A New Chapter

My new book (just for YOU), exciting initiatives, and a road map

(Photo credit: LeshemLoft)

There’s nothing like a recent, sudden loss to make you reprioritize things. I’ve moved into the phase where I’m no longer wearing black, the condolence cards are filed away, and life looks like it’s back to “normal.” And yet, the tears come at random times, short spurts after which I collect myself, smile, and bounce back into my projects with passion and energy. I know so many of you have been through loss and totally get it. The way it catches you off guard. The way it lingers like an unwelcome guest. Alas.

But, like all the books say, after loss comes growth. Meaning. Introspection. Recalibration.

How do I want to spend my limited time on the cusp of turning 50? What do I want to focus on professionally? Here are some answers that affect you!

This Substack and a New Book

One thing I really want to do is build and improve this Substack. I love writing it. I love connecting with you all directly and having you comment back in real time. So here’s what I’ve come up with.

In addition to sharing personal essays, book recommendations, and select event invites, which I do now (and which I’ll continue to do for free members), I’m going to add a new tier.

And I really, really want you to upgrade.

If you join this new tier, I’ll give you new benefits plus a special gift: my new collection of personal essays called Catching Up, which I’m only going to release for you.

A Book Just For You

Yes, you heard that right. I’m not going to traditionally publish my new collection of essays. I’m going to publish it and distribute it only for you.

The new tier of Zibby Insiders ($50/year) will also include:

• My new collection of essays called Catching Up — only for you!

• 10% off all purchases at Zibby’s Bookshop online

• Discounts, free shipping, and free gifts from our partners

• Lessons from the podcast, like what I’ve learned from the 2,200+ author interviews that can make all our lives better. Think quotes, round-ups, clips.

• Short round-ups of books, like the top three books about grief and things like that

• Things I’m loving and obsessed with from TV shows and clothes to beautiful shops and articles worth your time

• A special, monthly podcast/video episode just for you

• Monthly giveaways

• Cover reveals of new books

• Free stuff from our partners

• Monthly “ask me anythings” about publishing, podcasting, Jewish activism, and other topics

• Exclusive movie screening invites

• Early access to all our events

• Virtual Insider meet-ups

Again, only people who sign up for a paid Substack subscription will get the book. If you’re already a paid member (thank you), you’ll get this new suite of offerings automatically.

Or maybe you’ll upgrade because you just think what I’m doing is worthwhile and want to support it.

If you want to be a part of this new and improved Substack experience and get my next book which is ready to be typeset and printed, then sign up.

(FYI, another reason why I want to add this new paid tier: when creators have more paid subscribers, Substack then ranks you as a bestseller and promotes you even more, which leads to even more subscribers, which means I can get my recommendations out to even more people. I’ll then put the money right back into my mission of helping others.)

Other New Initiatives

Pop-Ups

You’ve probably seen my posts or read about my pop-up at Minnie Rose, which I’m obsessed with. I’d love to expand this concept to other places. I’ll be looking for amazing boutique retail partners across the country (U.S. only to start) who want to enhance their existing space with books.

I’ll be offering “just a shelf” like we do with all the Montage Resorts in the U.S. or a “full-on pop-up” like at Minnie Rose. I’ll need someone on the ground to volunteer to help each pop-up, someone who is passionate about helping and building on what we’re doing here. Only a couple hours a week while the pop-up is running. You’d be a Zibby Retail Ambassador of sorts and be part of a new community of helpers. (Need a better name.) But first step: would anyone want to help? Does anyone know of stores or store owners who would be interested?

TV + Stage

I’m super excited about my new TV show!

“Totally Booked with Zibby” is now a TV show on JBS (Jewish Broadcasting Service), which premieres Thursday, November 6th. Thursdays at 7:30 pm, only on JBS. Hope you’ll tune in. It’s my first Zibby Production. Here’s where to watch where you live or it’s on their website and app which can be downloaded to Apple TV.

I’m also thrilled that The Braid will be producing a stage version of "On Being Jewish Now” this March and April in different venues all across California. The ones I’ll be attending are listed in my events. More info to come.

Existing “Stuff” I’ll Keep Doing

• My daily podcast Totally Booked with Zibby

• Supporting the Zibby’s Bookshop flagship in Santa Monica and hosting regular community events

• Events: Running our thriving events arm with retreats, mini retreats, Totally Booked: Live days, individual live podcasts, and more, most (but not all) of which I’ll moderate and host. I’ll also continue partnering with the Streicker Center at Temple Emanu-El to moderate events like the one on November 12th at 11:30 am with Lihi Lapid and Jill Kargman (info here) and at the Core Club monthly.

• Publishing select titles that help us make meaning in our lives

• Zibby’s Book Club so I can highlight one book a month you just can’t miss and connect online (Lihi Lapid’s I Wanted to Be Wonderful is my November pick)

• On Being Jewish Now events, speaking engagements, and Substack. If you haven’t been following my other Substack, you can subscribe to that, too:

  On Being Jewish Now. We publish two essays a week and have more specific Jewish-focused content.

• Instagram. I’m hooked.

• Making this Substack more robust and exciting

• Partnerships and collaborations. Thrilled to be partnering with Elyse Ryan jewelry on a new bespoke bracelet. Love our custom pajamas with Sleepy Saturdays. Obsessed with the Totally Booked sweater by Minnie Rose. Adore our Felix Doolittle stationery line. Live in my super cozy Social Goods hoodie and love the hats. And I want to do more collaborations like this. Ideas?

Speaking of Events….

I have so many coming up before June 2026. Here’s the list. Hope you’ll join me! I’ll be in:

• Boca Raton, FL

• New Haven, CT

• Washington, D.C.

• Houston, TX

• Palm Beach, FL

• Miami, FL

• Milwaukee, WI

• Santa Monica, CA

• New Orleans, LA

• Lisbon, Portugal

• New York

• Plus other destinations

Events 2025-2026

Thanks, everyone! Hope you’re excited to be a huge part of building this whole thing with me. Honored.

I mean, seriously, I do it all to help. I really do. It makes my life feel worth living knowing I’m helping others. That’s what it’s all about. Connecting. Helping. Getting through. Together. You and me.

So if you haven’t yet, become a Zibby Insider so I can get going on all this new content.

Cover reveal of Catching Up to come!

Warmly,

Zibby