Hi. Guess what? There is nothing urgent in this email.

Ahhhhh. No pressure. Read it now. Read it later. Read it never. It's all good. 

The purpose of this email is to shine a spotlight on a few of my clients—celebrating their beautiful projects, their hard work, and their victories from the last twelve months.

To whoever is reading this email...

I hope this Client Victory List inspires you to write down your own Victory List, too. Consider everything you've done in the last year. Victories of all kinds—big and small, public and private, creative, personal, professional, and emotional. Make your list. Read it back. Let the words sink into your heart and bones. You did that. 

So often, we sprint through life at such a breakneck pace. We conquer one goal and immediately think, "OK, what's next?" 

This week, let's all take a moment to pause, exhale, and commemorate all the things we’ve survived, all the things we’ve created, all the wonderful things we’ve done.

So many beautiful things.

. . . 

(FYI, if you’re curious… most of the following clients hired me for writing / co-writing / editing / project development. We worked together to create their books, podcasts, videos, speeches, press and marketing materials, pitches, proposals, newsletters, website language, all kinds of things. And a few of these clients hired me for writing coaching—setting tiny daily and weekly goals, making checklists, staying motivated and organized, getting projects done. And some attended my retreats.)

. . .

Client Victory List

. . .

A collection of Wishbeads bracelets. (My personal favorite is the Rose Quartz!)

Other Wonderful Things

Art Projects, Events, Performances, Press, Etc.  

* Alexa Fischer runs a jewelry company called Wishbeads. You can write down your big wish on a tiny slip of paper, roll it up, tuck it inside a secret metal compartment, and then you can wear your wish... right on your wrist. Alexa has poured her heart, soul, sweat, and grit into launching and growing Wishbeads—and her dedication has paid off. Her products are now featured in 100 shops across the country and were recently featured on The View. 

* Kellita Maloof (also known as Kel' Wil) did a one-woman show called I K(no)W at the San Francisco Fringe Festival. Also, she's hosting a Burlesque Retreat in April where you'll shimmy, shake, swivel, and awaken your inner showgirl. 

* Emma Pattee has taken her writing to a whole new level. She revamped her website, started a newsletter, and these days she writes about “the struggle to be real… In my marriage. In my body. As a feminist. With money. As a freelancer. On antisocial media." 

* C. Rene Washington has been blogging up a storm and sending out her inspiring, touching, and often hilarious newsletter like clockwork. She is writing Consistently with a capital C. That’s hot.

* Ellen Fondiler runs an interview project called How Did You Do That? She interviews all kinds of people (dog walker, romance novelist, TV producer, meteorologist, etc.) and asks, "How did you create your career?" She is currently adapting this online interview project into a book.

* Shelley Hong runs a business called Sew Much Easier—products for sewing and crafting enthusiasts—and she worked hard to revamp her newsletter and make it even more inspiring than ever before. She loves reminding people to make a little room for creativity and joy in their busy lives. Sew amazing!

* Devi Clark runs a community called The Outsiders' Network—a place for people who feel "different" from social norms because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, refugee / immigration status, or any other reason. Devi is currently writing a book called The Outsiders' Manifesto: The Journey From Misfit to Pioneer.

* Lesh Karan runs a blog called Peaces of Me filled with beautiful, thoughtful pieces about many topics—travel, navigating new cultures, her experiences moving from Fiji to Australia, minimalism, releasing unnecessary “stuff” from your life, and more.

In Development

A few projects that are almost-totally finished. Ninety-five percent done. Just a few contract signatures and tweaks away from the finish line…

* Karen Arrington, founder of the Miss Black USA Pageant, wrote a book called Your Next Level Life: The New Rules of Power, Opportunity, and Confidence for Black Women in America. It will be released in 2019. 

* Sherry Richert Belul wrote a book called Say It Now: 33 Creative Ways to Say "I Love You" to the Most Important People In Your Life. It will be released in 2019, hopefully right around Mother’s Day.

* CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke co-wrote a book about how to resolve frustrating relationship conflicts and create more intimacy, joy and aliveness with your partner. Title: TBD. It will be released in 2019. 

* Alexa Fischer wrote a book called Wishwork: Make a Wish, Do the Work, and Watch It Come True. It will be released in 2019. 

Behind the Scenes

Book deals, national press, sparkly new websites, podcast releases, enrollments and sales—all of this stuff is exciting, of course.

However, when I think about my clients and what they’ve accomplished this year, my favorite victories are the ones that happen… quietly. The victories that happen behind the scenes. The moments of courage and persistence that almost nobody sees.

Here are a few of those behind the scenes victories…

* Persistence and not giving up. One client had a series of disappointing experiences with her business and was questioning, “Why am I bothering with any of this?” But rather than give up, she rallied. She changed her attitude, put together a new marketing plan, made a big checklist of steps to take, and got things back on track. She’s finishing the year feeling strong. (It's never too late to turn things around!)

* Bravely speaking up. This year, one client attended an event where a wealthy, influential man said some very idiotic and misinformed things about sexual assault. Nobody in the room spoke up to correct him. Except for my client. She did.

* Focusing on what matters. One client wrote a 130-page book filled with advice and words of comfort and love for her five kids. She intends to give each child a copy of this book once they turn 18 years old so that—in her own words—“they can carry my love with them wherever they go, even after I'm gone.” She’s a busy mama with a demanding life, yet she managed to carve out time to write this book for her kiddos. Amazing.

* Rising above the noise. Every single one of my clients had to deal with some type of “drama” this year—legal paperwork regarding joint-custody agreements, copycats plagiarizing their work, deals that fell through, unexpectedly needing to move to a new house—or a new state. Lots of distracting, tiring, challenging stuff. And yet, each of these people found a way to rise above the noise and stay committed to their goals. They kept writing, kept making art, and kept marching forward—even when it wasn't 100% convenient and easy. To me, this is the ultimate victory. 

. . .

Dear clients,

In my head, I call you my flients—friend-clients, family-clients, because that’s how you feel to me. I’m honored to know you, honored to work with you, and honored to play a role—big or small—in helping you run your businesses, do your work, write your books, and make your art.

My lifelong hero, Fred Rogers, wrote lots of handwritten letters while he was alive. He would always sign-off with four letters—IPOY—which stands for I’m Proud of You.

So I will conclude by saying…

IPOY.

Times infinity.

I love you.

-Alex

PS. If you’ve been a client of mine anytime in the past—even eight or nine years ago—please know that my door is always open to you. I love hearing updates! Send me an email anytime and let me know what you’ve been working on lately. I’d love to hear. <3

PPS. If you'd like to hire me for writing / co-writing / editing / coaching / consulting / project development / etc., please hang tight. I will announce my 2019 programs and services soon. If you'd like to be notified a little bit early, please email my assistant Kate at hello@alexandrafranzen.com and ask to be placed on the Client Interest List. She will put you onto a special mailing list that’s especially for super-interested-potential-clients. You'll get early-bird news and "first dibs" when I have space for new clients and projects. Thank you so, so much.

PPPS. I can't stop listening to this album. Romantic, beautiful, groovy. Also this album, oh my God. It will get you fired up, activated, motivated, ready to build your dreeeeeams.