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What’s next?

Coffee & Croissant

Monday Write-Along begins fresh under a new motto with a new starting time. Write with your coffee by your side at 9 AM in Los Angeles. Or have your croissant for lunch in New York at 12 PM EST. Snack and write as you commute home from work in Europe at 6 PM. Click the link to join me:

​https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88453229476?pwd=1CDjelHlyLgXLPhrJLeTbqgdrrWL9M.1​

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JanYourStory

All through January Memoir Nation offers the write-in JanYourStory. Writers pledge to write 500 words each day to finish a draft. So I pledge to have my revision done by the end of this month.

​https://www.memoirnation.com/janyourstory?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email​

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Join me for a creative retreat in Italy!

In April I’ll be at a writers retreat in Italy. A full week to play. Artist Karima Cammell, guest musician Raphaella Hero and Grant Faulkner of Memoir Nation are gathering at a castle outside of Turin from April 7–16, 2026 for a week of deep creative exploration. I hear one spot just opened up, so if you want to explore your talents in an unusual setting this might be your opportunity. Check out this last minute opening.

​https://www.cammellot.com/italy?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email​

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Tent City: A Novel

My friend Amy L. Bernstein has a new novel ready for pre-order.

​https://www.open-bks.com/library/moderns/tent-city/order.html​

Tent City: A Novel

Does the end of prosperity start at home? A striving family. A collapsing economy. A tragic death. In Tent City, everyone must confront their demons in the struggle to survive. Tent City is a contemporary dystopian family saga that places ordinary citizens in extraordinary circumstances, precipitated by dire economic disruption. As the American town of Willing crumbles under a collapsing economy, hundreds seek refuge in the dense “city” of tents that spring up in the Kings’ big backyard, setting the once-thriving King family on a collision course with disillusionment, disaster, and for some, a new and hopeful beginning. This family saga revolves around trust and betrayal, love and loyalty, and the will to survive the breakdown of the American Dream.

Oscar nominations

One Battle After Another (2025) by Paul Thomas Anderson is like a breath of fresh air. This movie has it all, great story, fantastic cast, beautiful cinematography, effective editing and score. I haven’t seen any other movies in the last year that have kind of quality of cinematic story telling. One minor issue threatens to derail the entire movie when the filmmakers indulge in a never ending car chase.

Another film I recommend watching is Sinners (2025) by Ryan Coogler. His historical drama explores horrors in all their vicious aspects. I’m in awe of this filmmaker who speaks his mind so clearly that you don’t want to miss his voice.

That’s all for now.

Happy New Year!