You're invited to read this book before anyone else in the world!
Because you supported The Way Home
It took 800 days of Morning Pages to finish The Way Home. Written by hand across six journals in between some of the darkest moments of my own journey through life.
It's an ensemble story about more than 20 interconnected characters who step off the Highway of Success and find a a campground, a group of humans who want to support them in their next steps and a Path that takes them on quite the adventure.
It's been through a full developmental edit and it's planned to be published in November 2026. But before it goes through the final edit, I want to read it with you. Literally.
Not your grandmother's book club
This isn't a traditional book club, and it isn't homework. It's a small, intimate early read — open only to the people who've supported this book's journey from the very beginning.
Over five weeks, you'll receive the manuscript in pieces: in writing, and read aloud in my own voice. One investor asked: "Can you read it to me as a bedtime story?" and that's what I'm planning to do.
As you read and/or listen, I'll ask for your honest reflections — what moved you, what confused you, what you saw in these characters that I might not have. Those reflections will genuinely shape the final version of this book before it's printed.
You won't just be reading The Way Home. You'll be helping build it.
August 4 - September 4, 2026
Your Feedback. Desired.
This is the very first read of this book outside of me and my editor. You're the FIRST!
Five weeks. Two formats. You shining a light on everything you love, wonder about, and want more of.
Each week, you'll receive:
The written manuscript for that section
The same section read aloud in my voice — for reading or for listening on a walk
A short, simple reflection form — five questions, about five minutes
Three Gatherings. All Optional
You can take part through reading and reflecting alone — no call required. But if you'd like to connect with Melanie & other friends & family investors, hop on at 4pm ET for each of these three live calls to dive deeper and share your own experience.
I'll share the heart behind this book, walk through how the five weeks will unfold, and answer any questions before we begin. You'll also get to meet the other friends & family investors supporting this experience.
A chance to check in — what's surfacing for people, which characters are staying with you, what threads you're following. Hearing how others are experiencing the same story tends to deepen the read for everyone.
Our final gathering. I'll share what your reflections shaped in the book, offer my heartfelt thanks, and give you a first glimpse of what's next.
Yes, all three calls will be recorded.
Listen, Read, Share
A living thread stays open the full five weeks for questions, reactions, and connecting with fellow readers
Direct access to me — for anything that comes up about the story, a character, or the process itself
WhatsApp group conversations about what's coming up with motivation to keep reading
A short weekly voice note from me alongside each installment, sharing something behind the scenes or a question to sit with as you read
NEXT STEPS:
Let's Get Ready
Accept the calendar invites for August 4, August 20, and September 4
Join the WhatsApp group
Block 30 - 60 minutes per week to your calendar for reading or listening
Prepare to fill out the feedback form weekly
Please do not share this copy of the book or any version of it with anyone outside of this book club.
Thank you for being one of the first people on earth to walk through this story. I can't wait to read it with you.
Here's the Feedback Form:
Every single response is read. The patterns that emerge — where attention holds, where it wavers, which characters resonate most — will directly shape the final developmental pass before this book goes to print.