Messy Hope by Lori Wildenberg recently won the Gold Award from Reader Views. The award recognizes the most creative and exciting new books. Reader Views is an organization dedicated to helping independent authors navigate the publishing world. Their awards program is designed to help level the playing field for independent authors and small presses by providing recognition for these books.

Wildenberg’s book provides hope to parents who have had a child struggle with depression or anxiety. Understandably, a parent’s fear for the well-being of a child will skyrocket if they have heard the following words:

“I’m such a failure.”

“No one cares about me.”

“I haven’t felt happy for a long time.”

“I don’t want to live anymore.”

How can parents offer hope when they are terrified themselves?

With suicide being the second leading cause of death in young people and depression and anxiety becoming the new normal, instilling hope for a future may sound impossible. However, in Messy Hope parent and family educator Lori Wildenberg, along with her daughter Kendra, explore practical steps that parents can take. More than a self-help book, Messy Hope offers a lifeline to parents to help their child overcome depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and experience a hope-filled life.

About the Author:
Lori Wildenberg, mom of a daughter who has wrestled with depression, is passionate about helping parents help their children navigate a messy life. Lori is a licensed parent and family educator, national speaker, and author or coauthor of six parenting books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home and The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections.

The Southern Christian Writers Conference (SCWC) awarded Peggy Wirgau’s debut novel, The Stars in April, a 2022 Notable Book Award for best in the Children’s/Young Adult Category.

Published in March 2021 with Illuminate YA, an imprint of Iron Stream Media, The Stars in April tells a fictionalized account of the true story of teen Titanic survivor and Michigander, Ruth Becker. “Centered on a historic event that so many find interesting, The Stars in April is an incredible book for readers of all ages, and we knew retailers would be intrigued,” says Bradley Isbell, COO for Iron Stream Media, New Hope Publishers, and Life Bible Study.

A School Library Journal Starred Review and Product Review in The Old Schoolhouse® magazine, wrote this about the novel: “go-to resource for homeschoolers” and has helped bring this book to the attention of educators.

“We absolutely loved it,” says middle school teacher Carol Stathakis, at Our Shepherd Lutheran School in Birmingham, MI. “Near the end, I was so teary that I had to hand off the read-aloud to a student while I regained my voice. After the final sentence was read, the class erupted in spontaneous applause.”

About the Author
Peggy Wirgau loves true stories from the past and writes through the eyes of ordinary people in history who faced extraordinary challenges and became heroes. Like Ruth s family in The Stars in April, Peggy hails from Michigan. She and her husband have two adult children and split their time between Michigan and Florida. www.peggywirgau.com

To book Peggy Wirgau for interviews or to request review copy,
please contact Kim McCulla at Kim.mcculla@ironstreammedia.com.

Ada, Mich. (March 30, 2022)—Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman has reached a significant sales milestone, with more than 100,000 copies sold. Revell has been the exclusive publisher of Freeman’s trade books for more than a decade.

“Emily’s gift for bringing soul practices with spiritual depth into the fabric of everyday life is extraordinary,” says Andrea Doering, editorial director for Revell. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating this significant sales milestone with her, as we aim to reach even more readers with her transformative messages.”

Emily P. Freeman is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of five books, including The Next Right Thing. In addition to her nationally ranked podcast, The Next Right Thing, with more than 15 million downloads, she is a Residency Lecturer at Friends University.  Her writing has been featured in Today Parents, Christianity Today, and Patheos.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Holly Scheevel, (952) 829-2555, hscheevel@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Carol Stream, Ill. — (April 1, 2022) — You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type by Daniel G. Amen, MD, which released on March 22, 2022, from Tyndale Refresh, quickly skyrocketed to bestseller standing.

In its release week, the title debuted at #3 on the Publishers Weekly Bestsellers and #4 on the Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists, both in the hardcover nonfiction category. It also debuted at #21 on USA Today’s bestselling books list, spanning all categories.

In You, Happier, Dr. Daniel Amen shares that happiness is a brain function. With a healthier brain always comes a happier life.

He reveals the seven neuroscience secrets to becoming more than 30 percent happier in just 30 days—regardless of your age, upbringing, genetics, or current situation. After studying more than 200,000 brain scans of people from 155 countries, Dr. Amen has discovered five primary brain types and seven neuroscience secrets that influence happiness. In You, Happier, he explains these findings and offers practical, science-based strategies for optimizing your happiness.

Of this bestselling release, executive publisher Jan Long Harris shares, “The success of You, Happier makes us very happy because it offers so much practical help to those who want to become happier and healthier, which is almost everyone. It’s packed with information that readers can use to improve their brain and feel better as a result.”

Dr. Daniel Amen’s mission is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. He is dedicated to providing the education, products, and services to accomplish this goal. Dr. Amen is a physician, adult and child psychiatrist, and founder of Amen Clinics with 10 locations across the United States. Amen Clinics has the world’s largest database of brain scans for psychiatry. He is the founder of BrainMD, a fast-growing, science-based nutraceutical company, and Amen University, which has trained thousands of medical and mental health professionals on the methods he has developed. In addition, he has produced 16 national public television shows about the brain, and his online videos on brain and mental health have been viewed over 300 million times. Dr. Amen is a 12-time New York Times bestselling author. His books include Change Your Brain, Change Your Life; The End of Mental Illness; Healing ADD; and many more.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Katie Dodillet, katiedodillet@tyndale.com.

Host of Saved by the Barn and Founder of Barn Sanctuary Authors pens, “This Farm Is a Family”

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The founder of Barn Sanctuary and star of the popular Animal Planet series Saved by the Barn Dan McKernan is releasing the new children’s picture book This Farm Is a Family (April 5, Zonderkidz) to bring awareness to the plight of rescued farm animals and to teach kids about compassion and helping others during hard times.

In 2016, McKernan left his six-figure tech job in Austin and returned home to rural Michigan. McKernan turned his family’s historic, 140-year-old farm into a sanctuary for animals. Barn Sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates farmed animals in-need and has saved 400 animals. Currently, 114 residents reside on the 70-acre property. Farmed animals are historically the most mistreated group of animals.

“As a former computer developer, I was always stuck behind a screen. I was unhappy, and I really wanted to make a difference in the world,” says McKernan. “When my dad called me and asked what to do with the family farm, I decided to trade my good living for a great life. The fresh air, walking on the earth, and the animals have transformed me. Barn Sanctuary saved me.”

In This Farm Is a Family the well-loved rescue animals at Barn Sanctuary decide to help Buttercup the cow who is having difficulty adjusting to her new home. Despite Buttercup’s resistance and fear, the animals rally together to show Buttercup love. The animals help Buttercup discover that she’s now part of their family.

“This picture book shares a powerful message about family and it’s another way we can educate children on the ways we can show compassion to all creatures,” says McKernan.

The book is featured in the spring issue of Jesus Calling Magazine.

About Dan McKernan: Dan McKernan is the founder of Barn Sanctuary and star of the popular Animal Planet series Saved by the Barn. In 2016, McKernan left his tech job in Austin, Texas, to transform his family’s 140-year-old farm into a safe haven for farmed animals. That safe haven is Barn Sanctuary. Author of a forthcoming children’s book, This Farm Is a Family, McKernan’s mission, through the work of Barn Sanctuary, is to change the way the world views farmed animals and help lead society towards a more compassionate and plant-based lifestyle.

Dan Social Media:

• TikTok: @danmckernan; 336K followers LINK
• Instagram: @danmckerna; 228K followers LINK
• Facebook: @danbarnsanctuary; 87K followers LINK
• Twitter: @danmckernan; 75K followers LINK

Barn Sanctuary Social Media:

• Website: barnsanctuary.org
• Facebook: @thebarnsanctuary; 558K followers LINK
• Instagram: @barnsanctuary; 165K followers LINK
• YouTube: @barnsanctuary; 92K subscribers LINK
• Twitter: @barnsanctuary; 30K followers LINK

Media contact: Jennifer VerHage, jennifer@poisedpublicrelations.com

Author of 18+ books, former agent joins the growing publisher

Memphis, Tenn., March 2022 – We’re often told that young people have no initiative. That they don’t want to work and have no drive. But 24-year-old Hope Bolinger seeks to undermine  generational stereotypes. Starting with joining End Game Press (EGP) in her dream role, a fiction acquisitions editor.

Bolinger has almost 10 years of industry experience, her most prominent role before this as a literary agent. During her time at the Cyle Young Literary Elite, LCC agency—starting agenting at 20 years old—Bolinger managed to land clients 70+ book deals, many at some of the largest houses in the industry.

In addition, Bolinger is a writer herself. Almost 20 of her books have found a home as well as 1200+ of her other works ranging from award-winning plays, poems, articles, and more. Her writing is seen by millions of readers each year.

But Bolinger’s passion ever since she was 16 was to be an acquisitions editor. “I saw how people of different ages were treated in the industry—both young and old. And I wanted to change that. To give more opportunities to people.”

Bolinger is seeking to expand the EGP fiction line in the genres of clean romance, historical, YA, MG, thriller, suspense, mystery, and women’s fiction.

In addition to acquiring titles, Bolinger works with the authors through all stages of editing, manages titles set for publication, and provides additional work in other areas at EGP.

“It’s been an absolute dream come true. This press is truly doing amazing things, and I’m so happy they invited me along for the ride.”

Media Contact: Hope Bolinger, hope@endgamepress.com

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Suggested Interview Questions for Hope Bolinger: 

• What are some ways ageism plays a big role in the publishing industry?
• How is EGP different from other publishers you have worked with at the past?
• What is your favorite part about your role as Managing & Acquisitions Editor at EGP?
• What types of books grab your attention in the submissions inbox?
• Where do you see the fiction line going in the next few years?
• Where can we learn more about you and about End Game Press?

Memphis, Tenn., March 2022 – While some authors might call it a day and simply rest on their laurels after winning hundreds of literary awards and achieving millions of books sales on more than 100 titles, Michelle Medlock Adams is just getting started.

“Honestly, I feel like everything I’ve experienced, and everything I’ve been blessed to accomplish over the past 20 years in the industry, has prepared me for such a time as this,” she said. “I am so excited to introduce Wren And Bear Books to the world.”

The launch of Wren and Bear Books, a specialty children’s book imprint by Michelle Medlock Adams in partnership with End Game Press, is the culmination of years of experience and expertise in the book business. Michelle brings her unique style and special touch in putting together a list of books that will encourage a child’s faith, provide fun within its pages, and cause a child to look at a familiar subject with new eyes. Thus, her imprint’s tagline is “Faith, Fun & Fascination.”

Coupled with beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose and poetry, Wren And Bear Books will launch its first four titles in 2023.

“My list will have board books and picture books specifically for the Christian market, as well as titles that will cross over into the general market,” Adams explained.

Adams named the imprint after her oldest grandchild from each daughter, making this whole experience even more special. Though she had always dreamed of someday having her own children’s book imprint, Adams shared that she never expected to realize her dream alongside one of her best friends in the publishing world. But that’s exactly what happened when Victoria Duerstock, owner of EGP, asked Adams to start her own imprint.

“I am thrilled,” Adams said. “I cannot thank Victoria Duerstock enough for believing in me and cheering me on in this new venture.”

More information about Wren And Bear’s upcoming titles will be announced soon, but readers can keep up with Adams’s newest venture in publishing here: www.wrenandbearbooks.com

Media Contact: Hope Bolinger, hope@endgamepress.com

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Suggested Interview Questions for Michelle Medlock Adams

• When did you know that you wanted to lead a children’s book imprint?
• How is Wren And Bear Books different than other picture book publishers?
• How has some of your past industry experience helped you in this role?
• What types of books grab your attention?
• Where do you see the imprint going in the next few years?
• Where can we learn more about you and about Wren And Bear Books?

The 2022 program will award in four categories, and invite art directors from submitting publishers to participate in judging panel.

Submission period opens April 15 through August 15 with winners announced at ECPA PubU in Nashville this Fall

APRIL 4, 2022, TEMPE, ARIZ. – The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) will celebrate the 10^th year anniversary of the industry’s premier award program for book design, the Top Shelf Book Cover Award – with special program features and events this year.

The 2022 program will now award designs in four categories: Non-Fiction, Fiction, Bibles, and Children’s.  In the past, judges chose the top designs, regardless of category.  Last year, the Top Shelf Award was presented to a record number 30 covers.  Of those, three were Children’s books, two were Bibles, and the rest were Non-Fiction.  This change will allow judges to highlight the best designs in each genre.

In addition, this year’s judging process will feature top designers from each submitting publisher, who will be invited to cast a ballot in each of the four categories (though votes cannot be cast for their own designs).  Thus, each submitting publisher is asked to appoint a designer to participate in the judging process.

“This special anniversary year of the Top Shelf Awards gives us an opportunity to have the industry celebrate the industry,” explained Jeff Crosby, ECPA president. “We wanted to invite the designers who work all year in Christian publishing designing works of excellence to be part of the process.” As in the previous ten years, the judging criteria will focus on the appropriateness for the market, level of conceptual thinking, and quality of execution.

The submission period will be open April 15 through August 15 for titles published from June 2021 to August 2022.

Torrey Sharp, principal of Faceout Studios and program advisor, suggests this key strategy for determining what covers to submit:

“The biggest advice I can give is to curate a submission list during the year as books release. Then when the submission period opens, run each possible submission through the award criteria: appropriateness for the market, level of conceptual thinking, and quality of execution.”

A unique aspect of Top Shelf is that each selection is accompanied by a judge’s comment. This helps inform everybody why certain winners rise to the top.  Winners will be announced in a special session at ECPA PubU on November 16 at Lipscomb University in Nashville.  ECPA is already working on how to showcase the award’s history within the context of larger design trends over the years.  In addition, ECPA PubU will feature a Design track of six sessions for industry designers – to network, learn, and discuss together the latest topics in design.

Reflecting on the award and ECPA’s commitment to showcasing beautiful and effective design, Torrey expressed:

“I’m grateful to be part of an ECPA community that is striving to produce meaningful and beautiful books. The Top Shelf Award program has given ECPA a vehicle for celebrating beauty, validating the work of artists and designers and encouraging excellence in every facet of what we do.”

PROGRAM LINKS:

• For more information on the Top Shelf Book Cover Award program, visit TopShelfAward.org.
• For Top Shelf submission information, visit ECPA.org/page/bookcovercriteria
• To receive news and updates on the award program, sign up here.

The ECPA Top Shelf Award program is managed by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) in order to recognize design excellence in the Christian publishing industry. Through programs, events, communications, recognition and research, ECPA strengthens publishing communities within the industry.  The ECPA Design E-Community, PubU Design training sessions, and Top Shelf Awards are among several ECPA-driven opportunities that designers have to network, stay informed, and be recognized within the industry. For more information on the Top Shelf Book Cover Design Award program, visit TopShelfAward.org.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org

Media contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA President and CEO, ECPA, 480-966-3998, jcrosby@ecpa.org
Cindy Carter, ECPA Recognition Manager, 480-966-3998, ccarter@ecpa.org

CHICAGO, IL – Effective February 1, 2022, Moody Publishers is pleased to announce the promotions of Randall Payleitner and Trillia Newbell.

Randall Payleitner has been appointed to Publisher at Moody Publishers. Randall started at Moody Publishers in 2005 after studying Creative Writing and World Religions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Over the years, he has done some marketing/copywriting work, developmental editing, acquisitions, and most recently he has served as the Editorial Director and Associate Publisher. He is also a graduate of the Moody Theological Seminary.

“Randall is an extraordinary leader and strategist. He brings the perfect blend of wisdom, vision, and publishing expertise to the house, while prioritizing both mission and performance,” says Paul Santhouse, VP of Publishing at Moody Publishers. “I’ve seen Randall investing whole-heartedly in team members, authors, and industry partners alike. It’s truly a privilege to learn from and serve with him on behalf of our readers.”

Trillia Newbell now serves as the Director of Acquisitions at Moody Publishers. Trillia published her first book United with Moody Publishers in 2014 followed by Fear and Faith in 2015. Since then, Trillia has continued to publish with Moody including two Bible studies (If God Is For Us and A Great Cloud of Witnesses), a kids’ chapter book, Creative God, Colorful Us, and the upcoming 52 Weeks In the Word (Nov 2022). After eight years at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC serving as the Director of Community Outreach, Trillia joined the Moody team as an acquisitions editor in 2022. For Trillia, joining the team at Moody was like coming home to a place where her words have been handled with care and enthusiasm.  She is honored to serve and lead the team of capable acquirers into the future of publishing.

“It’s a true privilege to have Trillia Newbell leading our acquisitions team. She brings spiritual wisdom, a deep understanding of church and culture, and a great respect for our authors. Trillia’s commitment to serving our readers well is noteworthy. I’ve learned much from her and am delighted to have her leading this crucial team,” says Paul Santhouse, VP of Publishing at Moody Publishers.

For more information about Moody Publishers, please visit www.moodypublishers.com or call 800-678-8812.

About Moody Bible Institute:  Moody Bible Institute is a higher education and media ministry that exists to equip people with the truth of God’s Word to be maturing followers of Christ who are making disciples around the world.  Moody is best known for its education branch, which includes a fully-accredited undergraduate school and seminary, as well as distance learning.  Other primary ministries include Moody Radio and Moody Publishers.

CONTACT:  Kathryn Eastham, Kathryn.eastham@moody.edu

 

CLC International has a presence in 43 countries with bookshops and publishing houses, including Hungary, Poland, and Romania. With the influx of Ukrainian refugees to these countries, CLC felt led to minister to the refugees with books. Their heart is to get excellent quality books and Bibles into the hands of the refugees, including the children. They began consulting with their licensing partners, like Riggins Rights Management and Josh McDowell Ministries, for suitable titles.

Nadiyka Gerbish, European and Nordic Rights Director for Riggins Rights Management, provided a list of several Ukrainian books licensed as potential ministry projects for CLC. Nadiyka lives in Ukraine and has fled to Poland, so she understands the refugee situation and publishing.

Blotch, a Tale of Forgiveness and Grace by Andy Addis and Illustrated by Tatio Viana (B&H Publishing Group) was on the list. CLC had already licensed a few languages of this delightful parable for children that teaches the gospel story. It was selected as one of the first titles to print. B&H agreed to waive all royalties for the book to be distributed free for ministry purposes to the refugees. In cooperation with Levit Publishers, the Ukrainian licensee of the book, CLC became a co-edition partner and will print 15,000 copies.

Their other priorities for CLC are to print 100,000 copies of the Gospel of John, 60,000 copies of More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell, and 10,000 copies of a bilingual Ukrainian-Polish Bible for Children.  CLC was also able to bring more than 5,400 children’s Bibles for different ages across the border into Poland to distribute through partnering churches and Christian organizations.

They also plan to publish My Name is Miriam by Nadiyka Gerbish (Vivat Publishers), as Nadiyka is also a best-selling Ukrainian author. It’s a book about a Middle Eastern girl, Miriam, who becomes a refugee in a European country. At Christmastime, she learns a story of another refugee child, Isa, whose mother’s name is just like her own, Miriam. (Isa in Middle Eastern pronunciation stands for Jesus, and Miriam – for Mary).

Riggins Rights Management is also working with another publisher to provide New Growth Press counseling mini-books in Ukrainian and Polish on grief, suffering, anxiety, and other emotional and spiritual issues.

Will you join us in this vital ministry?

Since all these projects are ministry-driven, not commercial, CLC receives donations through their USA office. All gifts are tax-deductible. There are two ways to donate to CLC’s efforts:

1. Send a check to “CLC Ministries International” and include a note saying, “for Ukrainian Publishing Project.” Mail the check to CLC Ministries International, Box 1449, Fort Washington, PA 19034.
2. Make the payment online for the Ukraine Project at: https://clcusa.org/urgent-need-for-ukrainian-refugees/

Riggins Rights Management continues its GoFundMe campaign for the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of Ukrainian refugees.  Some of the funds collected will support these publishing projects in cooperation with CLC and other publishers. https://www.gofundme.com/manage/Help-Ukraine-Refugees-in-Ukraine.

For further information, contact:
Gary Chamberlin, International Director, CLC International, gbchamberlin@gmail.com
Cindy Riggins, President, Riggins Rights Management, cindy@rigginsrights.com