In 2013, when Indireads published my first novella, I was ecstatic. My family didn’t think much of it. To them it kept me busy. I’ve chugged on writing. Fast-forward ten years and I’m still here. It’s been an absolute rollercoaster. Querying, sending short stories, attending conferences, learning the ropes of the business, editing, re-editing, writing and lots of writing.

I still remember how hard it was in the beginning. Check with my editor for approval and validation. Today, writing is easy, and its like breathing. I’m at the point where the accolades don’t matter, I write because I love writing.

New Book: In Other Ways

It has taken me 3 years to write the second book in the Boothbay Harbor series. I had envisioned writing the entire series in 5 years. But life happened and as always God had other plans. I wrote a lot of Melody and Diego’s story over the lockdown and then while I was traveling last year. My trip to Spain fueled the second half of the book.

Here’s the Blurb:

In “In Other Ways,” the second installment of the Boothbay Harbor series, Melody Quentin is still healing from the loss of her husband when she meets Diego Vera, the father of one of her students with autism. Despite her initial reluctance, Melody can’t help but be drawn to the kind, patient Diego and the bond he shares with his son.

As Melody and Diego grow closer, they face challenges both old and new. Melody struggles with guilt over moving on from her husband, while Diego grapples with the demands of parenting a child with special needs. But as they navigate these obstacles together, they discover that their connection is deeper than they ever imagined.

Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Boothbay Harbor, “In Other Ways” is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and new beginnings. Will Melody find the courage to embrace a second chance at love with Diego, or will her past continue to hold her back? Find out in this touching story of two people finding their way back to happiness.

Book Cover

I worked with Najla Qamber and her sister Nada on the book cover. The little ginger tabby running across the yard has a lovely name. Philip O, one of my newsletter readers suggested the name Marmalade (Thanks Philip) and so that’s what I ended up naming the cat in the book.

Najla’s team added the cute little paw prints at the top and Melody’s boat, Teacher’s Pet in the fore ground. There are lots of fine details in the cover and Nada worked on all of them painstakingly. She also created my character sketches.

Order Your Copy

We’re going wide as always. This time I am adding hardcover to my printbooks. Another first for this year, in addition to my first foreign translation. I like the feel of hardcovers and am so pleased that this is the first time I’m doing them. The print books are also smaller and the hardcover is about 6 x 9.

Here are the links for my latest novel.

What Ten Years in the Author Business Has Taught Me?

1. To write for myself.
2. This is a business.
3. It’s only passion that keeps you going, day after day.
4. Keep writing, on good days, bad days, horrible days.
5. Let your emotions bleed on the page.
6. You cannot do everything, build a team.
7. Lots of people contribute to your success, editors, designers, podcasters, reviewers, and most of all readers.
8. Write the story you want.
9. Don’t let people take advantage of you.
10. Love what you do.

As I reflect on my ten year author anniversary, I’ve made lots of mistakes on my writing journey. Big gaffes. You can only learn through your mistakes. No amount of author advice can replace the steep learning curve that is the writing journey itself. Tears. Yes, I’ve cried them, over every rejection, every editorial no, bad review and feedback.

The solution.

Get up and start writing. Fix what’s on the page. With every book I’ve just gotten better. I was just telling my mother as she insisted I stop editing and just sleep, that I couldn’t stop. The story of Diego and Melody was so riveting to me as I read it with fresh eyes. I couldn’t believe that I had written the story.

Yet, it was me. My emotions and mood at the time that birthed this book. To all the writers and authors out there, do it. Write it because you love it.

I hope you enjoy reading IN OTHER WAYS as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you to all my readers for the last ten years.

Here’s to the next ten!!!!🥂

Cheers

xoxo

Pam