Well, this month took a turn (the September REPORT)

plus, considerations for your new content commitments.

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⏪ Last time, a Creator Briefing Q&A with

Elin Petronella

. That’s here.

⏩ Today, a curated report of content I found worthy of a dog-eared page corner over the past month. It’s like a note from your favorite pen pal…me! ◡̈

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Oh, September … I've been moonlighting as an amateur survivalist for far more than enough days now thanks to a sinus infection / double ear infection combo of terror that has put me down for the count. Funny what an insane amount of pressure and deafening ringing sound will do to *every* other function in your being. 😵‍💫

On that note…

I will send a *rescheduled* date for our 30 Ideas in 30 Minutes workshop to show you the nooks and crannies I mine for content idea gold…you know, once I can hear again. If you find yourself scratching for ideas, feeling you are drying up or really need to clear out the dusty cobwebs of your Content Idea Bank…I made this for you. And it’s going to be great! Soon!

Anyway, it’s the first Thursday of fall. Let’s have some fun.

And speaking of, how fun was that look at our summer top reads and Substack stats (I read 1.5+ million words?!)? Special shout out to

Juan Gonzalez

who not only tagged me in his top 3 but also made my day with this ultimate compliment. 🥹

Here’s what you can expect in this REPORT—

👀 Half the battle is sitting down to do it.

💃 BTS of my writing mind.

👩‍🍳 Fall favorites for your rotation.

📖 Nostalgic print fav returns.

📚 My TBR stack for the season.

📣 How your feedback is shaping our plan here.

I could never say it enough, but I am SO grateful for you—and writing this to you was a nice distraction from my deafening solitary confinement. 🫨 Thanks for being here. 🫶 

👀  Reminding

“We need not so much to be instructed as to be reminded." – Vic Schwab

^ Thought of this in reference to our Q4 Content Planning Party. 

Half the battle is just taking the time to sit down and do it. Here’s your reminder: October is next week…get in on the workshop and craft your plan here.

Then as we countdown to a new month, head back to your Q4 map to make your content commitments for October. Consider: When will you show up? How will you give generously through your content? Attract new readers? Engage your current community?

Keep an eye out for our Posting Plan monthly kickoff thread to put your commitments in writing. ⚡️

Sneak peek at some new headshots I took early this month!

💃 Elaborating

It was an honor to be included in

Danusia Malina-Derben

’s interview column this month! Read for a little BTS to my writing mind and how real life mixes in…there’s even a playlist to help you find your writing flow. 😉

Parents that Write #4: Christin Thieme

👩‍🍳 Prepping 

Every fall favorite like: 

• Italian Sausage and Cabbage Stew

• Chicken Tortilla Soup

• Pumpkin Bread, obviously

Have a favorite soup/stew recipe? Please please share in the comments. I will live on soups henceforth.

📖 Ordering

Have you seen the J.Crew catalog is back in print? The Wall Street Journal covered the return of the nostalgic catalog here.

It’s had somewhat of a renaissance this year, and I’m here for it. Plus, love it when a beloved print piece is given its due. 

📚 Reading 

Here’s my fall TBR lineup:

Fall TBR…and now accepting all holiday romance suggestions.

• The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon, aka America’s Government teacher | A book about improbable champions that made our country great? I’m in. And I can’t recommend Sharon’s hopeful take in a sea of the opposite.

• Funny Story by Emily Henry | I know, I know…I still haven’t read the latest EH. I’ve been saving it for some reason? 

• The Life Impossible by Matt Haig | I enjoyed The Midnight Library so I’m excited to dig into this latest title that Benedict Cumberbatch called “A wry and tender love-letter to the best of being human.” 

And as an honorable mention…here’s my curated list of favorite children’s books for Halloween! 🎃

📣 Talking

I recently asked and you answered: 

So this fall, we’re talking systems and workflows and how to take control and simplify how you create so you’re not bogged down by the process. Then you can get back to doing what you do best and leading the conversation you are meant to lead. ⚡️

Plus, paid members of the club can expect: 

• 30 Ideas in 30 Minutes Workshop

• Annual Content Roadmap 2025 Planning Workshop

• Q1 Content Planning Party

(Want on the waitlist for my Sustainable Content System Makeover complete with a ready-to-use all-in-one template and group experience to set you up for systems success? Drop your name here.)

Then in early 2025, we’re going to dig into defining your message. ✨

➡️ Finally, ICYMI:

No time for content planning?

🎉 [WORKSHOP] The Q4 Content Planning Party!

[Creator Briefing] Allowing your creativity (and ecosystem) to evolve

Rooting for you,

xx, Christin