“Let author Jerry take you in to this Maine lobstering family, and give you a feel for the life of a Maine lobsterman. And while he’s at it, let him toss in an epic romance, some really bad dudes and a killer ending that will have you wondering when the next book is due out !!! Well done !!!” - Amazon review by Topbar

The love story between Boothbay Harbor lobsterman Jack Finn and Hollywood actress Melissa Andrews in Boothbay native Jerry Farnham’s debut novel, “Red At Night,” featuring characters based on his real family and friends, has charmed and entertained readers across the country and right here at home. With its publishing in November 2022 in e-Book format, Farnham’s lifelong dream of being a published author became a reality. And by late June 2023, the novel was released as a softcover – and hardcovers followed. 

Over the past year, Farnham has been invited to do author talks and book signings, and was a guest on Channel 6’s “207” program. At each of these events, he reiterates the powerful dedication of his first book to inspire others to follow their dreams. The message is this: There will be naysayers, people who may call you stupid or tell you you shouldn’t, wouldn’t, or couldn’t. They may say you won’t get anywhere. But be brave. Step up. Follow your dream.

Farnham has been the focus of articles in Maine Coastal News, Commercial Fisheries News, and the hometown paper, the Boothbay Register.

And now, Farnham has begun the laborious task of editing, or “performing surgery” as he calls it, his first draft of the sequel, “Red in the Morning.” At this stage, he may add some more ideas, including ones fans have suggested for characters. He hopes to have it ready for release late in June, during the Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days Festival, just like the first book.

“This one picks up literally just minutes after the first one ended,” Farnham said. “I don’t want to give too many spoilers, but … And this will be concerning for fans: There will be one less person at the Finn Family Sunday breakfasts. Jack and Melissa move in together and that’s a big change for two people, and there are family conflicts with some of their decisions. They’ve been on a fast track and that can create doubts ...But their love is strong.”

Farnham shared one other spoiler. In “Red At Night,” in addition to the plot lines of romance, lobstering and the slower pace of life in Maine as opposed to Hollywood, there were nefarious characters selling drugs and guns. For the second book, Farnham had to top that. And he did: one of the “Red in the Morning” plot lines involves human trafficking.

“There’s lots of news and TV coverage on the subject but none really got into how the predators ‘shopped’ for targets. I did a lot of research into it, which made my stomach turn,” Farnham said. “In the book you hear it from the predators’ perspective, which was very difficult to do ... ‘What will people think of me’ buzzed through my head a few times. I don't dwell on (the plot line) but I wanted people to be aware of just how easy it is (to be drawn in or taken by traffickers).”

Research included watching interviews with traffickers and victims on Youtube. And, for a health issue suffered by one of the characters, Farnham spoke with a former classmate, Kate (Parkhurst) Carpenter.

“The second one is almost the most difficult book to write,” said Farnham. “One author told me nothing sells a first book like a second one.”

Farnham has some very enthusiastic fans out there. Check out these stats: 755 “Red At Night” books were sold between June 12 and Dec. 31, 2023; 3.6 of those were sold per day at Sherman’s stores in person, online, and on Amazon. “Red At Night” was a “Staff Pick” at Sherman’s and one of the bookstore’s Top 10 sellers of November at the Boothbay Harbor branch, and it was Sherman’s Best Seller of 2023 overall.

“Sherman’s has been so fantastic and supportive. I can’t say enough about everyone there,” Farnham said. “And Maria (Boord Curtis, owner) has offered to help with the editing of this new one. Maria’s awesome. I’m hoping that when people pick up the second book and start reading it they’ll realize it’s picking up, literally seconds after the ending of the first, and buy the first one, too.”

Speaking of that first one, while Farnham was writing “Red At Night” he reached out to Greg Jbara of the TV show “Bluebloods” looking for some advice related to the nefarious story line in his book (no doubt the guns and drugs one). And, Jbara actually responded. So, in thanks, Farnham sent the entire cast of “Bluebloods” copies of his book. “I autographed each book,” shared Farnham. “One member of the cast is Tom Sellick and I thanked him for all of the time he’s put into ‘Bluebloods.’ Then I thought ‘I’m signing a book for Tom Sellick; in what world would this have been possible?’”

Farnham had his first brush with celebrity last August. He and his son were having pizza at Portland Pie Company in Scarborough when Farnham observed an older woman looking in their direction. After looking at them and away, sometimes squinting, the woman stood up and walked over to their table.

“She said ‘you’re Jerry Farnham’ and I said, ‘Are you a bill collector?’ She said, ‘you’re Jerry Farnham. The author.’ I said, “no I’m a C&C mechanic; I just write on the side, but thank you.’ She said she had my book at home and wished she had it with her so I could sign it. So, I signed a napkin for her instead. This really … I just don’t know what to say about it! My son was kinda confused about the whole situation, but the pizza was really good so ... (laughing) he just kept on eating!”

And Farnham began writing his third novel almost immediately after completing “Red in the Morning.” This third one is science fiction and perhaps a cautionary tale. Always a fan of Star Trek and a lot of sci-fi films, not to mention all of the media attention focused on AI (artificial intelligence) these days, Farnham found himself thinking about synthetic life forms. Specifically, what would happen if a scientist accidentally released these life forms out into the lab?

“And what if all of the scientists in the lab died? There’s no one left to tell the world what’s happened …and no one to tell the life forms they were synthetic, not human …,” shared Farnham, now three chapters in.

With this book, even more research is involved. “It has to be reasonably possible, tangible,” he said; then there are the arguments for and against: If God wanted us to live with them, then He would have made them; another argument would be, that God gave us the ability, the intelligence, to make them so wouldn’t that make it OK? “I’m not saying if I agree with it or not, but the readers will go ‘Holy crap!’ And I’m asking myself where I stand on this. Usually, when someone comes to me with an issue I can see both sides.”

Farnham tries to write daily, but since his laptop died he has only been able to write at work, and writing in one-hour blocks isn’t easy. He also started posting video author talks on his Facebook page about “Red At Night.”

Last year, Farnham wanted to be able to have book signings at his hometown bookstore and see his book on a shelf at Sherman’s and the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) – check and check! 

And this year?  “I really love my job here at the machine shop. I work with great people, it’s a great crew. It’s a rewarding job. That said, if someone called me up tomorrow and offered me a decent-sized salary to write for a living I would jump on it in a heartbeat. Working with a creative staff writing, or creating shows or writing books the rest of my life would be great.”

Farnham has two author talks in Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, Jan. 27, the first at BHML, 4 Oak St. at 10 a.m., the other at Brady’s at 2 p.m. He will have copies of “Red At Night,” both soft and hardcover, for sale and autographing.