rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

B&H acquires acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior to edit classic literature series

Series will guide readers on how to understand each work from a Christian worldview

 [NASHVILLE, TENN., (May 17, 2019) —] B&H Publishing is proud to announce its acquisition of acclaimed author and award-winning English professor Karen Swallow Prior.

Though many are familiar with and perhaps can even recite quotes from classic literature such as “Sense and Sensibility,” “Frankenstein” or “The Scarlet Letter,” many adults don’t know how to read them and likely haven’t picked them up since their high school English class.

To that end, Prior will pen a beautifully-designed literature series for B&H that guides readers through a selection of the classics, helps them navigate the pitfalls that often trap readers and shows them how to read each work in light of the gospel and to the glory of God. The first books to release will be “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen and “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad in March of 2020.

Prior is editing each volume, adding an introduction to guide the reader on how to read it and adding supplemental information.

Forthcoming titles (not final, subject to change) in the series are: “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy.

“I’ve been teaching literature to college students for nearly 30 years. I’ve often been told by people who’ve not had the chance to take a class with me that they wish they could. And, likewise, I have often wished to be able to expand my teaching to readers outside the classroom walls,” Prior said.

“Writing introductions to a few of the works I love and teach most will do just this. I hope through this series to assist general readers to achieve greater understanding and appreciation of, not only these selected works, but also the vast world of classic literary works beyond these titles as well. Reading such books can be challenging at first, but reading well is a skill like any other—one that can be learned and improved with experience and practice. And it’s enjoyable, too!”

Prior’s previous books include “Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me” (T. S. Poetry Press, 2012), “Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist” (Thomas Nelson, 2014) and most recently, “On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Literature” (Brazos, 2018). Her writing has appeared at “Christianity Today,” “The Washington Post,” “The Atlantic,” The Gospel Coalition, BreakPoint, “Think Christian,” “Comment,” “Relevant” and “Books and Culture.” She has spoken at numerous writing conferences including the Festival of Faith and Writing and the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference.

“We are thrilled to partner with the esteemed Karen Swallow Prior on this literature series, which we pray will help readers both better understand these classics texts and see God’s truth and beauty in each work,” said Jennifer Lyell, V.P. of Book Publishing and Merchandising. “There is no one better to compile and edit these than Karen; I know her editorial insight will inspire a new generation of readers to fall in love with the classics.”

Prior’s contract was negotiated by Clarissa Dufresne, B&H publisher for specialty products, with worldwide rights. For more information, visit bhpublishinggroup.com.

Karen Swallow Prior is an award-winning professor of English at Liberty University. She earned her Ph.D. in English at SUNY Buffalo. Her writing has appeared at “The Atlantic,” “Christianity Today,” “The Washington Post,” Vox, “First Things,” “Sojourners,” “Relevant,” “Think Christian” and other places. She is a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, a Research Fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, a Senior Fellow at Liberty University’s Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement and a member of the Faith Advisory Council of the Humane Society of the United States. She and her husband live on a 100-year-old homestead in central Virginia with sundry horses, dogs and chickens. And lots of books.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
2 KJV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY® LARGE PRINT EDITION 2025-2026
STANDARD PUBLISHING
3 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
4 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
5 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
6 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
7 BREATH AS PRAYER
JENNIFER TUCKER
8 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
10 LIVING FEARLESS
JAMIE WINSHIP
View All
1 THE ISRAEL DECREE
AMIR TSARFATI
2 60 DAYS OF PROPHECIES
DAVID JEREMIAH
3 JOY BOMB
TAUREN WELLS
4 YOU ARE CALLED
JOHN BEVERE
5 THE KINGDOM OF CAIN
ANDREW KLAVAN
6 HOW TO READ THE BIBLE
DAVID PLATT
7 A JESUS-SHAPED LIFE
LISA HARPER
8 HOMESCHOOLING
GINNY YURICH
9 FIVE MERE CHRISTIANS
JORDAN RAYNOR AND KALEIGH COX
10 HOW TO SPEAK LIFE TO YOUR HUSBAND
ANN WILSON WITH DAVE WILSON
View All
1 VANISHED
DAVID JEREMIAH WITH SAM O'NEAL
2 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
3 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
4 THE SUMMER OF YES
COURTNEY WALSH
5 WHAT NOT TO DO ON VACATION
RACHEL MAGEE
6 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
7 PERILOUS TIDES
ELIZABETH GODDARD
8 THE PRETENDER
WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER
9 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
10 THE WATER KEEPER
CHARLES MARTIN
View All
1 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
2 KJV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY® LARGE PRINT EDITION 2025-2026
STANDARD PUBLISHING
3 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
4 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
5 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
6 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
7 BREATH AS PRAYER
JENNIFER TUCKER
8 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
10 LIVING FEARLESS
JAMIE WINSHIP
View All
1 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
2 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
3 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
4 GREAT AND SMALL PRAYERS FOR BABIES
PAMELA KENNEDY
5 THE WORLD NEEDS WHO YOU WERE MADE TO BE
JOANNA GAINES
6 MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES IS LOVE YOU
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
7 GOD GAVE US YOU
LISA TAWN BERGREN
8 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
9 THE WORLD NEEDS THE WONDER YOU SEE
JOANNA GAINES
10 JUST IN CASE YOU EVER FEEL ALONE
MAX LUCADO
View All
1 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
2 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
3 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
4 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
5 YOURS, NOT HERS
KARI KAMPAKIS
6 DO HARD THINGS
ALEX HARRIS AND BRETT HARRIS
7 MANGA BIBLE
SIKU
8 THE PRAYER MAP FOR TEENS
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
9 THE CASE FOR CHRIST STUDENT EDITION
LEE STROBEL WITH JAME VOGEL
10 OUTDATED
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
View All
1 365 READ-ALOUD BEDTIME BIBLE STORIES
DANIEL PARTNER
2 THE GOSPEL STORY
MARY WILEY
3 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
4 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
5 THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK - KJV
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
6 199 PROMISES OF GOD
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
7 LOTS OF KNOCK-KNOCK JOKES FOR KIDS
WHEE WINN
8 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
9 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST. JOHN
10 IS GOD SPEAKING TO ME?
LYSA TERKEURST
View All
1 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
2 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
3 KJV BIBLE GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
4 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
CROSSWAY
5 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
6 NIRV ADVENTURE BIBLE FOR EARLY READERS, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
7 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, Grey
RAECHEL MYERS AND AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS AND CSB BIBLES BY HOLMAN
8 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER AND MARK DEVER AND JOHN PIPER
9 NIV THE JESUS BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
10 KJV LARGE PRINT PERSONAL SIZE REFERENCE BIBLE
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
View All
1 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 ESV ECONOMY HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS
CROSSWAY
3 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
4 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
THOMAS NELSON
5 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
6 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
7 KJV ECONOMY BIBLE
HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS
8 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
9 KJV ECONOMY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
10 NLT ECONOMY BIBLE
TYNDALE
View All
1 New International Version
2 English Standard Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New International Reader's Version
9 Nueva Version International
10 New American Standard Bible
View All
1 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
3 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR EDICION REVISADA
GARY CHAPMAN
4 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
5 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO, Bolsillo
RICK WARREN
6 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
7 DESTINADO AL EXITO
DANTE GEBEL
8 DICCIONARIO BIBLICO ILUSTRADO HOLMAN
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
9 LA MUJER EMOCIONALMENTE SANA
GERI SCAZZERO AND PETER SCAZZERO
10 JESUS TE LLAMA, Tapa dura
SARAH YOUNG
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Tapa dura, Negro
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA, CAFE SIMIL PIEL MASS MARKET
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE
LUIS ANGEL DIAZ-PABON
4 RVR 1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, ROSA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, IMITACION PIEL, Negro
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
6 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, TURQUESA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
7 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
8 BIBLIA CATOLICA EDICION ECONOMICA
EDITORIAL CATOLICA
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE ESTUDIO ARCO IRIS, NEGRO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RV1960 SANTA BIBLIA DE PROMESAS EDICION PARA NINOS
EDITORIAL UNILIT
View All
1 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
2 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 JESUS SALVA AL MUNDO
VIDA
6 ¿PARA QUE ESTOY AQUI EN LA TIERRA?
RICK WARREN
7 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA
DEBORA M. COTY
8 ESTRESATE MENOS, ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
9 EL VALLE DE LOS HUESOS SECOS
YIYE AVILA
10 199 PROMESAS DE DIOS
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
View All

Upcoming Events

ECPA Asia Rights & Export Fair
September 1-2, 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand
ECPA C-Suite Symposium
September 7-9, 2025 | Tucson, Arizona
The Christy Award® Finalist Reveal webcast
September 19 | 10 am central
The Christy Award® Winners Gala webcast
November 7 | 7 pm central
ECPA PubU Online
Oct 31 through Nov 14, 2025

Career Center

VP of Finance & Administration
The Church Initiative (GriefShare / DivorceCare), Wake Forest, NC (Hybrid)
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2025 · ECPA