Long-awaited sequel to the 25-million-copy global phenomenon The Shack marks a triumphant return nearly two decades later
NASHVILLE, Oct. 15, 2026 — Hachette Nashville/ Apiary is thrilled to announce that New York Times bestselling author Wm. Paul Young’s highly-anticipated novel, Return to the Shack, has debuted at No. 9 on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction bestseller list, following its October 6, 2026, release.
Marking nearly two decades since the publication of the global phenomenon The Shack, which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and been translated into 41 languages, Young returns to the story that captivated millions of readers and sparked international conversations about grief, faith, forgiveness, and the nature of God. With Return to the Shack, Young once again invites readers into a deeply moving—and sometimes uncomfortable—exploration of humanity, grace, and the possibility of redemption.
“Books like The Shack come along once in a generation, so it’s no wonder that it took Paul twenty years to attempt a sequel! But he has truly outdone himself,” says Vice President and Publisher of Hachette Nashville, Daisy Hutton. “This story finds us exactly where we are – in our brokenness, our longing, and in our stubborn unwillingness to stop hoping – and reminds us of our shared humanity and of the miracle of forgiveness. It is exciting to see this honest and beautiful story finding its home with readers.”
The novel’s bestselling debut marks a remarkable new chapter in Young’s publishing journey. After years of resisting the idea of a sequel, Young was ultimately inspired by his real-life friendships with men on Tennessee’s death row. Those relationships challenged him to explore difficult questions about accountability, human dignity, and whether anyone is truly beyond redemption. In Return to the Shack, Young revisits Mack and his family years after the devastating loss of their daughter, Missy, while taking readers even deeper into the complexities of forgiveness and healing.
Recently featured in PEOPLE, Christianity Today, Fox News, Religion News Service, and leading podcasts, Young continues to generate widespread interest and meaningful discussion surrounding the novel’s provocative themes. The book’s success demonstrates the enduring cultural impact of The Shack and the longing for more stories that challenge readers to wrestle with life’s toughest questions.
A New York Times bestseller, Return to the Shack is available for purchase nationwide. For more information or for media inquiries, contact Katie Bell at katie@sparkpublicrelations.com
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Apiary exists to meet readers’ most deeply felt needs with faith-based books and resources that offer opportunities for spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical transformation. Our authors are spiritual leaders, pastors, and Bible teachers who create thoughtful, relevant content that invites readers into a deeper relationship with their Creator; experts writing from a position of earned authority about spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical growth and healing; and storytellers who harness the wisdom gained from their lived experience to inspire readers on their own path to wisdom, insight, and transformation. We publish resources, including Bibles, Bible Studies, and devotionals, noted for their beauty and for inspiring readers to experience a life of greater purpose and joy.
CONTACT: Katie Bell, 731-803-9056, katie@sparkpublicrelations.com
