Proof Of Life is Tom Cruise's favorite book to read while he jumps from airplanes. Also, are you coming to Italy with me for $300? And a reminder: Saturday's writing workshop & Sunday's Weirdo Brunch.

I'm giving away ONE spot to my Italy retreat. It's too good to pass up, plus it supports indie bookstores. Saturday' workshop is FREE fro paid subscribers or simply by preordering my book. Read on.

Jun 20, 2025

∙ Paid

I can neither confirm nor deny that Proof Of Life is Tom’s favorite book to read while jumping from airplanes.

Let’s be the glass half full type and say, Yes, Proof Of Life is Tom Cruise’s favorite book to read while hanging from airplanes or riding a motorcycle off a cliff. He’s so Tom Cruise-y that he probably does read while doing his own stunts so why not imagine my book tucked into his parachute? Dream big, kids. Shoot for the moon. Shoot for your book dangling from the wing of an airplane. Dream big.

I know you already got an email from me today. I mean, I think you did? Did you? Did I? Wait. What day is it? Who am I? We’re in June, right? I actually cannot confirm any of these things, so…moving on. (Oh snap, I still need to send out the recording of the amazing session I did live on here with

Sari Botton

. Do you follow her? You’ve got to! And read her magazine called

Oldster Magazine

. It. Is. So. Good.)

I know I’ve been MIA. I got back from the Mission Impossible: the Final Reckoning premiere in NYC (go see it, it’s so good and Henry is amazing) and hit the ground running with podcasts and book promo stuff and I’ve fallen behind; oh and my back is out and the pain is searing. Good times.

Oh, this email is not a reminder of Saturday’s WAP workshop or Sunday’s Weirdo Brunch, as the title stated, because I have mentioned neither yet. Until now. Obviously I am also a dirty rotten liar, as well as someone who can’t keep up very well with ALL THE THINGS.

Sunday, we are doing another Weirdo Brunch. It has been way too long. So, before I forget, because I will, let me give you Sunday’s Zoom info for Weirdo Brunch, which is for everyone (paid subscriber or not.) However, the WAP writing workshop info is behind the paywall below.

Come to both Sat and Sun, if you want. More the merrier. Weirdo Brunch is a hangout and creativity session and supportive place to connect and share ideas- and it is for anyone. Just show up. Sunday at 11 am pst (2 p est)

Here’s the Zoom info and (of course) the password is weirdo.

Sunday’s WEIRDO BRUNCH

Time: Jun 22, 2025 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89394029601?pwd=KOI3yGqaaNZkgtKL6cRG4KsVVK46SO.1

Passcode: weirdo

I haven’t even told you about how incredible NYC was and how lovely Tom Cruise was to Charlie for his birthday, even though he was swamped on the red carpet. (How will I ever outdo that birthday, friends? Ideas will be welcomed come May of next year.)

Tom, if you’re reading this: thanks for making Charlie’s birthday so memorable, buddy.1

Thing is, would I even be me if I was more consistent and organized? The answer is no. No, I wouldn’t be me if I was neater or more linear or less ADD or more on time-ish or less typo-y or more consistent or I made my bed neatly (or at all.) I try2. And yet.

Actually, I would be me. I would just be a neater, more consistent and organized version of me. One who made her stupid bed and sent things out with less typos and mistakes.3

This is just a note to say hi (Hi!) and to let you know I appreciate the f out of you and I am so grateful that you’ve put up with my incessant (yet inconsistent) carrying on about my forthcoming book Proof Of Life (July 8, motherguckers!) That is a typo I’m intentionally leaving so get your knickers untwisted.

I feel gross and douchey endlessly promoting my book, so I can only imagine how you feel (although I try to not imagine that or I would stop and I can’t stop) so hi and thank you for still being here. Hi.

I want to make sure you knew about the ridiculous giveaway I am doing, whereupon I am giving one lucky winner a spot to my Sep 13-20 Italy retreat to Tuscany.

You get entered in to win if you preorder 10 copies of Proof of Life from any indie bookseller (or a few to mix and match) and email proof of purchase. It’s about a $300 investment of love.

Here is a link with all different places to get the book, including indie booksellers. Or, click on the image below

Once you email proof of purchase, your name entered into THE HAT. The hat is back. (I awarded two winners from said hat a spot to my Ojai Oct retreat already.) I’ll pick the winner live on here, June 27 at 6 pm pst. You have until then until to buy the 10 copies and email me the proof, as it were. Proof Of Life, proof or purchase, Yada yada.

Listen, the spot sells for $4,200 so it’s a damn good deal, although not if you are struggling to keep the lights on or anything like that. Having said that, if you are feeling mitzvah-ish, you can enter and donate the spot if you win or enter for someone else or just as good book/Jen karma.

Get the book anywhere, please and thank you, but for the Italy contest it MUST BE from an indie bookstore, so that we are supporting them, as they are a dying breed. Even if you don’t win the spot, it’s win win because of that. That’s amazing book karma you’ll have.

AND you get a LIFETIME paid subscription to this here ole Substack. You also will have books to gift or donate, and you will have been part of something. A LOVE MOVEMENT. The I Got You Effect in action. (Which you get to have to.)

My email is jennifer@jenniferpastiloff.com. Please put TAKE ME TO ITALY as the subject line if you are entering.

The fact that indie bookstores get supported is so wonderful, as well. LFG! Italia here we come. Although I am 7 months sober and the idea of Italy with no wine is just… different.

You can also straight up apply for the Italy retreat and pay without entering, if you shoot me an email. I currently have two spots open. In the email, let me know why you feel called to attend.

FYI, airfare is not included in the contest or if you join on your own with regular old money.

Being a “paid” subscriber is a great thing because I do workshops and conversations and all sort of shenanigans that are free for paid subscribers. Like this Saturday’s We’re All Poets (WAP) with me and Kristen McGuiness of

WRITE THE GOOD FIGHT

Click on the image below to preorder my book. then email proof of purchase to jennifer@jenniferpastiloff.com with subject line that says WAP.

We’re All Poets is for everyone, like the name says. You know, the WE’RE All part of We’re All Poets.

So, if you think you are a weirdo, come. If you KNOW you are a weirdo, come. It matters not your level of writing skill- poo poo on that nonsense. Just come. It is supportive and fun and holy and moving and magical. I swear on all good things.

You will write and share (if you want) and listen and make friends. You’ll see. But only if you come. Duh.

The Zoom link is behind the paywall, which exists only if you are NOT a paid subscriber. Thing is, it’s real easy to become one. And, it’s a twofer.

You: How is it a twofer, Pastiloff?

Me: By preordering my book (from anywhere, it doesn’t have to ne an indie bookshop for this) and emailing Jennifer@jenniferpastiloff.com proof of purchase, you’ll get 6 months as a paid subscriber, not just here to my Substack; but also, to

WRITE THE GOOD FIGHT

Substack.

How’s that for a sweet deal? Kristen and I feel like used car sales(wo)men, but whatever. Hit me up when you’re about to put your book in the world and we’ll talk. Shit ain’t easy. (You’ll feel like all sorts of things, not just a used car salesman.)

Once you email me, you’ll get upgraded to PAID (if you aren’t already) and I will give you the link. Please Put WAP in the email subject line.

If you are a paid subscriber, but have not preordered yet, I would be forever grateful if you would. Like the kind of gratitude where you better watch out, because when I see you in person, I will squeeze you so hard you will have to have someone remove me from you. Fine, I won’t become your leech, but I will hug you like nobody’s business.

If money is an issue and you can’t swing the cost of a preorder, just reach out, weirdo. Don’t be weird. Nah, screw that. Be weird, just not about that. Okay? We got you.

Again, this workshop is for everyone. No snobbery, no elitism, no bullshit- just pure creativity, humour, love, and writing. You in?

Don’t forget about my little gift to you for preordering. Just plug your order number in here and you’ll get my art and poetry. Or click the image below:

You all are my favorites. I am the luckiest. (I am also nervous as shit for the book so thank you more than ever for being here.) I hope you come Saturday or Sunday (or both) so we can make some collective magic. We need community more than ever, don’t we? It’s bad out there. Terrible things are happening. Let’s do some good. Let’s make some good. Let’s make magic.

I have more book tour stops coming, but for now here’s what I’ve got for ya. let me know if I will be seeing you in person….

PUB DAY! Tue Jul 8th 6:30pm with Shannon Watts

DIESEL, A BOOKSTORE

225 26TH ST STE 48B
SANTA MONICA, CA 90402-2541

Wed Jul 9th 7:00pm with Henry Czerny

VROMANS BOOKSTORE

695 E COLORADO BLVD
PASADENA, CA 91101-2116

Thu Jul 10th 6:30pm with Samantha Irby and Henry Czerny

BOOKBUG IN CONVERSATION WITH SAMANTHA IRBY AND HENRY CZERNY

3019 OAKLAND DR
KALAMAZOO, MI 49008-3909

Tue Jul 15th 7:00pm with

Emily McDowell