By Maria Simbra

Had lunch yesterday with an old friend also named Maria. 😁 It was great to reconnect.

We may even have a book-related endeavor to bring you soon!l

Hot Off the Iron | Maria Simbra | Substack Are you writing and telling your story? Write on! Get your words steamed and pressed. To find out how...look inside. Click to read Hot Off the Iron, by Maria Simbra, a Substack publication with hund...

Want more? Follow my newsletter on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/ironedwo... You just might see the rest.

3️⃣ When I was a preschooler, I had an imaginary husband, John, and we had two daughters — my Raggety Ann and Dressie Bessie.

👇

2️⃣ The news director put out an email to the entire staff. “Everyone, come to the studio at 1:00, and Dr. Maria will demonstrate how to use the new video wall.”

👇

Three snippets of things I’ve written recently:

1️⃣ “Everyone says these are supposed to be the best years of your life!”
“Oh, honey. These are the worst years. You’ll see.”

👇

coffee is being poured into a black mug with a face on it . ALT: coffee is being poured into a black mug with a face on it .

Way behind on my writing. Time to grind…

a woman wearing headphones and a blue shirt with pink hearts on it is making a funny face . ALT: a woman wearing headphones and a blue shirt with pink hearts on it is making a funny face .

Best reaction at a recent book event: a woman fanned herself as I told her about my romance stories. 🪭

Might have been the plot, might have been a hot flash…

Either way, girl, you are my people!

Costumes and books at the October Silent Book Club! 📚

Celebrated 28 years of wedded bliss this week. Cheers!

This bookmark is a gift from one of the participants in my Tuesday afternoon Iron Writing Circle in McMurray. Made with the her own hands. What detail! What bling! 💗

The fourth of five book events I’m doing this fall. This one was in Midland.

One to go in November. See you in South Fayette!

I love that she embraced roles for mature women and that the roles embraced her, too.

Current vibe. #Squashed

It only took forever to write the chapter I’ve been working on. But now it’s done.

So I’m walking into writing group like…

An evening of networking with the fabulous, accomplished women of the Healthcare Business Association. Optimistic for some synergy here.

My daughter’s senior homecoming dance was this weekend. What a day! What an event.

Hung out with some cool authors and met some keen writers at the Northland Library this weekend.

The “Pop-Up Group Write” this week was a blow-up success! ELEVEN writers came in from all corners of the area (Washington County to Etna). Gathering for an evening of writing, this multi-genre assembly added scenes, edited pages, and even outlined new projects.

We will do this again! Stay tuned.

Grateful for this review.

Glad to be part of the journey for others…

Hello October! Can’t believe the “brrr” months are upon us.

I can see the end of the year from here, and it’s one great event or project after another.

What are your plans for the rest of 2025?

How's your writing going? 

If you'd like to get in two hours of solid, productive writing, join me for a Pop-Up Group Write on Tuesday, September 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Galleria in the South Hills.

Deets here: www.ironedwordsproductions.com/pop-up-group...

Just when I thought no one would show up because of the rain, I sold SIX books! From my series and the prequels. (Thank you Karen, Skip, and Veronica!)

And I signed the Great Wall of Authors. What an honor.

Great booking signing tonight. Who would’ve guessed with all the rain.

Update and pics tomorrow.

Joined a new online networking group called Alignable. Not even 24 hours in I got this awesome shout out from a client.

a blue balloon that says yay on it ALT: a blue balloon that says yay on it

I’ve already booked two speaking engagements with writing organizations in 2026. An in-person event in April and a virtual event in May. Much gratitude to these great groups.

Details on my Ironed Words Productions page coming soon.

If you need a speaker for your group, please get in touch.

Thinking about my next chapter…

I love the joy in this cast picture. I root for them and this show. 🎉👏🎬

If you like them, too, check out the stuff by my pen name, Em S. A’cor. 🩺🎭💖

#Pittsburgh #Doctors #drama #romance

Recording new episodes of my blogcast, Building Books™.

www.ironedwordsproductions.com/building-books

Watch for the announcements on my @IronedWords page. You may just see an author you know.

Dayum

At a networking luncheon with Professional Moms South Hills.

Talking up my new workshop: “Your Bio in 5 Easy Steps.”

Check it out on my Ironed Words page. www.ironedwordsproductions.com/your-bio-in-...

If you have a website, an author page, social media, a speaking event — you need a bio!