OTHERED is everywhere books are 🌾

This is my invitation to you—to be seen, held, + heard after experiencing harm 🌾

Othered releases today. 🌾

You can order Othered on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, + Baker Book House.

Those who purchase Othered between Tuesday, June 25th to Monday, July 1st will still receive access to the free gifts. More info below. 💃 

I recently shared with someone that the weeks before book launch have felt like holding my breath—living in the inhale before the exhale of relief.

There’s not much more I could be doing to promote Othered, but I also feel like I could be doing everything. My body has cycled through excitement, anxiety, trepidation, and worry. From reading early reviews, Othered has been a balm for the brokenhearted (5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️). I also read that the words I wrote are “arrogant, defensive, and completely unrelatable.” (3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️). ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I’m grateful to say that Othered has legs strong enough to walk out into the world and stand on its own.

This book is doing just what I hoped it would: Extending hope in God to those struggling to find their way, but also stirring up good trouble in spaces and communities where faithfulness has been equated with toxic conformity.

Some of these images are my own. Some are courtesy of Charlotte G., Sarah Westfall, and Becky Castle Miller

This book started by compiling notes I was writing in my notebooks. The case I make in Othered is comprised of all the arguments I couldn’t make to the pastors and leaders—brothers and friends—who othered me in my former church. Despite it’s name, I wrote Othered to unite us—to reveal that our wounds hold tremendous power to connect us. And if we don’t tend to our wounds, we run the risk of becoming people who perpetuate othering.

I read through the draft of the book proposal for Othered recently. Reading the section of what this book would and wouldn’t do was a very full circle moment for me. Take a peek:

When I submitted the proposal to publishers two years ago, I knew what I wanted this book to be and not be. Between myself, my editor (the wonderful

Stephanie Duncan Smith

), and my team at Baker Books, I believe we hit the mark. I also want to give a special mention to Sara Shelton, who tapped in to help with developmental edits last summer.

This book isn’t for those who want to argue about whether or not abuse of power exists in the church. This book isn’t for those who want to other and denigrate the Church collectively. And this book isn’t for those who want me to argue for a new shade of religious fundamentalism.

This book is for the othered. It is for those who yearn for a life hemmed in with honesty, healing, and hope.

A tremendous thank you goes to you all who have helped me extend the hope I’ve been holding in my heart to others. Your encouragement and support have helped make this book possible.

You can still download the free gifts through the first week of Othered’s release (yes, you have to buy the book first) 🌾

In case you’re interested: You can check out my Instagram Live video that recorded the day before launch.

jenaiauman

A post shared by @jenaiauman

I swear, this is the last thing I’ll share…

I want to send special thanks to writers, friends, + writer friends who asked, “How can I help?” or reached out with tremendous kindness after I shared with them how hard the weeks leading up to Othered’s launch have been.

Substack is yelling at me about nearly being at the email limit, but you know who you are.

Thank you.