Hello, Reader,

I’m gearing up for a trip to the United States next month—my first in more than two years—and the preparation has me thinking about my life abroad and the things I miss about being home.

I have my shopping list: new water bottles (they don’t make them the same in Europe!), Brooks running shoes, some supplements that are hard to find.

And I have my heart list: time with my best friends, nighttime chats with my parents, quality conversations with my relatives, many of whom I’ve not seen in many years.

The thing about moving abroad is that your heart splits in two. It’s where you are and it’s where you were. And because I’m from a beautiful city like Boise, from a loving family, with amazing friends, these trips are both joyful and painful.

The pain comes from confronting how much life I’m missing with my people. But the joy comes from the intentionality in the time I spend with them.

So as I prepare for this trip, I’m trying to be mindful in my daily intentionality. Because life is only lived fully by choosing to do so.

Today, I hope you choose to live full-on.

Raise a glass—Leslie Miller’s new book is here!

There are books that inform. There are books that entertain. And then there are books that make you want to gather your people, pour something delicious, and celebrate.

​When They Go Low, We Go Highball, by Girl Friday Productions CEO Leslie Miller, is firmly in that third category—and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

This isn’t just a cocktail book (though the fifty cocktails and mocktails inside are reason enough to pick it up). It’s a love letter to the women who lift us up, a playful pushback against the expectations that hold us back, and an invitation to celebrate boldly, joyfully, unapologetically.

Go grab your copy, share it with someone who deserves a toast, and let Leslie know what you think. She poured her whole self into this one, and it shows.

Here’s to the women who go high—even when it’s hard. 🥂

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Book to Brand workshop in NYC

If writing a book has been sitting in the back of your mind—or if you’ve started but feel stuck—I want to share something that I think is genuinely worth your time.

My friend Farnoosh Torabi (host of the Webby-winning So Money, author of four books) is hosting her annual Book to Brand workshop in NYC on Friday, October 9, and it’s one of the few events I’ve seen that actually pulls back the curtain on how publishing works today.

This isn’t just about writing. It’s about understanding what makes a book sell—to agents, publishers, and ultimately, readers.

What makes this different:

• You’ll gain clarity on your book idea and how to position it.
• You’ll learn what agents and publishers are actually looking for right now.
• You’ll meet industry insiders (literary agents, editors, published authors).
• You’ll leave with a real road map—not just inspiration.
• It’s also a small, in-person workshop, which makes it much more actionable than a typical conference.

If this is something you’ve been thinking about, here’s the link to check it out.

You can use my code [STACY100] for $100 off your ticket. The discount expires June 14.

From the writer’s room

Ask Stacy: Should I upload my manuscript to AI? ​​Listen now →​

Ask Stacy: Can I really build a writing and editing career in my 50s? ​Listen now →​

How mini retirements can transform your career, creativity, and life ​​Listen now →​

5 Things Before You Write That Book by Hady Méndez ​Read more →​

Your message is bigger than you (and that’s the point) ​​Listen now →​

How writers can reclaim their peace (and their creative flow) ​Read more →​

Thank you, CanvasRebel, for this feature!

"Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stacy Ennis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Stacy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

I started my business in a one-bedroom apartment in the Dominican Republic (and worked from my bed because it was our only room with AC). I tried building a travel writing business, but that proved ill-compensated, so I switched gears, eventually setting a personal challenge to send thirty query letters to thirty publications in thirty days. Twenty-nine didn’t respond; one did, and that was my first opportunity: ghostwriting one-third of an academic textbook."

​[Continue reading the article.]​
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💫 Your writing inspiration

💡 Writing tip: Productive writers don’t wait for inspiration.

The more I learn about brain science, and observe my book coaching clients’ and my own writing progress, the more I’m convinced that routine and energy management are the biggest predictors of writing productivity. I used to think I could only write when I was inspired or had the just-right writing conditions (coffee shop, mellow music, hot tea on the table next to me). But running a national magazine and having to meet ultra-fast deadlines nearly every day taught me that I could be predictably productive every day.

Now, I write at the same time daily. I manage my energy well by stopping writing when my creative energy is used up for the morning. And I get more done in an hour than I used to get done in several days.

💭 Writing quote by Maya Angelou on the writing process

“I believe that the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare.”

Let's connect!

That’s it for this month! Have suggestions? Want to say hey?

Hit reply—I love hearing from you!

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