The news itself wasn’t a surprise, to me at least — it’s been just over three years since America expressed interest in this project. And yet beyond my team, my closest family and a few friends, absolutely no one has known.

TBH I didn’t know that anyone would ever know. Lots of projects die in development before anyone ever gets the chance to yell QUIET ON THE SET! And while there are still plenty of steps before you get to watch this on a plane (as a double feature with Crazy Rich Asians, the film I watch on every flight), the announcement itself is something worth celebrating.

Until now I’ve kept this little secret all to myself. But now the whole world knows. Or at least everyone who reads Deadline knows, and all of you.

I have so many more things I can’t wait to share with you: how this all came about, what the process has been like so far, all the videos I’ve made commemorating different milestones that I didn’t think anyone would ever see.

But for now I just wanted to share my one, overwhelming sensation: pure and utter excitement.

Read the whole announcement here.

With love,

Alisha

P.S. What a great opportunity, some might say, to buy a book.

In addition to the large pots of hot cheese I have been consuming, I’ve been able to appreciate how well the themes of both of my books - Someone’s Gotta Give and My What If Year (have you read them yet?)- resonate outside of British and American crowds. At the Apéro last night, I heard again and again how excited people were to read a book about something meaningful that also brought a large dose of joy, lightheartedness and humor to the pages (and then I blushed and said modest things, naturally). Turns out it’s not just those of us eating apple pie and bangers and mash who feel like they need an escape right now.

But entertainment can entertain and teach at the same time. The content we consume helps shape how we view the world and everything from the books we read to the tv series we binge don’t just reflect culture back to us, they help create it.

In a beautiful marriage of my passions for philanthropy and writing, I’ll be talking about this topic, Someone’s Gotta Give, and some super cool research I’ve been undertaking about the global entertainment industry in London on June 30th at my alma mater, the LSE. Learn more here and book a ticket - I’d love to see you there.

Kalimera!

If you’re working on your own piece of content of any sort (memoir, novel, musical, screenplay, next Booker prize winner, etc.), then maybe you’d like to do that with me. And Gloria Calderón Kellett. In Greece.

Join us as writers-in-residence at the blissful Rosemary’s House this October. We’ll be sipping ouzo and working on our tans all while dropping knowledge and honing our craft. I seriously can’t wait for this one and I hope you’ll come!

The Conference Season Approaches (but not too soon)

I know our eyes are all laser focused on the summer (and mine are particularly focused on the Outlander series of books because SWOON I’ll be interviewing Diana Gabaldon at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this August).

But the autumn has it’s own share of excitement, and I’m not just talking about pumpkin spice. I’ve got some cool US event announcements dropping soon that I can’t wait to share, but I love nothing more than packing each trip in with more activity than normal people think possible. If you have upcoming events in September and November that you’d like to discuss with me, I’m all ears (and airline miles). Drop me a line and let’s chat. And remember you can find all my events on my website.

That’s all from me! Excited to make some more new friends in Zurich tonight and test the human limits of how much raclette a person can consume in a 24 hour period.

Tschüss!

Alisha

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD (but, I promise, absolutely nothing about hockey, a sport I know less about than cricket, and that’s really saying something).

For those of you who haven’t yet clutched your pearls in front of Heated Rivalry, in the final episode, lovebirds Ilya and Shane are trying to find a way to be together and of course, they chose the classic romantic gesture of starting a nonprofit. The move is a smart one; a joint project creates plenty of feel good opportunities for them to be seen together, but it’s ultimately a strategic move: philanthropy as good PR.

“But Alisha!” you may exclaim, “shouldn’t the motives of philanthropy be pure?” This is, in fact, a question that Lucia and her friends in my bestselling novel Someone’s Gotta Give wrestle with often. Whether it’s royals looking to avert a scandal (ahem, I promise it’s fiction), or young people who inherited wealth from parents with unsavory professions, the question of motivation comes up all the time. And not just in fiction.

After 20+ years advising on philanthropy, I mostly don’t care why someone is giving as long as they are giving - and in the best possible way (unrestricted, long-term, flexible funding, in case you were wondering). But there’s a fine line for nonprofits between taking needed money to create real impact and allowing donors to whitewash their reputations using a good cause.

My hot take on Shane and Ilya’s Irina Foundation? I’m all for it. Combining an issue they care deeply about with an opportunity for them to soft launch their love to the world seems like a win-win. And, in a meta twist, the Heated Rivalry fandom has kicked off their own philanthropic efforts, raising critical cash for orgs like You Can Play and the B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Now that’s what I call big deke energy.

Grab a copy of Someone's Gotta Give

And speaking of heat…

My magnolia tree is in bloom here in Edinburgh so even though my body is still wearing a coat most days, my brain is ready for some sunshine. I’m headed to some warm places in the coming months and I’d love to see you there:

🤠 I’ll be at Mom 2.0, one of my favorite events of the year, on April 17th in Austin, chatting about all things motherhood. (Also Kelly Taylor Jennie Garth is going to be there, I swoon). Buy your tickets here.

🌴 Then, I’m headed to LA on April 18th for the LA Times Festival of Books on the De Los Stage at the very specific time of 2:55pm. See the full agenda here and yes, Kelly Taylor Jennie Garth will be there too WHAT IF SHE IS ON MY FLIGHT?

🇬🇷 Sadly, Kelly Taylor Jennie Garth is not, to my knowledge, joining me at the exquisite Rosemary’s House in Greece where Gloria Calderon Kellett and I will be writers in residence from October 12-19th, but spaces are still available for you (and Jennie, if she’s reading this). This one’s going to be incredible - an intimate group of storytellers coming together to build community, develop craft and further our writing careers. Find out more and apply here.

More information about fall appearances in Miami and some upcoming philanthropy conferences (where I may or may not be discussing Heated Rivalry) coming soon.

See all my upcoming events

Finally, two recommendations for inspiration

• On book tour, I met so many amazing nonprofit leaders struggling to keep things afloat during these challenging (understatement) times. So I came home and, with my amazing team at I.G. Advisors, launched Fundraising Bootcamp, a 12-week accelerator that will give you a fundraising strategy to meet this moment. There’s lots of info online but also please feel free to email me and I can tell you more.

• My wonderful friend Marisa Renee Lee’s first book, Grief is Love got me through such a tough time in my own life. Now she’s back with Waiting for Dawn, out on April 7th. This one is all about living with uncertainty (sound familiar?). Find out more, pre-order, or go see her on tour. I’ve got my copy waiting for me already.

That’s all from me! Can’t wait to see you all at an event, or maybe just online, in the next few months. Now off to re-watch the final episode of Heated Rivalry. And maybe take a cold shower.

Love,

Alisha

It's the cake, but it’s not only the cake. Another year around the sun, especially on this planet these days, always fills me with a huge sense of accomplishment. I made it. Plus any excuse to throw a party is always welcome. Did I mention the cake?

Today marks an important birthday celebrating my first book baby: My What If Year turns three. Even more than the actual doing of the internships, the publication of my memoir represents a real before/after moment in my life. And it led me to what became my ultimate what if - a career as a writer.

More so than all my other internships combined, following a creative path has been the thing that’s most required me to turn to the lessons I learned in My What If Year again and again: don’t be afraid of failure; keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone; be grateful for opportunities to learn; find joy in every day.

Even after publishing two (!) successful books, including a bestseller, I still get rejected all the time. I get ghosted after pouring my soul out on the page. I get my heart broken. I question - on a regular basis - if pivoting to writing was the craziest thing I’ve ever done or the bravest. It’s probably a bit of both. Some days I wake up and think: this is exactly where I’m meant to be. But plenty of days I do not.

On those days where the negative what ifs crawl into my ear and cause a flurry of self-doubt, I don’t let them stay long. I think instead about my readers who have shared their own what ifs with me - and then done something about them: Margaret who performed a stand-up comedy set for her neighborhood talent show; Jill who took a post-retirement part-time job at a bridal shop; Laura who competed in her first body-building competition; Julia who DMed me just this week to tell she had an internship interview. These charming, talented, courageous individuals remind me why sharing my story matters: it may just help someone else find their own.

When you’ve taken a huge leap and changed something major in your life, you will question yourself and your choices. You will face heartbreak and rejection.

So here’s my message to you on my (book) birthday: Keep going. Chase down your what ifs and don’t let them go. Listen to that little voice. Even if it’s scary. Even if you’re not sure. Even if it sucks sometimes.

This is the work that takes you from a what if day to a what if year to a what if life. It’s not easy, but it’s so, so worth it. Keep going.

Now that deserves a slice of cake.

xx Alisha

Come celebrate with me all year long

I promise, I have slowed down! A little! But I have so much fun out on the road.

I’ve got some extremely cool events coming up and I’d love to see you there.

• Online Galentine’s Day party with The Friends & Fiction Official Book Club with Brenda & Lisa on Feb. 12th at 7:30pm EST. (Yes that is after midnight UK time, so I’ll be in my pjs with an espresso martini in hand).

• Austin, TX I’m coming your way for Mom 2.0 on April 17th. I’ll be in a cowboy hat with an espresso martini in hand. Use my code ALISHAMOM2 for a discount.

• Los Angeles, I’ll be there April 18th-19th and I can’t tell you why yet but I can tell you I’ll be drinking an espress…you get the picture. Stay tuned for more.

• Fall seems ages away but if you’re dreaming of a far flung adventure to focus on your writing, join me at Rosemary’s House in Greece October 12th-19th. I’ll be mentoring my fellow creatives alongside one of my favorite people, Gloria Calderón Kellett and I actually can’t wait for this one.

More events to be announced so keep an eye here or on my Insta or website for the latest.

Iconic joke aside, “slow down” is the energy I’m bringing into 2026. The last year flew by. Someone’s Gotta Give was released 5 months ago and (I mean this in the best possible way) I’ve felt like I’ve been inside one of those funhouse swirling vortices ever since: 30+ in-person events, countless virtual ones, and so many flights that I now have a Pavlovian response to any sort of ding sound where I reach down to my lap to buckle a seatbelt.

I know I have a pathological need to always be moving. I consistently feel like I’m not doing enough, not working enough, writing enough, selling enough. Type-A eldest daughters of immigrants, do you feel me? Slowing down is hard for me. But I can see when it’s necessary.

So here’s to resting, recharging, sleeping in, lingering over coffee and reading novels (current obsession: The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, soon to be followed by As a Last Resort by my new friend Kristin Wollett). What If you spent this year seeking small moments of peace, joy and restoration, alongside adventure? I know I need it for the year ahead, and maybe you do too.

With that said…

Yes, my plan is for sure to take things slower, but sheesh, I’m not dead yet and I’m still super psyched for things to come in 2026.

I’m currently doing some intense wintering but can’t wait to gear back up for some super fun events: Galentine’s day fun online with one of my favorite book clubs, taking the stage at Mom 2.0 in Austin in April AND a few ridiculously exciting soon-to-be announced appearances in LA and Greece, plus more. Keep an eye on my events page for updates and remember I’m always happy to pop in to your book club and say hey, online or off.

Stay tuned for more news about some other bits I’m cooking up including offering book coaching to a small number of writers who need some feedback + pumping up (I wasn’t a cheerleader for 10 years for nothing) as well as another Scotland retreat and new ways to access my Pitch, Please content. If you want to be the first to know about any of those developments, email me!

And finally…

I passed most of my holidays in warmer climes sprawled out like an iguana trying to capture a year’s worth of Vitamin D before heading back to cold, dark (lovely!) Edinburgh. But an (upright) highlight was the chance to spend some time in Tampa. In between TV spots and a visit to Maggie and the Moms, I had the a chance to address the audience at the Tampa JCC’s and Federation’s Women of Distinction awards ceremony and tell them about my other mantra for 2026 - in the spirit of Lucia, to do something great.

As part of endearing the crowd to me, I shared my two favorite photos from the last day of 2025, which truly sum up the year for me: a collection of moments, some spectacular, some mortifying, sometimes all in the same breath.

As a thank you for all your love and support over 2025, which I know pushed Someone’s Gotta Give to be a 4x national bestseller, please enjoy the side-by-side best/most embarrassing photos of me ever taken.

With love and solidarity for the stingray hugs and the stingray slaps alike in 2026,

Alisha

Don’t get me wrong, I love a Black Friday sale. True, I’ve never beaten someone up over a 50%-off Tickle Me Elmo, but it’s a great day for getting a jump on holiday shopping and buying books for your loved ones (Someone’s Gotta Give is particularly gratifying to gift wrap! It’s the crisp corners!).

But you know what’s even better than a buy-one-get-one-free offer on socks? Giving something back at the most gratitude-filled time of the year.

My tour is winding down and while there are a few things I won’t miss (the stares as I hoist a suitcase full of books into the overhead bin), there is so much I will: surveying the crowd to see who is #TeamOllie and who is #TeamAnti-Ollie, the seemingly unlimited supply of Insomnia Cookies AND most of all, the opportunities I’ve had to share the stories of some of my favorite nonprofits supporting immigrants, women and communities: all causes close to Lucia’s heart, and mine.

If you’re finding yourself this holiday season feeling paralyzed by the gloomy/doomy news around you, here’s how to get a quick dopamine hit: do something great for someone else. You don’t need Tamsin’s checkbook or Henry Perry’s family name to be a philanthropist. Small donations that a nonprofit can use however they like (ahem, did somebody say Unrestricted Giving?) are how many survive.

Across tour, I’ve been highlighting some amazing organizations that would be grateful for your gifts any time of year, especially now, including:

• Poderistas - a nonprofit I am deeply involved in that was built to celebrate Latinas and amplify their power and voice across their communities.

• Justice for Migrant Women - founded by activist Monica Ramirez, they work to protect the rights of some of the most vulnerable women and families.

• Global Giving’s Community Aid Fund - dedicated to helping life-changing programs devastated by USAID cuts keep their services going.

You can see the full list here. Lots of these vital nonprofits, plus more, will be participating in Giving Tuesday, the annual antidote to Black Friday which is a great time of year to show them that you care. Whether you have $5 or $5 squillion to give, consider doing it now to one of these organizations or the many, many others out there who need your help.

One question I get a lot is: how do I know I’m going to give to the right place to make the greatest impact? The answer: you don’t. There isn’t one greatest impact. Impact can be found in many places, anytime you give to a trusted nonprofit.

One of the best things about giving, besides what it does for others, is how it makes you feel. GREAT. This holiday season, I hope you Do Something Great and feel great while you’re doing it. Lucia and I (and the world) will thank you.

With love-

Alisha

I returned home to the UK from the West Coast thinking I was going ahead eight hours in time, but apparently I jumped straight into December? Sweater season is in full force and there’s no lack of pumpkin spice to be found; but it’s only October for heaven’s sake. There’s still Halloween, birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday and more to deal with (and more tour! Keep reading!), I do not have time to correct the typos on your Christmas chocolates already. Save that for December 1!

As much as I love leaning into the season, there’s a part of me that wishes I was back taking a late afternoon dip in the Pacific. The West Coast leg of my tour was chock full of highlights: Someone’s Gotta Give landed a fourth week on the USA Today bestseller list, I met a long-lost cousin in LA, kayaked next to a bald eagle in Seattle, was interviewed by my brother in San Fran and even managed to catch Ragtime at Lincoln Center on the way home.

Most of me though is very happy to be back home with my family with a little bit of time for writing new stuff and a lot of time for four exciting UK events in the next few weeks.

• November 3 at Fettes College in Edinburgh at 6pm

• November 5 at Bicester Village in Bicester at 9:45am (this one includes shopping, I’m not mad about it)

• November 21 lunchtime with the Harvard Club of the UK in London.

• November 24 for Clean Money, an ethical fundraising debate in London at 9am.

American friends, fear not. Like Arnold before me, I’ll be back. I’ve got a super special surprise event in Tampa on January 7 (with my favorite romance author!) and am already cooking up some exciting stops in Texas, California and more for 2026. Watch this space! Soon they’ll have to invent a new tier of airline miles for me because I will have amassed so many!

Wishing you well as you embark on the next few months of wonderful madness. There’s a reason I fondly refer to this crazy, hazy, busy-busy-busy time of year as my personal, annual Mommaggedon. I’d love to hear about your adventures too. But please, spellcheck first.

Happy Christmam Halloween and more -

Alisha

That plucky young Fievel is on my mind as I get ready to fly allllllll the way over to the West Coast for three events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. If you, like me and Fievel, have gone west, I’d love to see you there.

*Monday Oct 6 - Los Angeles: In conversation with the INCREDIBLE genius that is Gloria Calderon Kellett at Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica at 6pm.

*Weds Oct 8 - San Francisco: My amazing brother and brother-in-law are throwing me a happy hour. Come for the vino, stay for the Gnarly dance? 5:30-7:30pm

*Sat Oct 11 - Seattle: Brilliant philanthropy expert and fellow musical theater lover Emily Inslee and I will be lighting up the floor at Elliott Bay Book Company at 7pm

For those of you more virtually inclined, I’d also love to catch you at the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy book club on Zoom on October 14th.

As to my question in the subtitle — can the sequel ever beat the original? — well, we’ll just have to see. Tour Part 1 is going to be a hard act to follow. Thirteen events, 7 flights, 2 Acela journeys, a million hugs, a thousand chocolate chip cookies and a THIRD week on the USA Today Bestseller list! (Thank you guys!!): I should be exhausted but mostly I just feel exhilarated.

The way people have embraced this story, and Lucia, has been the biggest delight of many delights. “I didn’t want to finish the book,” Jen C. told me in Washington. “Because I didn’t want Lucia to be out of my life.” Truly all I have ever desired with my writing is to create a character that people can hold in their hearts like the many characters I adore from books, movies and tv. That includes Fievel (and his hardworking sister Tanya, shoutout to my fellow eldest daughters), who still makes me cry a little and smile a lot when I think of him.

(Full disclosure: I can’t remember if the American Tale movies got cancelled for something. They might have. I seem to recall Bridget and Tony having horrifically stereotypical accents. But I dare you to listen to “Somewhere Out There” and not shed a tear or 30 when Fievel’s voice cracks on that high note.)

After this round of jetsetting, I’m staying put in the UK for a blissful few months. If you want to catch me on this side of the pond, I’ll be at Fettes College, Bicester Village, our Clean Money ethical fundraising debate or a freshly announced lunch with the Harvard Club in London. Please please come along. And please keep telling your friends about Someone’s Gotta Give - word of mouth has been crucial to the success of this book and I owe that to all of you.

May I see you on tour and may your streets be paved with cheese.

With love,

Alisha

After approximately 7 million emails, 32,000 Zooms, a kajillion pieces of social media content and a long flight over the Atlantic, I’ve made it to the US. Tour kicked off in earnest yesterday and I had the great pleasure of speaking to a phenomenal group at Feminist Funded before being feted in the evening by a lovely friend with an even lovelier group of friends (capped off by some very, very lovely champagne and Cuban sandwiches).

This is just a quick reminder that all of my scheduled events are up on my website and I would love to see you somewhere over the next month. Long Island? Love It. Bethesda? Brilliant. Atlanta, Miami? Absolutely Marvelous. New York City (x2)? Nice, You Cutie.

LA, Seattle? Look Alisha, STOP.

Seriously though, it’ll be the most fun because you’ll be there. Also don’t forget that just by showing up, you’ll be entered to win a $50 from my besties at Insomnia Cookies.

And whether I get to see you IRL or at one of my fab upcoming virtual events, thank you in advance for sending over positive vibes and good travel karma.

With love and gratitude from the road,

Alisha

As a girl who grew up in Miami with only two seasons (summer and “not summer” which was just a few degrees cooler than actual summer), I have come to not-so-secretly love the autumn: you will hear the words “BUT HAVE YOU SEEN THE FOLIAGE?” come out of my mouth multiple times; I will reliably sharpen all the pencils in my house, even though no one asked (or even uses a pencil); and yeah, I’m going to have a pumpkin spice flavored beverage. I am not above it.

Whatever your soundtrack is for the month—Green Day, Fiona Apple, Earth, Wind and Fire or another—I hope to see you in September. I’ll be spending most of it (plus a good chunk of October and even some of November), on the road touring for USA TODAY BESTSELLING NOVEL (dear lord, I will never tire of saying that) Someone’s Gotta Give. Instead of cozying up with a whisky by the fire, my autumn will be spent on planes, trains and automobiles. With cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. More on that below.

Let’s Do Something Great

My tour for My What If Year was truly one of the best times of my life (and not only because, thanks to Insomnia Cookies—sponsors of that tour as well as my upcoming events—I regularly had champagne and chocolate chip cookies for dinner throughout). I met so many people who had connected with my book or my story, saw old friends who I hadn’t caught up with in decades, browsed some of the country’s best bookstores and had the most fascinating conversations.

It was rad. And I can’t wait to do it again.

Just like last time, we’ll be eating cookies, having fascinating conversations AND doing some good.

Here’s the low down:

• I’ll be visiting 11 different cities including Atlanta, Miami, DC, New York, LA, Seattle, London and Edinburgh between now and January, plus hosting a few virtual events and more to be announced. Phew. Find the full list here and check back for more dates soon. ALSO please take a moment to appreciate how truly badass all my conversation partners are. I have promised fascinating and will deliver.

• If you do manage to show up to a US event in person, you could win a $50 Insomnia Cookies gift card on the night. I know, I know, book chat is enough; but I really felt the need to *sweeten* the deal (see what I did there)? All you have to do to enter is get a ticket and come and see me. Winners will be selected on the night from the attendees.

• In the spirit of Someone’s Gotta Give and Lucia’s love of giving back, all of my events fundraise for nonprofits addressing the issues near and dear to her heart (and mine) that support women, immigrants and refugee communities. Learn more about Poderistas, Alliance for Immigrant Justice, This is About Humanity, DO GOOD, Global Giving and the other partners I’ll be championing while on tour here.

The bottom line: I want to see you on tour. Come for the cookies, stay for the good chat and cheer.

Before I Let You Go…

Did I mention your girl was a USA Today bestseller? That is overwhelmingly thanks to all of you. Thank you for buying the book, for telling your friends, for posting about it on social.

I’m so grateful for all you’ve done and I would love to thank you (not just with cookies). If you want a sneak peek of Lucia and Sooz’s favorite romance novelist, Tilly Willington’s latest installment, Slow and Steady, email me here and quote Substack and I’ll send it right over.

It is NSFW. You have been warned.

That’s all from me! I have packing lists to make, under-eye bags to de-puff, and Gilmore Girls to watch. Gotta love the fall.

See you on tour,

Alisha

I’m writing this Substack from the exact same spot where, on March 1, 2022, I first opened up a new Scrivener file, saved it as “Untitled MomCom” and got to work on a scene about a philanthropy advisor rocking up to a posh country estate for a client meeting, with no idea what was in store. Three and a half years and 11 drafts later, Lucia is a fully realized character in my own head, and on the pages of my novel which is out to have and to hold TODAY!

If you’ve already got a copy en-route to you, thank you! I would LOVE if you could rate Someone’s Gotta Give on Goodreads or Amazon, as well as share a little post on your social media platform of course (please tag me on Insta or LinkedIn - yes, I am in my 40s). Word of mouth promo means so much, and I would appreciate the effort more than words can say.

And if you don’t have your own copy yet…

Buy your copy now (US)

Buy your copy now (UK)

“Where you going now, Columbus?”

The statement above is Carlos’ favorite thing to say to me when I’m in tour planning mode, because I can’t help but want to go everywhere (sans the smallpox).

I’m crossing the Atlantic a few times between now and December, as well as traversing the UK to host a bunch of in-person events. And since Taylor had Eras, and Beyonce had Cowboy Carter, I too felt compelled to give my tour a theme.

You are cordially invited to join me for the Do Something Great tour. Sequins and cowboy hats are optional but encouraged.

This book is, I hope you’ll agree, a fun, funny, escapist novel about a woman trying to navigate her role as a new wife, new mother, new Londoner while keeping her purpose as her north star; but it also takes place in a world of wealth and privilege and great intentions and sometimes great impact (but sometimes…not) that is the world of philanthropy.

In the spirit of doing something great, at each tour stop I’ll be fundraising for an incredible nonprofit that supports women, communities, immigrants and refugees, including Poderistas, Global Giving, Americans for Immigrant Justice, This is About Humanity and more.

The most up-to-date list of my tour stops is on my website, with new stops being added all the time; see the current lists below!

Join me on tour

One more thing…

Thank you. Truthfully. From the very bottom of my heart. I am beyond grateful for all your support. I hope to be able to give you a hug or high five in person or virtually over the next few months. I wouldn’t be here without all of you.

Get your copy today!

Warmest,

Alisha

My writing career tends to be marked by peaks and valleys. While I do love the valleys - slower periods where I can make time for a morning workout or writing for hours at the library - the peaks are exhilarating and, at times, exhausting.

They’re also energizing. I am a textbook extrovert, and I feed off other people’s energy in what I like to hope is a non-vampire fashion.

On June 18th, I spoke at the first official event for Someone’s Gotta Give during the Hispanics in Philanthropy-Native Americans in Philanthropy joint summit.

My novel, as you may recall, is about Lucia, a 30-something Latina navigating expat life and motherhood in London with the unpredictable demands of her new job as a philanthropy advisor to the rich and famous. It’s a relatable beach read with a kick to it! Pairs well with a spicy margarita!

The summit was held in Albuquerque, where the spicy margaritas were flowing. New Mexico may not be the most straightforward place to get to from Scotland, but the journey was SO worth it to spend a few days with those brilliant communities. I read from the novel and told the standing room-only crowd a bit about my own professional non-fiction life in philanthropy advisory. But I also told them this:

I can’t wait to put this book into your hands and to feed off YOUR energy (again, not like a vampire) in just a few short months. So if you’re craving an escape that entertains and matters, come along for the ride with me.

Pre-order SGG Today!

Pre-Orders Are Important (So Important, I Wrote a Spicy Romance Novella to Encourage Them)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that pre-orders and early reviews are vitally important to a book’s success (even Colin Firth thinks so). Now, I realize you may not have read the book yet, but never fear. This is what Carlos calls a “future truth” - give me a glowing review now secure in the knowledge that you’re going to love it when it does finally hit your desk; just like my wonderful blurbers:

If you have a moment to spare I would be eternally grateful if you would (1) Preorder Someone’s Gotta Give in the USA or the UK and (2) leave a (great?) review on Goodreads.

Pre-orderers who email me at sggprizes@alishafmiranda.com will receive a copy of Slow and Steady, a romance novel by Lucia’s favorite author Tilly Willington (shhh, it’s me).

Writing with this level of…ahem…graphic detail…pushed me WAY out of my comfort zone (how very, My What If Year of me). But it if gets your heart racing AND compels you to pre-order, it will have been worth it. So as long as you promise never to bring up the whole captain’s chair scene in my presence, a copy of Slow and Steady is yours with your early purchase of Someone’s Gotta Give from any bookseller.

Come on, you know you want to

A Sneak Peek at My Upcoming Tour Stops

There are so many exciting things in the works for the fall that I can’t wait to share - but for those of you who, like me, like to put dates in your calendar way far in advance, here’s a preview of my movements over the next few months.

• August 22: Love Undone at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (in conversation with Jessica Stanley and Emma Gannon)

• Sept 17: DC

• Sept 18: Atlanta

• Sept 19: Miami

• Sept 23-25: NYC

• Oct 6: LA

• Oct 7-9: San Francisco

• Oct 12: Seattle

• Mid-Nov - Pre-Thanksgiving: London

In addition to the fun shindigs I’m planning, I’m also very, very happy (see point on extroversion and vampires, above) to come to your corporate bookclub, nonprofit book club, living room wine-drinking book club, living room non-wine-drinking book club….literally any book club.

If you’d like to chat about a private event while I’m in your city, please please reach out at hello@alishafmiranda.com.

Finally…

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support and for being on this wild ride with me. It’s been 13 years since I gave actual birth, so that whole process is pretty fuzzy, but I’m telling you, birthing a novel feels somehow harder.

I guess that makes you all my metaphoric epidural. It’s the highest compliment I can pay.

See you at the top of the coaster.

Share Alisha Fernandez Miranda

As someone who lists Gilmore Girls among her top five hobbies I of course was going to binge creator Amy Sherman-Palladino’s new series as soon as it aired. It had everything I expected from an Amy show: fast, witty dialogue, tense parent-child relationships and of course extended dance scenes (Bunheads, anyone?). But what I didn’t expect was to see Shamblee, played by the marvelous Simon Callow, as a deep-pocketed arts philanthropist whose dirty money taints the two ballet companies at the center of the show.

I won’t recap all of Étoile here (but do possibly need to start a second Substack focused on the intricacies of the Sherman-Palladino oeuvre) but essentially the main professional ballet companies from Paris and New York decide to swap their top talent, a promotional exercise funded by Shamblee. He’s an uber-billionaire who has made his money in industries that would top any fundraiser’s ethical “no-nos” list: weapons, fossil fuels, industrial fishing that kills baby dolphins, that sort of thing. The heads of the two ballet companies hate him; but also they need his money. Such is the tension that exists in arts organizations and non-profits: they care, deeply, about doing the right thing, but they are often bound to donors whose values aren’t aligned with theirs.

This tricky question of clean money (and not-at-all clean money) is one that Lucia, the main character of my upcoming novel Someone’s Gotta Give deals with as she goes from fundraiser to philanthropy advisor at the posh Eastern Currents Bank whose clients include some who might make even the fictional Shamblee say, “no thanks, that’s too amoral for even me.” How she navigates these issues – while also trying to survive as a new mom and an American figuring out which way to look when she crosses the street in London – sits at the heart of my novel (out August 5^th, did you forget?)

Just you wait; now that you know about philanthropy and some of the paradoxes it holds, you’re going to see it everywhere, like when you get engaged and you start noticing everyone’s ring fingers.

If you really want to dig into this crazy and wild world, here’s a very friendly reminder that Someone’s Gotta Give is available for pre-order right now. And that if you pre-order this baby, you’ll get a copy of the dirty romance short story, Slow and Steady by fake romance novelist Tilly Willington (who is me).

I had so much fun dreaming up titles for Lucia and her best friend Sooz to swap with each other; the more double entendres the better. Actually writing a Tilly Willy piece though has me delighted/panicked/in need of a cold shower.

Please, further deepen my embarrassment about having to write a sex scene (on a boat!) by pre-ordering and letting me know. And then let’s never speak of it again.

We’re back baby!

By popular demand and after four sell-out editions of this class, Pitch, Please will return on May 18th.

You’ve got a brilliant idea for an essay or article that you’re sure should be gracing the pages of Vogue or the New York Times. That’s the easy part. Catching a busy editor’s eye can be a lot tougher. Enter the perfect pitch: the first step to seeing your words out there in the world where they belong. This class will provide a hands-on, practical guide to writing pitches that grab an editor's attention and lead to publication.

Things We’ll Cover

• A step-by-step approach to writing a pitch, using a tried and tested template for that will make editors notice you.

• Details on how to find outlets and individual editors to send your pitch to.

• Guidance on the process of pitching and getting published, with tips on how to stay organized and focused.

• A live pitch workshop with feedback

Note: This class will take place live on Sunday May 18th at 12-2pm Eastern / 5-7pm UK. If you can't make the live time we can arrange to send you a recorded version.

Secure your spot now and see you online!

If you’re going to be at the Hispanics in Philanthropy - Native Americans in Philanthropy Conference in June, then you’re in luck. Not only can we toast each other IRL over a mezcal margarita, but you’re also going to be one of the first people to get your hands on a copy of Someone’s Gotta Give.

A few hundred lucky attendees will be able to nab an exclusive pre-publication edition at the event. I’m so grateful to my friends at HIP for their support.

You can find out more here and if you’d like me to come speak about Someone’s Gotta Give at your conference, book club, dinner party, or Amy Sherman-Palladino appreciation society meet-up, shoot me an email. I’ll be bopping around the US and UK all autumn and love making new friends and seeing old ones.

That’s all from me. I’d love any feedback from you. Are we liking this Substack? Did we watch Étoile? Will Amy S-P one day make a show about musical theater? If so, I’m available to intern.

Sending a hug your way,

Alisha

Are you ready? I feel like Chip and Joanna Gaines right now…

(drumroll)….

HOW CUTE IS SHE? This fabulous cover by Nicolette Seeback Ruggiero is fun, bright, sassy, filled with three of my favorite things: London and hoop earrings and coffee. Coincidentally they are also some of Lucia’s favorite things; the protagonist of this story.

And please let me stress, even though this cover might lead you to believe otherwise, this book is purely a work of fiction and not at all in any way about my own life and experiences as a Latina in London with a bleeding heart and a new baby working for over two decades in the field of high value and high-stakes philanthropy.

At least that is what the lawyers have insisted I tell you.

Go check out the cover reveal video on Instagram and OF COURSE please pre-order SOMEONE’S GOTTA GIVE now from your local indie or mine.

Prizes, Prizes and More Prizes: Or why your pre-orders matter

Every author with a book out wants you to pre-order their book and I am no exception. Pre-orders matter, especially for a lil’ ole’ debut novelist like me. They show booksellers that they should carry copies in store, help convince media and book clubs that they should read and cover it, and build up that critical momentum that books need to survive those first few weeks post-launch when it’s like The Hunger Games out there.

AND in some cases you don’t even get charged for your pre-order until the book comes out, so think of it like giving your future self a lovely gift.

I want you to pre-order Someone’s Gotta Give so very much that I’m offering some sweeeet prizes for doing so. All you have to do is:

1. Order your copy of Someone’s Gotta Give from literally anywhere

2. Send a screenshot of your receipt to SGGPrizes@alishafmiranda.com

The first 50 people to pre-order and send in their proof of purchase will get a digital copy the very naughty romance companion novella, Slow and Steady by Tilly Willington, Lucia and her BFF Sooz’s favorite author.

AND everyone who pre-orders will be entered into a prize draw to win a 30-minute coaching session with yours truly. What will we discuss? Building a What If life? Moving abroad? Philanthropy? Gilmore Girls. You decide!

Want to help on tour?

Tour plans are gearing up and I would LOVE to see you when I’m traipsing around the US or the UK. There will be plenty of public events, but here are some other ways we could work together:

• Do you have a book club or know a book club? See if they’ll read Someone’s Gotta Give this fall.

• I can talk (for days, just give me a mic) to employee networks, at corporate events, conferences, I am a bona fide delight. Recommend me to your employer - especially if you work in the social impact space.

• Interview me for your podcast or multi-national television show, I will say yes to both.

• Host an event for me in your hometown (coffee or cocktails optional but encouraged).

If you have any ideas or just want to chat, reach out at hello@alishafmiranda.com.

More updates to come as things progress but for now, thank you for all your support.

With love, Alisha xx

PS: If you’re in the philanthropy sector you may want to check out our virtual Meeting the Moment event for social impact leaders, free and hosted by my firm, I.G. Advisors on April 24.

In Stephen King’s On Writing, he famously tells us “egocentric little scribblers” to “kill your darlings…even when it breaks your heart.”

Through 11 drafts of my novel, I did that, over and over again, ditching pieces of writing I truly adored. I said goodbye to characters’ original names (not British enough!); I set aside a fight scene that I wrote with actual, bona fide shards of my heart; and don’t even get me started on the (excellent) jokes that are currently sitting in a comedy graveyard, wondering if they’ll be resurrected for the next novel.

But the thing about killing your darlings is that even though it’s painful and you think you might never survive - it’s usually better on the other side of it. So while I might have shed a tear when I had to say goodbye to one particular darling - the former title of my novel - I can admit this new one is better.

SO! It’s my great pleasure to share with you my brand-spanking-new title for the same wonderful novel: Someone’s Gotta Give. And the pub date is set! Mark your calendars for August 5, 2025.

There’s so much more that I am bursting to share: events, tour, partnerships, bonus content and of course, the cover.  But in the meantime, I wanted you to be the first to hear about my darling new title. It’s pretty great. Touché, Stephen King.

Learn more and pre-order

Are you expat curious? I’ve got just the podcast for you…

Expat life is wonderful. I should know - I’ve been living it for almost 20 years. I’ve had tea at Buckingham Palace, midnight ice cream sundaes in Budapest and taken the train to Paris just for lunch. But is has also been strange and disorienting at times to craft a new identity and contemplate my old one, negotiate the basics of life like visas and bank accounts and foreign school systems, have kids with Scottish accents who play in the bagpipe band, and keep close ties with family and friends back “in the States.”

Whatever the ups and downs, expat life is unique. That’s why I’m so excited to introduce Expats, my new limited podcast series which launched on Monday. Like most of my podcasts, Expats features fun (but sometimes a bit serious) conversations with other people like me: Americans who have moved abroad for work or school, love or money, but above all adventure.

Tune into Expats everywhere you get your podcasts and please rate and share!

Listen to the first episode

It’s time for some winter sunshine and what if…

Enough of this below freezing nonsense. I’m off to my hometown of Miami next week for some fun in the sun just in time for a big birthday: My What If Year celebrates two years of being out in the world.

To mark the occasion, I’m headed back to my favorite bookstore, Books and Books, for a special, free workshop on making this your what if year. Join me at the Coconut Grove store at 6:30pm on Monday, February 10th.

Book your free spot

Thanks for everything you’ve done to make the last two years the most incredible. Can’t wait to see you all out on tour for Someone’s Gotta Give. I do love the new title. It’s a darling already.

xx

Alisha

Copyright (C) 2025 Alisha Fernandez Miranda. All rights reserved.


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What are you getting yourself for the holidays?

Sometimes at this time of year, I find one VIP at the bottom of my list: me. Between year-end work deadlines, approximately seven million children’s performances, and a concerted effort to  memorize all the words to Good King Wenceslas (and learn how to spell Wenceslas), December can be the hardest month to set aside time and headspace for myself. But when I do find a spare second or three, I spend it dreaming about the moments in the new year I’ll be able to carve out just for me.

If you fancy coming to dream with me (and are in the market for a fabulous gift ), why not join me in London and Skye in October 2025? Bookings are now open for the second annual What If Adventure - an immersive retreat like no other that brings to life the places and people you’ve read about in My What If Year and gives you that crucial time and space to think about your own what ifs.

From Monday October 27 - Saturday November 1, 2025, I’ll lead an intimate group on a magical trip from the bright lights of London to the dark skies of Skye. This journey is about connection, transformation and above all, joy. Fun. Delicious food. Beautiful landscapes. Amazing people. Sipping whisky by an open fire at Kinloch Lodge, eating foraged chanterelles, shaking our booties with Retroglow and so much more.

Want to know what the trip is really like? Let my 2024 cohort tell you about their experience.

Early birds and planners, take note: If you book before December 31st, you’ll get a £200 discount on the full cost of the trip AND I’ll be sending a special personalized holiday greeting your way to get you in the mood.

Explore the full itinerary here and please reach out to me with questions or if you want to hop on a Zoom and hear just what spending the week with me is like.

Ok! Back to the holiday spirit! Please send egg nog.

Get Your Early Bird Discount Now

Copyright (C) 2024 Alisha Fernandez Miranda. All rights reserved.


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Did That Really Just Happen?

After months of preparation and planning, making spreadsheets for massage timings and debating how many snacks are too many (jk, you can never have too many snacks), I pulled it off.  My What If Adventure somehow managed to exceed even my (very high) expectations.

I set out to host an experience that would allow me to connect with readers on a deeper level, and to show them the Skye I love. What I got was that and more. We learned, we laughed, we cried, we explored our what ifs; we foraged for chantarelles, tasted and toasted with a dram of local whisky, feasted (and feasted, and feasted) and I made new friends for life.

It was too incredible not to repeat, and I’m so happy to be partnering again with Kinloch Lodge to run this experience for 2025. Click below to see photos from our trip, read what my #WhatIfSquad had to say about their journey, explore what’s in store for next year and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Come to Skye with me in 2025

In Other News

Pitch, Please has been a total joy so far and there are still two workshops left before year-end. As a reminder, I designed these to help you sell pretty much anything, but most notably:

• Your Work: Stand out in a crowd and make your next professional move (November 17)

• Yourself: Plan a career pivot or, better yet, make 2025 your What If Year (December 8)

Each two-hour workshop costs $75 will be delivered live on Zoom and recorded for attendees who can’t make it (except the final one, due to the personal nature of exploring your ‘what ifs’). Recent attendees have highlighted the “wealth of knowledge,” called the classes “awesome and inspiring” and said it’s “the most fun you’ll have on a screen that’s not karaoke.” (Ok, that last one was just me).

Oh and there’s just one more thing…

I FINISHED MY NOVEL!

In writing, some might call this burying the lede because this is kind of the most super important news but I like to say: save the best for last. Unrestricted Giving is off to copy editing and typesetting and cover design all that good stuff. Y’all it has been a journey; a great one. And I can’t wait for you to meet Lucia as she navigates the weird, wild and wonderful world of high stakes (and higher $$) philanthropy as a Latina, new mom, new wife and new expat Brit.

This book is NOT autobiographical (my lawyers would like me to stress) but I have poured my heart and soul into it. If you work in the philanthropy or non-profit space; if you’re a parent feeling like WTF just happened; if you’ve ever wondered what the rooms are like inside Buckingham Palace or on a superyacht; if you’ve ever really wanted to make something good happen in the world; if you’re a person who has ever wanted, desperately, to belong somewhere….basically, if you’re a person, you’re going to love it.

The book is out early Fall 2025 and I’m already starting on the promo train. If you want to know more, request an ARC, host an event, have me come and speak, or even just want to ask what I’m doing in that photo above with King Charles - hit me up.

Lots of love,

Alisha

Find Out More

Copyright (C) 2024 Alisha Fernandez Miranda. All rights reserved.


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This summer was a blur.

I had some incredible adventures that included hosting two events at the Edinburgh Book Festival, experiencing the full bloom (but thankfully not the full smell) of the Amorphophallus Titanum and my very first (but certainly not last) Saunagus experience in Denmark (if you’re wondering my next internship will almost definitely be as a Gusmester).

But praise Sister Mary Clarence, my kids are finally back in school which means I can get back to cooking up some fun for you. As we speak my retreat attendees are packing their waterproofs and whisky flasks for our upcoming Highland adventure, Unrestricted Giving (my debut novel) is getting ready for it’s publication next year, I’m hard at work on a new novel (more on that soon), and I’m launching a brand-new series of courses to finish off 2024 with a bang!

And on that note (cue drumroll)….

Introducing Pitch, Please - three workshops designed and led by yours truly, to help you sell pretty much anything, but most notably:

• Your Writing: How to write pitches that make editors take notice (October 6)

• Your Work: Make your resume and cover letter stand out in a crowd (November 17)

• Yourself: Plan a career pivot or, better yet, a what if year (December 8)

There’s a reason why people ask friends to write their dating profiles for them – it can be hard to recognize your own brilliance, let alone write that brilliance down. Let me be your own personal cheerleader/guide to crafting the perfect pitch for every occasion.  

Each two-hour workshop costs $75 will be delivered live on Zoom and recorded for attendees who can’t make it. Or treat yourself and sign up for all three at a discount. Email me with any questions and please tell your friends!

That’s all from my side of the pond. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go jump in the frigid sea. Gusmester training, of course.

With love - 

Alisha

Pitch, Please and More

Copyright (C) 2024 Alisha Fernandez Miranda. All rights reserved.


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Spring is in the air.

It’s here, and not a moment too soon. On April 1 each year I stop wearing my winter coat, whether the weather agrees with me or not. But finally, the temp seems to have caught up with my stubborn expectations. Scotland is radiant: the flowers are blooming, the sun is (mostly) out, and ahead I see blue skies, long days and a fridge full of orange wine just waiting to be drunk.

Here’s what I’ve been up to: spreading the What If Year gospel while hard at work on edits for Unrestricted Giving, my novel that will be out next year. An insane amount of travel, including from Helsinki to Santa Fe (that was one trip). Making new friends at Mom 2.0 in Nashville and getting pumped to connect with old ones at my upcoming 20 year (!!!) college reunion. And, planning for and dreaming about my upcoming retreat.

I have an amazing set of people joining me in London and Scotland in October - but we had one person who sadly had to drop out which means I have an open spot that’s just waiting to be filled. By you (or, you + a friend sharing)!

If you’ve been thinking/dreaming/wondering about this trip, THIS IS YOUR SIGN. We’re going to have the most incredible time, dancing and cocktail-ing our way through London, boarding the sleeper train up to the Highlands, enjoying a dram by a roaring fire, kayaking on Loch Coruisk, breakfasting on Kinloch Lodge’s award-winning porridge and experiencing everything the Isle of Skye has to offer (with a local…me!).

What else are you waiting for? If you still have questions, book a call with me - I’ll give you the scoop on our destinations, discounts (I’m crazy for a sale), payment plans, itineraries, or if this is right for you (spoiler alert: yes).

There has never been a better time than now to make your what ifs a reality.  

With love - 

Alisha

Click Here to Dive Into Dreamy Retreat Content

Copyright (C) 2024 Alisha Fernandez Miranda. All rights reserved.


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I am notorious for being a bit birthday obsessed.

There have been less nice words used to describe my fixation with the anniversary of my annual loop around the sun, but I’ll spare you. Thus, I am probably the last person that needs another birthday to celebrate in my life…but too bad! Today is my book birthday and it feels as joyful as my own. 

I can’t quite believe it’s been 365 days since My What If Year officially made its way into the world,  on to so many of your shelves, headphones and e-readers. It’s not an exaggeration to say that the love you all have shown for this book has exceeded all my wildest expectations (hello, jumbo screen in Times Square).

You’ve sent me photos of the book lounging on beaches, by lakes, up snowy mountains, at cafés, on planes and in airport bookstores. And (here’s the best part): the messages. About your own what ifs; about how much my feelings resonated with you; about the things you’ve done in the last year to chase your unexplored paths. 

So THANK YOU. For your emails and DMs, for showing up to events online and in the real world, for recommending My What If Year to your book clubs and spending a few hours with me on the page. I am eternally grateful. It’s the best birthday present anyone has gotten me, ever.

With love - 

Alisha

To celebrate my book baby being a whole year old (and my actual birthday next week), I want to give you all a present - for the month of February, anyone who reserves their space on my What If Adventure will get £200/$200 off .  

Come with me as we write, explore our own what ifs and make incredible memories in London and on the majestic Isle of Skye this October. There are only a few spots left! 

Find Out More and Book Now

I’m cooking up a bunch of exciting things right now (cookies, yes, but also books, etc.). I’m deep into edits for my forthcoming novel, Unrestricted Giving (with regular updates on Insta that aren’t at all procrastination-related). In the meantime, here’s how to catch me: 

• On Feb 25th, I’m once again teaching my Pitching to Get Published class with Zibby Classes. So many of my students have gotten bylines off the back of it, so sign up now if you’re ready to see your name in lights (or at least the light of your computer screen).

• In April, I’ll be speaking at Mom 2.0 in Nashville between mouthfuls of something called “hot chicken” that everyone says I have to try.

• Want to book me for a speaking gig at your workplace or conference? I’m a delight, and you don’t have to take my word for it - just ask my friends at GLG, Ro, Russell Investments, freuds, the IFC, the Gates Foundation and the many other places that have invited me to talk about life, wellbeing and finding joy in your every day.

Attention all podcast lovers!

Did you explore a what if in the last year? I want to know about it and feature YOU and some of your stories on my podcast, Extra Shot with Alisha Fernandez Miranda.

Email me if you have a “what if” you want to share with all my listeners (including but not limited to my mom).

Copyright (C) 2024 Alisha Fernandez Miranda. All rights reserved.


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