https://www.courtneymaum.com/home daily 1.0 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/f1c91bc5-942b-4ce9-a3b4-27ead3448e13/Courtney+Maum+Signed+Preorder+Blurb.png HOME - Alan Opts Out: a novel Alan Anderson is a powerful advertising executive who has built a successful life and thriving business by making people buy stuff they don’t actually need. He’s up for the biggest pitch of his career and the account everyone wants. But when an anarchist farmer tanks Alan’s presentation to US Dairy, Alan bombs the pitch but ends the day with an epiphany: No longer will he exploit the insecurities of others in the service of capitalism. Alan is opting out. This development is anathema to his wife, Vivian. She’s just a few positive affirmations, a swimming pool, and a series of social tests away from finally becoming a part of an elite women’s club in their adopted town of Greenwich, Connecticut. While contending with a daughter who wants to write plays and another who has an unnatural empathy with animals, she can only watch as Alan moves into their backyard playhouse to live off the land and—worse—spend time with the family. But instead of shocking the neighbors, Alan’s commitment to a less-is-more lifestyle seems to be catching on. Could everyone want what Alan’s not selling? coming June 2, 2026 from Little Brown and available for purchase now. You can get a signed copy and a lobster sticker via Oblong Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/c0d43be1-4fcf-47ff-b772-446dfb8911c3/Memoir+in+Palo+Alto+2.PNG HOME - Make it stand out Information and sign up information is here https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1652367492123-NTHXDR1TKHVTEFZ7O8ZA/TODAYShowPhoto%231YOTH.png HOME - Make it stand out My debut memoir is here! Click here to find out more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1578683169488-YX0IMTO3UHJOI8WKQCES/BATBD+pre+order.jpg HOME My latest book has been called the “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” for publishing…except that we cover everything you didn’t know to expect! Available everywhere books are sold. If you want to earn some major karma points, leave us a great review on Amazon or Goodreads and check out my “Events” page to see where I am touring for the book. https://www.courtneymaum.com/about daily 0.75 2026-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1625259234324-X8NIVCIDJSQ67FLZG7NF/Courtney+Maum_credit+Michelle+Gevint+for+Domestika.jpg ABOUT Photo by Michelle Gevint for DOMESTIKA https://www.courtneymaum.com/books daily 0.75 2025-11-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/b90baaaf-4e55-4a81-a228-090a7a997978/Maum_AlanOpts_Thicker_type.jpg BOOKS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1638140599195-LI2B8VE0CH2UWXM18VQG/The-Year-of-the-Horses-cover-final-800x1236.jpg BOOKS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1594824568290-VFF0FGW9DOPHEIE04PZN/Costa%2Bfront%2Bcover_final.jpg BOOKS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1560303566503-3AN4KHBF5DO69JN2VAPN/Before+and+After+the+Book+Deal_cvr_300dpi+print+res.jpg BOOKS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546618310446-38XJNWQFW5NM7DNMCUXW/TOUCH_FINAL.jpg BOOKS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1483672221593-P5QS2I67QK7A9CVNUU8B/IAHSMFHWY+with+badge+3.jpg BOOKS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1483054036968-NU6PUIQE5TO9ENYVXMGS/image-asset.jpeg BOOKS https://www.courtneymaum.com/press-media daily 0.75 2026-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1483982794752-TAJFY52UM9011L3LFI88/IMG_6700+press.jpg PRESS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1483647656110-ZVXB12Z5W1T7DYRO7U73/people+mag.jpg PRESS - PEOPLE MAGAZINE "Funny, touching and wise about love and vanity, this seductive debut might leave you rethinking some decisions of your own." (People Picks Book of the Week) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1483647994141-9AB2KK8C3BI8Z1TWGNM8/Oprah.jpg PRESS - O MAGAZINE "A winning first novel of infidelity, forgiveness, and (maybe, just maybe) falling back in love.” (O Magazine, 15 Titles to Pick Up Now) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1549490627007-IHVIX4ZEZSMTE87RO7N6/Elle.jpg PRESS - ELLE MAGAZINE "A charming and engrossing portrait of one man's midlife mess . . . Smart, fast-paced . . . You come for the plot, but you stay for the characters—especially Maum's flawed but likable and basically well-intentioned hero. Ultimately, this is the story of a man who would do anything to be a better person, and you will avidly wish for him to succeed." https://www.courtneymaum.com/selected-writing daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1483980767825-83CGGA7EXT4E8V8T5ORY/IMG_5778.JPG SELECTED WRITING https://www.courtneymaum.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-03-28 https://www.courtneymaum.com/coaching daily 0.75 2026-02-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1547247789438-DGZWQXYELI1C5CCZJV4V/Photo+credit+Colin+Lane.png COACHING - Writing is hard. Writing about your writing is harder. While writing is a joy, even the finest writers fall apart when they have to summarize their manuscript in an agent query letter. If writing your project’s summary makes your brain feel like it’s passing gallstones, the Query Doula’s here to help. It isn’t enough to write a book today—modern authors need to understand how to promote their work and build an appealing brand. Maybe you have no idea how to transition from being your book’s author to its publicist, or you just don’t want to. Maybe you’re so close to your manuscript, you can’t see the forest for the trees. This is all okay! Regardless of the genre you’re writing in and the contacts you have (or don’t have) in the industry, novelist, memoirist and brand strategist Courtney Maum will help you craft the kind of query letter that wins manuscript requests— and she’ll make sure your first pages are ready for those all-important eyes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546616457664-FJSSIJ829YIC465LR43R/full%2Bsize%2Bbuffalo%2Bpic.jpg COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546615791014-H56088XERW2JRC5WQ72K/lancome-3-logo-png-transparent.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614945534-9DTKTVM5KBNBU00T58WC/5a1ac46ef65d84088faf132c.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614952120-ER58P0II7TQ1VL21ZA03/Loreal_Paris-1167x338.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614952122-RF6REK8UDQSBAZT54GD9/microsoft_PNG10.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614952344-FU98D8HVSX31A7ZZABBL/New_Bloomberg_Logo.svg.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614952700-JMR09RNDBNOUSJFVLEAP/sephora-logo.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546617355835-W83TLRLDWQDDQ7NYI7YZ/5a1ed8cd4ac6b00ff574e300.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614958931-4XPV0W2MO7DIHXUN7S3T/2018_PGlogo.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546614959475-VA2XPGT1E88V62QAZT4Y/Bank-of-America-Logo.png COACHING https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1546617356510-4NA3VL621UCPU764VJVY/american-express-logo-png-transparent.png COACHING https://www.courtneymaum.com/subscribe daily 0.75 2022-05-31 https://www.courtneymaum.com/writing-retreats daily 0.75 2026-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/7fb775be-2020-4182-bfdf-10f39ce01472/TP+Landing+Page+2026_RSP+Intensive+with+motto.png WRITING RETREATS - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/cb97c298-12d0-4130-9659-0e5fa1b5357d/HEART+OF+IT+NM+Bedrooms.png WRITING RETREATS - Room for rest At the privately-owned MP Ranch, participants enjoy a comfy private room with stellar views and luxury bedding. Each room offers something extra-special: a cozy writing nook, balcony access, a view of grazing horses. There are seven bedrooms in a building called “The Bunkhouse” (bottom right image) and two bedrooms in “El Quincho” (middle right image). There are numerous shared bathrooms— no one will feel cramped. Visit the gallery under the application button for larger pictures. Accessibility requirements addressed with each participant. Feel free to get in touch with questions regarding the ranch and bedrooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/427c7f4a-8c11-4305-ad2c-d2a52148baf1/RSP+sample+scheudle+for+website.png WRITING RETREATS - Make it stand out The actual week’s schedule will be customized for each respective group. This is an example of the fun things we’ll get up to. All meals are included, but they aren’t shown here. Please note that the retreat itself is 7 nights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/e8c73f78-5530-4ffc-84fe-d9523c2ddba1/TP+Dining.png WRITING RETREATS - Festive + fuss-free From margarita night on the terrace to sumptuous chilaquiles in the morning, you won’t have to worry about eating well and feeling great. Succulent chef-prepared* meals are served three times a day so the only finger you’ll have to lift is the one you write with. *Our chef is Daniel Garcia (of “Los Poblanos” lore!) and food sensitivities will be respected. Ample extracurriculars are offered throughout the week to keep your inspiration and energy up. Individual outings are catered to the final group, but sample activities include yoga, roping classes, cooking instruction, cold plunges, open air truck rides and introduction to animal tracking. Daily hiking possibilities abound. Or just sit with a book on one of the many terraces with 360-degree views of the ranch! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/69c49062-abc4-4ba2-8510-e45770caef82/Courtney+Maum_hi+res_Kenzie+Fields+Odegaard.jpg WRITING RETREATS - About Courtney Courtney is the author of five acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking publishing guide that Vanity Fair recently named one of the ten best books for writers, BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL and the memoir THE YEAR OF THE HORSES, chosen by The Today Show as the best read for mental health awareness. Her parallel 20-year career in marketing and advertising has allowed Courtney to help writers improve their craft while also learning about the business of publishing so they can feel empowered—instead of bewildered—in a competitive and often classist industry. A Joyce Carol Oates prize nominee and frequently published essayist, Courtney writes across multiple genres and has published with the “Big 5,” Indies, Micro-presses, Audible and vanity presses, making her the perfect driving companion for the writing journey you are on. Courtney’s sixth book, the novel ALAN OPTS OUT, is coming out in the US and the UK in June of 2026 with Little Brown/Hachette. Visit this page for testimonials about Courtney’s teaching and coaching work and explore Testimonials from select Turning Points participants at the bottom of this website page. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682437038457-8KJ3BEHGE5ZNILJ1S15F/BUNKHOUSE%2B03.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389775258-4L4FPKXQIJI7CEXGI2E5/BUNKHOUSE-wraparound-balcony.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682390995713-UJALG7MX6MVI0VZAHEY8/COMMUNAL+SPACE_02.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389766524-QLG4WX939XKEHQB72ZJH/COMMUNAL+SPACE_01.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389772129-GFFZTGA1DXX9YLV7OTS7/KITCHEN_01.jpeg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389995514-1HPI3ZDMSKFFX9EY13XH/TERRASSE-event-tables.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389772130-LXNYUPA4KTAGWOPXETYO/COMMUNAL+SPACE_FIRE.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389985732-7D4XXOP2NYJ7O0SSI6KS/POOL_02.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389995287-Y0I4I5IJ5IFGXIZBZVPC/TERRASSE+outdoor-kitchen.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682388664903-HMGLAT8UBKI0VXB67NPT/BDR8_02.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682388815209-2UBO3WW2Y37IPHFPZ4PM/BDR1_01.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682388815209-TJERMHQN8TTWIFN5CSHF/BDR1_02.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682388818460-FU8GJS3QC91DMJ3GRTWH/BDR5_01.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682388818918-DKXZ8YMDXVX1AB77ZD7J/BDR7_02.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389763275-Z1ZUL2EIK8KM1433QBDW/BDR11_01.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389972950-UCYM7C89DUDGJNYPQEEY/COMMON+SPACE_BUNK+HOUSE_03.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389991519-0UJN4AQ1O3KPKP1V1T9U/RANCH+ROAD.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389986628-FJNO9G85DYA92SZOIUJE/RANCH+FENCES.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389991940-9AJ1XN5PNA11M2CZ4NVA/RANCH+VIEWS.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1682389774342-9LPBLMI9DDGEFNUH6IHZ/TERRASSE+03.jpg WRITING RETREATS https://www.courtneymaum.com/courses daily 0.75 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1635828876807-LS7FI1G8FJPAZ36MXUC4/Image-1-2.jpg CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1634068277149-7TPV72M5VRCGVSJANIVY/2864_FBAds_Square_Portfolio_EN%2Bcopy.jpg CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1626272874610-ASV9KPXQULAIARC136NM/2658_FBAds_Square_Teacher_EN.png CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) - Nonfiction course at Domestika (Copy) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1598901412627-MLSEYGT91TPW71O3NSTA/TINYF.png CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/9354c259-cb5a-4169-95d8-769d43557f18/Online+masterclasses+image.png CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/3f8ac011-f28f-431c-a0a9-44da644a5177/Memoirist+Retreat+wCourtney+Maum+4.png CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) - Make it stand out Register or find out more through this link https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58345dcc4402438234b615de/1533655119975-YF7QMRKB6D787ROWXBX4/Happy+paperback+pub+day+to+Touch%21 CLASSES & EVENTS (Copy) Writers whose paperback has just come out could use your help celebrating! 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