Carol Stream, Ill. (March 4, 2022) — Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) announced today that Jodi Benson, Disney Legend and original voice of Ariel in the Disney classic The Little Mermaid, has penned her memoir, Part of My World, to release in September.

Beyond her best-known work as the voice of Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jodi Benson also gave voice to Barbie in Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 2 and 3, and delighted Disney fans with a cameo in Enchanted before reprising her role as Ariel in Ralph Breaks the Internet. She made her starring-role debut on Broadway performing “Disneyland” in Smile, and she earned a Tony nomination as Polly Baker in Crazy for You. In 2011, Disney bestowed upon Jodi their highest honor, naming her a Disney Legend. Jodi continues to share her gift, entertaining audiences across the country and around the world.

In Part of My World, Benson takes readers on a magical journey from a Midwestern town to the bright lights of Broadway and the recording booth where she brought to life one of the most beloved Disney princesses of all time. A treasure trove of colorful characters and unforgettable anecdotes, Part of My World reads like a real-life fairy tale as a girl with a big voice and even bigger dreams sets out on the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, Jodi shares lessons she’s learned about faith, friendship, love, loss, taking chances, making mistakes, following God’s call, and chasing your dreams.

Written with warmth, humor, and disarming vulnerability, Part of My World is a captivating glimpse behind the curtain at the making of one of the most celebrated animated movies of all time, and a must-read for Disney fans of all ages.

“Every now and again, a book comes along that makes me just keep pinching myself because I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to publish it,” says Sarah Atkinson, publisher of the Tyndale Momentum nonfiction imprint. “Part of My World is that book! Working with Jodi Benson is a dream come true, and her memoir is every bit as delightful as she is—it’s sparkly, witty, fun, full of backstage stories and ‘you’ll never believe it’ showbiz moments. Disney, Pixar, and Broadway fans will be enchanted by her tales! And at the same time, Jodi shares—with candor and vulnerability—the hard times and missteps that have been part of her journey, and how she’s trusted God to turn ashes into joy through it all. I am so thankful that Jodi has entrusted Tyndale with her story, and I cannot wait for readers to experience this book and become part of Jodi’s world.”

Paige O’Hara (the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast) contributes the foreword in Benson’s upcoming release, and legendary Disney composer and songwriter Alan Menken endorsed the book by saying, “Jodi is a treasure on every level, both personal and professional. And we’re truly blessed that fate (through Howard Ashman) made her a part of our world and allowed her to occupy such a precious position in all of our lives. It is so special for her to write this book and share her experiences.”

Jodi Benson’s debut release will be supported by a significant marketing budget as well as a national media tour. Tyndale has acquired world rights, in all languages.

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

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.

Award recognizes Keller’s outstanding contribution to the Church as author, pastor and theologian, honoring the impact of his published body of work.

Award will be presented on May 3^rd in Philadelphia during ECPA Awards Celebration

MARCH 7, 2022 – Tempe, Ariz. – The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announces today that they will present New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller with the industry’s PINNACLE AWARD for the outstanding contribution of his writing, with significant impact to the Church and society at large. The award will be presented to Keller at the ECPA Awards Celebration on Tuesday, May 3 in Philadelphia during the ECPA Leadership Summit.  He will accept the award virtually amidst an in-person audience of Christian publishing leaders.

Timothy Keller has written more than 35 books, published by a variety of companies, with some co-authored by his wife Kathy.  His published body of work represents a variety of categories including apologetics, biblical studies, theology, prayer, devotionals, marriage, Bible study, the Church, and cultural engagement – with sales exceeding 7.5 million units and translated into more than 25 languages.

His first trade book, Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road (now in its third edition), was published by P&R Publishing in 1997. Keller’s breakthrough book The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism, was published by Dutton in 2008 and catalyzed a series of bestselling books to follow, including The Prodigal God, The Meaning of Marriage, Every Good Endeavor, and Center Church.  A recent book Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference, co-edited with John Inazu, features essays by Tish Harrison Warren, Sara Groves, Trillia Newbell, Sara Groves, Rudy Carrasco and others capturing a vision for how we engage the hearts and minds of people with whom we may disagree, even deeply.

“There are four habits of the heart, then, that are required for a peaceful, mutually beneficial exchange of ideas between people who are deeply different,” Keller writes in his essay in Uncommon Ground. “Certainly, Christians need instruction and training in the Bible and theology, and in answering objections to skeptics. But if first and foremost the gospel of humility, patience, love and courage is growing in you, well, love will always find a way.”

Many of Keller’s readers would cite those four traits as indicative of his life and ministry through the church, and through books.

It is a distinct honor for ECPA to present the Pinnacle Award to Timothy Keller,” said ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “From his early works serving the local church to his breakthrough book The Reason for God through his more recent work on suffering and hope in times of fear, Keller has been a pastor not only to those at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, but to believers throughout the world through the power and grace and humility of his published works.”

For 28 years, Keller led a diverse congregation of young professionals at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. Today, Redeemer is a network of five churches and has helped to start hundreds of new churches around the world.  Christianity Today has said of Keller and his work, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”

His books and thought leadership have had an impact on the life of the church and individual believers in New York City, North America, and throughout the world that is incalculable. The following represent some of Tim Keller’s more notable titles:

• The Reason for God (Penguin Books)
• The Meaning of Marriage, with Kathy Keller (Penguin Books)
• The Prodigal God (Penguin Books)
• The Songs of Jesus (Viking)
• God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life, with Kathy Keller (Viking)
• Galatians for You (The Good Book Company)
• Galatians: Gospel Matters (The Good Book Company)
• The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness (10Publishing)
• Center Church (Zondervan)
• Ministries of Mercy (P&R Publishing)
• Uncommon Ground, co-edited with John Inazu (Thomas Nelson)

Timothy Keller is the fifth recipient of ECPA’s Pinnacle Award, the highest honor the organization bestows on an author or book. He follows Dr. Gary Chapman, Stormie Omartian, and 2021 honoree Max Lucado.

Tickets are now on sale for the ECPA Awards Celebration, held the evening of May 3 in Philadelphia, and featuring New York Times bestselling author Latasha Morrison and the presentation of the 2022 Christian Book Awards.  Industry leaders attending the ECPA Leadership Summit will already have the option in their registration forms.  For more information, visit ECPALeadership.org.

Timothy Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. For the first nine years of his ministry he was a pastor in the small town of Hopewell, Virginia. Following that he taught preaching and practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.  In 1989 Dr. Keller started Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, with his wife, Kathy, and their three sons. Today, Redeemer is a network of five churches and has helped to start hundreds of new churches around the world. In 2017 Keller moved from his role as senior minister at Redeemer to the staff of Redeemer City to City, an organization that helps national church leaders reach and minister in global cities worldwide. He is the author of God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life, Hidden Christmas, Making Sense of God, The Meaning of Marriage, Rediscovering Jonah, and The Reason for God, as well as On Birth, On Marriage, On Death, and Hope in Times of Fear, among others.  timothykeller.com  timkellernyc  @timkellernyc

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. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org  ECPA.org  @ECPA

Media Contact: Jeff Crosby, president, ECPA, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

HOW WE LOVE MATTERS: A Call to Practice Relentless Racial Reconciliation by ALBERT TATE
Foreword by Lecrae

How We Love Matters reimagines discipleship amongst believers and in the Church, begging us to acknowledge that racism has been discipled into the church. It didn’t show up by accident, and it won’t go away on its own.

Albert Tate proposes in; HOW WE LOVE MATTERS (FaithWords, March 8, 2022, ISBN: 9781546000532) that if we are all God’s Children then we need to create the space in the church a conversation on racial reconciliation. The church has been noticeably quiet when it comes to conversations on race and discrimination.  It is not an accident that racism is alive and well in the American church. Racism has, in fact, been taught within the church for so long most of us don’t even recognize it anymore. Pastor Albert Tate, a charismatic speaker and rising leader within the megachurch world, guides readers in acknowledging this fact and reimagines discipleship by encouraging siblings in Christ to sit together in racial discomfort and examine the role they may play in someone’s else’s struggle.

How We Love Matters is a series of nine moving letters, reminiscent of Dr. King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, about different aspects of American and Christian culture. In letters that include Dear Whiteness, Dear America, and Dear Church, Tate calls out racism in the world, the church, and within himself and his reader. The book not only educates and enlightens, but also reimagines discipleship in a way that flips the church on its head. It looks to the life of our savior Jesus Christ as less of a blueprint for how we should live and more as a clear instruction manual for how we need to treat and love one another as siblings and neighbors, regardless of differences like skin color, culture, language, or beliefs.

Tate believes that the only way to make change is by telling the truth about where we are—relationally, internally, and spiritually. How We Love Matters is an exposition of relevant Biblical truth, a clarion call for all believers to examine how they see and understand each other, and it is a way forward toward justice, reconciliation, and healing.

Albert Tate is a pastor, public speaker, podcast host and Mississippi native who accepted a call to ministry at 21 years old. Sunday night service Pastor and finally, to Intergenerational Pastor where he essentially functioned as a Teaching Pastor.

In 2011, Albert left Lake Avenue to found Fellowship Monrovia in Monrovia, California which has a loyal Albert’s speaking engagements have taken him all around the world. He now serves on the board of Azusa Pacific University and the advisory council of the Fuller Youth Institute. He is also deeply involved in international church planting and is a Co-Catalyst of LA Church Planting.

Albert hosts the Albert Tate Podcast and Good News Today, a live weekday morning devotional show with thousands of daily viewers. Albert is the teaching pastor at Willow Creek Church.

“Profound and compulsively readable.” —Silas House, author of Southernmost 

February 10, 2022 —Paraclete Press launches its new fiction imprint, RAVEN, with an important release for Mental Health Awareness month: The Book of Susan (ISBN 978-1-64060-767-5 | May 10, 2022 | Trade paperback | 224 pp | $18.00) by Melanie K. Hutsell. Author Melanie K. Hutsell lives with bipolar disorder, so The Book of Susan is more than a novel: it’s a mirror of the author’s own story.  

Hutsell offers a first person narrative of Dr. Susan Huffman, a woman whose mind has never failed her—until an ill-fated dinner party. Dr. Susan Huffman is wife to chancery court judge Samuel Ellison, mother to adorable Ian, and college professor on track for tenure. She’s a woman who has always lived by her mind, with a plan and a purpose. But then new-in-town Lorraine Davis accepts an invitation to Susan and Samuel’s home, and the mysterious visions begin. Is God warning Susan about this newcomer? And if so, how can she protect her circle of friends, her family, and her life as she knows it? The Book of Susan is the spare and sympathetic recounting of a journey—from derailment, to diagnosis, to the discovery of a lifetime. 

A native of east Tennessee, poet and novelist Melanie K. Hutsell has been learning to live with bipolar disorder for more than fifteen years. She holds a BA in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MA in English from Indiana University at Bloomington, and an MBA from East Tennessee State University. A lay member of the United Methodist Church, an avid reader, and music lover, she currently resides in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

For interviews with Melanie K. Hutsell or advance review copies of “The Book of Susan,” contact Publicist Rachel McKendree at rachelm@paracletepress.com. 

The past two years have taken a toll on humanity in ways that would have been unimaginable in the pre-pandemic world. The publishing industry especially has played an essential role in meeting the needs of a readership hungry for understanding and insight. At this crucial moment, Paraclete Press is pleased to announce its new fiction imprint: Raven.

Great fiction costs something––it costs the writer who makes it, and it costs those who read it. A great novel is willing to expose the dark side of human nature; it doesn’t skirt the issues of manipulation, power, injustice, oppression, jealousy, evil; it authentically gives texture and substance to characters that resonate with us as real human beings. Without darkness, there’s no light. Genres may vary. In every case, we appreciate stories of day-to-day realism but also mind-bending science fiction, stimulating fantasy parables, and nearly dehumanizing horror. These stories startle and perturb us into fresh realizations of truth in a complex modern world. Like a mirror, these stories reflect our lives, marked by doubt and pain, and engage our imagination, challenge our expectations, and throw us out of the familiar into the unknown and uncomfortable. Then we find ourselves surprised and awed—by new encounters, by hope and unexpected goodness, and by astonishing beauty.

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PRAISE FOR The Book of Susan by Melanie K. Hutsell
(ISBN 978-1-64060-767-5 | May 10, 2022 | Trade paperback | 224 pp | $18.00) 

“In The Book of Susan, Hutsell takes the mysteries of the highs and lows of bi-polar illness and skillfully intertwines them on the page. Written from the unique perspective of Susan—the one who discovers her diagnosis—it’s a page-turner of story and yet a book to be slowly studied for the genuine wisdom it reveals.”  —Katherine James, author of Can You See Anything Now? and A Prayer for Orion

“Profound and compulsively readable, The Book of Susan complexifies typical notions of Appalachia and offers us an unforgettable character in lyrical and accessible prose. Hutsell is a literary stylist who knows how to keep the reader in her grip.” —Silas House, author of Southernmost

“A riveting first-person account of a woman’s realization that she suffers from Bipolar I disorder. Hutsell’s protagonist accepts, overcomes, and reinvents her life through her newfound faith, discovered quite by accident due to the disease’s delusions. ‘God fled me on those days,’ she tells us when her illness begins to tear apart her carefully planned life. But Susan emerges transformed, and without sanctimony gives an account of the power of spiritual seeking to pick up the shattered pieces of life. Anyone who encounters a mental disorder in themselves or a loved one will be gripped by this powerful, raw, honest and intriguing voice.” —Rita Sims Quillen, author of Wayland 

 

New Kensington, PA, February 24, 2022 — Anchor Distributors is pleased to announce its agreement with Atlanta-based iDisciple Publishing to provide distribution and fulfillment services for some of the world’s most well-known Christian resources.

Since 2013, iDisciple Publishing has been leveraging its position in the marketplace as a leader in content, data, and technology to help others experience more moments with Jesus. Through its relationship with world-class authors, iDisciple Publishing provides an ever-growing sweep of compelling resources such as devotionals, Bibles, study guides, and non-fiction works. As an arm of the Giving Company, a global faith and family media network, iDisciple Publishing’s mission is to improve the personal and spiritual lives of people around the world by sharing the love of God with them.

“We are very excited about our new partnership with Anchor. We have a catalogue that represents high quality titles from well-known authors. Before Anchor, we did not have a method for getting this content into the independent retail market, as well as some big box retailers. Anchor will help us improve our reach and provide a better outcome for our authors,” stated David Henriksen, iDisciple’s President and CEO.

John Crowe, iDisciple Publishing’s Director of Operations, said this strategic partnership is a game-changer in terms of scale and scope. “Having the ability to quickly fulfill orders for a variety of partners while getting our extensive line of products in front of key customers was a no-brainer for us. Anchor’s easy-to-use, full-service website has allowed us to streamline and optimize our business in ways we haven’t experienced before.”

Karen Fulton, Director of Operations at Anchor Distributors, noted this move makes sense for the growth of iDisciple Publishing. “Now that they have fully transitioned their supply chain over to Anchor, we look forward to meeting the needs of future customers through this partnership.” She added, “Partnering with iDisciple Publishing means that Anchor is now a part of a worldwide movement to put an end to suffering in other countries, thanks to iDisciple’s giving partnership with World Vision and Crisis Aid.”

About Anchor Distributors
With headquarters just east of Pittsburgh, Anchor Distributors is part of Whitaker Corporation, which also includes Whitaker House, Whitaker House Español, and Word Alive, our Canadian distribution division. A Christian, family-owned business established in 1970, Whitaker Corp. is dedicated to proclaiming the gospel to the lost and flooding the world with life-changing media of eternal value.

Contact: Lisa Barch, Anchor Distributors, 800-444-4484 x.249, lisa@anchordistributors.com

February 2022 | WESTMONT, IL—Outreach magazine named Radiant Church as a 2022 Resource of the Year in the church category. Two additional titles, Lead Like It Matters to God and Tempered Resilience, made the shortlist for the “Also Recommended” resources in the leadership category.

The Outreach Resources of the Year aims to highlight valuable resources for church leaders and bring deserved attention to tools that can help churches better engage in effective outreach to share the gospel and reach their communities for Christ. This year’s titles address issues in evangelism, apologetics, the church, leadership, social issues and justice, among other concerns. The resources are featured in the March/April 2022 issue of Outreach magazine.

More than 150 resources published between November 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021, were submitted for consideration. An expert in each category evaluated the resources and chose what they considered to be the best. The experts also chose how many resources to recognize and whether to include any as “Also Recommended.”

Church 2021 Resource of the Year

Radiant Church: Restoring the Credibility of Our Witness by Tara Beth Leach was one of two titles Resources of the Year in the church category. Leach casts a vision for Christians to rediscover a robust, attractive witness and form the radiant communities God intends. Challenging idolatrous false images of God and calling out toxic patterns, she shows how we can recover a winsome picture of a kingdom of abundance and goodness.

Leach writes, “I pray that the church would begin to see, acknowledge, and name the bronze layers that are saturated with worldly beliefs and behaviors and flee from them. I pray that the church would know that we have not been destroyed—it’s not too late. I pray that we would reclaim, be renewed and revived, and allow the work of the Spirit to birth something new and radiant. Like the bronze statue, may the layers of our own systems that have hurt and harmed others begin to peel away, and may the lamp of truth, love, and righteousness be placed firmly on its pedestal and shine in all of its illuminating beauty. Not beauty for the glory of ourselves but for the glory and majesty of our King and Creator. May we shine in such a way that instead of hard lines in the sand being drawn, those who once felt excluded are now drawn to the radiant light of the church.”

“Also Recommended” Leadership Resources

Lead Like It Matters to God: Values-Driven Leadership in a Success-Driven World by Richard Stearns shares captivating stories of his life journey and unpacks seventeen crucial values that can transform leaders and their organizations. After stints as CEO of Parker Brothers and then Lenox, Stearns accepted the invitation to leave his corporate career to become the president of World Vision US, where he became the longest serving president in their seventy-year history.

Stearns shares the leadership principles he has learned over the course of his remarkable career. As a leader who has navigated both secular and sacred spaces, Stearns claims that the values Christian leaders embrace in their workplaces are actually more important than the results they achieve—that God is more concerned about a leader’s character than a leader’s success.

“This book is a rare treat—a fireside chat with a battle-tested Christian CEO who has led big organizations in both the secular and ministry worlds,” said John C. Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. “Rich Stearns offers a master’s-level course on leadership with faith as his north star. Embrace these seventeen leadership values and you will become a better leader and a better ambassador for Christ.”

In Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change Tod Bolsinger, also the author of the award-winning Canoeing the Mountains, writes, “To temper describes the process of heating, holding, hammering, cooling, and reheating that adds stress to raw iron until it becomes a glistening knife blade or chisel tip.” When reflection and relationships are combined into a life of deliberate practice, leaders become both stronger and more flexible.

Jim Herrington, cofounder of The Leader’s Journey: Coaching for Wholehearted Leadership, said, “Once again Tod Bolsinger has written a book for our times. With his incredible capacity for storytelling that allows principles to shine, in Tempered Resilience Bolsinger has spelled out a pathway for leadership and leadership development for this era of unprecedented change. This will become a classic that I’ll refer to over and over again.”

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles visit ivpress.com.

Contact:  Krista Clayton | 630.734.4013 | kclayton@ivpress.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation is proud to announce its recent publishing partnership with widely regarded Mignon Francois, CEO of The Cupcake Collection.

The inspirational autobiographical account will chronicle many of the pivotal moments of Francois’ life, including her triumphs and challenges as an entrepreneur, and her story of transforming a $5 cupcake order into a $10 million enterprise.

The Cupcake Collection is a Nashville-based, award-winning bakery, featured in numerous publications, websites, cable network channels, and television magazine shows, including the Today Show, the Cooking Channel, BuzzFeed, The Chew, USA Today, Black Enterprise magazine.

The driving force behind the woman who now runs a multi-million-dollar business has less to do with innovative marketing or business practices and more to do with the heart, mind, and spirit of the company’s founder/CEO.

In her upcoming book, Francois shares heartfelt stories about the roots of her successes—from her upbringing to the serendipitous connections she has made along the way. She provides reflections on her many challenges, as well as her tools for staying grounded in her faith.

Since Francois founded the bakery in 2008, she has ignited a movement for other businesses, and her “Follow Your Spirit” approach inspired her to create iconic flavors that continue to attract long lines of cupcake enthusiasts to this day.

Francois’ story is among the first to be given voice as part of R.H. Boyd’s return to book publishing. The company has worked with Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds and is scheduled to release a book on life lessons and wisdom truths learned while Mrs. Park was a guest at author H.H. Leonards’ home.

Since its founding in 1896, R.H. Boyd has taken seriously the charge to print, publish, and distribute resources with a targeted focus on African American communities.

“Our company has always served as a voice for the unheard and we see this continued expansion as a necessary next step in empowering each individual to take charge of their narrative and tell their story,” says Dr. LaDonna Boyd, fifth-generation R.H. Boyd president/CEO. “We need storytellers now more than ever who won’t allow others to speak for them.”

To learn more about R.H. Boyd, Mignon Francois’ inspirational book project, independent publishing, and stay updated on news and events, visit rhboyd.com and follow the company on social media @rhboydco.

Contact: Emmanuel LeGrair, marketing@rhboyd.com

 

A permaculture expert and wildly popular YouTube Homesteader, Justin Rhodes shares the skills and the delights of becoming a part of your own food story in this inspiring, accessible, and beautiful invitation to a more abundant, healthy, and connected life

Have you ever wanted to experiment with growing your own food but didn’t think you had the space, the time, or the knowledge? Justin Rhodes thought the same thing—until after years battling systemic illness and struggling to provide the kind of wholesome food he wanted for his family, he bought a seed packet at the grocery store and was hooked! Justin discovered the miraculous potential and empowerment of working with nature to grow food for his family, and since that discovery, he has shared his self-taught skills with hundreds of thousands of growers via his popular YouTube channel and website. Whether you’re looking for greater food security, better health, tastier food, to save or earn money, connect with your food source, this book is for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of life—a life focused on health and wellness—take a look down the road less traveled.

Looking for every opportunity to pass his hard-earned knowledge onto others, Justin Rhodes created this inspiring and practical invitation to growing your own food and experiencing a more connected, sustainable lifestyle, no matter where you live or how much space you have. Filled with beautiful and inspiring photographs from the Rhodes’ homestead and chock full of resources, including gardening plans, everything you need to know about raising chickens, tips for how to get your kids involved, and even recipes for how to serve up your home-grown goodness, The Rooted Life provides you with the inspiration, the encouragement, and the practical wisdom that you need to begin the journey to a more rooted life.

JUSTIN RHODES is a Permaculturalist, film producer, and author, teaching folks to work with nature to produce their own sustenance and live a more abundant life. Seasoned homesteaders, the Rhodes family has enjoyed many years of practicing “beyond organic” and permaculture methods on their 75-acre family farm near Asheville NC. Justin trained under the highly accredited Geoff Lawton of PRI Australia for his Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) and has studied natural chicken care under popular author, Pat Foremen. Abundant Permaculture was founded out of a love of teaching and the sustainable movement.

Contact: Katie Robison| Senior Publicist | Hachette Nashville | C: 917.538.1417 

The book is the latest addition to Smiley’s Average Boy™ line

Carol Stream, Ill. (February 14, 2022) — In alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Christian comedian Bob Smiley and Focus on the Family will release Average Boy’s Above-Average Year, a new fiction book for middle-grade readers (ages 8–12), on March 8, 2022. As they follow along with Average Boy’s hilarious antics and adventures through the school year, young readers will learn important biblical lessons that they can apply to their own lives.

Written with Smiley’s signature humor, Average Boy’s Above-Average Year is the latest addition to his popular Average Boy^TM line, which presents stories about a very normal boy (in some very funny situations) who comes up with a godly solution to any problem that arises. The Average Boy^TM line also includes a regular feature in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine, two devotionals, and The Official Average Boy Podcast.

Bob Smiley is a longtime contributor to Focus on the Family publications (Breakaway, Brio, Clubhouse, Clubhouse Jr.) and has been doing standup comedy for over 20 years, touring with such bands as the Newsboys, Third Day, and Toby Mac.

For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Mariah Franklin at mariahfranklin@tyndale.com.

Average Boy’s Above-Average Year by Bob Smiley
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-64607-058-9 | $12.99 | March 8, 2022
https://store.focusonthefamily.com/average-boys-above-average-year/

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

 

Nashville, Tenn. (February 15, 2022) — WTA Media has added Jenaye Merida as Publishing Manager and Literary Agent. During her last six years at B&H Publishing (part of Lifeway Christian Resources), Merida filled roles in author relations as well as publicity and marketing strategy. She also served as a product spokesperson across platforms such as QVC, Amazon Live and on both sides of the microphone for popular podcasts.

Brian Mitchell, President of WTA Media, welcomes Jenaye Merida to the WTA and EMF publishing family: “Jenaye is an ideal addition to our book publishing program. Her broad experience and strong relationships make her a great match for our mission, providing positive, encouraging content for Christian readers.” WTA Media, a division of Educational Media Foundation (EMF), represents and assists authors, writers and filmmakers in developing books, films and related products for Christian consumers.

WTA Media’s Director of Publishing, Dave Schroeder, comments: “Jenaye’s skill set is unique. She understands the publishing process, from conception to promotion and sales, she deeply values relationships, and she is also fluent in Spanish. She’s the right person to help us bridge the CCM and literary worlds as we produce compelling books.”

“I am excited and honored to join the WTA Media and EMF Publishing team,” says Jenaye Merida. “I love being a part of creating and promoting books that impact people for Christ, and I am excited to partner with WTA Media and EMF Publishing to develop content that will serve both authors and publishing partners.”

EMF Publishing operating under the imprint K-LOVE Books, led by WTA’s team, is bringing multiple titles to market in early 2022. Lead titles include Mandisa’s Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy as well as Behind the Lights: The Extraordinary Adventure of a Mum and Her Family by Helen Smallbone (mother of Rebecca St. James and for KING & COUNTRY). EMF is proud to usher in K-LOVE Books’ first children’s title later this month: The Bible for Me – Bible Stories & Prayers by Mike Nawrocki and Amy Parker.

Educational Media Foundation (EMF) began as a single, nonprofit radio station in Northern California in 1982 and is now parent company to K-LOVE and Air1 – the nation’s largest contemporary Christian radio networks. With nearly 500 employees and broadcasting on more than 1,000 signals across all 50 states, EMF is also among the top 10 U.S.-based audio streaming companies.  EMF is also parent company to WTA Media (a leader in faith-based films and publishing), AccessMore (a growing faith-focused podcasting platform), K-LOVE Books and K-LOVE Films. The ministry continues to expand with the mission of creating compelling media that inspires and encourage audiences to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, please visit EMFbroadcasting.com.

K-LOVE Books is an imprint of EMF Publishing. Educational Media Foundation (EMF) is the parent organization of K-LOVE and Air1 radio and AccessMore podcasting.

WTA Media represents and assists authors, writers and filmmakers in developing books, films and related products for Christian consumers. WTA Media is a division of Educational Media Foundation (EMF), the parent company of one of the largest faith-based entertainment groups in the world.

Contact: Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, 832-247-9308, jana@mmpublicrelations.com