Hello once again. I'm back again for another update.

Taxes are done and on time.

Today I finished Janie's Got The Knack, Book Two, enough to send off to the editor.

Because of changes I made in Book One I had to re-write quite a bit of Two in order for the stories to flow. Plus, I had to start on the Book Three re-write, Janie's Got It Bad, because I place an excerpt in the back of each book. And it had to be what the reader expects to see in the beginning of Book Three, therefore, how I want it to stay (fingers crossed).

I will be happy when Janie Two gets published and ready for sale as I have a number of other stories that I'm anxious to get back to. I have learned a lot since I first starting writing Janie back in 2008. Between the editor's input and the LJWC critiques and guidance, I will have a lot of re-writing and changes to make in many of the drafts I have waiting.

I tell people I write women's fiction, mostly character-driven stories with a touch of humor. However, recently I had an idea come to me, which will be written in the first person and will be about a guy. He will become a ghost private investigator, literally a ghost. So, now what will I be able to tell people that I write? Just fiction?

In reality, I want my characters to be older women. There are not many books out there about older women characters; not counting the "make over" kind of books. Hooked is about a woman who is forty. That's a start.

The sad news (for me at least) is that I have several books cooking that are about women in the thirties. The good news is that I also have a few that are forties and up. The really good news is that the next story I'm attacking is about four elderly witches who are crime fighters (?). Got to get those juices stirred up so my fingers can do their thing.

On a long-suffering note, self-publishing has been a learning experience. I try to save money by doing much of it myself, so I upload, format, preview, edit, select book cover and fonts, order first proof, and edit some more before the final product. Then there's the marketing.

I've been to several book events in the last year, even sold a few of Hooked and Janie's Got A Job, and I have a few more events scheduled for June.

I also have a very busy personal schedule for most of April and May, which will of course, impede my writing schedule.

Til the next time, hope to see you again.

I was surprised (again) to see how much time has gone by since I was here last. It has been a busy time and will continue into June. We have several weddings to attend in May, which puts the bridal showers/one bachelor party to attend and gifts to be purchased in April. So every weekend in April and May are taken.

The Life Journeys Writers Club was incorporated in December and soon to be non-profit. I am now a Board member and the Treasurer. Every quarter, I attend the Board meeting where we are in the planning stage. This is besides the monthly meetings we have as a club.

I continue working on the re-write of Janie's Got The Knack, Book Two in my Janie's Got series. Time is at a minimum for working on making change and getting it ready for the editor.

March flew by, but I did manage to get Janie re-written to follow the changes I made in Book One. I am anxious to get it finished so that I can get back on to some of the other stories that have been on the back burner for some time now. It's always a "I think I can make that part better" moment when I'm nearing the finish line. At some point I'll have to say it's good enough and send it on.

On the first Saturday in March I did another Local Authors event at Booknuts Book Store in White Plains, MD. There were about four of us there this time around. The owners serve refreshments, and are very helpful when it comes to advertising and taking care of ringing up the sales. I did sell a couple of Janie's Got A New Job, Book One in the series this time around.

I've signed up for another event on June 1 at Booknuts. I still have several books left that I'm hoping to get sold. I would love to have Janie Two finished before then so that I can offer them for sale at that time. However, given how time consuming it is to go through 250 pages for the thousandth time looking for typos, or ways to improve a sentence, it doesn't seem likely that I'll be able to accomplish that. So, I'm hoping by the time I have it done and printed (fingers crossed it will be before end of year),  Booknuts will be having another event to which I can sign up.

That's a wrap.

FIRST POST OF 2013

Happy New Year to all who visit my blog.

I must say that 2012 was an eventful year for me.

Looking back on this site, I was surprised to note that I have had this blog since 2009. It really is hard to believe it's been that long.

Also, to realize that a few of the snippets I had posted here have made their way to publication, even if they were self-published. Although it has been a learning experience (that I have to do many things myself), I like the creative control of self-publishing. My ego is a little damaged to realize I haven't got a large following yet, for which I need my #1 fan to help remind me that the important thing in the beginning is to get my name and books out there.

Please note that some of the original snippets (that have been published) have been deleted from here. A lot has changed since they were first posted. A few of them were made into short stories, and either, have been or will be, put online for 99 cents.

For 2013 I want to be able to put out two more books. The Janie's Got series - Book Two, and Gale Warning - the 4 elderly witches crime solvers. However, just recently another story came to me which I have spent some time on letting the words go from my brain to the page. Once I exhaust that, I will get back to editing Book Two of Janie, and finish writing Gale Warning.

This year I will also have to find avenues for getting my remaining books sold.

I have spent all of my book revenue purchasing a website, tote bag, ball cap,  and other items that bear the my website information (advertizing). Please visit my website:

http://patriciapharrington.vpweb.com/default.html

for the latest updates and information.

I am also a member of The Life Journeys Writers Club:

http://www.lifejourneyswritersclub.com/home

which has helped to nurture my writing passion. And helped me get to where I am today.

So, yeah, 2012 was a busy year for me.

Short Stories Online

Have uploaded two short stories to Amazon and Barnes & Noble for 99 cents.

Just Weird - Tracy Newton is a reporter for a Virginian newspaper. She investigates weird happenings in and around Northern Virginia. In this story, Tracy is investigating why anyone would want to steal a brain.


Angelic Christmas -  Trish Oliver hated Christmas. She felt the holiday had lost the spirit, had become too commercialized. And after getting dumped by her boyfriend, and losing her job, she wasn't in the mood for the holidays...until something extraordinary happened to change her mind.

I hope to have two more ready in the next month or so.

Please, if you read this, and you purchase my books, leave a review on the website where you purchased the book. You can also leave a comment on my website under Contact Us.

website address: http://patriciapharrington.vpweb.com/default.html

Thanks to all who have bought my book(s). I value your support as I continue following my dream.

Waldorf Library Authors Reception

On October 13, I and six other authors from the Life Journeys Writers Club attended a local authors reception at the new library in Waldorf.

Although not officially open, the Director, Emily, held the event there to allow people to get a sneak peak of the new building.

There were about 16 or 18 authors in attendance. Several got to read from their work. Then there was a short break to allow people to roam and talk to authors or buy books.

I had several people stop by my table, although none bought a book. I did hand out several business cards and/or post cards. I left the event a little after 3, which was the time the event was to end but it was still going strong.

My new book, Janie's Got A New Job, had not been delivered yet, so I just had Hooked to offer.

Janie has since come in and will be available on Oct. 27th at the FallFest at Blue Crabs stadium in Waldorf. I hope and pray I sell most of the books I ordered, as I ordered a larger amount this time around to save on shipping charges.

I don't have anything planned after this but will have to look for ways to sell Janie (One). I need to find other avenues to sell my books. I cannot depend on just family to buy them.

That's it for now.

Latest News

On Saturday, Oct. 6, we went to Collingswood, NJ for their annual book fair. It proved to be a long day.

We (husband and oldest granddaughter and I) left late and got there later than planned. The writers club prez had some problems and couldn't make it...thus I was without a table or chair or tent, etc. that she said she would bring. Fortunately, she and I talked and she said one of the other members was already there and would have a place available at his table. 

The place was busy. They had 5 or 6 blocks blocked off with the streets filled with vendors. 

Sorry to say, I did not sell any books (there were so many other book sellers there) but I did get some ideas on how to improve sales on the ebooks. Thus, I came up with the following:

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: I will be offering a Special between Thanksgiving and New Year = Hooked for 99¢. 

We left at 2 in order to grab some lunch before making the 3 hour trip back home. 

This Saturday, Oct. 13, I will be at the Charles County Local Authors Reception at the new Waldorf library from 1 - 3. Then a break before another book signing (with new book, Janie's Got A New Job) at the Blue Crabs FallFest on the 27th. 

That will be it until I can plan another book signing at the Booknuts book store in White Plain, MD. I will be receiving my order of Janie hard copies around the 22nd and will need a venue for sales. 

Til next time...read and enjoy.

Second Romance Published

I have just uploaded Janie's Got A New Job to Amazon-Kindle. An order for hard copies has been placed, but it will take two weeks to get delivery.

I will not be selling books through Barnes and Noble. Due to low sales of Hooked, I never received royalties from them. If sales pick up, or I have enough requests to sell Janie's story through that website, only then will I put it and future books on their site.

On Saturday, September 29th, I had my first book signing event at Booknuts in White Plains, MD. The owners are working to have a local author's event each month to introduce new and upcoming authors.  It was a good event and an easy one for my first official outing.

I will now begin to prepare Book Two of Janie's Got for publishing next year. I am also working on Gail Warnings, about the four elderly witches. I hope that will be ready for 2013 publication.