Good morning to everyone (except doctors who suggest yoga and less stress instead of, you know, ACTUAL TREATMENT for hot flashes, brain fog, and other debilitating symptoms of perimenopause).

Good morning to everyone (except the systems that treat women over 50 like expired yogurt instead of peak sharp cheddar). 🧀 If you’re done being shelved, hi. CLEMENTINE CRANE PREFERS NOT TO.

Yesterday, I had my nose pierced as my 60th birthday present to myself. I've wanted this since 2nd grade.

I turn 60 today. Here’s what it’s giving: Clarity abt men who benefit from misogyny. Full-volume talk abt perimenopause & menopause. Writing. Only writing. The world is starving for feral storytellers. I’m writing the hell out of this decade. Humor. With teeth. Happy birthday to me.

📣Mark your calendar! Don't forget to join Whitelam Books and @kristinbairokeeffe.bsky.social on FEBRUARY 19, 7PM, for a discussion of Bair's latest book 🙅‍♀️CLEMENTINE CRANE PREFERS NOT TO🙅‍♀️! https://loom.ly/NZPKMmw

Book Clubs | whitelambooks

Whitelam Books holds a number of community book clubs. These are no-commitment and meet monthly in Reading, MA. at Whitelam Books.

whitelambooks.com

I prefer not to” started as a line in my novel—and became something women began using in their own lives. More on CLEMENTINE CRANE PREFERS NOT TO here: abookishhome.substack.com/p/when-i-pre... #perimenopause #menopause #femalerage @abookishhome.bsky.social

When "I Prefer Not To" Becomes a Movement

An Interview with Kristin Bair

abookishhome.substack.com

Good morning to everyone (except men who think perimenopause makes us irrational instead of fucking honest).

Good morning to everyone (except a country in which Renee Good can be killed and a propaganda machine immediately starts rewriting what happened).

Good morning to everyone (except a country in which Renee Good can be killed and a propaganda machine immediately starts rewriting what happened).

Lehigh Valley & Philly writers, I'm going to be the keynote speaker at the Write Stuff Writers Conference in March. Fabulous conference—small, friendly, smart, engaging. Great for all levels. Would love to see you there! greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org/page-1859773

Good morning to everyone (except the men who fail upward, call it “leadership,” then go golfing while women clean up the mess—for the millionth time).

(no spoilers) Christmas morning magic: drinking coffee in the dark while everyone sleeps and immediately nailing the Spelling Bee pangram.

Merry Christmas to those finding joy easily—and to those assembling it quietly with snacks and good books.

Good morning to everyone (except the folks who think women’s rage is the problem—not the conditions that cause it). (...also the thesis of CLEMENTINE CRANE PREFERS NOT TO) #5amwritersclub #readingsky #perimenopause #booksky

Good morning to everyone (except the man who thinks history is a whiteboard and he’s holding the marker). #5amwritersclub #perimenopause #femalerage #menopause

Raging women, listen up. We're hosting a virtual Raging Women write-in tomorrow evening (12/18/25, 6:30-7:30pm). No pressure to share. Just show up & write alongside others. Details: Where: Zoom – us02web.zoom.us/j/85629579360 When: Thursday, December 18, 6:30-7:30 PM EST Cost: FREE Join us!

BREAKING: Republicans BREAK From Mike Johnson and force a vote to extend ACA subsidies. Four Republicans have signed onto Leader Jeffries' discharge petition, per Punchbowl. A huge win for Democrats. A huge embarrassment for Johnson. I have the latest:

BREAKING: Republicans Break From Mike Johnson and Force Vote to Extend ACA Subsidies

Today is shaping up to be an extremely busy and consequential news day.

open.substack.com

Good morning to everyone (except the lawmakers regulating women’s bodies with the confidence of someone who’s never taken basic biology).

Good morning to everyone (except the systems more terrified of women’s rage than their own corruption).

Good morning to everyone (except the man capitalizing on peri/menopause like he discovered fire. Hot flashes weren’t waiting for your TED Talk).

Good morning to everyone (except the men who accuse women of overreacting while panic-posting at 3am like it’s a national address). #femalerage #perimenopause #5amwritersclub

Good morning to everyone (except the dude who hears “peri/menopause” and thinks our story is over. Babe, this is the plot twist.). #perimenopause #menopause #5amwritersclub #womensfiction

Good morning to everyone (except the guy turning (peri)menopausal rage, sweat, and insomnia into his Thought Leadership Era).

🔥TONIGHT, 12/1!🔥 Attention, humans in (peri)menopause! I’m offering a FREE generative writing hour for (peri)menopausal women who are ready to turn the fire into words, connection & power. No experience necessary. 📅 Mon, Dec 1 ⏰ 6:30–7:30pm ET Registration req: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Peri/menopausal and pissed? Free virtual writing workshop tomorrow (Dec 1), 6:30–7:30pm ET. Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... My new novel begins with one hot flash that detonates a life—and starts a movement. Ready to put your own heat on the page? Join me. (Sharing cover for context.)

Good morning to everyone (except the patriarchy, still mistaking peri/menopause for an ending instead of a revolution).

(Peri)menopausal and pissed? Come write with us. I’m hosting a free generative session for women-identifying writers who need a place to pour the heat and fury onto the page. Mon., Dec. 1, 6:30–7:30pm ET Registration required: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... #perimenopause #menopause #writersky

’Tis the season when people get personally offended that I don’t cook—as if my lack of culinary devotion is a moral failure or a betrayal of womanhood. Patriarchy, sweetheart: I am immune. Steeled and thriving.

Memoir addicts, ⬇️⬇️⬇️! A do-not-miss!

Heather Sweeney@heathersweeney.bsky.social · 8mo ago

What are you doing on Dec. 3 at 1pm ET? Join me and the Empowered Women Book Club! I’ll be chatting about my memoir CAMOUFLAGE and answering any questions you might have. Contact @joelletamraz.bsky.social to join. Hope to see you there!

Wrote a found poem just now in my journal, using this morning's digital NYT. Here's what emerged: Tried peace. Appointed fight. Close love (with an "s" sound). Close love (with a "z" sound). Who needs another hiccup? The key? Butter. #poetry #5amwritersclub #writersky