Acclaimed psychologist and author Patricia A. Farrell, Ph.D. (P. A. Farrell) brings readers into the intimate, universal human experience of waiting with her latest book, Echoes of Expectation: Waiting. This remarkable collection of 35 flash fiction stories captures the tension, heartache, humor, and unexpected revelations that unfold in those suspended moments of life.
From a woman sitting in a hospital waiting room, to a group of aging friends gathering beneath a familiar streetlight, to a clockmaker who discovers time itself is shaped by our anticipation—each story invites readers to lean into the stillness and discover what lingers there.
"We spend so much of our lives waiting," Farrell reflects in her introduction. "Waiting for test results, for a phone call, for storms to pass. These stories explore what happens to us in those pauses—do we falter, grow, or discover strength we didn't know we had?"
The collection spans emotional and imaginative territory:
- Tender tales of resilience like The Wedding Singer and One Last Dance
- Unexpected twists of fate in The Waiting Ramp and Some Must Pay
- Magical, thought-provoking pieces such as The Clockmaker's Apprentice and The Universe
- Quietly powerful everyday moments in The Bus Stop in Winter and Silent Between Us Now
Dr. Farrell, widely published in psychology and fiction, is no stranger to illuminating the human condition. With precision, empathy, and a deep understanding of how time and waiting shape our lives, she offers readers brief but lasting journeys into the heart of what it means to endure, to hope, and to transform.
Echoes of Expectation: Waiting will be available beginning September 29, 2025 on Amazon, Draft2Digital, and other major online platforms. Readers are encouraged to pre-order and experience these unforgettable stories for themselves.
For review copies or interviews, please contact Dr. Patricia A. Farrell at drfarrell22@gmail.com
About the Author
Patricia A. Farrell, Ph.D., is a psychologist, writer, and author of multiple nonfiction and fiction works, including When You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup and The Little Book on Learning Big Critical Thinking Skills. Her writing has been featured on major media outlets, and her fiction has appeared in numerous collections and literary journals. With Echoes of Expectation: Waiting, she continues her exploration of the ways in which ordinary lives hold extraordinary meaning.