A New Chapter, A Brighter Direction

Hello friends,

This is a post I’ve been sitting with for a while… one I knew I needed to write, but wasn’t quite ready for until now.

As many of you know, this past year has been one of the hardest of my life. Losing my dad and my nephew reshaped me in ways I’m still learning to understand. Grief has a way of stripping things down to what truly matters, doesn’t it? It pulls the curtain back on what we’ve been carrying, what we’re ready to let go of, and what needs to come with us into the future.

In the midst of all that heaviness, I found myself craving clarity, meaning, and direction. I wanted to show up fully… for myself, for my family, for my clients, and for you. But the truth is, for a long time I’ve felt stretched between too many platforms, too many identities, and too many versions of myself. I was sharing pieces of me everywhere, but never the whole picture.

And with that desire for clarity came another ending… the close of The Austen Pathway and our year-long celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday.
What a beautiful, inspiring year it was… full of community, literature, and honoring one of the greatest storytellers of all time. I’m proud of what we created there, and deeply grateful for everyone who joined in. But now, that season has come to its natural close.

All of this led me to a decision I knew I needed to make…

I’m streamlining everything into one home… right here.

I’ve merged The Literary Assistant, the content I was writing for The Austen Pathway and Move With Melissa into one Substack… a space that reflects all of who I am, and the work I deeply care about.

And I want to share what that looks like moving forward.

This will continue to be a home for book lovers, historical fiction, romance, comfort reads, immersive stories, and anything that sparks curiosity or joy.
These posts are for every reader here, and I hope they bring inspiration, comfort, and a constantly growing TBR.

For those of you who write, or who are simply curious about the writing world, I’ll be pulling the veil back on publishing, book marketing, and the realities of being a social media strategist for authors. You’ll see more of the planning, creativity, community-building, and inner workings that fuel my work every day.

For Upgraded Members

If you choose to become a paid subscriber, you’ll receive deeper, more hands-on support designed especially for authors and creatives.

🌿 Mini Monthly Growth Challenges for authors
Bite-sized, doable actions to help you build visibility, confidence, and creative momentum.

🌼 Creative Inspiration
Posts and prompts to help you reconnect with your creative energy and stay motivated all year long.

📝 Social Media & Newsletter Guidance
Gentle strategies to help you grow sustainably without burnout.

📬 Marketing Insights I Use With My Clients
Behind-the-scenes support you won’t find publicly.

💛 Mindset & Creativity Support
Tools to help you feel grounded, confident, and clear in your author journey.

📚 Building Toward the 2026 Workshops
Special updates and early insights as I prepare for my upcoming History Through Fiction workshops.

This is where my two worlds, storytelling and mindset, finally get to live together. I think that creativity needs clarity, calm, and confidence. And I truly believe that marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

And… If you’ve been here for a bit, you know that I believe from the bottom of my heart that every story deserves to find its readers.

Why the Change?

Because I want to bring you the best version of me.

But the version of me who is ready for a new chapter, one filled with purpose, alignment, and peace, ready to invite you into it.

This merge is my way of honoring what matters most to me in this space…

• my community

• inspiring creativity

• meaningful work

• and helping authors share their stories

I want this space to feel like a cozy room you step into each week… warm, inspiring, grounded, personal, and real.

💛 If You’re Still Here… Thank You

I’m so grateful for every person who reads, comments, shares a book, or simply shows up. Truly! Your presence here means more than you know.

And with this shift in direction, I want to say this clearly…

If this new chapter isn’t what you’re looking for, please feel free to unsubscribe.
No guilt, no hard feelings. Your inbox is yours, and I want this space to feel good for you. ❤️

But if you’re staying… thank you.
I can’t wait to build something meaningful with you here.

Here’s to fresh starts, healing, creativity, and the stories that carry us forward.

With love,
Melissa