S. Jennifer Paulson's Blog

Is self or trad publishing better? One of the many things zipping through my mind...

Boomerang was just the start. I've got a whole slew of stories. And I'm working on book two. Yeah, I know. It’s been a little quiet over...

Beware of Phishing Scams Targeting Indie Authors for Reviews and Publicity

They almost got me.

Almost.

A person who claimed to be from a major media outlet kept Facebook messaging me about their interest in Boomerang, and my heart skipped a minor beat.

But I was wary. My gut immediately told me. What are the chances?

Something’s off.

Yet there was that one hopeful part in me, Maybe it’s legit. Maybe. Someone has to make it and be discovered. There are first-time authors (indie and traditional) out there who nail it on round one. Think Colleen Hoover (Slammed, the start of her empire), Alex Michaelides (The Silent Patient), Paula Hawkins (The Girl on the Train) and Andy Weir (The Martian). Just be smart about it, I told myself.

I cautiously responded.

I communicated with this person a little. They showed me some of their “work” for this respectable media site. And being the former journalist I am, I started poking around. Just googling their name and purported employer, I came up with zilch. So, I started asking questions, like what their role was, if they were a staffer or freelancer and requested an email address (which I was hoping would have the site’s handle in it).

I explained, I am rightfully concerned and SHOULD be asking these questions. My inbox is bombarded daily by spammers and phishers, trying to get me to work with them. Real reporters understand.  

But this one’s responses offered no comfort.

When I finally somehow wrangled a Gmail address out of them, they added they don’t use it and the inbox was full (uh, sure). I grew even more suspicious. Even though my heart was pumping, and my thinking was wishful that maybe, just maybe, this could be my break.

My Spidey senses kicked in.

I asked for further proof to verify if they did work for the site they claimed to. They asked for my email address, home address and more.

I asked why my home address was needed.

And then I got the guilt treatment.

Yes, a so-called journalist didn’t know that “know” should have been “no.” And a real journalist wouldn’t speak to a potential story lead like that. Plus, they would have a basic grasp on spelling and grammar.

At least the real journalists I know.

I asked them flat out if this was a paid service.

Another misspelling. And a total scam. No media outlet that’s legit has the source pay for coverage. And what a crappy way to get a story scoop.

So, I blocked them.

Did I blow it? Was this my big chance?

Doubtful. I smelled phishing scams targeting indie authors.

But that’s my reality.

In addition to us indie authors writing, writing more books, social media, marketing, blogging, sending out newsletters, updating websites, advertising, contacting the press, figuring our if we should record an audiobook (or hire someone for it) and so on, we have to deal with this nonsense.  

It’s exhausting. And depressing.

Yes, I want nothing more than to live out my childhood author dreams for a real living as an adult. But I know there are so many hurdles.  

This is one of them.

If you’ve read Boomerang, dropping a simple review on Amazon or Goodreads means so much to me. (I could cry from some of them, they touched my heart so much.) Hell, I’ll take a star rating alone if you have no time to write a few sentences.

Fellow indies, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments section. And readers, know that I truly appreciate you. I value every legit review out there, even the ones that aren’t so favorable.

Because at least you’re honest about their feelings. And real.

As always, I welcome comments and communication. Real communication. And I am happy to engage with real readers.

Right after I do my daily inbox spam-blasting.

You can find Boomerang on Amazon , Barnes & Noble online , Kobo , Apple Books , Google Play and more. Click here. Or google it for your own sense of safety.

 

Are unlikely friendships far-fetched?

Spoiler alert: This post is intended for readers who have finished "Boomerang." If you have not, stop reading now. (I don't want to ruin the ending for you.)

Sometimes, we find friendships in the oddest of situations.

And my debut domestic thriller, Boomerang, is the perfect example.

A few readers have expressed they think the Taryn-Evelyn friendship is a little far-fetched.

I get that.

It does sound a little nutty that a woman who trailed someone — and also lied about her true identity — would form a friendship after the truth was spilled.

Especially given one of Taryn's nearly unforgivable actions.

But I think it's perfect. I love underdog stories, as well as the power of strong female friendships.

So, why would I go there? Because the truth can really be stranger than fiction.

I knew I had to end the book as I did. It was important to me that the ending was a positive one, given the darkness of the novel. And, had this been a true story, I think the Taryn-Evelyn bond is absolutely possible.

I poked around online and ChatGPT explained it this way: "Shared traumatic experiences can create a deep connection because both individuals understand the emotional impact of what they've gone through in a way that others might not. This mutual understanding can lead to a profound sense of closeness and solidarity."

Which is exactly what happened in the last chapter of my novel. The final confrontation was terrifying (even for me to write it), but it laid the groundwork for the epilogue.

I know. Because it happened to me.

I know from my own life experiences that unlikely friendships can form in the strangest of places.

Such as growing to adore your ex-husband's girlfriend.

Yep, you read that right.

Case in point: When my kids' dad began dating Heather about a year after our divorce, I was jealous. I had no right to be. But it felt strange to see social media posts of my ex and his new love at Disney World with our kids. I would think, That used to be me. It was strange to see another woman step into my kids' lives, especially as my own love life was pretty dismal.

But in time, I saw what my ex and my kids saw. I grew to care for Heather. She loved my kids as her own. And she never interfered with co-parenting with my ex. We could all celebrate holidays and birthdays together, giving the kids a sense of normalcy. We even began exchanging Christmas presents. Heather and my ex would even watch my dog when I was out of town.

When Heather was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer about five years ago, the devastating reality smacked us. I knew what was in store for our beautifully broken and blended family. My kids and ex were beginning a gut-wrenching journey that would only end in heartbreak. And while Heather fought it with everything in her, her cancer was too far gone.

I sent Heather a card as she began wrapping up her affairs. I wrote, "I never thought I would be so fond of my ex-husband's girlfriend." I shared all the things I appreciated her for and let her know that I, too, cared deeply for her. Heather wrote me a lovely card back, which broke me. I still have it on a bookshelf. I look at it every so often if I need a good, cathartic cry.

Heather's passing almost three years ago was one of the most devastating moments of my life. My children were crushed. And I couldn't fix it. Not only were my ex and my kids heartbroken, but I was, too.

Heather was family and a friend to me. She was another adult to love and care for my babies. She was an amazing, smart, loving and beautiful soul. At her celebration of life, I felt compelled to speak about what a wonderful human she was.

Which I know is not the norm.

Maybe this all sounds insane. Like the relationship between Evelyn and Taryn.

But I truly believe strange situations can sometimes blossom into something beautiful. When it does, it feels perfect, realistic and right — and has a special place in our hearts.

Indies helping indies? Yep, it's a thing.

Being a self-published author isn't an easy road. That's where the author community comes in.

Being a self-published author is about more than just publishing a good book. It's about running your own business.

Solo.

It's a lot to be your own bookkeeper, marketer, PR specialist, social media strategist, event planner...oh, and crank out a really compelling book or two a year. Or four, like a lot of authors seem to be doing these days. (And let's not forget having a "real job.")

It can be pretty overwhelming. The pressure to regularly post. Responding to comments and posts on three different platforms. Dealing with fake posts and messages that I must "click here now" since my page is in copyright violation, etc. (I must get five of these a day, and they're really irritating.)

But that's the life of an indie author.

Times have changed. A lot. Once considered a "last resort" for people like me dying to get their work out there in the world, self-publishing has had a major overhaul when it comes to people's mindsets.

I love indie author success stories. Such as how one of my favorites, Colleen Hoover, started her career. (It's mind-blowing that a simple gesture of uploading an eBook to Kindle for her mom to read rocketed her into a major new career. Read that Galley Cat story here.)

There are others like CoHo. Whenever I discover a new author I love, I always google their backstory.

It gives me hope.

Which is just what I need while peddling my debut novel, given the stats.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but check out these figures supplied by Words Rated:

300 million: The number of self-published books sold each year

254%: The increase in self-published books over the past five years

250: Number of copies the typical self-published book sells

$1,000: The average annual income of a self-published author

33%: Number of indies who make less than $500 per year

90%: Amount of self-published books sell less than 100 copies

20%: The amount of indie authors who make NOTHING from their books

Surprised by the support

Despite those dismal figures, I decided to go for it anyway. After years of naysaying, I finally finished Boomerang and published it about three weeks ago. It's my passion, and I firmly believe my calling in life is that of a writer. How could I ignore that pull that's been there since I was a kid and never went away?

I can't.

Ask any indie author and they'll tell you. Being self-published means being self-promoting. Well, while it can be fun, it takes time away from what we love — actual storytelling.

But there's one thing I'm seeing in the indie author community that pleasantly surprised me.

Other indie authors cheering me on.

I've seen it in my small writers' group locally, where I have been lucky enough to have seasoned authors lend me a hand. These writers gave up their free time to help me grasp the process and world of writing, launching and marketing a book.

Honestly, I was somewhat surprised by the sheer amount of help offered to me. We're not threats to one another's success — we're a source of support. Lord knows, indies need all they can get.

I hope to do the same for another author getting started in self-publishing someday. I want to pay it forward.

And I'm getting a head start — from two other writers who aren't even in my country.

Indies: Connected by a common cause

I recently joined the Alliance for Independent Authors, where I connected with fellow self-published authors. A post inviting authors to share their books and purchase one from another writer piqued my interest — and opened my mind. It showed me that, yes, there are indies helping indies in their promotional efforts.

I connected with author Julio Boggio, a Jersey girl who now calls the UK home. I saw the cover of Shooters and it was on. So, I shot Julia a message, telling her I just purchased her book.

In turn, she purchased mine. And I could have cried when a few days later, she'd ripped through Boomerang AND posted a glowing review of it. Julia went above and beyond, and quickly!

It felt good. And coincidentally enough, when I was killing time at a Cocoa Village Book Fest, a Central Florida reader event yesterday, I was reading Julia's book when someone saw me — and said she read Julia's other two books. I was floored — and excited for her! How cool is that? The random overseas connection.

At the Book Fest, I also connected with YA author Kristin Satterfield, who was selling copies of her book, Lightning Rising: Book 1 of the Shadow Wars Series, alongside me at the Cocoa Village Book Fest. We quickly developed a kinship, covering each other when the restroom called or change needed to be broken. I watched as her "Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" novel flew off her table. And Kristin was sweet enough to steer thriller fans my way and share about my book on her social media page.

I also want to mention connecting with Canadian-based author Katherine Krige, author of Riding the Waves: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Grief. We met via Facebook a couple of months ago and regularly comment on each other's content. Having yet another indie to talk with is indispensable.

It's pretty special when another writer gives you some encouragement. After all, there's about a million of us out there. And we all have the same dream: to do this book-writing thing for a living. (A real one.)

It's not like readers are limited to one book per life. There's room and opportunity for us all. And given how tough the industry is, having support of others in my shoes can be that every-so-often boost that gives me the will to keep it up. I want to succeed.

And I want them to succeed, too.

The bonus? I discovered some great new connections and books. Books I likely would have never come across.

All because I was receptive.

Thank you to Julia, Kristin and Katherine for cheering me on. I'll continue to do the same for you.

If you're scared and just starting out on your indie career, know this: you've got a slew of writers who want to see you succeed. You just have to find them.

Should I look at my book reviews?

They say don't look at your own book's reviews. Because once you start going down that rabbit hole, it's hard to stop.

Yep. It sure is.

I immediately began having heart palpitations once I sent out Boomerang's ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies). I just held my breath and waited for feedback on my debut domestic thriller.

Get ready, I've been told. Everyone gets trashed. That if they're truly successful, all writers will have their share of 1-, 2- and 3-star reviews.

So, of course, I'm starting to get mine.

I need thicker skin, I know. (I always have.) While my reviews thus far have looked fine and fair, I still felt the urge to explain ANYTHING that was questioned. And it sparked a blog idea in me.

Which some internet sleuthing quickly righted.

The general consensus? Don't do it.

"In general, it's not a good idea for authors to read reviews," one Reddit post revealed. "Reviews are not a conversation the author is invited to, and many authors overestimate their ability to handle a negative review."

Well put, Reddit peeps. And further sleuthing unearthed this piece, "Why authors shouldn’t respond to negative reviews," by Rachel Rowlands. Rowlands' article knocked some sense into my head. It's our emotions leading us down a potentially pothole-stricken path.

"A writer’s sense of self-worth is often tied up in their creative work," Rowlands wrote. "Responding when you feel this way can mean you respond in a bad way. Even with the best intentions, you can end up sounding catty, argumentative, and straight-up unprofessional."

Just reading this stopped me in my tracks. There would be no response or any commentary on any reviews. And I would just let it be.

Like I've heard others say, what people think of me is none of my business. So maybe I should stay out of it.

Now that we've got book reviews out of the way....Come say hi this weekend!

Side note: I'll be selling and signing copies of Boomerang this Friday, April 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Conference Center in Viera during "An Evening with the Stars," a reader event hosted by Florida Star Fiction Writers. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, come on by. (Or even if you have a copy, bring it by and I'll sign it.)

There will be all kinds of fun, free swag and raffles to get in on — in addition to being able to mix and mingle with nearly 40 authors. Plus, I'll be raffling off my own prizes with those who make a purchase. Learn more here. And see the list of participating authors there, too. Maybe there's someone else on the list you'd like to meet! (Check out a sneak peek of the reader event program here, too.)

A big hug: I owe ya

I am so touched by all of the support of my friends and family. Thank you to everyone who bought Boomerang, read it, reviewed it, raved about it and made me feel like maybe I'm on to something here.

One of the best moments this week? When I wobbled into my doctor's office to get my funky knee checked out — and my family doc of 25 years had his purchased copy of Boomerang there for me to sign! I wanted to cry.

Moments like these have been so uplifting. Thank you to everyone who has given me one. I appreciate all of you who've bought a book and are cheering me on.

People like you are why I love doing this.

Fear? It shouldn't be a factor in life goals

It feels absolutely insane to be writing this today. Boomerang is officially out.

Which means I am finally, officially, a published author.

It's the best birthday gift I've ever given myself. Because, yes, today is my 49th birthday. I wanted to unveil my first novel around Spring Break. Since most novels are released on a Tuesday, I told myself if my birthday fell on one, that would be the day.

It was. And is.

But this isn't just about a book.

It's about knowing what you want in life and doing everything you can to make it happen. Sure, some things are completely out of our control. But we CAN do everything we can possibly think of to get where we want to go.

Even when the odds are stacked against us.

Stop letting excuses get in your way

This applies to everyone. Not just aspiring authors.

If a cause or vision has been tugging at your heart for a while, there's a reason. Maybe it's just intuition. Maybe it's something you've always wanted to do. Or something you just feel passionate about. (This TikTok video nails it.)

If it doesn't leave your mind, you have a choice:

Wring your hands over whether you should go for it or not, obsess over it, and never try because the odds are against you and you're worried about how people will perceive you and your work/goalOR Stop worrying. And just jump in and give it your all.

Even if the chances of your success are slim, there are other people who've dreamed big — and soared above what they've ever imagined.

If something won't leave your mind, there's a reason. And you have to be true to yourself.

Is not taking action with your dream something you'll regret later in life? Will you be kicking yourself in your later years, thinking, "I should have applied for that job; tried out for that part; written that book; gotten that tattoo?" (Okay, maybe not necessarily the last. But I've been pining to put a phoenix on the side of my ribcage for years now. I'm just scared.)

If the answer is yes, you know what you need to do.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/8e207e_915ca690626949c589a4fab97257ac77/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

There are no guarantees in life. But you won't know unless you try. And it's pretty much guaranteed that if you never try, your dream is left in the dust.

Life can be scary at times. While I've let fear dictate my decisions as a young adult, I won't let it get in my way again.

Deep down, don't most of us look for the same thing? Peace, love, happiness and acceptance? We want to find our place in the world and make our mark. And bring something good to others. At least I do.

But it's scary as hell. I'd be lying if I didn't admit my nerves are a little ramped up as this book rolls out.

I worked on this so hard. For so, so long, I've poured my heart and soul into this work of fiction. Since I love the thrills and satisfaction that come with reading a stellar novel, I find I get a similar feeling while writing one — and rereading it. I love getting lost in someone else's fake problems, if only for a little bit. It's amazing, and the mental reboot I need at times.

That's what I want to give to you, my readers.

I hope you enjoy reading Boomerang as much as I've loved writing it.

And if all goes well, I'm getting that tattoo.

Boomerang is a dark thriller novel. Just like life can be.

I had a moment the other night.

Boomerang, my dark domestic thriller novel, has received positive ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) feedback so far. But as the publication date creeps closer, I started fretting about the novel's sometimes-heavy content.

"Is it too dark?" I asked my husband as we settled into bed for our nightly Netflix fix. "Should I just kill it?"

I knew the answer before he even responded.

NO.

(After watching the first five minutes of Max's "True Detective," I saw it wasn't. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dark stories out there in this big, beautiful world of ours.)

And I want to be authentic.

As I've read and reread Boomerang, I am pleased with my narrative. But it's taken me down a path of paranoia. Yes, the story is anchored around some of our recent societal movements and issues. It's a fictional tale of a heartbroken young widow looking to pick up the pieces of her shattered life after her husband is tragically killed. She thinks it's the worst that can happen to her. But she has no clue her grief is about to exponentially deepen when she stumbles upon a shocking confession from her late spouse — and sets her on a self-destructive path to unveil the truth.

The story is pretty intense. And while I can't personally speak to some of the issues that anchor the book's premise, there's one I can.

Alcohol abuse.

When I began writing Boomerang, I was a drinker. A heavy one. For several years, I drank to numb my own demons and unhappiness. And since I was working full time and could only write on my off hours, that left little time for writing. Because at that point, Happy Hour was my priority when I was off the clock. Especially on the weekends.

I wasn't just an occasional boozer. I had a problem. From my first drink, I drank to get highly buzzed (or drunk).

You'd think slicing my chin and eyebrow open in a drunken haze one Saturday night fifteen years ago (which required a visit to the ER and a plastic surgeon to stitch me up) would stimulate some common sense. Nope. Neither did the pancreatitis that landed me in the hospital overnight several years ago. I just took a five-day break from drinking, then resumed (hoping the anti-alcohol supplements I began taking would "protect" my organs from further damage).

I looked like hell. And felt like it, too. Men I dated told me I drank too much. (And I told them where they could go). It wasn't until my kids asked me — more like begged me — to stop drinking that I finally hit it.

My rock bottom.

One that could have been much, much worse.

I'm grateful I finally got some sense knocked into me to make a change. And I'm proud to say I have been alcohol-free since April 26, 2020. I shudder to think what my life would be like now, had I continued to drink. And wonder if I'd still be alive.

Why am I even going here? Well, there's alcohol abuse in this novel. And at first, my content editor questioned some of it. "So much vomiting!...More vomiting!" were among the content edit notes I recall. So, I trimmed it back.

But I also left some in. Because I know this kind of behavior to be true.

After all, I lived like that for a couple of decades.

I know what excessive drinking looks and feels like. That was my reality for so long, it was my normal. I thought nothing of weekend hangovers and getting sick on a semi-regular basis. To me, it made sense in the novel. With 10 percent of Americans afflicted with alcohol use disorder (AUD), it wasn't too far-fetched that my story's troubled characters turned to booze to quiet the noise in their brains.

I'm not trying to insinuate that all people with any kind of problems or trauma turn into problem drinkers. But some do. I certainly did.

Boomerang is one of those stories.

Yeah, I'm a bit nervous sharing this extremely personal and vulnerable info. But if me baring my soul here inspires even one person to make a change in their life, it's worth it.

Just know this: If you're still breathing, it's not too late to make that change. And put your life on a completely different path.

I did. And so can you.

$#%&! My parents can't read this book!

As I'm closing in on getting Boomerang set to share with the world, I'm starting to get a little nervous.

Writing experts always seem to say the same dang thing — Write for yourself. Don't think about anyone else reading your words. Pretend all your relatives are dead!? Just write. And worry about the content once it's published.

It's now officially worrywart time. As in,"$#%&! My parents can't read this book! My aunts and uncles? And — gasp — maybe even my kids?"

I read plenty of books, especially domestic thrillers. And the ones I love are written with the raw realities of life. Sometimes, those scenes are tough to take in (take Tarryn Fisher's Mud Vein. I devoured the book. But it's got some disturbing scenes in there. As does Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, one of my faves. (The precursor to Silence of the Lambs, another hell of a book and movie.) But these troubling, horrifying scenes are there for a reason.

Just like my book.

They're not there for shock value. They're there for a purpose — to propel the story and provide a bigger picture and understanding of the characters in it. And how the things in their lives have gotten them to this point.

And, as we know, life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Stuff happens. And it's not always good. Sometimes, those things completely change the course of our lives.

There are some scenes in my novel that are troubling. And I wrote them with as much respect and realism as I could. So when my content editor told me that a sex scene I had alluded to (and then ended the chapter with) really needed to be fleshed out (bad pun intended), my heart raced. So, I took a deep breath and went for it. And then had a mini-stroke after I reread it.

But, I have to be true to this craft. So, in it stays, after a few little tweaks. And this sucker is almost ready to be uploaded to Amazon and more for preorders.

I'm excited. To finally see this passion project of mine come to fruition after running my yap about it for years to whomever would listen that my biggest bucket list item was to write and publish a book. And now, it's about here.

I'm excited for you all to read it. Even my family .... though I'm a little scared.

I voiced my concerns recently during a visit with my mom and dad.

"It's effed up," I basically told my mom, explaining it's like nothing I've ever written before. (Outside of Mr. Rabbit, of course.)

Mom assured me it's OK. I told her I was a little worried about Dad reading it. He'll be fine, she told me. "It's a book," Dad said.

However, I'm starting to feel this parenting cycle of life come full circle. As in, I feel the need to give them a redacted copy.

Kinda like my mom used to do for me with movies I wanted to watch.

Back when I was a kid, I was a voracious reader and movie watcher. And until I was in high school, there were limits on the kind of things I could watch. (Basically, nothing with nudity or sex. Oh, the irony...) Yet my genre of films? Comedy, dance and...horror? Many, I had to wait to watch on regular TV, so Mom need not pull out her editing software.

But "Flashdance"was special. I was nine when the movie took the country by storm, and Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" was my favorite song at the moment. I really wanted to watch the movie, since I was into movies with choreography back then. (️! I would also like to point out today marks FORTY YEARS since "Footloose" came out. Here's the final scene. You're welcome.)

My mom saw Flashdance at the theater and said NO. But I begged and begged and begged, and once it was on cable, she agreed to record it and edit it for my viewing purposes.

How awesome is that? I got to watch the movie, finally (which, by the way, inspired me to re-enact the final dance scene in our family room, where I proceeded to crack my ankle against our coffee table and fracture it, landing me in a walk-in clinic).

But there were complications with the edits. I guess that's the risk with a clunky VHS recorder and live TV. One minute, Jennifer Beals/Alex Owens was on the phone. The next, I had a full view of a woman's bare ass as she slinked down a strip club stage in heels -- which abruptly ended with a scene back at Alex's warehouse apartment. (Mom, you get points for trying. That was really sweet of you. And I, by some miracle, survived a few seconds of seeing a woman's butt.)

I'm thinking I need to do the same with Boomerang. Just a few pages blacked out or removed.

Scratch that. As my aunt pointed out, and others have, we all know how we ended up on this Earth. And storks weren't involved.

Yet, we can all learn from the never-ending wisdom of "Flashdance." Alex was pissed at her boss and boyfriend, Nick, for calling in a favor to get her an audition at a prestigious dance company she dreamed of joining. She wanted in on her own. Not because of a connection.

But here's the thing. If you're really driven to a certain calling, you take the chances offered to you. You don't rebuff them. You embrace the opportunity to show what you've got. You show them that you're worth it.

As Nick said (I have seen the movie about 8 million times), "When you give up your dream, you die."

I can't. Not for this dream.

So, get those eyes ready, family. I'm not giving up on at least one of my goals.

Bam! Here's Boomerang's book cover reveal.

Even better? You can vote for it in an upcoming novel cover contest now online and later, in person!

A while back, I asked my readers to help me decide on the cover for Boomerang, my debut domestic thriller.

I took a lot of advice and feedback to heart. After I considered your comments, and with some help from my fantastic editor, here's how it turned out. So here's the book cover reveal...

I LOVE IT. The fabulous Chris Kridler, a friend, former Florida Today colleague, talented author, photographer, editor, graphic designer and more, at Sky Diary Productions nailed it. (Note: This is it. I'm not changing it. Or it'll take another decade before it comes out.)

Even better? I am entered into a cover contest for a free, fun reader event, Florida Star Fiction Writers' Evening with the Stars, at 6:30 p.m. April 5, 2024. It's the first time this annual conference is featuring this, and Boomerang is one of 21 books entered. I'm so excited! But don't worry if you don't live in Brevard. You can vote online. So, to my people spread across the country, go ahead and cast your vote for your favorite cover here:

The book cover reveal is done. What the heck is this book about?

How about I just share the back cover?

Okay. That works:

So, yeah, I'm pretty excited. I think this is a story that takes a completely unique angle when it comes to domestic thrillers. I've never read anything along the lines of what I've written. And I can't wait to see what you all think!

While pre-orders are not available for order yet, if you sign up for my mailing list, I'll shoot you an email when it's available for pre-order. (And for those of you who won ARCs, I haven't forgotten about you. You'll get your early copies ASAP. Boomerang's been proofread, so I'm making fixes, formatting it, other stuff, and then I'll be able to offer it for pre-order. And my ARC winners will get their early copies for reading and reviewing.)

Come say hi April 5! And attend a fun, free reader & author event.

Want to tell me what you think? Come on by and see me at this fun, free author-reader event April 5 in Viera, Florida.

Authors and reading fanatics get the chance to mingle and meet some of their favorite novelists, discover new books, snag some free swag and enter into our drawings for some pretty awesome raffle baskets. I'm even putting one together for my own author table, where I'll be selling and signing copies of this story I've been fiddling with for years. So stop by and say hey, grab some free stuff and enter for your chance to read a book lover's basket. If I don't keep it for myself. (JK.)

Here's some info if you'd like to come.

What: Florida Star Fiction Writers' Evening with the Stars

When: 6:30 p.m. EST on Friday, April 5, 2024

Where: Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera Conference Center, 8298 North Wickham Road Melbourne, FL 32940

How: ,Click to register!

Come mix and mingle with more than 40 best-selling authors across every genre you love, from romance to women’s fiction to thrillers and cozy mysteries. This not-to-be-missed FREE event on April 5 is perfect for your book club, date night, or girls’-night-out crew! There are no speakers this year – just lots of fun and plenty of time to mingle with authors and readers.

Highlights of An Evening With the Stars:

The first 125 guests through the doors will snag a free goody bag loaded with swag! Complimentary dessert Cash bar Raffle baskets Photo booth with props Pick your favorite cover contest (and be entered to win a prize!)

You don't have to register, but if you do, you'll get a complimentary raffle ticket you can use to win a fabulous basket.

Cover contest

The top three vote-getters will be displayed throughout the evening. Attendees will be able to vote to select the overall winner. Your vote at the Evening with the Stars also enters you for a chance to win a raffle basket.

This event is open to the public, however, if you register in advance, you will receive a complimentary ticket for the raffle.

So, start voting. And mark your calendars now after you register.

I hope to see you there!

Are these 'Boomerang' sightings signs or coincidences?

Call it dumb luck. A fluke. Or maybe something more ...

Anyone out there believe in signs? You know, things that you spy or overhear when you're just doing your thing?

Things that you want to take as a premonition. One that hopefully hints you're headed in the right direction.

Like on the first day of 2024. I saw something when out with my friend, D, visiting from out of town. We were in the Lake Eola area of downtown Orlando, killing time walking and talking as we waited for a nail appointment. And I saw this across the street:

Outside of referring to my book's title, I never see the word "boomerang" anywhere. At least not since the '80s, when recreational boomerangs were a trend for a hot minute, even though the hunting tool goes back 50,000 years or so.

Okay.....coincidence.

But three days later, I hopped on a plane to Kansas City, where we rented a car for a lengthy drive ahead of us.

And I saw it again. BOOMERANG, written in bold white lettering on the side of a building we were zipping by. When I took to the interwebs, I learned not only is it the name of a vintage clothing store in KC, but also the name of a roller coaster at a local theme park.

I told myself it's still probably a coincidence.

And then I got back home and went to Target, scouring the frozen foods for something to keep my hungry teenager well-fed. And saw this:

Another one?

I chatted with some friends about it. Are these signs? Coincidences? Messages? Hints that I'm on the right path?

I sure hope so.

I joined another friend, A, for a couple of drinks at a kava bar last week. We chatted about the boomerangs. A saw it as a sign, too. She's big into numbers and what they signify, among other signs from the universe. Like these:

I've had the novel's title set since its inception in my head, about a decade ago. I decided that since most books are released on Tuesdays, spring breakish-time (sometime in mid- to late March) would be a good shot at scoring some readers looking for a beach read. I told myself that if my birthday happened to fall on a Tuesday, that would be the date — 3.19.24. It does. Why? Well, I'll always know it took me 49 years to finally have the guts to put my deeply creative work out there. At the moment, the version of the book being proofed by an editor is a total of 319 pages. Like my birthday. The book's release date. I found out, after I selected this release date, that one of my favorite authors in my genre, Tarryn Fisher , just happens to be releasing her next highly anticipated novel THAT VERY SAME DAY. (Insert facepalm.) Oh, and my main character's name? TARYN — again, a name chosen when I began writing this book so long ago. Total coincidence!

Or is it?

I thought about changing my release date after finding out about Fisher's book. But I quickly decided there would always be something. I'll keep making excuses and pushing back the publication. Like I used to before.

Forget that. I'm moving ahead with my original plan. Coincidences or not.

Some might say my "signs" are a bunch of crap. I could, too. But I always have been a big proponent of trusting my gut. My so-called Spidey senses. Hunches. I've had decisions to make in the past, where I've been leaning one way, about to pull the trigger. But then something deep down within me tugs. No. Don't do that. It's another choice you want.

And other things I wasn't paying attention to.

For example, a grad school I'd applied to and been rejected by. At the time, I was devastated. But it all made sense when I was accepted into another program at my dream school.

That was where I was meant to be. And I am.

Or trips I'd been anxiously awaiting — only to have COVID or something else thwart them. Sure, I was pissed each time my plans changed (because I am a PLANNER). I look back and think differently now. I was NOT meant to go on those excursions or have these experiences. For some unknown reason. Some, I know why now. Others, I don't. But that's okay. It all makes sense.

I think the universe can talk pretty loudly sometimes. We just have to listen. (Like when I was at a teahouse the other day and heard one of the owners use THE WORD while playing pool. A day later, a fellow patron pointed to the TV — someone was tossing a boomerang on a YouTube video.

Maybe it's nothing. Or maybe it's something to keep me going.

I'm going with the latter.