book update

Here's my keepsake picture of me submitting my final manuscript files for Both And.

If you are reading this, that tells me a few things:

• you care about me

• you care about my forthcoming book

• you like poetry

• you're a person of prayer

• you're along for the ride to watch me crash and burn LOL

Regardless of your reason for taking a moment to stop and read this update, thank you. Thank you for being here. Each of you play a role in my story that ultimately becomes a beautifully redeemed story in the hands of God.

The process of writing this collection of poetry and prayer called, Both And, has been a painfully long process of prayer, creative discovery, confrontation with myself, and rediscovery of God's good news wrapped in immeasurable beauty. This process has taken me through a year of hell, that I wouldn't trade for anything. And paradoxically, this last year has been the slow reawakening to heaven. If you are a follower of Jesus and a friend or aqaintance to pain or grief, you likely know this confusing experience that is both filled with death and life.

While this book doesn't explicitly share my story of those "deaths", depression, attachment/co-dependency, confession, and grief, it is the poetic and prayerful expression of that story. Both And unknowlingly started its formation in July of 2025 and came to completion in June of 2026. Both And drips with the beautiful hope of the God who makes all things new and yet, the fragrance on each page is grief. These poems and prayers will not pat your back with spiritual platitudes, nor will they leave you in a dark void of despair. Both And invites you to bear witness to my story and participate more deeply in your own story by confronting your own emotions, wounds, sin, and meeting God in that place of pain in your own life. While simultaneously rediscovering a hope and beauty you may have fallen asleep to and neglected.

Alright, enough rambling. I'll keep you updated as the publication process of my book moves along. Here's the important logistical information you need to know:

• My final manuscript was submitted on June 5

• Upon my final manuscript submission, the book will enter the final editorial phases and then go back and forth between me and the publisher to make sure it's exactly how we want it to appear for you

• I don't anticipate this phase taking too long and am hopeful that my book will be available for purchase later this summer! It will be available on Amazon, Wipf and Stock Publication's website, and other online book stores (I will also have a stock of hardcover books on hand that will be available for purchase at in-person events or scheduled meet-ups)

• Follow along right here, instagram, facebook, or my substack for continued updates and other creative practices

As always, your presence is more than enough.

If you'd like to support my work, current publication costs, and future creative endeavors in other ways, you can give below in two ways:

buy me a coffee

Venmo