I never thought I’d be here… with this in my hand.

Yesterday, I held in my hands something I’ve dreamed about for years: the first author’s proof print of The Preacher’s Son.

To say it was surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it. After months of writing, rewriting, editing, listening to beta readers, and polishing, my story now exists as a real, tangible book. A book I can flip through, set on my shelf, and yes—even smell. There’s something about the scent of fresh ink and paper that makes it all feel real in a way a computer screen never could.

It’s thrilling. It’s humbling. And, if I’m honest, it’s terrifying.

Publishing a novel—especially one drawn so closely from my own life experiences—feels like exposing a very personal part of myself to the world. Even though The Preacher’s Son is fiction, the heart of it beats with echoes of my past, my questions, my struggles. That kind of vulnerability doesn’t come naturally to me. As an introvert and chronic overthinker, I can easily let the weight of it all spiral into self-doubt.

And yet—here we are.

I started writing this story back in April of this year. Since then, I’ve poured myself into it. There were late nights, long weekends, and plenty of “what am I even doing?” moments. But slowly, steadily, the words shaped into a story. One that I hope resonates with readers—not because it’s perfect (it isn’t), but because it’s honest.

Looking through the proof copy, I still spot the marks of a new author: little things I’d phrase differently, small edits that make me cringe a bit. But rather than discouraging me, those imperfections remind me that this is just the beginning. Writing, like life, is a process of refining. With each book, I’ll learn more. With each story, I’ll grow stronger.

This first proof is more than just a stack of bound pages—it’s a milestone. It’s a symbol of persistence, creativity, and the courage to share something deeply personal with the world.

So as I make these final small tweaks and prepare for launch next week, I sit with this duality: the joy of creating something worth sharing, and the fear of letting it go. Both emotions walk hand in hand. Both push me to be better.

Where this journey leads, I don’t know. But for now, I’m grateful—and more than a little excited—to finally hold my first book in my hands.