It's been three months since maternity leave ended and I transitioned back to work. 

Baby Nora is growing fast and delightfully chubby-wubby. She's teaching me to put away my phone, slow down, be more present in my life, and be awestruck by the simplest things—leaves moving in the wind, a dog catching a ball, the rattle of a tambourine. I love seeing the world through her amazed eyes. 

Over at the office, it's been a joyfully busy season. 

A few projects I've been working on lately…

• My next book, Awestruck: 52 Experiments to Find Wonder, Joy, and Meaning in Everyday Life, will be released in 2024 by Chronicle and is available for pre-order now! This is my 7th book and my 1st collaboration with Chronicle. 

• Spenser Brassard struggled with infertility for eight years before eventually getting pregnant. Those years were extremely painful but also provided unexpected gifts—lessons about releasing control, accepting uncertainty, slowing down and enjoying life even when it isn't perfect, and shedding society's expectations about what a woman's body is "supposed" to do. Spenser asked me to be her writing coach and editor. Together, we've been working on her book, Fertile Ground. This book helps women navigate their fertility journeys with more peace, trust, surrender, and less suffering. A treasure for women who feel alone and need a shoulder to lean on. I'll let you know when it’s out in bookstores. In the meantime, you might enjoy Spenser's podcast.

• "What if the story you're born into is not the one you want to live?" Up next, I'll begin editing Cara Jones' memoir, Rewritten. The book describes how she was raised in a repressive cult as a child, left the cult as an adult, and her journey of healing and reinvention. Jones is a journalist, documentary filmmaker, Moth Story Slam finalist, and Emmy Award winner, and her story is fascinating and moving—with lessons that apply to all of us. Because we all have old stories that we need to release.

• I collaborated with my long-time client, Rachel Rodgers, to help write a series of three audiobooks for Audible. Watch for these to drop in 2024. Recently, we finished the script for Six Figure Side Hustle, a motivating audiobook for anyone who wants to start a side biz and needs a plan—and encouraging push—to get going. If you want side hustle tips now and can't wait for the audiobook to come out, check out this free guide from Rachel and her team.

• I'm working with psychologist and mindset coach Dr. Sasha Heinz on a new article for Psychology Today. If you enjoy learning about the science of getting unstuck, you’ll love Sasha's work.

• Lindsey Smith and I are collaborating on two oracle card decks, one with Chronicle (a deck for dog lovers) and one with Clarkson Potter (a deck for book lovers). PS. If you happen to be in the area, won't you come visit our bookstore?

• My online course on how to write a book is back again. This year, we've reached a big milestone: 1,000 graduates. This course started nearly a decade ago in my living room with a tiny handful of clients and a big pot of coffee. I never imagined it would expand into what it is today. The biggest thanks to Lindsey Smith, Woz Flint, Tracie Kendziora, and Lucy Giller for making this course the best it can be—and for taking such wonderful care of every author-to-be who enrolls.

That's a peek into my world. 

I hope your 2023 has been inspiring and energizing. And, if things aren't going in the direction you want, it's never too late to make a change. Maybe there's a project you want to do, or a shift you long to make? Today is not over yet.

-Alex

PS. Music I've been playing lately: Hozier's new album, Labrinth, Stardust, this workout mix that I put together, emo rock from the early 2000s (brings back so many memories!), chill Lo-Fi beats, and this wonderfully calm playlist that a friend shared with me. 

PPS. To everyone who reached out during the Maui fires, thank you for your kindness, care, and concern. I live on a different Hawaiian island (not Maui) so my family was not impacted by the fires. Tragically, many on Maui lost everything. The level of destruction is difficult to comprehend. If you're in a position to do so, please donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund. This fund provides shelter, food, grief support, and other services to those in need. Every act of generosity helps, no matter how big or small.