As the new year begins, we are excited to announce our Book of the Month for January 2024 is Unraveled by Deanna Lorea. But what exactly is a Book of the Month, and why are we so thrilled about this particular selection?
The Xulon Press “Book of the Month” is our staff’s pick that we believe will captivate our readers and encourage them to explore new authors and genres. Each month, our team carefully chooses a book that we think will engage and inspire our community, and we also share an interview with the author to add their insight into the writing and self-publishing process.
To learn more about Unraveled and its author, we sat down with Deanna Lornea to chat about her inspiration for the book, her writing process, and what she hopes readers will take away from her work.
What inspired you to write Unraveled?
A: As I was documenting intense moments [with the Lord], I had no idea that a year later the Lord would tell me to release my book. I had no idea what He was talking about. I wasn’t writing a book. Then I went back to see what I had been writing over the last year and thirty-four chapters were hidden in my Google Docs folder. Thirty-four chapters [that were] written all from the POV [point-of-view] of the Father to me. It was a love letter.
The funny thing is there was nothing I did to make this book come to be other than document what He said to me. I didn’t have to perfect what He was saying. I only had to write it down and observe. That little red book is a miracle for me just as much as it is for the reader.
How long did it take you to write your book?
A: I don’t necessarily look at it like, “how long did it take me to write it” because I didn’t know I was writing it as it was being written. This book came to be in over a year, through my own unraveling.
Were there any challenges you faced while writing this book, and if so, how did you overcome them?
A: I wouldn’t say there were any challenges. To be honest, when these moments with the Lord appeared, I wasn’t ready. I would scramble over to my phone or iPad and type up what seemed to flow through me like water. I didn’t want to miss a word of what He was revealing. I’ve never had experiences like this before. It might be similar to someone who is divinely inspired to write a song. The words just come to them. I didn’t have to think about it, they just flowed.
I knew it wasn’t from me because I overanalyze my thoughts. When I write for myself, I’ll write a sentence and then reread it one hundred times before moving on. This was different. I couldn’t keep up with how fast the words went from my heart to the paper—or Notes app on my iPhone.
Was there a specific part of your self-publishing journey that you enjoyed more than you thought you would?
A: I really loved designing the cover. I didn’t know I had a joy for those kinds of things. It’s funny how following the Lord will bring out artistry in you that you didn’t know you possessed.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
A: My prayer for this book is that every reader knows that God desires them deeply. There’s so much in the world that tells us what to do or what we are doing is wrong, and the Lord has kept me in the place of His love. I wanted to move on from that place to start something new and He always brings me back. I believe it’s because He knows what it provides for me—rest and peace. This is what I want for every reader. I want to give rest and peace to every reader like the Lord has given me rest and peace. I promised Him that everything He gave to me I would pour out to others.
Tell us a little bit about how you’ve marketed your book since its release.
A: I love social media. That’s where I market my book. If you find me on social @dahter_ you’ll see that I don’t follow anyone. This is on purpose. It’s not what I’m on there for. [I’m] only to pour out to others what God has given me.
Shortly after the Lord told me to publish Unraveled, He told me to start speaking online about our private relationship. That was terrifying to me because my relationship with the Lord is so personal and pure. Putting myself out there meant exposure and vulnerability.
[I didn’t have an] audience to purchase the book [and] nobody to read it other than my few friends and family.
I made three videos and to my surprise no views populated—along with zero followers. I felt stupid because I was talking to no one. But He told me to speak. It was the fourth video that went viral with over eight million views across two platforms. In three months, a group of people gathered who just wanted to know the Lord. This is who He had in mind for Unraveled. In just three months, [my] three social platforms totaled over 300,000 followers.
A year later, my platforms have a little over half a million followers with millions of views that have heard something about the heart of God. Unraveled is a miracle and it’s been purchased in countries I don’t even know how to pronounce. The Lord told me this book would be global, but I had no idea it would be this quickly!
About Deanna Lorea
Deanna Lorea started intentionally writing two years ago. She’d have intense moments with the Lord and didn’t know what to do with them other than write them down. That’s how Unraveled came into existence. In her spare time, Lorea loves to travel. She’s lived in Japan, South Korea, Germany, and six U.S. states. She loves to ride her bike on the beach, pineapple coconut ice cream, and getting lost in a good story. Visit https://dahter.com to learn more and contact Deanna Lorea.
Where to Buy Unraveled
Connect with Deanna Lorea
Instagram: @dahter
TikTok: @dahter
YouTube: @dahter_
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