So now that I have published a book, I feel like I am trying to merge two identities, and things might get a little confusing. So I want to have this post explain a little bit about what is going on for any new travelers to the squeaky world of Jess and Paula.

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

The First Week of 2026

Hello my friends! We have just concluded the first week of 2026. I'm feeling really good about how this year is shaping up already! My trip home was incredibly successful and really helped me as I journaled through some things this morning. It's nice to have evidence that my books can and will sell. I've been getting so many sweet text messages, dm's on socials, and general reviews that are just wonderful.

I'm now home and unpacking and cleaning things out as I bring in new books for research. I should be looking for a new part time job, but I just can't seem to make myself do it. I'm HOPING that means that the awesome sales streak I just had will continue; not just continue, but increase and I won't need one.

I am convinced that 2026 is the year I get to step into being a full time author. Which means that I will need to get another book or two out this year. I have other options, like my Reader's Escape and various merch I have created to help supplement my income, but it is actually completely doable. I'm also at a point where I think that the Paris Escape might need to be actually scheduled and and spaces sold. I'm thinking 2027 for Paris. 

This has been an unusual beginning of the new year for me. I feel like I have been mostly resting, relaxing, plotting, and planning. It might actually be my favorite new year yet. The rest has been needed and the timing for everything just seems to be working together so well. I am so excited to see the results and to see where I am at as I ring in 2027. 

I know that every time I journal, I get a bit of a thrill writing "2026" in the date and the momentum I feel continues to build. I finished the year with 250 copies of Madamn sold and am currently sitting at 266. With four other books already available and more to come, this is really just the start of something big. I'm so glad you are along for the ride!

Off to a Great Start for 2026!

I made it back to Friday! Now that the holidays are over and my schedule is slowly returning to normal, I'm getting back to more consistency in my habits. Which I very much need! I am getting very excited about the coming year and look forward to some big things that are happening. 

I have been asked to speak at this year's RomCon in Ogden, UT at the end of March and am working on possibly a few other speaking engagements to promote Madamn. I managed to sell 250 books by the end of 2025, and sold 4 more New Year's Day. I am hoping this trend continues!

For 2026, I want to make a few changes in my life. I want to relax more than stress about what is going on in my business, and focusing on doing the parts that I love. luckily for me, there are a lot of things I love about my chosen career and I am looking forward to doing more speaking and writing. I even actually enjoy the social media promotion and doing reels, and doing live events. 

Meaning I am headed into a year that is just going to make me so happy. 

You know what else makes me happy? Every time that I have deposited money into the bank, I receive more. Which allows me to do more of the things I love. More promotion, more writing, etc. My hometown has been so very supportive, as well as a few others. I am thrilled to be starting the year off so well and I look forward to the many opportunities it holds.

Sales Recap!

When I launched Madamn on September 22, 2025, there were 100 days left in the year. I set an impossible goal of selling 1,000 copies by the end of the year. Which I did not even come close to hitting. However, last night I did a book signing in my home town. 

I have had three book signings before and all three were a bit of a flop. The first was in 2018; I only had my first two nonfiction books and I had no idea how to promote or create an event. I had two people show up and sold a few books.

The second and third event I had launched Madamn, and I did signings at the library in Lander and Riverton in Wyoming. Both of which also only had 2 people and I sold a few books at each. 

However, at this last book signing, there were EIGHT people and I sold thirteen books. So things are growing and improving! Slowly, it is true, but it is improving. 

Which also puts my tally currently at 250 books sold in 2025. There is a chance I can possibly sell more today, but if not, I'm very happy with how things are ending for the year. I still plan on tallying my book sales to see how long it takes me to get to 1,000 copies sold, and am excited to see how quickly this book continues to build momentum for my career. 

Considering how big of a goal that 1,000 really was, I am quite pleased with how things played out, and I am still so very grateful to have hit 25% of that initial number.

Thank you, 2025

Hey friends. I can't tell you how thankful I am that you are here. 2025 has been good to me and I'm feeling so many things as we close the year and open a new one. 

My two biggest highlights that I am proud of was finally publishing my debut novel, Madamn, and leaving a terrible and borderline abusive job. These two things alone have changed my life SO much and in just the second half of the year.

These two things are still shaping my life, truth be told and I am so excited to see where this goes. For the first time since I started publishing in 2016, I am getting enough income to cover all of my business bills. Meaning I finally have stopped paying out of pocket and pouring money into my business. 

I am still a long ways from the actual "break even" point of what I have put into this novel, but the fact that it is paying for itself and the payments I make each month is saying a lot.

Today I even made my last payment to my editor and cover designer!

Oh! Also noteworthy, I paid off my student loans this year!

In case you couldn't tell, financials has been a huge focus of mine for a while now. It's such a breath of fresh air to not feel like I am drowning in monthly payments, especially since I am no longer working a full time job. It got rough there for a minute, but things are certainly turning around. 

As things continue to improve financially, I am working towards stepping into being an author full time. Between the 5 books I have published, additional books being written, reading retreats, and merch, I have a lot of potential for income. I might even be willing to step into helping others to publish as a publishing house.

I have been talking about this idea for years. I haven't actually moved forward because it's a scary and big jump. In the past, I have also always had limited time as I have worked odd jobs, full time and part time. However, with my part time job that just ended, I might jump in with both feet. I'm starting fairly small at first, but there are a few people I'm talking to about this possibility. 

I will also continue to apply for grants until I can actually receive much needed funding to keep this business fully afloat. One way or another, this is the year I fully step into my chosen career. 

Which is why I am so grateful for the steps I took towards freedom in 2025. My employment, my novel, and paying off my student loans has set things up for an incredible year next year and I can't wait to see what happens.

Endings and Begnnings

I'm a bit late on my Friday post again. last week had a lot going on. Friday was my last day at the Outpost. And since they have everything on sale it was busy. After work I jumped right into a craft fair, which was also busy. It didn't result in as many sales as I would have liked, but we did finally pass the 200 mark for copies of Madamn sold!

I have one more in person event before the end of the year in my hometown. While I don't think I will sell 800 copies, I am grateful I decided to increase my goal from the simple 100 books by the end of the year. It's been a thrill to watch all of the sale numbers and to be learning and growing so much since the launch. 

With any luck, I would love to sell another 50 copies before the end of the year. That would allow me to at least make it to 25% of the original goal, which feels both doable and a great milestone. I just love nice, round numbers like that, they are so satisfying!

Also exciting, Madamn continues to get great reviews. I had someone stop me in the street last week to say how much they were enjoying my book, and at the craft fair, I had no less than 3 people stop and say they haven't finished it yet, but they are just so impressed with how well it is written. I can't tell you how much that means to small indie authors.

If you have a book you enjoy, please reach out to the author and let them know. Writing can be a lonely business and you can really get into your own head with questions and self doubt. We live for little comments like these. Even more so when they are shared with others. 

Anywho, since I'm no longer at the Outpost and unable to holiday travel today (gotta love Wyoming weather), I plan to finally get started writing a few scenes for my next novel, so I'm going to switch gears. But I will try to get in a couple more posts before the end of the year so you know where we end!

Where We Stand on Goals

What a week! I've been sick this week and am about 85-90% better at this point. It was really stressful trying to be present at work since my job ends on Christmas Eve, while also trying to maximize on craft fairs and library signings. 

I even got to spend last night talking to a book club that read my book, which was super fun! It's always cool to see the insights that others have in my work, to be able to share more about Tourette syndrome, and to share what was real vs fiction in the novel. However, by the end of the day I was DONE. I'm surprised I felt so much better this morning instead of relapsing back into being sick. 

As of last night, book sales are up to 184, but I have a craft fair this morning and someone else is finishing up my book in KU, so I have high hopes of at least hitting 200 this weekend! And with another craft fair this weekend, and one in my hometown, 250 is my new goal before Christmas. Then, with any luck, any bookish gift cards given for the holiday, there might be a few more books sold?

At this point, I either get a Christmas miracle that gets me to that 1,000 in the next 3 weeks, or I shoot for a much more reasonable 300.

I've always been one to believe in big, impossible things. And it is still better than my initial thoughts when I first launched the book. When I learned there were 100 days from launch day to the end of the year, I had first thought that selling 100 books would be a fun goal- one book per day! Then I realized that was a small goal and I could do better, which is why I decided to 10x it, as one often hears in the business world. 

Point is, I'm still MUCH farther ahead than that initial thought process and I am grateful that I am doing so well with Madamn sales.

Because that 184 is JUST Madamn, none of my 4 other books. All 4 of my nonfiction have actually been selling as well. I just received a package yesterday restocking me for the next few shows as well. 

All in all, things are setting up for an awesome 2026! I can't wait to see where the new year takes me!