Kecia Flaute and Julia Monnin with several Journeys Revealed books. (Photo courtesy Susie Bergman)
“I really, really thought that once I went through his very difficult process, there would be a mainstream Catholic publisher who would embrace it, and I would go back to my normal life. But that’s not the way things went” Monnin said.
Journeys Revealed Monnin Shares Faith Through Publishing Personal Journals B Y SUS IE BE RGMA N
With humble, raw reverence and a hint of quiet confidence, Julia Monnin clutches her morning cup of coffee, prepared to share her journey. It’s a journey full of self-doubt, personal reflection and grace. A journey that led to the publication of her first book and the eventual formation of Journeys Revealed Ministry, a nonprofit organization located in Botkins. “I know there are other souls like me out there. People with beautiful stories 2 6 | T H E C ATHOLIC TE LEGR A PH
to share who are intimidated by the notion, the process and the industry.” Monnin knows first-hand just how intimidating it can be. After a year of prayerful discernment, she felt called to turn her spiritual journal, a collection of daily writings full of intimate life details, into a book. She was encouraged by advisors to keep the collection in journal form, inviting readers into her private thoughts and authentic self.
The publisher advised her that it wasn’t the right fit for their audience. The response was devastating, but looking back, Monnin can appreciate the significance of the decision. As the reality set in, she spent the next few months working to reset herself through more prayer and discernment. She continued to seek advice from authors, publishers and those within her faith community. She knew self-publishing was an option, but she was concerned about making sure the book looked professional. Then, one day when she was deep in prayer, a powerful thought struck her: “If a manger is good enough for the Savior of the World to be born in, then certainly self-publishing is good enough for your book.” Through God’s timing and grace, she took a leap of faith and reached out to a marketing professional who was on her parish counsel, Kecia Flaute. As they each share their unique, humble perspective on how their paths crossed and partnership blossomed, Flaute reflected “It was the first time I could really see God working in my life. I had felt for quite some time that God was calling me to use my talents to serve
