If you’re looking to boost creativity, productivity, and most importantly, your overall happiness, join me on Substack. It’s free, fun, and a wonderful way to stay connected! There are new projects unfolding at marilyninitiative.org and marilynhorowitz.com — including a novel release, interactive webinars, special giveaways, and inspiring resources in development. By subscribing, you’ll also gain access to exclusive insights and materials reserved just for my Substack community. Don’t miss it!

Today we celebrate the spirit of independence that shaped our nation—an occasion steeped in tradition, fireworks, and moments that feel as American as apple pie. It’s a day to honor the courage it took to break away and build something new, reminding us that sometimes the biggest changes start with a simple act of declaring what we truly want for our own lives.

A Sneak Peek

And speaking of pie, don’t miss the sneak peek of Bad Girl Pie, where Dorothy’s story of betrayal and resilience shows what can happen when you finally decide to put yourself first—because if you don’t, you risk losing who you are entirely.

Restoring Your Calm

Dorothy faces countless setbacks and swirling uncertainty throughout Bad Girl Pie, and if you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of life’s chaos, you’ll want to join our next webinar on July 9. Together, we’ll explore how to use the Beyond Happiness Method to navigate an unpredictable world with more clarity, courage, and meaningful action.

Here’s to your success and peace of mind,

Professor Marilyn Horowitz

Best Friend or Frenemy?

A Bad Girl Pie Sneak-Peek

For those who use and love WORD OF THE DAY, the main character of my new novel Bad Girl Pie, Dorothy gets burned – in a BIG WAY! Is her agent a true friend or a frenemy? You be the judge. Here’s a preview – taken from the mouth of the book’s heroine, ghostwriter Dorothy.

When it got light, I called Suzanne.

“What’s up? I stepped out of a meeting.”

“At 7:00 a.m.? My father just died. Will you come to the funeral?”

“I’m so sorry, Dots, got clients in town, so I won’t be able to attend the funeral.”

“How can you say that? I don’t know when it is yet.”

Readers will be very interested in what happens next! Suffice to say – the sh*t hits the fan…

Betrayed? Dessert First, Heartbreak Later

If you’ve ever wondered whether life would be better if you ate dessert first, Bad Girl Pie is the novel for you. This witty, heartfelt story follows Dorothy Sherlock, a celebrity cookbook ghostwriter who’s always put others’ names on her work-until a dream and a  dose of grief push her to finally write her own book.

Dorothy’s new project is as daring as it is delicious: a guide to eating dessert first as  the secret to staying slim. But as she pours her soul into her manuscript, real life serves  up a series of challenges that are anything but sweet. After a whirlwind tango romance, Dorothy returns home only to be  blindsided by betrayal. Her best friend and agent, Suzanne, sells Dorothy’s manuscript to a Food Network diva. To make matters  worse, Dorothy discovers her father has cut her out of his will, and her old flame Peter reappears with a secret that shatters her trust.

The emotional fallout is raw and real. Overwhelmed by loss and deception, Dorothy  spirals into despair. But in one of the novel’s most moving moments, Dorothy’s resilience and humor pull her back from the brink. She realizes  that even when life’s recipe goes awry, there’s always a chance to start again.

Bad Girl Pie is a celebration of second chances and the power of self-discovery.  Dorothy’s journey reminds us that sometimes, the sweetest victories come after the  bitterest setbacks. With its blend of romance, humor, and real-life grit, this novel is a  treat you won’t want to miss.

Watch this space for more sneak peeks and updates as we count down to the release of Bad Girl Pie.  A tasty new novel…

Watch the Trailer!

A New Review

t’s been so long since I’ve laughed and cried reading a book! Bad Girl Pie – at last a book with a smart, funny heroine. Any writer would appreciate the journey to FINALLY give oneself the go-ahead to eat dessert first while putting your own dreams at the front of the line. ~ Award-Winning Writer/Producer PAULA LANDRY, MBA Founder, StartupTools4Artists, Author: The Business of FILM, Scheduling and Budgeting Your Film, Applying Entrepreneurship to the Arts

Bad Girl Pie is available for preorder on Amazon! 

FREE Webinar on July 9

We’re all facing a world that feels increasingly unpredictable. Whether it’s global news, job pressures, creative challenges, health concerns, or financial strain, the weight of the unknown can feel overwhelming. This interactive webinar series offers a safe and supportive space to pause, breathe, and reconnect.

This isn’t about pretending everything’s okay. It’s about using the Beyond Happiness Method and discovering how to feel grounded and more secure, even when everything isn’t. Whether you’re a writer, a professional, or simply someone seeking peace in the middle of life’s storms, this webinar will give you practical tools to feel steady and strong, no matter what comes next.

Register Here.