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P.M. Terrell

Goodreads Author

Born

in Washington, DC, The United States

August 25

Website

http://www.pmterrell.com

Twitter

pmterrell

Genre

Suspense, History, Romance

Member Since

August 2013

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/pmterrell

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p.m.terrell is the pen name for Patricia McClelland Terrell, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 27 books in four genres: contemporary suspense, historical adventure/suspense, computer how-to, and non-fiction.

Before writing full-time, she founded two computer companies in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area. Among her clients were the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States Secret Service, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Department of Defense. Her specialties were white-collar computer crime and computer intelligence, themes that carried forward into her contemporary suspense.

She has been a full-time author since 2002. Vicki’s Key was a top five finalist in the 2012 International Book Awards and 20 ...more

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

P.M. Terrell The best advice I can give to aspiring writers is to learn as much as you can about the publishing industry. This is a complex business and writers to…moreThe best advice I can give to aspiring writers is to learn as much as you can about the publishing industry. This is a complex business and writers today must wear several hats.

The first step is to write the very best book you possibly can. Never make the mistake of thinking the first draft is the final. It's only the beginning. Edit it multiple times; be ruthless. Make sure every scene does double duty, and make sure every sentence is structured in the best possible way.

Consider your audience while you are writing. Develop a persona of the ideal reader; whether it's someone interested in history or suspense, an incurable romantic or one that loves exotic settings... Analyze your major competitors; those New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors that have the audience you want to have. What are they doing to attract their followers? What is their website like? What do they blog about and how often do they blog? What social media are they actively involved in? What do they post to get interaction - shares, likes, comments?

When your book is the very best you can possibly make it, buy a copy of the latest Writers Market (or find it in your local library) and begin querying publishers and literary agents that are interested in your specific genre.

When you have a publishing contract in hand, be sure to ask what the publisher will do to market your book; what their advertising budget is for your work; and expect to be a major player in your promotional campaign. This can range from physical book tours to online blog tours, social media campaigns and Internet advertising.

By learning as much as you can about the industry, you'll understand what it takes to bring a book into the public eye; what it takes to be discovered by your ideal audience; and what will be expected of you from the writing to the editing to marketing and promotion - and everything in between.(less)

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What are you currently working on?

P.M. Terrell I took a departure from writing contemporary suspense and began an historical series based on real Irish history. I have a series (Black Swamp Mysteri…moreI took a departure from writing contemporary suspense and began an historical series based on real Irish history. I have a series (Black Swamp Mysteries) that centers around CIA operatives but I found in the political climate in Washington - with Russia, the Middle East and our European allies - readers were becoming disillusioned with current events. What is really popular now is escapism books, movies and television. There is something very comforting about reading the past; even if it involves battles, a political game of thrones, adversity and challenges, we know our ancestors made it through. We're here; we survived.

Following in my family's footsteps has been a fascinating adventure for me. Going to Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and standing on land that once belonged to my ancestors; standing in the family cemetery overlooking their land holdings, learning of their contributions to the surrounding villages - has been an experience like no other. I wanted to take the names out of the boxes on the neatly drawn family tree and find out who they were, what they did, what motivated them, what legacy they left. I wanted to know why, generation after generation, they left their homes, often for countries they had never been to with foreign customs, a different language, where they had to begin all over again.

The first book in my new Checkmate series (http://pmterrell.com/checkmate-clans-...) begins with William Neely, my ancestor that left Wigtownshire, Scotland in 1608 for Ulster. You can read an excerpt at the link above. He landed in Ulster as tensions were heating up between the last Gaelic Irish King, Cahir O'Doherty, and Sir George Paulet, the English Governor of Derry, and he would be caught up in O'Doherty's Rebellion. He would be witness to love and hatred, courage and cowardice, loyalty and treason, and he would be changed - and his descendants changed - forever.

I am now doing research on the second book in the series, involving the aftermath of O'Doherty's Rebellion and the Plantation era in Ulster, Ireland.

You can read more about my experience delving into my family history here: http://pmterrell.blogspot.com/2017/05...

I'd love to know if you have discovered anything about your ancestors, and how it changed you and made you the person you are today.(less)

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P.M. Terrell’s books

Average rating: 4.37 · 291 ratings · 97 reviews · 23 distinct works • Similar authors

	Songbirds are Free 4.35 avg rating — 75 ratings — published 2007 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Exit 22 (Black Swamp Mysteries Book 1) 4.33 avg rating — 30 ratings — published 2008 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	River Passage 4.20 avg rating — 30 ratings — published 2009 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Tempest Murders 4.42 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vicki's Key (Black Swamp Mysteries, #2) 4.26 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The China Conspiracy 4.25 avg rating — 12 ratings — published 2003 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	April in the Back of Beyond 4.17 avg rating — 12 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Pendulum Files (Black Swamp Mysteries Book 5) 4.60 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dylan's Song (Black Swamp Mysteries #4) 4.30 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Banker's Greed by P.M. Terrell (Goodreads Author), T. Randy Stevens 4.20 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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P.M. Terrell's Blog

What Do You Think These Orbs Are?

As Halloween approaches, I posted a video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bs4J-SolalQ?si=A8iZX.... What do you think these orbs are?

A back stairwell led to my old office, and I often felt a chill and a presence while I worked there. When I turned around, no one was there. I didn’t think anything of it, writing it off as a draft. But when I installed security cameras, they kept interrupting me with Read more of this blog post »

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Published on October 21, 2026 06:18 • Tags: halloween, novels, orbs, spirits, supernatural

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P.M. is Currently Reading

P.M. Terrell is currently reading

The Spirits' Book: Modern English Edition: Teachings From Advanced Spirits on God, Angels, Heaven, the Afterlife, the Purpose of Life, and the Spiritual Journey

by Allan Kardec

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Oct 13, 2026 07:55AM

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The Paris Resistance

by Sarah Bourne (Goodreads Author)

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May 18, 2026 08:37AM

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The Tuscan Villa (Daughters of Italy #3)

by Ella Carey (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 28, 2026 06:57AM

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P.M. Terrell wrote a new blog post What Do You Think These Orbs Are? As Halloween approaches, I posted a video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/bs4J-SolalQ?si=A8iZX.... What do you think these orbs are? A back stairwell le Read more of this blog post »
Oct 21, 2026 06:18AM · like
P.M. Terrell is currently reading The Spirits' Book: Modern English Edition: Teachings From Advanced Spirits on God, Angels, Heaven, the Afterlife, the Purpose of Life, and the Spiritual Journey by Allan Kardec	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 13, 2026 07:55AM · like
P.M. Terrell rated a book it was amazing Broken Trust: A Family Secrets Suspense Thriller (The Overton Files Crime Thriller Series Book 2) by Maggie Thom (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Maggie Thom proves once again that she is a master of suspense and psychological thrillers. Broken Trust begins with action on the first page and never lets up. The main character, Samantha (Sam) Overton, thought everything had been resolved at the e ...more
Sep 25, 2026 05:00AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Broken Trust by Maggie Thom. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Broken Trust by Maggie Thom <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading The Paris Resistance by Sarah Bourne (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
May 18, 2026 08:37AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Paris Resistance by Sarah Bourne. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Paris Resistance by Sarah Bourne <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading The Tuscan Villa (Daughters of Italy #3) by Ella Carey (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 28, 2026 06:57AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Tuscan Villa by Ella Carey. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Tuscan Villa by Ella Carey <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading Revelation Explained: Verse by Verse: A Verse-by-Verse Futurist Commentary for Everyday Readers, with Study Questions for Groups by Richard French (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 23, 2026 07:34AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Revelation Explained by Richard French. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Revelation Explained by Richard French <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading Under the Light of the Italian Moon: Inspired by a true story of love and women’s resilience during the rise of fascism and World War II by Jennifer Anton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 13, 2026 06:57AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Under the Light of the Italian Moon by Jennifer Anton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading Padlocked by P.M. Terrell (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 30, 2026 05:59AM · like
P.M. Terrell rated a book it was amazing In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Intriguing, well-researched This book provides a unique perspective on the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party through the eyes of the American diplomat in 1930s Germany. At numerous times, I wondered how the world might have changed had the people of ...more
Mar 30, 2026 04:38AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is now following Maggie Thom Author of Captured Lies (Caspian Wine, #1)
Mar 13, 2026 10:11AM · like

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Quotes by P.M. Terrell (?)

“Life is all about the journey.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: life-lessons

2 likes

“Among the top ten things I've learned in life: when your hair stylist is having a bad day, reschedule.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: humorous-quotes

1 likes

“Music is poetry in motion.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: music, poetry

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author game, Round 4	16049	657	Jan 05, 2019 04:49AM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABC's, Round 4	14302	809	Jan 05, 2019 05:39AM
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author game, Round 5	7285	331	May 14, 2020 09:14PM

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P.M.’s Quotes

“Music is poetry in motion.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: music, poetry

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“Life is all about the journey.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: life-lessons

2 likes

“Among the top ten things I've learned in life: when your hair stylist is having a bad day, reschedule.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: humorous-quotes

1 likes

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