Dear Reader,

I hardly know where to start (and as proof, I've erased the first line of this email five times already)!

I guess I'll start with something new: PREPTOBER.

Many on this list will remember NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month. Well, that event sort of imploded amid scandal and controversy...

...leaving a gap in the 20-year practice of trying to bang out those 50k words in 30 days. This year, ProWritingAid has leapt into the breach by creating Novel November. This is a free activity for anyone wishing to participate and involves writing sprints, workshops, and other activities.

​You can read more about it and join here.​

What they're doing that's a little different is providing workshops and support before and after November. Hence Preptober and Polish to Publish in December.

Guess what? Yours truly is giving a Zoom workshop as part of Preptober next week (October 7 at 9am EDT). It's called How to Plan Your Novel Without an Outline.​

I hope many of the writers on this list will attend!

But first:

Join me on Sunday, October 5, 9:30am–12:30pm EDT for Writers In Progress Community Writing!

On the first Sunday of every month, a member of the faculty at Writers In Progress leads a co-writing session that includes prompts and sharing. This Sunday, I'm it! I'll be welcoming writers to this 3-hour event, which is just $10 to attend.

For romance writers—or the romance curious—come to my FREE workshop, It's Scary How Fun it Is to Write Romance!​

In this 1-hour workshop we'll build a protagonist, analyze a popular movie, and generally have fun figuring out what makes romance so compelling for millions of readers. The workshop is FREE, but you do have to register.

Regency fashion, a masquerade, a runaway bride, and an impossible challenge—plus some characters who will steal your heart!

From now until my Preptober workshop, I'm offering The Dressmaker's Secret Earl and Miss Pauline's Perfect Present kindle books for just $.99 each.

Why those books? Mainly because they feature characters in common, but also because they are perfect for a month when dressing up and being a little outrageous is on the calendar.

Go with Augusta and Mariana to a risqué Covent Garden masquerade ball 🎭 Cheer modiste Pauline on as she races to finish a mysterious order in time for Christmas. 🎄

Above all, lose yourself in a bygone world of happily ever afters!

Because at any time of year, a little escapism never goes amiss.

Happy reading and writing!

Susanne