Tag: Author

The Latest Twist

Pirouettes, Pivots, and Paperbacks

JAB

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? 

button visit barrett book shop

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

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The Donut Hole

Donut Shop in West Texas "Donut Hole"

The Original Donut Hole

The Donut Hole was the name of a donut shop that existed at one time in a small Texas town.*

There’s a story…

Back in the day when I was pregnant with Baby #4, I took the country doctor’s advice literally. “Walk at least a half mile every day.”

After FarmerMan left for work and the two older boys left for school, I strapped my squirmy toddler into a second-hand umbrella stroller (anybody remember those?) and walked, actually waddled, to the edge of town, which was conveniently a quarter of a mile away.

We left as early as possible because even in the spring, the sweltering heat in West Texas combined with the black asphalt road would make a late morning stroll unbearable.

More importantly, The Donut Hole, which was at the end of our road near the highway, ran out of my favorite maple donuts not long after they opened. My goal every morning was to beat the crowd. The competition for maple donuts was fierce, but I was determined.

I frequently arrived before The Donut Hole officially opened according to the tattered sign taped to the door, but the owner always left the front door unlocked for the sheriff or anyone else who wanted to drop by to chat or grab a free cup of coffee while he fried donuts. I think he enjoyed the company.

The shop was small, with only three stools at the counter, and had no tables or chairs for the customers. The Donut Hole’s official business model was carryout, but their true business model was y’all stick around for a cuppa coffee before you leave with your dozen donuts for the office.

The inside of the shop was rustic, but definitely not the rustic glam that people talk about now. Rustic like the walls were ringed by shelves that served as the storeroom for the shop. My favorite part of the inside of the store besides the old fryer was the wooden floor. Footsteps sounded like those made by cowboys in the old Western movies as they strode into a saloon and sidled up to the bar.

I loved to inhale the familiar aroma of warm, deep-fried dough blended with the fragrance of sweet sugar and subtle hints of the flavors for the day, and my toddler squealed in anticipation of his daily treat.

“The maple donuts and plain donut holes are cooling on the rack, unless you two plan on changing your order this morning.” The owner said the same thing every day.

I finally realized years later it was his version of a joke.

Since I’m so literal, I assured him every time. “We might someday, but not today. One maple donut and one donut hole, please.”

Inspiration for a Cozy Mystery Series

Can you see how the Donut Hole and its maple donuts with donut holes for toddlers became the inspiration for Sweet Deal Sealed, Book 1 of the Donut Lady Cozy Mystery Series?

Maple donuts are still my favorite. What’s your favorite donut?

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

Judith signature

* It’s possible this is a photograph of the donut shop, but it could also be a substitute. You can decide.

The Latest Twist

Crossroads: When All Paths Are Good

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

The Latest Twist

When Life Hands You Peaches

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 RetreatPEACH 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 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…

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 Logo
Judith A. Barrett Storyteller and Author

The Latest Twist

Watching Trees Grow

Planting Pine trees

In 2021, we decided we’d like to have trees in the field in front of our house. I love trees. We ordered a passel of pine trees. Before the trees arrived, we carefully marked each row and the planned position of each tree with a flag. We know passersby were curious because vehicles suddenly slowed down as they drove past our house. In their defense, it did look like some kind of construction was about to happen.

We planted our trees in the perfectly straight rows, and all the trees in all the rows were perfectly aligned, except for one afternoon when I was tired and misread the numbers on the tape measure. There still are two trees in one row that are 6 feet apart, not 8. The trees in the background are the older trees we planted in 2021.

The trees we planted in 2022 suffered from the extended drought of several months, and we lost almost all of them.

The trees we planted in 2023 underwent almost three weeks of a hard freeze. The older trees survived, but only a few of the newly planted trees did. 

In 2024, annoying Life Events slammed us shortly before the trees were delivered and interfered with our planting time. We diverted from our original plan to replace the trees in the rows we’d already planted before we continued with new rows. Instead, we adjusted our plan and just planted the new rows.  

This year, we started by filling in the older rows with new trees. See the piles of pine straw? You might have to squint. New trees are snuggled in the middle of each one. We think if we plant an hour or two every morning and again every afternoon, we’ll finish up in a week with trees planted eight feet apart in the rows we prepared for this year.  

Some people say watching grass grow is dull. Maybe they should watch trees grow instead.

I love trees. 

Judith signature

The Latest Twist

Then and Now

We’ve hauled my books to local Christmas arts and crafts festivals every year since 2019 and had fun all along the way!

A photo from a festival in 2019 popped up in a feed on social media, and the contrast between then and now made me smile.

Then: 2019

Elevate All Set Up
Elevate Artisans Market 2019

My main books were the two Donut Lady books. My T-shirt says Sprinkles are for Winners. 

Set up Mistletoe Market 2019
Mistletoe Market 2019

When life was simple: one table and one bin for books.

I love how tidy my tables were in 2019.

Elevate Artisans Market was my first arts and crafts event, and I instantly fell in love with being outside and talking to readers. We brought a second table from home after we set up the evening before the event because I was on a corner. That was my first of many learnings in the arts and crafts events world.

I didn’t use my tent a month later at the Mistletoe Market because my assigned spot was on the sidewalk, and we couldn’t anchor the tent. I added a Christmasy tablecloth and went for efficiency with one table. It was a little nippy, but my hands were cold. My pink gloves add a festive touch, don’t you think?

Now: 2024

Books at Elevate Artisans 2024
Elevate Artisans Market 2024

I love Elevate Artisans. Our weather was perfect, and I chatted with oodles of readers. The younger crowd is discovering my books! 

Mistletoe Market 2024
Mistletoe Market 2024

Our tent is on the street, not the sidewalk, but if the wind blows, we have weights for the tent to keep it from becoming airborne.  We did put our back table on the sidewalk, though, because it was too low on the street for people to browse.

By 2024, I increased to 4 tables with books semi-neatly arranged everywhere on tables and my bookrack. I added a sidewalk sandwich board – Meet the Author, a Barrett Book Shop garden flag, and a second banner for my tent to accommodate any spots that had two paths of traffic for shoppers.

I’ve discovered there is no better research than meeting with readers in person. I can spot a reader because they slow down and search for a book that interests them. Their gaze becomes more intense when they spot a book they like, which is great cover feedback. I listen as they tell me who their favorite authors are, which helps me understand what they like to read. All great research!

It’s a thrill when a reader tells me they bought a book or an entire series from me last year and asks me what they should read next. That’s easy because I know exactly what they like!

Mistletoe Market 2024 took the award for being the absolutely coldest event we’ve ever attended. It was 21 °F when we set up that morning, and I wore long johns and an extra three layers for warmth. After Senior Staff Man took this photo, I immediately put on my heavy winter coat.

Maybe I should have put more thought into the color of my sweatshirt because with all the layers, I look kind of marshmallowy. But who cares? Layers are for Winners! 

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

JAB Storyteller and Author
A new logo just for fun

The Latest Twist

Fall and Fa-la-la Festivals

Arts and Crafts Festivals swing into high gear during the Fall and Winter Holidays. We will be going to a festival almost every weekend from October through December. My excitement every Saturday when a festival opens for visitors rivals Christmas morning for a six-year-old. Talking to readers is my jam. After all, my motto is You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

GEORGIA PEANUT FESTIVAL

Event Photos - GA Peanut Festival Oct 2024
GA Peanut Festival Oct 2024

The morning was windy and cold, but we had our river rocks to keep the book pages from blowing. It warmed up by afternoon, of course! We experimented with our corner booth and added a few books on the side table. 

ELEVATE ARTISANS MARKET

Books at Elevate Artisans 2024
Elevate Artisans Market 2024

The person who had reserved the space next to us was a no-show, so since we learned about the advantage of having a “corner” booth, we moved a large table into the space. We loaded down the side table with duplicates of the series we stacked on our front table and added the new books from this year that we didn’t have space for on the front table.

We sold almost as many books to readers who stood at the “side” table (see the table with the black tablecloth?) to browse the books as we did to readers who looked at the books on the front table.

Lesson learned: people are comfortable taking their time to look at books if they don’t feel crowded.

What we’ll do: Double booths, so we can have two “side” tables in addition to our front table. We have a second canopy tent, and I had already ordered a duplicate banner after the Georgia Peanut Festival that we planned to use when we had a corner booth. 

Sometimes a plan comes together, even though it was never a plan to start with.

Our next event, Calico Holiday Festival in Moultrie GA, is November 9 and 10 and is inside, so we won’t need our tent(s). However, when I submitted our vendor form in June, I requested two booths next to each other as an experiment. We carefully planned our set up, and I have a sketch of it taped on the side of my bookcase that is next to my desk, but the sketch will be changing to two side tables and two front tables similar to our Elevate Artisans set up.  

Another Experiment

I’ve added a Gift Shop to Barrett Book Shop with reader-related merchandise that was inspired by different Judith A. Barrett books. Check it out. Barrett Book Shop Gift Shop

Our event after Calico is the Seafood Festival in St. Marys GA. As another experiment, I asked the St. Marys festival organizers if we could sell our reader-related totes in addition to all our books, and they approved them! 

Here’s a sample:

Our Weekend is Booked canvas Tote with a dragon
Our Weekend is Booked Canvas Tote 

Maggie Sloan Thriller Series readers will recognize Tonya and Kiki, her fierce, tiny (imaginary?) dragon that sat on her shoulder.

Browse, shop, and enjoy the NEW Gift shop! 

GIFT SHOP   

You keep reading; I’ll keep writing!

Signature cropped

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August is National Dog Month

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!

 

Ideas, QuickJAB, The Latest Twist

Hog Wild About Festivals

Mr Pig Ellaville May 2024 smaller

Two Hams

The local Piggly Wiggly Super Market was a sponsor of the Ellaville Spring Festival. The Big Boss showed up to see how things were going. My tip: Never pass up the opportunity for a photo op with a Big Celebrity. Can you tell I’m in Hog Heaven?

This spring has been a great season of Arts and Crafts Festivals for us! We’ll be taking the summer off because it’s too hot in Georgia to spend an entire day out in the heat and humidity with the summer gnats.

What I’ve learned this Spring

  • There are still a lot of paperback readers that love meeting an author and buying  signed books
  • I talked to several people who enjoy audiobooks; I added the goal to have all my books in audiobooks by the end of the summer.
  • People are nice (but I already knew that)
  • Always buy lunch from a food truck
  • Vendors are a helpful bunch and are willing to share what they know
  • Size matters: I had changed the font size of many of my books to a slightly smaller font to avoid raising the price for my books (printing costs are skyrocketing!), but there are many people of all ages that need the little larger font, so I switched back to the  original size and narrowed the margins instead.
  • My feet hurt after standing all day on concrete. FarmerMan’s solution: the chef’s mat we have in the kitchen. He’s brilliant.

BONUS: Our Fall Event Schedule is starting to fill up!

If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?  ~George Carlin