Pivoting Author with a Heart on her Christmas sweater
When the Weekend Plans Go Feral and the Author Keeps Dancing

If you’ve ever watched a weather forecast like it was the season finale of a thriller, you’ll understand my week. One minute, I was calmly preparing for the upcoming Christmas festival on Saturday, and the next, the forecast promised three straight days of rain and thunderstorms, which makes tents sag, vendors, especially authors, sprint, and paperbacks cry.

Cue the pivot.

The organizers shifted the event to the next week on the Sunday because there’s already a Christmas festival happening on that Saturday in a nearby town. Same county. Same crowds. Same readers juggling hot cocoa, handmade crafts, along with the sudden desire to buy another book for themselves, and some additional books to give as presents to their family and for a work or book club secret Santa.

And just like that, my quiet weekend became a double-header challenge. We’ve never done two book events on consecutive days before, but if I can wrangle imaginary murderers, secretive suspects, mobsters, ghosts, cranky sheriffs, and rogue tech moguls on the page, surely Senior Staff and I can wrangle two festivals in one weekend.

Welcome to My Weekend Whirlwind

Here’s my schedule that is actually a plot twist in action!

Friday: Load tent, tables, bins of books into the truck.
Saturday: Roll out early, set up the booth, stack the books, and greet readers while hoping the wind minds its manners. Sell books, laugh with new friends, pack up, and leave everything in the truck like a traveling circus.
Saturday night: Replenish the books that went home with readers. Hydrate. Stretch. Pretend I’m as young as the characters I write.
Sunday dawn: Coffee. Coffee in the thermos. Drive to round two, set up again, smile like it’s Day One, and do my absolutely favorite thing, which is talk books with readers. What do you like to read?
Sunday evening: Collapse with dignity, or without it; the dogs don’t judge. Unload the truck later or maybe on Monday. Probably Monday.

Celebrate another successful fall and holiday festival season!

Readers Make the Pivot Worthwhile

Last year at a festival, a young woman came to my booth looking slightly overwhelmed. She wanted to buy three books; two were gifts for her mom and her grandma, and the third was a treat for herself. We chatted about their hobbies, what kinds of stories they each gravitated toward, and which types of characters hooked them fastest. I paired each one with a Book 1 from a different series.

A few weeks after Christmas, she emailed me. “You nailed it! Even my picky grandma loved her book!”

Moments like this are why I love going to the festivals. The stories may be mine, but the joy of matching the right book with the reader is where the real magic happens!

The Dance of Flexibility

I may be spinning through a whirlwind weekend with two festivals, one truck, one patient man, and a mountain of books, but I’ll land exactly where I love being: in the middle of conversations that matter, in front of readers who love stories, and in the heart of a community that shows up.

Flexibility isn’t just a fancy dance move; it’s adjusting your footing mid-air and finishing the spin with flair, even if you wobble a little.

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

Judith signature

p.s. Can’t make it to either of the festivals?

Visit Barrett Book Shop! https://barrettbookshop.com

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Crossroads: When All Paths Are Good

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025

woman standing at a crossroads with books and a dog

Have you ever pondered which direction to take when you’re at a crossroads, not because you’re lost, but because every direction looks promising?

We often associate crossroads with a crisis, confusion, or moments of urgent reckoning. But sometimes, the fork in the road is filled with nothing but possibility. Each path is well lit. Each one leads somewhere worthwhile. The challenge, then, is not choosing right from wrong, but choosing among the choices that are excellent, superb, or outstanding.

That’s where I am right now.

In writing and in life, sometimes we stand on solid ground with the luxury and burden of freedom. We’ve built something, grown something, worked through the tough stuff. And now we get to ask: What’s next?

It sounds like a simple question, but it isn’t, especially when every option is calling your name!

Maybe you’ve been there, too, while you considered several job offers, or homes to move into, or projects to start. Or you’ve stood in front of your own dreams: old ones, new ones, half-buried ones, and asked yourself which one deserves your time and heart next.

The truth is, there’s no map for this kind of decision. Sometimes, we’d love to have a flashing arrow, a divine sticky note, or at least a nudge from a talking animal (wouldn’t that be nice?). But more often, we’re asked to trust ourselves, listen closely, and weigh not just what makes sense, but what makes us come alive.

I’m standing at the crossroads of several creative paths. Continue a series that readers love? And which one of the four? Take a leap into a new genre I’ve secretly wanted to explore? Finish a collaboration that’s already in motion? All good. All worthwhile. All tugging at my sleeve, or actually, my heart.

I can easily juggle two projects, but when I expand to three or more, I’m not managing them as successfully as I imagined I would. I’m terrible at matching real time effort with the effort time I conjure up in my head.

So how to choose?

Some people follow logic, and others, their gut. Some make lists, flip coins, listen to their heart, or sleep on it. I’ve done all of them, sometimes even with success. “They say” choosing a direction doesn’t mean abandoning the others; it just means choosing which dream gets your focus first, and maybe that’s right. It just takes me awhile to get there.

I suppose that’s the beauty of a crossroads. It doesn’t mark an ending; it marks a beginning. The good news is I won’t just stand there. I’ll pick one and move on.

So here’s to the good choices. To the full plates and full hearts. To the scary freedom of having options, and the courage to walk forward with the one that is calling out the loudest, which is what I typically do after a bit of moaning over choices.

Have you found yourself at a crossroads lately? I’d love to hear how you navigated it, or what you’re still considering.

As always, thank you for walking a bit of the road with me.

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

Judith signature

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When Life Hands You Peaches

June 27, 2025October 20, 2025

After we bought a bit of land in Georgia, we planted peach trees on the property to add a little variety to the acres of pine trees. Next, we decided we wanted to move closer to our property so we could enjoy it more often than once a month.

I found the absolutely perfect fixer-upper that would have been a wonderful bed-and-breakfast!

Abandoned house

FarmerMan wasn’t as thrilled as I was, but since he’s such a kind-hearted soul, he’d drive past it occasionally while I explained what its potential was. I even envisioned what its name would be.

My vision of Peach Blossom Retreat PEACH BLOSSOM RETREAT

I was sorrowful the last time we drove past my dream bed-and-breakfast when the house was gone with not even one board left, much less the once beautiful, broken down wrought-iron fence. Condemned and razed to the ground. Alas!

Six years ago we did finally find the house we agreed was for us and moved to Georgia, and then three years ago, we planted peach trees. The following year, we fenced in our peach trees because the neighborhood deer were dining on the leaves.

Fenced in Peach Trees

This year, we have a bumper crop of peaches! When Life hands you peaches, it’s time to celebrate!

Peaches from our trees

I never forgot my Peach Blossom Retreat, though.

Jenna Ross Thriller Series

Jenna is a young widow, innkeeper, and a most unlikely crimefighter.

Jenna Ross Series Books 1-4

Jenna Ross Thriller Series Books 1-4

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

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What If…

June 3, 2025

Maggie dressed in black pretending to be a spy

I’m thinking about writing a follow up bonus story for the Maggie Sloan Thriller Series. What story would you like to read about Maggie?

One that I’ve been kicking around is What If Parker had not been ambushed…

Can you think of a story you’d like to read?

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

Judith A. Barrett Storyteller and Author

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Friends in High Places

May 2, 2025May 3, 2025

Butterflies visit my tent

Spring Fling Festival, Moultrie GA

When the colorful butterflies floated around my tent at the Spring Fling and entertained the small fry by posing for photos with them, I decided I qualified as a small fry. I was sad I didn’t have any wings to spread, but I did my best.

It was the first time we’d gone to the Spring Fling, but they’re definitely on our Return in 2026 List. The vendor sites were generous, there were a lot of readers who stopped to talk (and buy!) books, and the weather was gorgeous. And there were butterflies!

A Hero In Action

Across the street from us was a 26-foot climbing wall sponsored by a local business. The climbing wall was free, and in between talking to readers and signing books, we were entertained by the children climbing the wall. All of them wore the appropriate-sized harnesses and safety gear and were safely tethered as they tackled the wall with the goal of getting to the top and hitting a button that sounded a buzzer.

Late in the afternoon, we watched a young girl who was six or seven make her way almost to the top. She stopped and looked up, but the next hand-hold was out of her reach. She stretched and grab onto the peg, but then she was stuck. She couldn’t go up, and she couldn’t touch the foothold that was below her without letting go of the peg.

Her mother and the two men who operated the climbing wall tried to coax her to hold on to the rope, so she could come down, but she was frozen in place and had a death grip on the plastic climbing pegs as her feet were perched precariously on a single peg.

There were so many people, and so much noise, no one could hear her screams. She was so high up, people wandered past the wall and didn’t notice the terrified little girl clinging to the side of the wall. But we saw her.

After a half hour of watching the experts and her mom try to coax her down, I stopped a passing City of Moultrie firefighter and told him about the little girl. She was so high up that it took him a minute to see her, but when he did, he strode across the street, removed all his gear, and within a few minutes, he was tethered to the back side of the wall.

He climbed the wall, but when he got close to her, he had to stop to calm her. He tried to talk her into grabbing onto him, but she was too overcome by the terror of falling to listen. Her arms were quivering from muscle fatigue, so he climbed higher and put his arm around her.

When she leaned against him and grabbed onto him with one hand, he held her tight, and she let go of the peg with her other hand.

He climbed down, holding her securely, while she had a viselike grip on him as tight as she had clutched her peg. When they reached the ground, the experts quickly removed the girl’s harness, and her mom whisked her away.

The firefighter, Cam, came to our tent to chat with us after his rescue, which is why we know how harrowing the ordeal was for the little girl.

Farmer Man emailed the chief of the Moultrie City Fire Department, commending Cam for being a hero and received a nice reply from the chief.

Friends in High Places, indeed.

I see stories everywhere I go.

You keep reading;

I’ll keep writing.

Judith signature

The Photos, Close Up

A climbing wall at a festival with a person climbing on it, surrounded by a crowd of people and colorful tents under a blue sky.

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New Series With a Serious Twist

September 15, 2024

A New Series

Chapter One

According to my schedule for 2024, it was time for a new series. The plan was for another series similar to Donut Lady: a older main character than we’d seen in the previous three series. I decided on a setting of a Bed and Breakfast.

Romantic Mystery Series Bed-and-Breakfast

By the middle of Chapter One, the real Jenna Ross, an accountant and introvert, peeked out from behind her ledger books. Turns out she was actually a twenty-four-year old widow. Who knew?

The rewrite didn’t take long, and the story for Elusive Embezzler was well underway.

Jenna Ross Mystery Book 1 Elusive Embezzler

Chapter Nine

Because it was a completely new series, I asked a few beta readers to read what I had so far. Their comments helped fill a few glaring potholes and gave me some ideas. So I kept on writing.

Chapter Sixteen

When I was halfway through Chapter Sixteen, I realized something was gnawing at me. I realized I needed a new Facebook group with a different perspective. And Barrett’s Banned Band of Book Bandits was born.

It’s a group unlike any of the typical Facebook Groups for readers. If you like it, fine; if not, that’s okay too. It’s low key bandits reading and minding their own business, and my business too actually, although they’d deny it. The group motto: Be Nice or Leave.

The bandits pointed out Jenna Ross was more like Maggie Sloan. I could see their point.

Chapter Sixteen

The bandits and I decided the first part of Chapter One was a little bland in comparison to the rest of the story. Even though the story was nearing the end, we did a major overhaul. While we were at it, we threw in a few tweaks to the story here and there to give it a little more edge.

Chapter Eighteen

When I reached the end, we were shocked at the turns the story took as we re-read for edits. Yes there was a mystery and a hint of romance, but there were too many twists and subplots for a romantic mystery. Even the online grammar and spell checker wanted to soften the story and lighten it up a bit and suggested maybe I should add a little kissing or something because the story had become something like this:

The (New) End

I didn’t think it was all that scary even if it did have a little heart-pounding excitement here and there. And an explosion. As a reviewer pointed out several years ago, I do love a good explosion.

Maybe I’ll use this for the cover series. Or not. The Peach Blossom Retreat does need some updating. What do you think?

Elusive Embezzler

Of course, we had to have a new cover for the Elusive Embezzler. A good friend jumped in and helped me out. He’s officially an honorary bandit.

Next up: a rewrite of the book description, and the book’s ready for its release on September 27 on the retailer sites and an earlier release date of September 20 on Barrett Book Shop. Yes, the bandits and I play favorites.

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

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August is National Dog Month

August 2, 2024

TJ and Toby Dogs Sofa August National Dog Month

Toby and TJ are celebrating National Dog Month of August in the time-honored canine way of relaxing on a sofa because August is also the Dog Days of Summer. Both of them are rescue dogs and both of them are excellent family guard dogs, but sometimes even canine heros need a break from the Georgia heat and humidity.

My version of hiding from the heat is along the same lines. Do you see how much space TJ is giving the sofa to his left? That’s my writing spot. I grab my laptop, put up my feet, and write the stories that are clamoring to get out of my head. Sometimes I stare out the window that is on the other side of Toby and ask, “What happens next?” And the story continues.

If you ever see a book I wrote and there is no dog in it, you’ll know I’ve been kidnapped and am sending out a call for help. Of course, I will also leave clues in the book so you can rescue me. Or just ask TJ and Toby; they’ll know where I am.

I’m writing Book 1 of a new mystery series, and the star dog is a golden retriever named Katy. The book is in preorder right now on Barrett Book Shop (BarrettBookShop.com) with a release date in September. I’d originally planned for Book 2 to be released in October, but November is more realistic.

What happens next with Katy and her person is nudging me, so it’s time to light my writing candle, put up my feet with my laptop in my writing spot, and write!

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

QuickJAB, The Latest Twist

Inside or Outside?

April 5, 2024April 6, 2024

Which is your preference?

When it comes to Arts and Crafts festivals, outside wins for me, hands down, EXCEPT when it’s raining. When we’ve been caught in a passing shower, the Hubs and I have said for years, “We’ve been wet before; we’ll be wet again.”

However, books don’t do well in overnight dew or a little shower, much less a downpour. We watched the weather closely for the Calico Arts and Crafts Festival, and as the chance of precipitation and thunderstorms rose, the more we worried about the books.

I had originally requested an outdoor spot, but ten days before the Calico Arts and Crafts, I sent a frantic email to the organizer asking to be moved indoors. If you’ve read the Grid Down Survival series, you know that Rosalie is the “Weather Girl.” I channeled my inner Rosalie.

The organizer relieved my worries when she graciously switched us to indoors. Almost all the vendors, indoors and outdoors, set up Friday afternoon to be ready for the Saturday morning event. A terrible thunderstorm with destructive wind blew through late Friday night, and quite a few tents were destroyed. It was tragic.

I was relieved we were inside at the Calico Arts and Crafts Festival, but we had to modify our usual setup. what do you think?

Calico Arts and Crafts in Moultrie GA, March 16-17 (Indoors)

Calico Arts n Crafts Mar 16 2024 smaller

We had a glorious time talking to so many great readers from Georgia and Florida who went home with dry books! The event coordinator had everything well-organized, including an organization of young men on Friday afternoon who unloaded our bins of books for us at our assigned vendor spot!

As usual, we picked up brilliant tips from the vendors around us. Calico is on our Definitely Return list for their next event in November.

Peanut Proud in Blakely GA, March 23 (Outdoors)

Blakley GA Mar 23 2024 Peanut Proud

Our set up at the Peanut Proud Festival was our usual with our canopy tent and my banner on the front of the tent. It got a little windy in Blakely that day, but the organizers were remarkable hosts, and we had a wonderful time.

We were surprised how many readers from Georgia and Alabama braved the wind gusts and went home with a new book or two. Amazingly, our tent didn’t blow away. Peanut Proud is another event on our Definitely Return list for next year.

The Stars of the Shows: Books!

QuickJAB, The Latest Twist

One Big Book, A Bundle, and Readers Rock

February 5, 2024February 5, 2024

One Big Book 50% Off

An OMNIBUS of 820 pages!

Exclusive from Barrett Book Shop

A paperback to read while you rock. Bookmark included.

The complete set of Donut Lady books all in ONE BIG BOOK!

Donut Lady’s side hustle is exposing killers.

Karen O’Brien is a former teacher and convicted felon. After prison, she looks forward to a new, quiet life in her hometown in Georgia despite the disruption of her lurking shadows and terrifying nightmares.

She becomes the Donut Lady after she buys a donut shop complete with a sweet German Shepherd, Colonel, and a sassy gray cat, Mia.

Donut Lady’s specialties are freshly made donuts, scones, hot coffee, and solving crimes. Good plan, except for the pesky killers that intend for her to die.

The COMPLETE set of ALL the Donut Lady Cozy Mystery books in ONE Hefty Paperback! (1)Sweet Deal Sealed, (2) Sweet Deal Concealed, (3) Sweet Deal Revealed, (4) Sweet Deal Appealed, (5) Sweet Secret Deal, and (6) Sweet and Sour Deal.

A Bundle 50% Off

Maybe you’d rather have the entire Cozy Mystery Series in eBooks with a little less weight to carry around.

Exclusive from Barrett Book Shop

I gotcha!

SIX BOOK eBUNDLE Feb 5 2024

The Complete Set of Donut Lady Books for you to read on your Kindle, Nook, or phone!

Donut Lady’s side hustle is exposing killers.

She becomes the Donut Lady after she buys a donut shop complete with a sweet German Shepherd, Colonel, and a sassy gray cat, Mia.

Donut Lady’s specialties are freshly made donuts, scones, hot coffee, and solving crimes. Good plan, except for the pesky killers that intend for her to die.

The COMPLETE Set of ALL the Donut Lady Cozy Mystery Series eBooks delivered to your Kindle or ereader! (1)Sweet Deal Sealed, (2) Sweet Deal Concealed, (3) Sweet Deal Revealed, (4) Sweet Deal Appealed, (5) Sweet Secret Deal, and (6) Sweet and Sour Deal.

Readers Rock!

Readers Rock

I wanted a really cool sticker to include with signed paperbacks that are ordered from the Barrett Book Shop. Because…Readers Rock!

But while I created the sticker, I wondered about the history of rocking chairs…a natural progression, wouldn’t you think?

Trivia

History of Rocking Chairs

Here’s a rabbit hole for the fascinating story of rocking chairs History of Rocking Chairs. I’d forgotten about the therapeutic uses of the rocking chair. Add a book, and you’re relaxing your back and going on an adventure with your favorite characters!

History of Donuts

Donuts have a much longer history than rocking chairs. Here’s what the Britannica has to say on the topic of donuts: https://www.britannica.com/topic/doughnut

My favorite was the tale of the sailor, Hanson Gregory, who was said to have pierced a hole in the pastry with the ship’s wheel during a storm, which reminded me of the pirate in another series… but that’s ANOTHER story!

The History of Rocking Chairs

QuickJAB, The Latest Twist

Author at Work

October 5, 2023October 20, 2025

authorwriting Chickens with grass Jan 2023 clipped

My New Author Bio?

Judith A. Barrett: The Georgia-based, award-snatching author who’s convinced her chickens might be plotting the next big mystery, or are they burying the evidence?

With her loyal husband as her alibi, two dogs who are terrible at keeping secrets, and a penchant for spinning yarns ranging from mysterious thrillers to cuddle-worthy cozies, Judith has a story for every kind of reader. She’s taken on the challenge of combining mystery and crime with just a sprinkle of sweet romance to all her stories to keep them mildly spicy like sugar and cinnamon – not like jalapeno and ghost peppers!

Her motto? “You keep reading, or the chickens get it! Just kidding… I’ll keep writing!“

Bitter-barn-smaller-1 Chickens who go broody and won’t leave the nest go into the Bitter Barn to cool off. She’s crying fowl on the charges. If she begs you to open the barn door with a promise of eggs, she’s scamming you. Broody hens don’t lay eggs. There’s a story…

Buy Judith a cup of coffee!

Did you enjoy the new bio? Consider buying me a cup of coffee! Coffee is magical writer’s fuel and keeps me writing, researching, and sharing stories with you. Thank you for your continued support!

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