The time has come,’ the Walrus said, To talk of many things: Of love—and death—and scheming pacts. Of marriages—and flings—and why the stories never end—And what the next day brings.’ Here she is, our cover reveal for LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON, AND EVENING, which officially lands on May 12. And here I am, soliciting pre-orders. Nearly four years ago, @mayukh.sen and I started working on this project without knowing it was a project, or that our hypothetical conversations about a book on soap operas would actually become a book on soap operas. Finding out that he loves soaps as much as I do, and being able to take that and do something creative with it together has been a gift. I will miss doing the work, but I’m so excited for you all to see what we produced. If you’re a soap fan too, we hope we’ve honored the genre in a way that makes you proud. If you’re new to soaps, we hope to convert you—or, at least, to entertain you. MAJOR PROPS and THANKS to @evangaffney for our cover, which is objectively amazing. (Also, major props and thanks to @thedonnamills for being herself and giving the world the unforgettable Abby Cunningham Fairgate Ewing Sumner.) Please buy our book.
/books/9781324075561
📸 by @melaniedunea ❤️🙏🏻
Today, we (Charlotte and Mia) launch The Sweethearts, a newsletter in service of the sweet tooths among us and those who feed them. It’s a love song for businesses that sustain NYC and that we, as loyal New Yorkers who love baked goods and the like sustain as well. We’ll tell you the stories of the most talented people behind some of the city’s most adeptly made, creative, innovative and/or simply delicious treats—many of whom you might not know about already, and some you might. Charlotte will share some of her “experimental baking” adventures—working RECIPES included, and cookbook reviews. Mia’s got her eye on some of the superlative spots and bakers in the surrounding areas beyond the five boroughs, and we’re both here to share great finds, with a few surprises thrown in. We think of it as an ongoing conversation with simpatico souls, whether they’re responsible for consuming or making the sweet (and sometimes savory) stuff. Non-New Yorkers will find lots to enjoy here, but we don’t want to be guilty of false advertising; our bias leans towards our city.
In that spirit, our first post will publish this afternoon, and it’s all about one of the bakeries we’ve both eagerly been waiting for and the pastry chef who’s opening its doors this weekend.
Please subscribe and tell your people, or if, for whatever reason, this isn’t your jam, share it with friends whose jam it is. Thank you for your consideration and support.
With shortbread, bánh bò nướng & love... and a LINK IN BIO,
CD & MW
P.S. We’re still figuring out how to navigate Substack, so please be patient while we find our bearings. There may be some glitches.
(RECIPES is in all-caps because people seem to want those—supply, demand, etc.)
Did you know I started watching soap operas from the tender age of 4 months old? It’s true. I was raised on a steady diet of them; I absorbed them through osmosis and the characters and storylines became part of my life, and embedded themselves in my brain. So much of my own interest in and knack for making up stories and putting on plays and my very rich, vivid inner world of imagination was shaped by those soaps. To this day, I remember more of them than I realize. They sneak up on me, in random moments. And I still love them. I have a special love for the prime-time glories and started re-watching them during the pandemic.
Know what else happened during the pandemic? My terrifyingly talented friend, the writer @mayukh.sen and I got to talking about soap operas, and we figured out we both had this very special relationship with and affinity for them. We come to them differently, and are of two different generations and points of view. But what we share is a great respect for them—for the people who have worked on them, behind the scenes, and OF COURSE, the PERFORMANCES. Anyone who dismisses them, or people who watch them for being shallow or uneducated or silly has another thing coming to them. And that thing, I’d like to think, is this book. It’s a passion project. I’ve never had so much fun working on a proposal in my life, and I can’t wait for all the fun we’re going to have together writing it. I hope you love it. “Love in the Afternoon, and Evening” coming in MAY, 2026, to bookstores near you. Cc: @w.w.norton (our publisher), melanietortoroli (our editor! so psyched!), William Callahan (our supportive and good sport of an agent who got it immediately) and my partner-in-crime and -cliffhangers, Mayukh! ❤️
#VintageSoaps #pastsoaps #soapoperas #abcdaytime #nbcdaytime #soapopera #cbsdaytime #drama #AllMyChildren #GeneralHospital #KnotsLanding #Dallas #FalconCrest #SantaBarbara #Dynasty #AsTheWorldTurns #TheYoungandTheRestless #DaysofOurLives #OneLifetoLive #AnotherWorld #RyansHope #Loving #Passions #soapoperas #daytimetv #primetimetv #primetimesoaps #daytimesoaps #soapnews #yr #TheBoldAndTheBeautiful
in honor of this week’s launch of LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON, AND EVENING, why not take a moment for our absolutely brilliant blurbers?!! a hearty thanks to wondrous @reginablackwrites and to queenly Lisa F^cking Rinna! (i.e. @lisarinna )
earlier this week, i eked out an update with some recs and randomness in the midst of major distractedness (via The Sweethearts, a Substack production) 🩵💛❤️
So special to see this -Love in the Afternoon and Evening by Charlotte Druckman @ Mayukh Sen…and there I am on the cover alongside my dear friend and Knots Landing co-star Ted Shackelford. What a beautiful full-circle moment revisiting this story and the era that brought us all together. 🤍 Preorder now on Amazon, releases May 12, 2026 ✨
#80sSoapOpera #KnotsLanding #VintageReads #BookCoverLove #ClassicTV
yep.
forever soap fan, puppy pleaser and recent Hilary Duff appreciator seeks book-purchasing tastemakers or couch potatoes to pre-order Love in the Afternoon, and Evening, pronto. 🩵🙏🏻 (cc: @mayukh.sen )
Hello! Lucky me! I had the good fortune to be asked to write about the new project from the civic-minded, creative optimists who gave us Ample Hills ice cream and their new project @ramblinchickbklyn . Jackie Cuscuna and Brian Smith have been through a lot, financially and emotionally, and publicly. But these two don’t give up so easily and this time, they’re going all in on chicken burgers. I’m still bummed @alansytsma wouldn’t let me keep my line about hope being a thing with feathers, but I will get over it. I am rooting for Jackie and Brian and I can already vouch for the soft serve. In light of this week’s breaking restaurant news about manipulative, egomaniacal monsters with unchecked power and systemic toxicity, it feels extra meaningful to highlight the work of people with good intentions, a genuine love of community, and faith in humankind (and poultry).
When my wonderful editor @adamrathe asked me if I wanted to write about the rise of fancy jarred tomato sauce I suggested we could try a “show me your sauce and I’ll tell you who you are” approach and he let me go with it, which was probably more fun for me than him. My personal takeaway from this is that @alisoneroman ’s recipe for tomato sauce in her new cookbook is a go-to (the First Bloom jars were completely sold out when I was conducting my “official research,” but she shares the recipe for the basic jar in “Something for Nothing,” so I made a batch). Online at @townandcountrymag right now.
Did I find the best salt bread in NYC? I think I did! (Did I also go down memory lane and revisit my UES prep school cafeteria? I know I did!) In the latest newsletter update from The Sweethearts, meet @mannisastar and get the salty deets (and if you’re a Brearley, there’s a bonus in it for you).
Haven’t you always wondered how ice cream shops get through the off-season? I have. For the Sweethearts’ latest, I talked to @ayannaquint of wonderful @juliajeansicecream on the LES about this very thing. (See Substack or, if you’re a subscriber, check your email.) 🍨
