may this be a blessing (erin jean warde)

I knew I wanted a prayer for each morning to prepare for the week leading up to book release, and yesterday I finally received the words: Spirit, may this be a blessing.

may this be a blessing

As of today I am one week away from my very first book appearing in the world. One week away from this labor of love being held by more than just my soul, the care of editors, and the hearts of endorsers and first readers.

It’s an odd shift to await, because on the one hand, it isn’t as if no one else has ever read it. I’ve offered it in front of an editing team at Brazos (and thank God for them), my blessed endorsers have already read it and given their words of support, Advanced Reader Copies have been sent to media outlets, and I’ve sent a select number of copies to “influencers” who might enjoy it and wish to share it.

Sure, other people have read it, but the shift is that up until next Tuesday, it has been contained. I have had some level of control over who received it, or knowledge of who might be reading it. And that control is what changes a week from today.

I would be lying if I didn’t admit I have some nerves about it being read. I mean, how could I possibly write a book about sobriety and not have some nerves about how it might be received? Maybe for my next book I’ll write about something less divisive, such as war.

I’m offering Sober Spirituality out of a heart of care, and the belief that it can offer care to a variety of different people, in different ways. But all the intention setting in the world doesn’t change the fact that I can’t control how it will be received. I tried to honor the spirit I held close to me when I showed up to the pages, and the tension of its reception, in my preface, when I wrote:

This book exists within the gift and challenge of sobriety. It sets out to talk about something that cannot be captured, only explored. Sober Spirituality aims not to define sobriety but to foster a heart that is attentive to how our minds, bodies, and souls might be gently asking for a different way of life. This calling to a different way of life might be for you or it might be a calling to a different way of life to bring joy to others. As a reader, this means you will inevitably have different experiences of the book—and thank God! I imagine not everything here will be for you, but I trust the sentiments will each be for someone and that we can celebrate how it will find its way to who it is meant for.

So, instead of letting nerves take over, I have to return to what I wrote in my preface, which is true — there will be different experiences of this book, and thank God. Not everything will be for everyone, but it’s time to release that false sense of control and trust that it will find who needs it, find who it speaks to, find who might need to hear it just to share it with someone else.

I knew I wanted a prayer for each morning to prepare for the week leading up to book release, and yesterday I finally received the words:

Spirit, may this be a blessing.

May this be a blessing to whoever encounters it. May this be a blessing to someone who didn’t know they needed it. May this be a blessing to someone who sought it out praying it might offer a word of hope. May this be a blessing to individuals and communities. And may this be a blessing to me, for my further growth, because this book is stuck in time and the unfolding of my heart and soul is not.

Spirit, may this be a blessing.

With love & care,
EJW

ways to support Sober Spirituality launch!

Y’all! I can’t believe it! Sober Spirituality releases ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!
Here’s how you can support the book launch!

1. Pre-Order! This is obviously huge for me and deeply appreciated. It should be available in most places where books are sold, but here are some options: Brazos Press, Amazon, Target, Bookshop, Barnes and Noble, Book People (Austin).

2. Pray for me (or send best wishes, etc.) This is a primary way I feel cared for. <3

3. Follow me on social media, if you have it! My screen name is erinjeanwarde on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

4. Share my posts on social media! You never know who might be looking for this type of support right now. If you see any of my posts about the book, please share!

5. Write your own post to share your excitement, if you’re pumped to read it soon! Make sure to add one of the pre-order links listed above!

6. Share these newsletters with your friends, if you think they would benefit from what I’ve shared.

7. Request Sober Spirituality at your local library! I want everyone to have access.

8. Share my work with your community of faith or other small group! I’d love to explore the possibility of doing a talk on the book, workshop, retreat, speak/preach, etc.

9. If you’re a fellow writer, please reach out & let’s try to support each other! I love mutual care & partnering!

Everything except for pre-ordering is completely free because I know what it’s like to want to support people, but not be able to support in the form of cash. As always, I’m so grateful for those who wish to support me in this launch!

To say thank you for every pre-order, grab your pre-order bonus — a collection of downloadable mocktail recipes and affirmation cards to help on your journey! Use the link below to get your thank you gift. <3

And — once you get your copy — if you’re on social media, don’t forget to share a picture of it! Use the hashtag #SoberSpirituality and tag me — erinjeanwarde — so I can thank you personally!

Y’all are the best & I love y’all!

GOODREADS is giving away FIVE copies of my book! Enter for your chance to win — this ends 4/18, the day of release!

Did you know Sober Spirituality was named one of the top ten books every Christian woman should read in 2023 in WomanAlive? I’m so honored to be featured!