Happy Birthday to me and Heart Leap

May the Fourth be with you!

Well, blow out the candles and let’s all eat cake— it’s been two whole years since I started the Heart Leap Substack on my birthday in 2023 and what a ride it’s been.

From a quiet whisper of an idea to an almost-2,000-strong chorus of brilliant, bold, funny, wise women, this little corner of the internet has become a place that brings me joy every single day.

Twice a week — Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9am BST — I get to hang out in our virtual writing room with the most soulful, creative community. No small talk, no pressure, just two sacred hours of quiet focus with like-minded writers, all showing up for their work (and one another).

And it’s working. The words are flowing. The books are getting written. The dreams? They're getting real. [Big congratulations to

Emma Simpson

Sue Reed

Xanthe Gresham Knight

Robin de Rosario

Claire Venus ✨

@lisajackson for writing your books]

Speaking of which… I’ve taken a wild leap with mine. Some of you know I’ve been working on a memoir about my time living on a canal boat with my teenage son during lockdown. The feedback was: “Lovely story. But not enough DRAMA.” So, I did what any sensible writer would do: murdered my ex, blew something up, added a few steamy scenes — and voilà! I have finished the first draft of the novel, complete with heart, heat and high stakes. Same emotional truth, just with a lot more fireworks.

Today I turn 57 — a full seven-year cycle since the start of this epic journey. From narrowboats to camper vans, through the Thames, the Cotswolds, and now finally settled on the wild Northumberland coast. I’ve moved three times, started a book festival (Alnwick Story Fest, mark your diaries: 6–8 March 2026), and slowly built a life that feels rich in meaning, purpose, and the kind of connection that nourishes you.

Maybe that’s the real trick — keep the drama on the page, not in your real life.

I decided at the beginning of the year that my word for 2025 was build. Build the community. Build the festival. Build this Substack into something sustainable, nourishing and creatively alive. And help you build, too — whatever creative dream is whispering in your ear.

So let me ask you this:

• What did you want to build in 2025?

• How’s it going?

• What’s working?

• What’s not?

• Are you showing up for your writing dreams like they matter?

• If not… what might help?

If you need a nudge — a bit of structure, support, or just a room where people believe in you — then why not consider joining the Heart Leap community.

For the next 36 hours only, I’m offering free 30-day paid membership to Heart Leap Substack.

You’ll get:

1. Access to our twice-weekly live writing sessions (Tues & Thurs at 9am BST)

2. The Artist’s Way live call on Wednesdays (1pm BST)

3. A gorgeous, wise community of women who get it

4. Space. Support. Encouragement. No pressure.

Whether you’re just starting, halfway through, or dusting off a project you’ve been ignoring for years — you’re welcome here.

This offer is only open for three days. So if your heart gave the tiniest leap reading this, take the next brave step. Come sit with us. Come write with us. You never know where it might lead.

Click here to join us free for 30 days

Hope to see you Tuesday at 9am. With love and ink-stained fingers,
Suzy x