When you hear "Claude Monet," you probably picture his iconic water lily paintings, beloved around the world and valued at $70 million apiece.

What you may not know is that he nearly abandoned this project entirely.

Monet struggled with tremendous self-doubt. He worried these paintings weren’t good enough to share and put the project on the back burner.

Then, he took a trip that changed everything...

Here is the true story of how Monet’s water lily masterpieces came to be.

Let this story remind you that it is never too late to:

• Find your confidence again
• Create something beautiful
• Achieve a meaningful goal
• Or return to a project you put aside and finally complete it

A Few Exciting Updates...

The Hawaii Writing Retreat (January 6-12, 2027) is sold out.

• To everyone who registered: thank you!
• If you’d like to hear about future retreats in 2028 and beyond, email [email protected] and say: “Put me on the retreat waitlist.”

Hormone Powered: The Ultimate Guide to Radiant Health In Your 20s, 30s, 40s, and Beyond by Dr. Corina Dunlap comes out on September 8, 2026. 

• If you struggle with brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, or other issues that can be driven by hormonal imbalances, this book is a must-read.
• Blending conventional and holistic approaches, Corina helps women bring their hormones back into balance—with or without medication.
• I was honored to be Corina’s book coach and thrilled with how Hormone Powered turned out.

Ambitious Mother: From Surviving to Thriving in Your Career and at Home by Dr. Anne Welsh comes out on August 6, 2026.

• Women are told: “You can have it all.”
• But how do you build a meaningful career and raise a family, at the same time, without exhausting yourself?
• Ambitious Mother explores ambition, motherhood, and defining success on your own terms—written by a therapist and mom of four.
• Includes a Foreword by Robin Arzón and an endorsement from Eve Rodsky, bestselling author of Fair Play.
• It was my privilege to be Anne’s writing partner. This book contains the messages I needed to hear myself.

Working with Me

Ready to write your first—or next—book?

As a writer, editor, and book coach, I can help you: 

• Get clear on your book idea and the message you want to bring across
• Understand your publishing options (self-publishing, hybrid, and traditional) and choose the path that is right for you
• Connect with literary agents who may be interested in representing you 
• Craft a successful book proposal that leads to a publishing deal 
• Write a powerful, bestselling book that changes readers' lives

I work with a small number of clients each year.

Each project is unique and may include a combination of writing, editing, consulting, coaching, and other services—depending on what you need. 

Visit this webpage to learn more about working with me, including selected projects, awards and accolades, praise from clients, and pricing. 

Email [email protected] if there’s a project you’d like to discuss. 

Thank you for reading! 

I love sending this newsletter. I hope it's a bright spot in your day, providing encouragement, hope, and possibility.

As my friend Susan Hyatt, who celebrated a birthday earlier this month, often says: "Your greatest work isn't behind you. It's still ahead."

-Alex