This week has been really insightful for me. I've been dealing with some health issues for a while and at the beginning of the month, finally started looking at solutions. This week things feel like they are finally clicking into place. I won't go into too much detail, but know that while this week was not my "best" week in regards to productivity, I have learned a ton and am really excited about things going forward in this area.

Fortunately, I'm also one to take what I'm given and make it a positive. So while I have been resting, I have also been reading and studying. I have learned some incredible things about the French Revolution this week. Which means I'm making progress on what I want my next book to look like as it takes shape. I have also had several meetings with people who are helping me along this journey to become a full time author.

The only down side was today I received an email that I was hoping to have a different outcome for. I had applied to be a speaker for the TAA and speak about the history of Tourette syndrome, but was passed over this year. Next year, however, I will have more professional speaking gigs under my belt and I will try again. 

So while I wasn't thrilled with the news, I am now looking at another opportunity that would have taken place the same week. Hopefully, that will work out for me and I'm excited about that opportunity as well.

But I do love that as I have slowed down and done more planning and organizing this week, things look like they will continue to speed up and improve. Having the health tools will also make a huge difference and I am so grateful!

Two Weeks Worth of Growth

Hey there friends. I missed a week. Last weekend got busy and it didn't stop all week. But I made it! I'm here! I'm still alive and kicking. 

More than that, I'm doing.

It's been a thrilling week for me watching how quickly things are starting to progress. While I am still technically "unemployed" from a traditional job, I have been making waves as an author. It is amazing the difference that happens when suddenly you don't have the safety net of a steady paycheck.

I am currently scheduled for 2.5 presentations (the half not being confirmed, but there are also 2 of those), as well as at least 2 book signings in book stores. I currently have a plan to send emails to bookstores all across the state of Wyoming with a one sheet explaining my book and why it matters so they buy some and put it in their store.

Once I finish with Wyoming as a local author, I will expand and send to stores across the state of Utah, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, etc., slowly expanding my radius as I go.

On my one sheet, I mention that I am available for events in person or digitally, which will hopefully further fill my schedule. 

I also started working on turning Madamn into an audiobook!

Even bigger, I am currently working to expand my clientele for my publishing house, working with a few potential clients. 

The amount of growth that I have had over the past week has been phenomenal and I can't wait to share things with you as we actually have more things to announce and new books coming out.

Don't worry, even with all of these additional projects, I am making sure I am still setting aside time for researching my next book and getting an outline together. My next novel will not be out until 2027 at this rate. However, I am considering another foray into nonfiction and finishing a book I had an idea for several years ago that took a backseat to Madamn. 

So there might still be a book from Paula Jean Ferri this year. unless I can convince my husband to finish his children's book this year. 

Regardless, there are certainly big, big things in store and I can't wait to show you what's next!

Why I Do What I Do

In case you haven't been following along every week, as a recap, I am currently unemployed and trying to make a go of being an author full time. I am currently writing this in between customers at a local craft fair.

I always love doing these events because they are simply fun. I love the people I meet and getting to share about my book. The income helps, too.

My absolute favorite part is when I occasionally get reminders of why I do this. Why I write, why I speak, why I shamelessly promote myself and my books...

Last night at the craft fair, it was pretty slow. I was selling a few quill pens, but no books. Until near the end of the show. A young woman came up to my book because she saw books and loves to read. But as I mentioned what I write about and that I have Tourette syndrome, she shared that she also has TS. In fact, she had never met another woman with it.

We talked for quite a while about books, about tics, about getting a diagnosis, not to mention a few squirrels because we are both easily distracted. We shared a few hugs and after she bought a few of my books, she started to tear up and told me I had changed her life. Which of course made me tear up. 

She didn't even read any of my books yet, but she already says I have impacted her entire life knowing she wasn't alone.

And that makes it all worth it.