Along with her latest novel, Alan Opts Out, Courtney Maum is the author of five previous books, including the romantic comedy Touch (A New York Times Editors’ Choice) and the memoir The Year of the Horses, chosen by the Today show as one of the best reads for mental health awareness. Creator of the groundbreaking publishing guidebook Before and After the Book Deal and the bestselling Substack newsletter by the same name, Maum is an educator and writing coach hellbent on preserving the joy of art-making in a culture obsessed with turning artists into brands. In addition to her advocacy work for writers at The Author’s Guild, Courtney runs a workshop in New Mexico where she combines twenty years of experience in advertising with a deep love of craft to help writers boost their confidence and industry know-how. Learn more and sign up for her writing classes at CourtneyMaum.com

Visit Courtney’s Bookshop.org page for reading recommendations by genre.

Alan Opts Out

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?

Funny, sexy, intelligent, and poignant, Alan Opts Out is the most ambitious novel to date by celebrated author Courtney Maum, acclaimed for her stories that tackle big, chewy subjects of our post-modern America with wit and heart. The book's dedication is: "For the dreamers who sat down to tell a story that no one asked them to write."

One of LitHub’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026

“The eat-the-rich farce we need, from one of our funniest writers.” ―LitHub

“Sharp observations . . . Witty dialogue . . . Maum’s writing relies on humor and quick pacing to examine consumption, ambition, and social performance, presenting a study of suburban life that questions the cost of success and perfection.”―Booklist (starred review)

“[A] pitch-perfect satire . . . Packed with Maum’s gimlet-eyed observations . . . the novel offers a fierce and funny portrait of late-stage capitalism and its limited supply of happiness. It’s a gem.”―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Alan Opts Out is a smart, funny, and all-too-timely tale of Americans on the edge of collapse, trying to figure out how to lead lives of authenticity and connection while also drowning in late-stage capitalism. Maum delivers wry humor without sacrificing compassion, offering what is both a sharp satire and also a surprisingly tender portrayal of people who are way, way over their heads, and just trying to be free."―Elizabeth Gilbert

"Like all good satire, Alan Opts Out is vivid, lacerating, and funny. But it also presents uncommon empathy for those it skewers—the desperate social climbers in lush and wealthy suburbs, a fierce little universe where nothing is more precious than an immaculate cherry hedge, or membership in an exclusive club filled with people you can’t stand. Only the sane opt out.”―Carl Hiaase

Before and After the Book Deal

Everything you've ever wanted to know about publishing but were too afraid to ask is right here in this funny, candid guide by acclaimed author Courtney Maum. Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book has over 150 contributors from all walks of the industry, including international bestselling authors Anthony Doerr, Roxane Gay, Garth Greenwell, Lisa Ko, R. O. Kwon, Rebecca Makkai, and Ottessa Moshfegh, alongside cult favorites Sarah Gerard, Melissa Febos, Mitchell S. Jackson, and Mira Jacob. Agents, film scouts, film producers, translators, disability and minority activists, and power agents and editors also weigh in, offering advice and sharing intimate anecdotes about even the most taboo topics in the industry. Their wisdom will help aspiring authors find a foothold in the publishing world and navigate the challenges of life before and after publication with sanity and grace.

"This book is invaluable for the serious writer who is dedicated to publication, the rare title that’s both a reference manual and a page–turner . . . A logical next step for budding writers who have consumed Stephen King’s On Writing (2000), Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird (1995), and Chuck Wendig’s Damn Fine Story (2017)." —Booklist (starred review)

"With humor and wisdom and the input of writers from across the literary firmament, Courtney Maum has assembled the go–to book for those looking to publish seriously and make a sustainable career of writing. I wish I could turn this book into a serum and inject it straight into my students' veins. I'll have to settle, for now, for imploring them to read this book." —Rebecca Makkai, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Great Believer