Hello again!

I’m working with Dr. Sasha Heinz, a developmental psychologist, on her first book.

It will be published in 2027 by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

It’s an honor to be Sasha’s writing partner and the book is coming together beautifully.

We have an opportunity that may be right for you—or someone you know. Read on for details.

About the Book

Why do some adults still behave like impulsive teenagers—or have the emotional regulation skills of a cranky toddler?

 

Research in developmental psychology suggests that only 35% of adults meet the criteria for being a “mature adult.”

 

The other 65% of us aren’t as mature as we could be—and this creates real problems.

 

It’s why so many people:

 

• Make immature choices well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond
• Struggle to have grounded conversations with people who hold different views
• Can’t tolerate friction in relationships and resort to people-pleasing or placating
• Need constant external validation to feel okay
• Have difficulty staying emotionally regulated during tense moments
• Feel overwhelmed a lot of the time and wonder, “Why does life feel this hard?"

 

Drawing on new research conducted in partnership with colleagues at Harvard, Tufts, and Emory University, Dr. Heinz shows that developing a mature mind isn’t something that automatically happens with age. Growth is not guaranteed—it’s a choice.

 

She explains what it means to be a mature adult according to science, why so many struggle to get there, and how to change this—starting with yourself.

Seeking: Test Readers

Dr. Sasha Heinz is looking for test readers willing to read the current manuscript and share feedback to help make the book stronger.

Would you like to be one of them?

As a test reader, you will:

• Receive the manuscript on June 1, 2026
• Read it, then answer 10 feedback questions (examples: “What was your favorite part?”, “Was any section confusing?”, “Based on what you read, what’s one action step you’re inspired to take?”)
• Have two weeks to respond (answers due by June 15)
• Be paid $300, thanked in the acknowledgments, and have the author's deep gratitude (and mine, too)

To volunteer, email [email protected] with READER in the subject line.

If you love learning about psychology and personal growth—and would probably read this book anyway—why not get paid to do it?

Important Detail

We want a diverse range of perspectives and experiences represented among our test readers.

Right now, we're looking for test readers who identify as male and those who identify as nonbinary.

If that’s you, please volunteer. If that's not you, you're welcome to pass this info along to someone else. Perhaps you have a spouse, partner, friend, or colleague who might like to do this.

We don’t need additional female test readers at this time because so many wonderful women have already volunteered—thank you to each of you!

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a beautiful week!

-Alex

PS. I typically send newsletters once or twice a month. Today was an unusual two-emails-in-one-day kind of moment. Rare, like a blue moon. 

PPS. Over here, you can read every newsletter I’ve sent over the past decade. Enjoy!