Finish the FFB Challenge hard rock poster art.

Area One Pennwriters

The FFB Challenge

Finish the F*!&@*g Book.

A hard-rock progress board for the manuscripts that have been waiting, lingering and generally refusing to become finished books.

Next Gig

Max & Erma's, Erie

In person. Bring a word count. Free cookie night.

If you can't attend, email your new word count to Susan

Wed Oct 14 2026 6:30 PM
8Projects on the board
315,604Known words already drafted
705,000+Words in declared finish lines
45%Known progress toward stated goals
1Crossed the finish line

World Tour Schedule

No excuses. No encores. Just the book.

The challenge runs like a tour: kickoff, check-ins, the saggy middle, the black moment, the end and the big show-off at conference.

Jul 2026 Kickoff, Erie, PA Aug 2026 First Draft Check-In Nov 2026 The Saggy Middle Feb 2027 The Black Moment Apr 2027 The End May 2027 Show It Off - PW Conf

Progress Board

Everyone gets a finish line.

Ranges use the first number as the visible progress target for now, so a 110,000-130,000 goal starts celebrating at 110,000 and keeps room for bonus words.

Group momentum

45% of the known starting board is drafted.

1 project has crossed the visible finish line.

FantasyEarly draft

Forging the Blade

by Dan E. Arndt

Nerida learns she is the granddaughter of Merlin and Nimue, then has to forge a new blade before magic dies.

1,463 words110,000-130,000

Story bible compiled. 13 scenes mapped.

Mystery/ThrillerMost of the way, but not finished

STOLEN - A Romeo's Mystery

by Todd Main

A group of retirees free a local girl from a human trafficking ring.

22,870 words70,000
FantasyThe messy middle

Kinkaid's Freedom - Brotherhood of the One GOd

by Todd Main

An ex-merc looks for freedom from his past.

9,208 words100,000

Starting over.

Historical FictionEarly draft

On Buffalo Street

by Carla Swick

A family saga about Mom and Dad raising ten children through the chaos, humor, hardship and changing culture of the 1960s and 1970s.

67,345 words80,000

Also known as The Big Blue House on Buffalo Street.

Soft boiled mysteryThe messy middle

Book'd Up

by Linda Roller

A middle-aged reporter in full blown crisis finds a new career, makes serious mistakes and finds a dead landlord.

43,878 words80,000

Working on research.

YA Urban fantasyThe messy middle

An Untitled Unfinished Book Started Decades Ago

by Debra (Debbie) Sanchez

Main characters from two different worlds and times learn of hidden talents to overcome evil.

34,000 words70,000+

Started in 1976-77. The characters will not leave her alone.

Finished FINISHED
Contemporary Romance/Women's FictionDraft done

More Than One Lifetime

by Susan Gable

Her mother taught her how to die. A small town and its country doc are about to teach her how to live.

100,540 words95,000

Stand alone book

Romantic SuspenseOn the board

The Flyboy's Vow

by Susan Gable

An honor-above-all military-turned-SARs helicopter pilot and his do-what-you-must paramedic navigate falling in love while seeking justice for men who did not make it home due to a crooked CO.

36,300 words100,000-110,000

Book 2 in the Broke to Billionaires series.

Survivor Class of 2027

The shirt is the trophy.

The board exists to make progress visible. The shirt exists to make finishing feel like joining the band.

FFB Challenge survivor shirt art.