Confessions & Coffee
A biweekly newsletter about books, writing, and the art of paying attention.
Confessions & Coffee is a quiet pause in your week—a place to think about books, writing, and the way words help us make sense of our lives. I’m glad you’ve found your way here.
About this newsletter
This newsletter is a place where attention slows and ideas have room to unfold. I publish every second Friday, slowly and deliberately, because I believe good writing—and good reading—needs space (plus I have four children so I need time to think!)
Here, I write essays about:
books that change us over time
living a writing life
crime, memoir, and why stories are so important
memory, care, attention, flow, long walks and the seasons
What you’ll find here
Some pieces are short and companionable. Others are longer, more reflective—essays that invite you to think alongside me, hopefully with coffee and a few minutes in the hustle of your day-to-day. Popular posts include:
Little Life Lists, like this one
Desk Trimmings, like this
And access to The Life-Changing Book Club
The Life-Changing Book Club is a slow, shared reading practice. Every three months, I choose a memoir, a mystery, and a third, more open-ended read, and we live with them over time. The books aren’t assignments—they’re companions, shaping the thinking here in subtle, lasting ways, which is (I hope!) all rooted in beautiful words from writers I adore, and shaped by a growing, warm community of readers.
A little more about me
My name is Alice Kuipers. I’m a writer originally from England, now living on the Canadian prairies, Treaty Six Territory and Homeland of the Métis, where I’ve been raising a family, writing books, and learning how focus and creative momentum thrive in busy, ordinary days.
I’ve published fifteen books for young people, and I’m now writing adult fiction—crime novels interested less in puzzles than in people, silence, and consequence.
I’m also Head of Coaching at The Novelry, where I help anyone who has dreamed of writing get their book on the page. And here, in Confessions & Coffee, the focus is books, writing, words, and you.
My writing has been described as:
For storytellers and story lovers, by Kirkus Reviews
Gorgeous, heart-ripping, important, by VOYA
Intense and wonderful, by Bif Naked.
About subscribing
For a discounted annual subscription of $30—less than one fancy coffee a month—you support independent writing.
I did have a paywall, but inspired by Anne Kadet, currently everything on here is free.
Despite that, I have a growing group of paid subscribers, and your support of independent writing fuels better essays, better book suggestions for you, and more of my time to answer your questions and connect—along with my deep thanks for being part of the journey.
Why subscribe?
Confessions & Coffee is our time to hang out over coffee, and talk about life-changing books, share Little Life Lists, Desk Trimmings, and Simple Things.
You make this space, so tell me what I can do for you—contact me directly, comment, and connect. This publication is my gift to you because, like you, I love words and I look to language to find solace.
Reader or writer (maybe both), I love that you’re with me. Grab a coffee and come say hi, here!
xoxo
Alice
Confessions & Coffee goes directly to your inbox every second Friday, and lives here on this site, too.
