We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming... 📺
To bring you this fun idea? (while tending to a family medical crisis)
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Hello, Lovelies, How the hell are you?
No Ellery this week due to a family medical crisis—apologies for that, but some things just can’t be helped. My brain can only manage so much at once. However, she’ll be back next week to resolve the cliffhanger of what happens when someone tries to snatch your prized superhero cape and you’re like, “Nope. Back off, bro!”
This delay got me thinking… As Ellery inches closer to hitting the small screen, I’d love to offer something special to our paid subscribers: a monthly or quarterly "writing room," much like we have in TV. The idea is simple—you bring in your script, TV show concept, film, story, or novel chapter. You’re the head writer, and we’re your minions for the night. We’ll give notes and pitch ideas: dialogue, jokes, character quirks, plot twists—you name it. Nothing leaves the room except with you. It’s wildly fun and productive to collaborate this way, and I’d love to give members of this community the chance to experience it like I’ve been lucky enough to in the past.
Drop a comment if this sounds like something that would get your creative juices flowing!
And while chaos did strike, I had some things lined up for our usual fun, including a few marvels—here they are, as promised.
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Now, This Week in… That’s Marvelous!
Industry
I’ve talked about this show before, but wow… The sleeper hit series Industry is back for its third season, and a fourth has just been announced, delivering an even bigger adrenaline rush than before. The main cast—a group of ambitious young Londoners working at a cutthroat investment bank—now live in a chic townhouse they can hardly enjoy because work always comes first. It’s the ideal backdrop for chaos, and Industry doesn’t disappoint. From sudden deaths to cocaine-fueled confessions in a half-dressed lawyer’s office, the show sprinkles moments of explosive drama throughout, refusing to save the shocks for the finale.
As outrageous as it is hilarious, this is the wildest drama on TV. The showrunners (i.e., Circus Ringmasters, Lion Tamers, Head Writers, etc.) have truly hit their stride, seamlessly weaving together everything from costumes to, most notably, the music. The use of Paul Mauriat’s cover of "Love Is Blue" is a brilliant nod to 1960s London and serves as a clever commentary on Harper and Eric’s complex relationship—see if you can guess why. Bonus: the winner gets a free paid one-year membership to our community.
For a full catalog of this season’s songs, click here.
A Melange of Marvelous
From our sister stack The Empress, we featured Susan Campbell, the founder of PHOSIS Skincare, and her edit was just so rad, I can’t help re-sharing it:
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. “This part thriller/part mystery set in the Adirondacks has been recommended to me by multiple friends, all reporting they could not put it down. I’ve felt a renewed commitment to reading for a few minutes before bed after learning that a 2009 study from the University of Sussex showed that 6 minutes of reading before bed lowers your stress by 68%.” (Editor’s note: GOTW wound its way into my psyche on so many levels… reading for a few minutes was simply not possible—this book had me up until 3 am—it was so damn good.)
Lawless Beauty Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Gloss “Another thing you will always find in my purse! A friend gave me this and now I’m telling everyone I know! This is the best and it’s a clean beauty brand.”
“Green velvet Mary Janes! (I’m obsessed!)” This version is so reasonable!
“Ropeless jump rope A ‘fun’ way to get your heartbeat up. Makes me feel like a kid again!”
“Luminous Ultrafine Revitalizing Face Oil Antioxidant-rich formula boosts softness and improves radiance. Restores suppleness. Skin protectant and emollient. Fragrance and essential oil free. Certified MyMicrobiome Friendly.”
“Smythson Soho Planner Excited to soon order my 2025 planner. I love Smythson’s pale blue trademarked featherweight paper, which makes the agenda super lightweight and perfectly sized to take with you everywhere.”
“Sezanne Cho white lace blouse Perfect with jeans or dressed up. Sezanne can do no wrong in my book. I always feel chic, sexy, and put together wearing the brand.”
The Shopper Tote A soft-grain chocolate suede tote that truly holds everything.
Calm Deep Hydration Restorative Cream Designed to thoroughly nourish and support tired, parched skin. Essential for perimenopausal and menopausal skin.
Quote of the week:
“I’m fed up with growth through pain. I want to be stunted with pleasure.” —India Knight
Maytree
Given that I love all things October, Halloween, and A Capella… See this amazing Korean group singing a classic theme song that’s beyond perfect for this time of year.
A Candy Bar for Your Brain!
Frazzled Englishwoman
The latest decor trend is called "Intentional Clutter," which, in Gen Z TikTok terms, translates as "spaces curated by people who love their stuff." Meanwhile, a more fashion-centric trend is also making its annual return: "Frazzled Englishwoman." This one reemerges every autumn, embodying the essence of an artfully disheveled woman—slightly flushed, unfamiliar with the concept of a mirror selfie, sporting bird’s nest hair, and dressed in a quirky, unpolished way—pedaling through the rain on her bike, trying to get to a neighbor’s. She’s the modern descendant of Barbara Pym’s quintessentially English heroines, but with a twist—she has loads of sex with the enthusiasm and simplicity of a happy Labrador. And afterward, she’s always absolutely ravenous!
Naturally, the poster child for the Frazzled Englishwoman is Helena Bonham Carter. (The clip below is hilarious—definitely double-click it and turn the sound on. It perfectly captures everything I love about growing older.)
So, that’s what I’ve got! If you don’t read this newsletter every week… you’re busy. I forgive you – xoxo, gotham girl
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I do read every week. Never too busy for you! Ellery hits the screen! I'm going to hope that's a fact. Congrats!
Susan Campbell is a true find. I love Phosis and have recommended her Substack and YOURS!
Like I suppose every writer with two books "she thinks!" should be movies, I wish I knew how to pitch or someone who would do it for me. Not my strong suit, but at least I have you as a reader: bless your beautiful, heart and brilliant mind.
Good luck with the health crisis--scary stuff and I know you've been there: me too, not so by the way!
Thanks for the recs - I grew up in the Adirondacks, so I can’t wait to check out the novel!