Becoming an author was never something I planned. I’ve always enjoyed storytelling (in general) and poetry, but writing a novel wasn’t something I’d imagined for myself. The idea for Soul Matters came during a season when I sought greater meaning in my life and work. At the time, I had a long daily commute, and those quiet drives provided me with the opportunity to think, dream, and reflect. I enjoyed my job, but I felt like I wasn’t utilizing my full potential. Writing offered a creative outlet that blended reflection, imagination, and purpose.
When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. I had no publishing background, no connections, and certainly no grand plan. I just started typing. The story grew from the seed of an idea about family and faith into a full-fledged novel about Wendy Phillips, a third-grade teacher whose life looks stable on the outside but feels uncertain within. Wendy, her sister Kim, their mother, Marlene, and their grandmother, Frances, each taught me something different as their personalities unfolded. Through them, I saw how love, wisdom, humor, and stubbornness intertwine in families that are both messy and beautiful at the same time.
Once the manuscript was complete, I began exploring publishing options and submitted an inquiry directly to a publisher. I didn’t have an agent at the time, and although direct submissions are unconventional, everything worked out in ways I couldn’t have scripted. My debut novel, Soul Matters, was traditionally published, and I learned a tremendous amount through that process. For one, I learned that if I was going to continue working with traditional publishers, I indeed wanted an agent. (Lol.) However, as self-publishing gained more prominence, I began taking steps to become a hybrid author—one who is both traditionally published and self-publishes. I re-released the book independently for its 20th anniversary, and this is yet another milestone for me. I’ve helped others publish their books and have even independently published devotionals and short stories, but Soul Matters is the first novel that I published under my company, Yo Productions. It’s exciting to see how much I have grown as a writer and entrepreneur. Soul Matters is just the beginning.
Looking back, I see that my writing journey has been a mix of courage, curiosity, and continual learning. Inspiration, for me, didn’t arrive in one dramatic moment but unfolded quietly, one idea at a time. Finally, I realized that creative writing wasn’t just something I could do; it was something I was meant to do.
Title: Soul Matters
Author: Yolonda Tonette Sanders
Publisher: Yo Productions LLC
Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Pages: 360
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
With a successful husband, a fulfilling teaching career, and a baby on the way, Wendy Phillips seems to have it all. She’s certain God is on her side. After all, the woman she’s become wouldn’t exist without the strength of her close-knit family or her own determination to be a model daughter, sister, and wife.
But one phone call shatters Wendy’s illusion of perfection, turning her carefully crafted life upside down. Suddenly, everything she believed about herself, her family, and her faith is called into question.
As her marriage crumbles and her faith wavers, Wendy finds herself needing more support than she ever imagined. Her journey to healing will require a sister’s unexpected strength, a mother’s surprising honesty, and a truth Wendy never saw coming.
Now only God’s grace can help her confront the pain she didn’t expect and discover the soul-deep freedom she never dreamed possible.
Yolonda earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University and is certified in emotional intelligence. She enjoys teaching, mentoring, consulting, and helping others discover their own voices through writing. When she’s not creating or consulting, you’ll likely find her spending time with her husband or enjoying heartfelt moments with loved ones.
Her latest book is the contemporary Christian fiction, Soul Matters.
You can visit her website at www.yoproductions.net .
Watch her YouTube channel!
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