Writing the book turned out to be only the beginning. There is a moment every new author eventually faces. The manuscript is finished. The book is published. Your name is on the cover. And then comes a much harder question: **Would anyone read it?** In today's blog, I continue the story of my unexpected journey into becoming an author—and what happened when it was time to stop writing for myself and begin looking for readers. 📖 **I Wrote the Book, but Would Anyone Read It?** Sometimes finding readers begins with just one. 👉 Read the new post on my blog. https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog

A new bookshelf for Mateo. 📖 *Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word* is now listed on **The Book List** under Christian Fiction and Religious & Inspirational. When twelve-year-old Mateo discovers an ancient Bible hidden inside an abandoned mountain church, the stories of Genesis become more than words on a page. He begins to **live them**. Creation. The Garden of Eden. Noah’s Ark. The Tower of Babel. Another little door has opened for Mateo to reach readers who love faith, Scripture, and adventure. https://thebooklist.co/books/mateo-and-the-secrets-of-the-eternal-word-1

Doña Rosa is Mateo’s grandmother. But is that all she is? From the beginning, there has been something different about her. Mateo tells her about journeys thousands of years into the past—and somehow, she isn’t surprised. She listens. She guides him. She helps him understand what he has seen. And every once in a while, she leaves us wondering: **What does Doña Rosa know?** This week’s Behind the Story introduces one of the most lovable—and yet most mysterious—characters in Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word. 👉 **Who Is Doña Rosa?** Read the story behind the story on my blog. https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog

I'm pleased to share that I've joined The Independent Author Network. My new author page brings together my books in English and Spanish, along with the latest news about Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word. It's another small step in this unexpected journey as an author—and I'm grateful for everyone who has been following along. https://www.independentauthornetwork.com/steve-r-hartwig.html

Sometimes God leads us somewhere long before we recognize where the road is going. I never set out to become an author. I simply kept writing the next story. Looking back now, I can see how each one prepared me for what came afterward. “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us.” — Psalm 90:17 📖 Today’s blog: I Had Become an Author https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog

Who is Mateo? Every memorable story begins with a character. But creating Mateo wasn't as simple as choosing a name. I knew I wanted to bring the great stories of the Bible to life through the eyes of a young eyewitness. What I didn't know was who that young person would be. This week's Behind the Story takes you inside the creative journey of discovering the boy who would become Mateo—and the moment I finally looked at an image and thought, "That's him." Read the full story: https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog/who-is-mateo

⭐ I'm grateful to share that Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word has received a Highly Recommended editorial review from La Biblioteca de Nehemías, a Spanish-language Catholic website dedicated to reviewing children's and young adult literature. Reviewer Jaime Blanch Queralt wrote: "The novel is highly recommended." He also praised the novel's emphasis on family, friendship, humility, solidarity, and faith, calling it a meaningful read for young readers and families. Thank you, Jaime, for your thoughtful review and for introducing Mateo to your readers. Read Jaime's complete review: https://labibliotecadenehemias.wordpress.com/2026/08/03/mateo-y-los-secretos-de-la-palabra-eterna/#more-7753

What if, like Mateo in Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word, you could step into biblical history? Here's a glimpse into the adventure. I'd love to hear what you think. 📖 Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word: Book One – Creation Through Babel

📖 Behind the Story Did Mateo come first... or did Miraflor? This week's article shares how the search for the perfect setting became the foundation for Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word. Come discover why Miraflor became the place where Mateo's story truly began. 🔗 https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog

I was honored to discover that Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word was selected as a Daily Finds Featured Title on July 27. Seeing the book featured alongside bestselling Christian authors Ted Dekker & Bill Bright and award-winning biblical fiction author Mesu Andrews was an unexpected encouragement. Every author hopes their work will find readers. Moments like this remind me that Mateo is beginning to do just that. If you'd like to learn more about the story, read reviews, or explore the world of Mateo, I'd love to invite you to visit: https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/new-page-2 Rediscover Bible History Like Never Before... Through the Eyes of Mateo. #MateoAndTheSecretsOfTheEternalWord #ChristianFiction #BiblicalFiction #BibleAdventure #FaithBasedBooks #ChristianBooks #MiddleGradeBooks #YoungAdultBooks #BookLovers #AmReading #IndieAuthor #SteveRHartwig

📖 Behind the Story Begins Every story has a story behind it. Today I'm launching a new series where I'll share the inspiration, characters, and research behind Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word. The first article explores how Ride the Fire led me to create Mateo's world. I hope you'll enjoy the journey. 🔗https://www.steverhartwigauthor.com/blog

Did you ever wish you could witness Bible history with your own eyes? That question became the inspiration for Mateo and the Secrets of the Eternal Word. Through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy from Nicaragua, readers journey into the great events of Bible history—not merely to observe history, but to discover the unchanging truth of God's Word. My prayer is that this story encourages young people and families to open their Bibles with fresh wonder. Have you ever imagined what it would have been like to witness one of the great events of Scripture? #ChristianFiction #BibleHistory #YoungReaders #FaithBasedBooks #MateoBook