I can’t believe that it’s January, let alone 2022. Where did last year go? Hopefully, gone for good and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve had massive rain around Thanksgiving (which brought devastating flooding) and snow storms that dumped snow at Christmas and didn’t go away. It closed our passes to the east of Washington State. There, have been, sadly, upticks up COVID here in the Northwest.

Yet, January has always been a highly anticipated month for me, not only for the start of a new year full of promise, because it’s time for the Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Girlfriend Weekend!! A bright spot in winter like the first helebore or snow drop to show off.

What is the Girlfriend Weekend?

How do you describe it? One version would be that it’s book clubs gathering to hangout with authors whose work has been selected for the year for reading. That, however, would only be the first tier of this literary celebration cake. Add a theme, say like, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Book club members can interpret that theme anyway they like. Add a Big Hair Ball. Since founder Kathy L. Murphy started the whole thing by opening a bookstore in her beauty salon twenty-two years ago so Big Hair is part of the fun. Add leopard patterns, bright pink, and tiaras and you’re getting the idea.

But how does this mean for me an indie writer? Behind all this glitter and fun, Murphy has a real purpose to support authors and their works whether they are traditionally published or indie. “It’s all about the story,” is her motto.

To my surprise, my historical novel, Timber Rose was chosen as a bonus read. In January, 2017, I flew down to Texas for the annual Girlfriend Weekend. Other then a stop over at the Dallas Airport, I had never been in Texas, let alone Nacagoches, a little town in East Texas. The theme was Diamonds Are a Girl’s Friends. I had nothing fancy excerpt for a silver fascinator I got in Windsor, England the fall before and some cheap jewelry from a thrift store. My last minute purchase was a Wilton cake tiara at a Nacagoches drug store. It was a memorable time. The creativity of the book club members and the authors (some NY Times bestselling authors like Jamie Ford) was amazing). Will never forget the book club that came as coal miners carrying their “diamond in the rough.” I was greeted like an old family friend. Some authors I knew virtually, so it was great to be there in person. I continued to go in 2019 and 2020, these time to Jefferson, Texas.

Going Virtual

January, 2020 turned out to be the last time the Pulpwood Queens would meet in person for two years, but with COVID hitting every where, the big word of year 2020 was “pivot.” Many authors (including myself), bookstores, and the PWQ.

When January, 2021 rolled around it was obvious that the Girlfriend Weekend would have to be virtual but as in other years, it was all about the story and the books. It become one big pajama party. Authors and panelist were required to show themselves holding their books in their pjs and attend the book conference. Because of ZOOM, bloggers, book reviewers, writers collectives joined in for the first time and even international authors were able to attend. It really was one big party.

January, 2021 was an amazing year for me at the Pulpwood Queens. I learned that The Quisling Factor, my sequel to The Jøssing Affair, was selected as the December International Book of the Month. I’ve never been so honored. Writing a sequel is hard, especially delving into the history in it. In December, Kathy L Murphy interviewed me. In addition, I found out that the novel got an honorable mention from the Writers Digest Self-Published Ebooks for Mystery and Thriller. It’s been a very good month. So happy that the novel is getting recognized. The audio book of The Quisling Factor will be out in April.

The Pulpwood Queens is back to virtual and so far, in just two days, it’s been informative and fun. I’ll always be grateful that I’m a Pulpwood Queen. Thanks for all your love and support.

PS/ If you are new here, Sign up for my newsletter and I’ll put you into a drawing for The Quisling Factor when it comes out in April. Tusen takk!