💡 Founder's Formula: A Stunning True Story and My Favorite Restocks

Book recs and my go-to restocks and favorite products.

Hey Sutoscientists,

This past week I’ve been recovering from jet lag and trying to get back on a normal time zone (which is in part why this post is a day later than I usually send it!).

I’ve had a dreamy time in Hawaii and China, but after 6 weeks of being away from my desk, I’m happy to be back and in my normal routine.

November and December are the months that I try and “reset” from the year: I do admin work, set goals, audit my health and writing habits, and figure out what I want to change for the upcoming year.

It’s been a lovely time wrapping up some client projects, also. I just released the ARC (advance reader copy) signup form for PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY, a gorgeous book I had the honor of being a developmental editor on. It’s a romance novel based on a stunning true story.

Here’s the blurb:

Samantha Walker is a sharp-tongued forensic scientist more at home in a field lab than a relationship. Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Martinez is a career soldier with a past he rarely speaks of. When they’re thrown together in the Arizona desert in 1981, neither expects a connection—let alone a partnership that will defy time, distance, and duty across two continents and several decades.

Against all odds, Sam and Gerry build something rare: a love story marked by missteps, stubborn loyalty, and rituals uniquely their own. As deployments come and go, their bond deepens—one airport dance, one care package, one argument at a time.

But this isn’t just a story of longing and separation. It’s also one of joy, adventure, and the unbreakable friendships forged along the way—from misfit colleagues to outrageous escapades, laughter echoes through even the darkest chapters.

When Sam writes one final letter decades after they first met, she isn’t closing the book. She’s opening a door. Because some love stories don’t end—they evolve, resonate, and return in unexpected ways.

Permission to Speak Freely is a story of grit, devotion, and the lifelong echoes of a once-in-a-lifetime love—told in fragments, field notes, and the space between goodbye and home.

If that sounds like you’re vibe, request an ARC copy below. I promise this book will change you in ways that you won’t see coming.

If you’d like to support the author, you can also pre-order the book here.

I’m lucky to be working with such talented writers on their books!

Okay, now for my recs for the week. Let’s get into it —

🌁 Dispatches From the Bay: My SF Finds and Recs

What to do and where to eat in San Francisco.

• Over the weekend I took a KPop Dance class at Rae Studios in the Financial District and it was so much fun. I never regret going to a dance class, and this was high-energy and a nice weekend cardio workout.

📚 Reading Lately

My favorite recent reads.

• I’m interviewing Paul Millerd, author of The Pathless Path on Substack Live tomorrow at 5:30pm PT. Read his book and join us — it’s going to be a great conversation about how he turned down an six-figure book deal to self-publish, and how that worked out (incredibly!) well for him. He’s a courageous author and it’s going to be a great conversation. He’ll also be answering some of the questions left by our community over on the ✍️ Make Writing Your Job paid subscriber chat.

• Another conversation I’m excited about is with Ali Kriegsman, author of The Raise. Grab that book as well. If you have questions for her, start thinking about them as I’ll also open up a thread for your questions in the ✍️ Make Writing Your Job subscriber chat ahead of our conversation in a few weeks.

🛍️ Amy’s Favorites: Health Purchases, Restock Recommendations, and My Favorite Plant-Based Milk

Things I’ve bought that have made my life better.

• I’ve been having to “restock” many of my favorites since getting back home. Here are my “must buys” — some of which I’ve used for the past 5+ years and swear by:

  • Boka toothpaste is a game changer. I used to have 1-2 cavities per year (!!!) and I’ve been happily cavity free since I started using this brand, which contains nano hydroxyapetite which helps to regenerate teeth or something. When I told my new dentist about it, she nodded approvingly. 20/10 recommend this brand.

  • I just bought this under-desk treadmill to go with my standing desk from Branch, and I’m already in love. By nature of being a writer and working at a desk, I’ve found myself sitting a lot in the past. But every time I made the switch back to under-desk treadmills, I’ve felt more energized having gotten in more sneaky movement in a day. Definitely recommend.