Dressed in Love Press has contracted with Terrance Niedziela Jr. for a speculative series for the Young Adult Christian fantasy market. Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire & Lightning released on May 19, 2026, and is the first installment in an exciting, clean speculative fiction series designed to entertain, build rich and memorable worlds, and introduce unforgettable characters who remind readers that God is always at work, even in the most unexpected places.

About the Book:  Sometimes God leads us through fire before revealing the lightning within. Dr. Michael Jenkins thought his greatest battles were behind him. After surviving a terrorist attack that changed his life forever, he returns home determined to heal and reconnect with family. Instead, he is pulled into the mysterious realm of Aras, a world unlike anything he has ever known.

There, danger lurks in the shadows, powerful forces stir, and the line between courage and fear grows thinner with every step. As Michael struggles to survive in this unfamiliar land, he begins to understand that his scars may hold purpose, his trials may carry meaning, and his faith may be the key to something far greater than he imagined.

Adventure awaits. Purpose calls. Faith endures.

Terrance Niedziela Jr. grew up in Wisconsin, USA. He started writing books in the 4^th grade, and that passion continued into adulthood. He received his BS in Ancient Middle East History with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and an MA in English and Creative Fiction Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. His fiction has earned a first-place Foundation Award at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, a Fiction Carolina Christian Writers Award, and a second-place Florida Tapestry Award. He enjoys spending time with his wife, watching cartoons, reading, being in nature, and seeing his students’ light bulbs turn on. He currently lives in South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Shauna, and their dogs. He teaches English to middle schoolers, writes speculative fiction as well as devotions for The Man Cave blog on Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’ website. In 2024 and 2025, his devotions were included in published devotions.

Dressed In Love Press is a faith-based publishing company dedicated to sharing stories that inspire, heal, and uplift. Rooted in Christian values, it focuses on meaningful works across genres like Christian living, romance, suspense, and children’s literature — all with the goal of spreading hope and love through storytelling.
More information can be found at:  DRESSED IN LOVE PRESS | Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes

Media Contact:  To request additional review copies or an interview with Terrance Niedziela Jr, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.   

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Nashville-based boutique publisher Rabbit Room Press has notched its biggest book launch to date with the history-making success of Galahad and the Grail, the debut volume in British poet and priest Malcolm Guite’s epic poem cycle, Merlin’s Isle: An Arthuriad. Landing in the Top 50 on Amazon’s overall “Best Sellers in Books” chart last week, Galahad and the Grail is currently sold-out in Amazon’s U.S. store.

Unprecedented demand for preorders made Galahad and the Grail a near sell-out even before its April 20 release and propelled the title to a Top 15 debut on Publishers Weekly’s “Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction” chart. With undisputed proof that Guite’s fresh take on Arthurian legend has found deep resonance in the Digital Age, Rabbit Room Press is looking ahead to the second of four volumes in the Merlin’s Isle series, The Coming of Arthur. Slated for release November 2, the forthcoming work has already generated presales in excess of 2,000 books.

“I recognized early on that with Merlin’s Isle, Malcolm Guite was attempting something historic, something that only happens once in a generation,” explains Rabbit Room Press publisher Pete Peterson. “We’re in a cultural moment in which a lot of people are looking to the traditions of the past to give meaning to the present, and Malcolm’s work fulfills that desire wonderfully, it’s rooted in a kind of storytelling tradition that’s been nearly lost, and yet is incredibly relevant to our 21st century experience—we’re hungry for grace, courtesy, leadership, ecological restoration, connection to the land, and ultimately to the Source behind all those things. Malcolm is able to package all that up in a way that’s incredibly fresh and alluring.”

In addition to Guite’s newly minted bestseller, Rabbit Room Press boasts the top-selling Every Moment Holy series by Douglas Kaine McKelvey; Glad & Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester; Jonathan Rogers’ The Wilderking Trilogy; and Randall Goodgame’s Scripture Hymnal, among numerous other acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles.

Rabbit Room Press is part of The Rabbit Room, a multi-faceted creative community birthed in 2007 by award-winning singer/songwriter and author Andrew Peterson. Inspired by a visit to C. S. Lewis’ home in Oxford, England, Peterson launched The Rabbit Room with a mission to create and curate stories, music, and other expressions of art to nourish the life of Christ-centered communities. Headquartered in a 150-year-old farmhouse in Nashville, Tennessee, since its inception nearly two decades ago The Rabbit Room’s scope has grown to include Rabbit Room Press, the Rabbit Room Podcast Network, Rabbit Room Theatre, a bookstore, and live events like the popular Hutchmoot conference held annually in both the U.S. and the U.K.

For further information, visit merlinsisle.com, rabbitroompress.com, or turningpointpr.com.  

May 12, 2026 — SPCK Group has secured global rights to produce a new and Anglicised edition of The Message bible.

Wendy Grisham, Deputy CEO of SPCK Group, acquired world rights from Tyndale House Publishers who represent NavPress, the publisher of The Message bible. SPCK’s Anglicised version of The Message bible is due to be published in March 2029.

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, translated by Eugene Peterson, was produced as a way of making the Bible’s meaning direct, immediate, and accessible to modern readers. Endorsed by Bono, Stu G — lead guitarist of Delirious — and Alpha Course pioneer Nicky Gumbel, former vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, the original edition of The Message bible has sold an estimated 20 million copies since it was first published in 2002.

The Message translation conveys the ideas, tone, rhythm, and narrative force of scripture by using the contemporary language of daily life, and prioritises sharing the meaning, clarity, and impact of the Bible in its original languages over literal, word-for-word equivalence.

SPCK Group’s new, Anglicised edition of The Message bible features endorsements from acclaimed British pop star and gospel & worship singer-songwriter Yazz, who included the original Message translation of The Lord’s Prayer in her gospel album Running Back To You (2008), and Sarah Yardley, theologian, writer and lead pastor at Emmaus Road, and will offer a fresh, faithful rendering of Eugene Peterson’s beloved original translation, adapted for UK readers and other English-speaking audiences beyond North America.

Since its original publication, The Message bible has been expressed in contemporary American English, drawing on US idiom, spelling, and cultural references. SPCK’s Anglicised edition will carefully replace Americanisms with British linguistic equivalents, ensuring the text reads fluently and naturally for readers and speakers of British English, while remaining faithful to Peterson’s distinctive voice and mission.

The project will also seek to update some terms and expressions where appropriate to reflect changes in language since the work was first published in 2002. In addition, SPCK will collaborate with NavPress to ensure ongoing theological clarity and resonance in keeping with scholarly feedback over the ensuing decades.

The result will be a revitalised Anglicised edition of The Message that retains the immediacy, accessibility, and pastoral warmth of the much-loved original edition, while offering a version better suited to UK readers and the wider global English-speaking church.

Wendy Grisham, Deputy CEO of SPCK Group, says, “I am delighted that SPCK Group has secured global rights to produce an Anglicised edition of The Message bible. For decades, The Message has transformed the spiritual lives of millions through its direct and accessible translation of the Bible, and it is a true honour to be part of this new stage in its legacy. With UK Bible sales reaching their highest point on record in 2025, we are confident that SPCK’s Anglicised version of The Message bible – which caters directly to speakers and readers of British English – will allow the word of God to reach even more people in the UK and wider English speaking world”.

Rob Hare, Bible Publisher for SPCK Group, says, “Eugene Peterson’s original vision for The Message was to stand at the intersection of two worlds – the language of the Bible and the everyday speech of contemporary readers. TheMessage has helped countless people rediscover the sweeping story of Scripture. We are delighted to be developing a British text edition of The Message, introducing even more readers to the biblical story at a time of renewed interest in theBible.”

Olivia Eldredge, editor of The Message bible for NavPress, says, “Eugene was a scholar of biblical languages, but his heart for this bible was always as a pastor. Now he has become a pastor for the world. This Anglicisation from SPCK is an extension of his invitation for readers to come to the scriptures in a fresh way.”

SPCK Group Deputy CEO Wendy Grisham, and Bible Publisher Rob Hare are available for interview.

Press contact:
Emily Beater, Publicity Manager for SPCK Group
ebeater@spck.org.uk
Phone: 020 7592 3900

 

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“I am delighted that SPCK Group is producing a new, Anglicised edition of The Message, and for the incredible opportunity this will create for people across the UK and wider, English-speaking world to connect even more deeply with the God of all creation.”
— Yazz, acclaimed British pop artist and Christian singer-songwriter.

“I’m thrilled to see this Anglicised edition bringing a vibrant expression of The Message for a generation more open to Scripture than ever before. Read it, enjoy it, feast on truth, and allow this book to be the one that reads you.”
— Sarah Yardley,  theologian, writer, and Lead Pastor at Emmaus Road.

May 19, 2026 — SPCK Group’s The Lion Baby Bible by Antonia Woodward has been awarded Gold in the Religion category at the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Book Awards 2026.

The IBPA Book Awards (formerly the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards) are among the most highly regarded honours in US independent publishing. The awards are administered by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) with help from over 170 book publishing professionals including librarians, bookstore owners, reviewers, designers, publicity managers, and editors. One Gold and two or three Silver awards are announced in each category, which — alongside Religion — include Biography & Autobiography, Disabled Communities, Business & Career, Black / African-American Communities, Self-Help, and more.

The IBPA Book Awards describes The Lion Baby Bible as:

“An ideal gift for newborns, christenings, and baptisms, this beautifully illustrated first Bible introduces 45 Old and New Testament stories. Simply retold with key truths about God’s love, it invites parents to share precious moments, explore faith, and delight in wonder-filled illustrations with their child.”

Antonia Woodward, author of The Lion Baby Bible says:

“It is a huge honour for my Lion Baby Bible to have received gold at the IBPA awards! Thank you to everyone at SPCK who nurtured and enabled this book into being. My greatest hope is that the words and pictures will plant deep seeds of faith in both children and their grown-ups, as they ponder on the beauty and truth of these timeless stories.”

Deborah Lock, Children’s Publishing Director at SPCK Group, says:

“We are thrilled that The Lion Baby Bible by Antonia Woodward has won Gold at the IBPA Book Awards 2026. This is a fantastic recognition of the exquisite detail, creativity, and beauty that Antonia has brought to the book through words and illustration, and the warmth and care with which she conveys God’s love to young readers. With Bible sales hitting their highest point in 2025 in the UK, we are passionate about ensuring that SPCK Group’s children’s imprints continue to publish bibles that truly resonate with children and their families around the world”.

Press contact:  Emily Beater: ebeater@spck.org.uk

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 1, 2026—Harper Collins Christian Publishing today announced that Susan Ligon, former principal of Ligon Group Consulting, will become the VP and publisher for W Publishing Group, a part of Thomas Nelson. In this role, Ligon will lead the acquisition and editorial strategy and oversee marketing for the nonfiction imprint, reporting to Don Jacobson, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. She will also be responsible for maintaining relationships with the strong roster of current W Publishing Group authors, in addition to discovering and growing new Christian voices in the market.

Ligon has worked in the industry for over thirty years, starting her publishing career at Word Publishing as a publicist and rising quickly through the ranks to VP of Marketing. For more than two decades, Ligon and her literary branding firm, Ligon Group, have managed some of the foremost brands in Christian publishing, including Max Lucado, Louie Giglio, Jennie Allen, Ruth Chou Simons, John Eldredge, Jesus Calling, and others.

The W Publishing imprint publishes nonfiction works at the epicenter of the Christian faith, creativity, and culture. Some recent successes include New York Times bestselling authors Dr. David Jeremiah, John Bevere, Savannah Guthrie, Louie Giglio, and Sarah Jakes Roberts. Previously published classics include mega-sellers Heaven Is for Real and Same Kind of Different as Me as well as Reverend Billy Graham’s publishing catalog.

“Having started my publishing industry journey at the historically significant Word Publishing, it is an unbelievable honor to now come full circle as VP and Publisher of W Publishing Group,” said Ligon. “I look forward to leading this exceptional team into the next phase of impact and success as we carry forward the legacy of W.”

Jacobson said, “I have had the privilege of working closely with Susan over the past seven years and have tremendous respect for both her leadership and her heart for authors and readers. Susan brings a rare combination of strategic insight, publishing excellence, and relational wisdom to everything she does. She is deeply committed to serving authors well, building healthy teams, and creating books that genuinely impact people’s lives. Susan leads with clarity, integrity, and vision, and I am excited to see her step into this important role with W Publishing. I believe her leadership will both honor the imprint’s strong heritage and help guide it into an exciting future.”

Ligon will begin her leadership of W Publishing Group on June 15.

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing
HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) is the world’s leading Christian publisher and home to renowned brands Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. It also operates various digital platforms, including FaithGateway, ChurchSource, and Bible Gateway—the world’s largest Christian website. HCCP specializes in bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, children’s books, academic resources, curriculum, gift books, audio, and digital content crafted for the Christian market. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with an office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, HCCP is part of HarperCollins Publishers. For more information, visit HarperCollinsChristian.com.

About Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com

Media Contact:
Franny Blanchard
franny.blanchard@harpercollins.com

May 21, 2026 — HarperCollins Christian Publishing has announced the following promotions:

Doug Lockhart is stepping into the new role of SVP, Business Development. Doug has done an outstanding job identifying and closing many of HCCP’s recent acquisitions, and his strategic vision has been instrumental in shaping our future. In this new capacity, Doug will focus on initiatives that drive growth and position HCCP for long-term success. Mark Warner and Russ Casenhiser will continue to report to Doug in support of continued growth initiatives.

Robert Bedenbaugh has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Trade Sales, for HCCP and HCF, reporting to Mark Schoenwald, President and Chief Executive Officer, HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Robert has been with HCCP for nearly 16 years, holding various roles, including managing key CBA accounts and overseeing the Amazon business. He became Vice President of Sales in 2021, successfully leading the Online Sales division, including Amazon, Christianbook, and all digital accounts. Under his leadership, online business has more than doubled since 2020. His direct reports will include Sally Driscoll, Sandy Harris, Wren Franklin, Ayannah Mers, Cami Miller, and Rod Schumacher.

Ayannah Mers has been promoted to Vice President, Online Sales, overseeing the Online Sales group. Ayannah joined HCCP in 2010 and played a key part in building the digital business. Since 2018, Ayannah has been part of the Amazon team and participated in the channel’s growth. In 2021, she advanced to Sales Director, taking on leadership of the Amazon team, and was most recently promoted to Senior Director of Sales. Patty Curtis, Nick Gilbert, Brad Poel, and Paul Vought will report to Ayannah.

Paul Vought has been promoted to Sales Director, overseeing the Amazon business. Paul has been with HCCP for almost ten years, beginning as a Telesales Representative before being promoted to Telesales Lead. In 2019, Paul joined the Custom Sales team as Sales Manager, where his analytical and problem-solving skills proved instrumental in improving efficiencies and revenue. Since joining the Online Sales team in 2021, Paul has consistently delivered strong results across the Amazon business, driving double-digit growth, improving returns, and strengthening deal performance. Laura Fernandez will report to him.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 27, 2026 — Cook Media Global, parent company of David C Cook Publishing, is pleased to announce Brock Eastman’s promotion to vice president and associate publisher of children’s media & The Action Bible brand.

Eastman brings 17 years of publishing and five years of organizational experience to this expanded role. He joined David C Cook in 2021 as director of digital product development and most recently served as senior director of The Action Bible brand.

“Brock’s experience and passion for storytelling, coupled with his desire to create meaningful content for kids and families, equips him well for this position,” said Linda Howard, executive publisher at David C Cook.

Eastman will continue to report to Howard and will lead the vision and direction for David C Cook’s children’s media efforts, while expanding The Action Bible brand. His responsibilities include working with teams on publishing strategy, product development, brand growth, marketing, sales, global licensing and new opportunities to reach children and families through books and media.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, collaborate and build alongside a talented team,” said Eastman. “There is a real opportunity in children’s media right now to serve kids and families in thoughtful, creative ways, and I’m grateful for the chance to be part of that.”

A published author himself, Eastman brings firsthand perspective as both a storyteller and a parent of four. His career has included work in product marketing, children’s and parenting content, and brands such as Adventures in Odyssey. He approaches the work with creativity and care, always mindful of the lasting impact content can have on young readers.

“What continues to motivate me most is hearing how God uses content to draw children and families closer together and to Him,” added Eastman.“I’m grateful to play even a small part in that work.”

Nashville, TN – June 1, 2026 – Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, proudly announces the signing of Platinum-selling songwriter, artist, and cultural voice John Mark McMillan for his forthcoming debut book, Flirting with Enchantment, slated for publication in Spring 2028. Thoughtful, poetic, and spiritually resonant, the book explores faith, creativity, meaning, and the search for wonder in modern life through a collection of reflective prose and personal observations drawn from McMillan’s artistic and spiritual journey.

Widely recognized for his genre-defying music and poetic lyricism, McMillan has spent more than two decades cultivating a devoted global audience with songs that wrestle honestly with faith, beauty, longing, and the human experience. His writing brings that same thoughtful voice to the page, inviting readers into a contemplative exploration of Christian spirituality, creativity, meaning, and the search for a deeper life in an increasingly distracted world.

“For much of my life, songwriting has been a way to make sense of the world and my place in it,” said McMillan. “Writing this book feels like a new adventure, but it’s also a continuation of the conversations I’ve been having for decades through music. My hope is that these reflections help people rediscover the world as a spiritual place and find language for the deeper things they’ve been feeling all along.”

World rights were acquired by Paul Pastor, Executive Editor at Nelson Books.

“John Mark is a brilliant voice whose words are already beloved by millions. It is only natural that his creativity, insight, and thoughtful faith have the opportunity to be expressed in a book. Nelson Books is honored to be working with him on his literary debut, ” said Pastor. 

John Mark McMillan is a Platinum-selling songwriter and artist known for his thoughtful, genre-bending body of work and enduring influence on modern faith and culture conversations. Best known for the song “How He Loves,” McMillan has released multiple critically acclaimed albums throughout his career, cultivating a global audience drawn to his poetic exploration of spirituality, creativity, and the human experience.

About Nelson Books
Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is an industry leader in Christian nonfiction publishing. Nelson Books publishes a diverse array of leaders, experts, and creatives, crafting biblically informed and spiritually fresh books from a Christian perspective that enliven, educate, and encourage readers. The Nelson Books roster of bestselling authors includes Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, Tim Tebow, John Mark Comer, John & Stasi Eldredge, Jennie Allen, Jefferson Bethke, Bob Goff, Ruth Chou Simons, Tyler Staton, Jason Wilson, Christine Caine, and Zach Windahl.

Contact:  Lisa Beech, HarperCollins Christian Publishers, Lisa.beech@harpercollins.com

 

MAY 29, 2026 — Bethany Press Chief Operating Officer Zac Larson received the Rising Star Award from the Book Manufacturers’ Institute at the organization’s 2026 Spring Management Conference in Portland. The award recognizes emerging leaders in the book manufacturing industry who have made significant contributions to both their companies and the industry as a whole.

Larson stepped into a demanding role early in his career, succeeding a longtime colleague with nearly 50 years of experience at Bethany Press. In just three and a half years, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and adaptability. Since joining the company, Larson has mastered estimating, prepress operations, enterprise software systems, and Bethany’s internal information infrastructure.

He also introduced 3D printing technology into Bethany’s operations, developing practical solutions for replacing hard-to-source parts and creating design specifications for gears, shafts, and other critical production components. His ability to identify innovative, cost-effective solutions has strengthened operational efficiency across the company.

When Bethany Press installed a new HP inkjet press, Larson spent a week at HP’s Oregon campus studying both the hardware and software systems behind the equipment. That investment in technical knowledge helped improve production efficiency and maximize the capabilities of the new press.

Beyond his technical accomplishments, Larson has become a trusted resource across nearly every area of Bethany’s operation. Colleagues regularly rely on his expertise, problem-solving ability, and willingness to support others — qualities that have made him an invaluable part of the company’s continued growth and success.

About Bethany Press
Bethany Press is a book manufacturing company with a long history of service to the Christian Publishing industry.  For more information or to learn more about their offerings, please contact info@bethanypress.com.

About the Book Manufacturing Institute
The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) focuses on all aspects of book manufacturing through programs, conferences, interaction with other members, . The members of BMI have been providing leadership, council, and direction to companies who make up the book manufacturing supply chain for over 85 years. This provides great value to our members in that the

Children’s book by Marine Corps captain and Team USA bobsled pilot Riley Tejcek read to local students in Colorado Springs as the nation marks its 250th anniversary with a summer of literacy.

NESBIT, Miss. — May 29, 2026 — End Game Press is delighted to share that its children’s title If You Can Dream It, Be It by Riley Tejcek was featured at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs on Thursday, May 28, 2026, where Second Lady Usha Vance read the book aloud to a group of local students as part of her Summer Reading Challenge. Vance was joined for the reading by two-time Olympian and six-time world champion wrestler Adeline Gray.

The event was widely covered by national and broadcast media — including the Colorado Springs Gazette, KRDO, KOAA, and KKTV — and was featured by USA Wrestling on its verified Instagram account (@usawrestling), where the organization shared photos of Vance reading the book alongside its world champion Adeline Gray, captioned “A little wrestling and a lot of storytime.” The reading helped kick off the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge, a nationwide initiative launched to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary that encourages children to read 12 books between June 1 and September 4, 2026.

If You Can Dream It, Be It is an inspirational picture book that tells the true story behind the career of its author, Riley Tejcek — an officer in the United States Marine Corps and an Olympic bobsled pilot for Team USA. The book invites early readers to consider their own limitless potential, touching on athletics, military service, community service, and the courage to take chances. Its themes of perseverance, patriotism, and possibility resonate naturally with a national summer of reading tied to the country’s 250th anniversary.

A message from the publisher
“We believe in the power of a single book to help a child imagine a bigger future,” said Victoria Duerstock, Founder of End Game Press. “Childhood literacy is one of our passions, and we are honored that If You Can Dream It, Be It could play a part in the Second Lady’s Summer Reading Challenge as families across the country celebrate America’s 250th year. Riley Tejcek’s story shows young readers that service, sport, and big dreams can all live in one life — and that’s a message worth sharing this summer and well beyond.”

Availability
If You Can Dream It, Be It (hardcover) is available now through major retailers and online booksellers, and is distributed to the trade through Ingram. Booksellers, schools, and libraries may order through their standard wholesale channels. The title is well suited for summer reading lists, classroom and library collections, and patriotic and sports-themed displays throughout the 250th-anniversary season. For trade, school, and library ordering inquiries, contact End Game Press at the address below.

About End Game Press
End Game Press is an independent traditional publishing house based in Nesbit, Mississippi, in the Greater Memphis area, publishing books across its imprints including Wren & Bear and Lil’ Liberty Books for children. The press is committed to quality storytelling that informs, inspires, and uplifts readers of all ages. Learn more at www.endgamepress.com.

Media Contact:
Victoria Duerstock
End Game Press, LLC
victoria@endgamepress.com
www.endgamepress.com