What I did on my summer vacation

Written By Jana Hutcheson

It’s been a whirlwind of a summer.

Fun—because I signed a publishing contract at the end of May, fulfilling a dream I’ve had since I was a teenager.

But overwhelming, too—because apparently, marketing a book in 2025 requires authors to know how to do all kinds of things this Gen Xer has no clue how to do. Things like building websites, establishing an author presence on social media, and creating content in Canva. Honestly, I think I’ve looked at a computer screen more in the last eight weeks than I did in the fourteen years it took to write my book!

I’m having fun, though. And I’ve learned that you can teach an old dog new tricks. It might take me a little longer to catch on than it would someone younger, and I may or may not have shed a few tears (despite what anyone says, creating a website on Squarespace is NOT easy). But God has been faithful to send the help I’ve needed along the way, even if it came in the form of a YouTube tutorial.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I remember this quote from Douglas McKelvey:

“Be liberated now from this burden of believing that anything depends on you.”

And this verse from the book of Matthew:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

God may call me to “do my part” in marketing my book, but ultimately, He’s the one in control of what happens with it. Knowing that takes the pressure off and lets me enjoy the ride.

Even when it gets a little bumpy.

Jana Hutcheson

Jana Hutcheson lives and teaches in the same small Alabama town where she grew up. Her first story was a piece of fanfiction inspired by The Outsiders, which she found years later in her parents’ attic, reread, and promptly threw away. Due to a busy schedule, a bent toward perfectionism that shows up only when she’s writing, and an array of unexpected life events, it took her fourteen years to complete The Spring in Trulee Holler. Her quirks include being a picky eater and filling all her silent moments with eclectic playlists. Besides her family, she loves long afternoon walks, greasy burger joints, and the smell of burning leaves.

https://jana@janahutcheson.com
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How I unintentionally became an author of Christian fiction…I think??