I actually did work on something less physically involved.
So I actually made MORE progress than I thought I was going to. It's a cool feeling to have the help and support of others and to know that not everything depends on or revolves around me.
Thinking lately about success and growth and what that looks like. Obviously, I don't always think it is a monetary thing. Sure, the money is helpful, but having the ability to leave full time employment, to take care of people I love, and to have people who not only love me and take care of me, but who also believe in the projects I do.
It feels really good.
I feel more successful than I did a month ago in a bank job, making good money with great benefits.
But the biggest success of all to me is feeling like I get to follow a unique and inspired path for me. A divine purpose that means more to humanity than I do on my own. I'm not saying this like I'm unimportant, quite the opposite, it makes me feel MORE important. Which, coming from someone who always questioned her worth and if life was worth living, means a LOT.
I love feeling like I am doing something good in the world around me and that I feel so fulfilled doing it. It brings me joy, not just to write, but to feel like others need what I have to say, even if it hasn't been published yet.
But it is absolutely worth the highs and lows of publishing a book.
The more I grow into this role, the more successful I feel. Like I'm going in the right direction.
And THAT is the ultimate success in my mind.
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Friends, I'm sitting here wishing I had quit the bank a month or two earlier. I've been so excited and proud of how much progress I've made in the past month... It has been really good and really needed. I still am proud and excited.
But I'm also filled with anxiety and dread of how much MORE needs to be done and just about ONE MONTH to do it all in!
So today's post will be kind of short, I do have to get back to the editing and all the things.
Pray for me y'all. It's going to take a miracle to get this all together in time!
Saturday, July 5, 2025
This year, I feel like there is a lot I am celebrating. Not only the independence of the United States of America, but also my recent freedom full a full time job.
Although, not gonna lie, this week really put a bit of a wrench in things. There was no routine so I'm still a bit scattered and less organized, but still incredibly happy.
I started my new job this week which is every bit as wonderful as I was expecting. In fact, Paula got so excited that a woman stepped around the corner with an excited look on her face looking for the puppy that just barked.
Spoiler alert, it was me.
BUT this shop that I work at also happens to carry my books, which then naturally led to me pointing them out and selling a copy!
I'm still so excited about this job and how much progress I've been able to make this week on my work.
There is still more than I would like as far as cleaning up the novel, but I'm thrilled with the progress I'm making and can't wait to share Madamn with you!
Saturday, June 28, 2025
Hey friends!
Things have finally settled down a little bit in my life. Mostly. Our water heater had a leak in it while we were away from the house, but all things considered, we had the best case scenario and we took care of most of it yesterday.
Which means today I am back at it! I've already been to the post office, drawn up an invoice for books to be in a traveling book trailer (that will also be at the Reader's Escape!) and purchased a few gifts for the Escape book boxes.
Things are moving right along with Madamn and I love how well things are finally starting to come together!
I should have it to beta readers in mid-July and ready to go in time for me to focus completely on marketing and promotion for the release day!
I'm just so ready for it to be done. As much as I love this book and this process, it has been a long time coming and I can't wait to start on the next project with my husband!
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Remember how I quit my job and last Friday was my last day? While this past week has been very full and fulfilling and I've been able to make so much progress on my novel and in business in general... I actually almost forgot that today is Saturday and that I needed to do a blog post!
I'm actually really proud of myself right now. So now that things are more free and flexible, I might be posting more often.
Maybe not, we will have to see.
I will for sure continue to post every week, but it may not be strictly on Saturday anymore since I obviously can't remember what day of the week it is anymore.
But this week has been very special in a lot of ways and very hard in others.
I've loved having a full week with no job to attend to, how much progress I've been able to make on Madamn, being able to relax and spend time with my family. The hard part is that my family has been in a bit of emotional turmoil.
It's been so good to be here for the support and to support my family as well, since this would be happening regardless of where I am, but it's still never easy to watch people you are close to struggle and suffer.
But I have still managed to write a few new scenes and been able to do a few edits, as well as other important aspects of running a book business, while being here to support my family.
Honestly, that is my favorite part about being a writer. Knowing that I have the flexibility and freedom of time to do what is needed to support those I love and be active in the community.
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Whew! What a week. To have a full moon in a customer-facing job and your last day be on Friday the 13th was a bit of a challenge! But I finally made it and am free to schedule my days much more freely.
Working full time this close to a book launch has been a challenge, but I'm excited to see how things are finally able to progress.
Because I'll be honest, there hasn't been much of that lately.
At least not near the level I need it to be. I'm so excited to know that it's going to get so much better. This weekend is going to be spent in recovery, which does actually include cleaning my house. It's hard to relax when I have dishes in the sink that need to be washed and laundry that needs folding.
But then the real work begins and hopefully you will be seeing a lot more of me online so that I can finish this novel and really get the word out for the launch in August.
With all of that said, this is going to be a short post so I can get to it!
Have a great week! I know I will!!!!