Hey sis,

How are you doing? Has the month of May been eventful or what?

Mehn! My head has been so deeply buried in all the beautiful, stretching work happening inside The Birthing Bootcamp and SAW community that I blinked, looked up, and boom, we’re in the last week of May! See what our students are saying about the program above!

This month has been such a gift. On a personal level, I celebrated my birthday. But this one felt... different. There was no fanfare. No parties, no big photoshoots, not even a flood of 1,000 birthday messages because, well, I didn’t really post about it online.

And yet, it was my most fulfilling birthday so far. Why? Because it fell on Mother’s Day. And on that very day, I had the exceptional privilege of teaching in my local church here in China on a topic that’s incredibly dear to my heart: Motherhood.

It wasn’t just a “message.” It was me, sharing from the deepest wells of who I’ve become since God took this regular girl, handed her two sons, and changed her life forever.

It was such a fulfilling day. And I didn’t feel sad at all about this relatively quiet birthday like I probably would have a few years ago. Okay, maybe a little when a few of my dear sisters (you know yourselves… God is watching you in 5G🙄😂) forgot to send a message. But truly I was so full that even that couldn’t dampen the joy.

May 11th, 2025 was a trifecta for me.

✔️ My birthday
✔️ Mother's Day
✔️ Ministry through my gift (teaching)

I used my gifts (speaking and teaching) for people so close to my heart (the church, and mothers), to speak on a topic that touches my soul... motherhood. It felt like a divine moment stitched together by the Grand Weaver Himself.

If you know anything about me, you’ll know that motherhood changed the trajectory of my life. It's not just a title; it's an assignment. A huge part of who I am today is because God used motherhood to elevate and reposition me into destiny. I documented some of the insights in my first book, The Birthing. (Click Here To Get Your Copy Already)

These past two years as a Stay-At-Home / Work-From-Home Mom have further solidified my conviction that motherhood is not just a season, it's an office. And guess what? I’ve been writing about it in a book I’ve slowly been working on for over two years now: The Glory of Motherhood.

Fun fact? Back in 2023, I was so convinced I’d launch the book on my birthday this year. But alas, here we are. The wind bloweth where it listeth, my sister! We move with the wind.

Still, I’m documenting the journey, and not just because I’m a writer. I’m documenting it because this book? Ha! It’s going to be a bestseller.

Wearing my hat as an Author Coach has changed the way I see books. Ever since God handed me this assignment, I can’t look at books the same. I notice everything. When someone launches a book, or a new book hits Amazon Bestseller like Pastor May Ijisesan’s newest release, I’m not just clapping - I’m studying. I’m gathering wisdom, learning, and asking: What worked? What didn’t? What’s the strategy behind the celebration?

But here’s the truth: Most people have no clue what goes on behind the scenes of writing, publishing, and positioning a book to become a bestseller.

They think it’s just: write > publish > go viral. But behind every “bestseller” badge is a blueprint. Behind every confident author is a process. And I’m ready to show you mine.

I’m calling it: #JourneyToBestseller. I want to share the unfiltered behind-the-scenes. The drafts. The doubts. The delays. The decisions. You’ll see the clarity process, the content building, the publishing pathway, and (eventually) the launch.

So if you’ve ever wanted to see how it’s done (or do it yourself), come along for the ride or even learn a thing or two about mothers and motherhood.

3 Big Lessons from Year 35 🎈

1. Rapid Evolution & Identity Shifts
This time last year? “Ugonne Ann, the Author Coach”? She didn’t exist.

I had no clue this version of me was even loading. But God knew.

One year can truly change your entire life. I’m honestly in awe. Looking back at last year’s ADN letter (Yes, I write these every year), I see now that I couldn’t even fathom the woman I would become.

I even see myself differently from who I was just 12 months ago. And that, my sister, is the power of divine evolution. When you say “yes” to the woman God is calling you to become, He begins to unfold you like a scroll.

Is it scary? Yes.
Stretching? Absolutely.
But when you invest in your transformation, you step into rapid elevation.

2. God, The Grand Weaver
Whew. Where do I begin? God is so good. And He does not, cannot, and will never mismanage our lives.

It’s usually us, running around, trying to orchestrate outcomes on our own. But when we surrender our destinies (and the timing of it) into His hands, He begins to weave a story we could never have written ourselves.

Looking at my 2025 so far, I realize it’s simply a build-up of what He started to orchestrate last year. Things I didn’t even know to desire or to put on a vision board.

He is the Grand Weaver, piecing together our lives in a way that aligns with our destiny DNA. The story He’s telling with my life? It has His signature and fingerprints all over the timeline. And I’m learning to trust that more and more.

3. The Warfare of Flesh, Distractions & Carnality
This one eh, it cut deep. Year 35 exposed me to battles I didn’t even know I was fighting especially around food and media.

Let me be real with you: Media especially socials, has a way of silently eroding focus and feeding you junk while your destiny sits in the waiting room.

And food? Hmm. We don’t talk enough about how what we eat can be a reflection and a signpost of a degree of carnality lurking within your soul and Like my pro-coach, DDK would say:

Year 35 truly exposed me to some personal weaknesses and brought me to the end of myself. It’s still an ongoing journey, but I’m more alert now. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, I’m learning to fight smarter and live more intentionally.

Bonus Lesson: Audacity Is a Spiritual Gift

This year taught me that playing small is no longer cute. You can be humble and still take up space.

In fact, there’s a kind of humility that is really just fear wearing lipstick.

And so, in this next year of my life, I’m asking God for more audacity - not to impress people, but to obey Him fully and boldly.

Looking Ahead: Year 36 – The Audacious Year

I’m calling this next year of my life The Builder’s Year because in this year, obedience = execution. Here’s what I’m building in Year 36::

1. Build and solidify systems – in my life, business, and home

2. Build and deepen consecrations – more intentionality in my spiritual life

3. Build and solidify relationships – nourishing the right connections

4. Build out visions and assignments – launching books, offers, and content

5. Build and embody identity – walking boldly in every God-given expression

This is the year to go all in.
To say YES audaciously.
To show up boldly.
To BUILD deliberately.

Final Words (and an Invitation)

Sis, thank you. For reading. For replying. For being a part of my journey so far.

Sometimes I forget that I’m not just writing emails, I’m writing to real women with dreams, fears, and callings. Women like you who are also building something, even if it's just the courage to believe again.

So let me end with this:

Whatever God is asking you to build, this is your sign. Go all in.
Stop rehearsing your fear and start executing your faith.

Whether it’s a book, a business, a ministry, a family, a vision, or a mindset shift, build it boldly. Your future self will thank you. And to every mother reading this, I wish you A HAPPY BELATED MOTHER’S DAY.

With joy and builder’s fire,
Ugonne Ann
Your Favorite Author Coach

P.S. Wanna follow my #JourneyToBestseller and get exclusive behind-the-scenes content?
Join the community here or reply to this email with “I’m in!” 💌