August 2022 | WESTMONT, IL—James Bryan Smith has signed a contract with InterVarsity Press (IVP) to honor the life of his good friend Rich Mullins twenty-five years after Rich’s death with the release of a new edition of his devotional biography titled Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven. The book will release on February 7, 2023.

Andrew Peterson, recording artist and author of The God of the Garden, said, “Writing a book about someone who meant so much to so many is a daunting task but one that James Bryan Smith has accomplished with a great deal of passion and wisdom. This book is a gift to all of us who miss having Rich in this world, and it will be a treasure to those who are just discovering who he was.”

Beloved contemporary Christian musician Rich Mullins lived his life with abandon for God, leaving the spotlight to teach music among a Navajo community. An accident cut his life short in 1997, but his songs and ragamuffin spirit continue to teach many.

In honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Rich’s homegoing, this edition of Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven delivers an intimate look at the experiences that sparked praise hit songs and the values behind his Christlike candor. James Bryan Smith captures just what Rich wished for when he said, “I hope I would leave a legacy of joy—a legacy of real compassion.”

See the layers of his story through reflections from friends and family, an afterword by Rich’s brother, David Mullins, and Smith’s own bond with him. David said, “James Bryan Smith did with Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven what Rich did with his life. He was able to tell a story about a man but really tell a story about God.”

James Bryan Smith is the author of The Good and Beautiful Series. He is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. A founding member of Richard J. Foster’s spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches.

Smith was represented by Kathryn Helmers of Helmers Literary Services.

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

“The Shell Collector” Nancy Naigle Adaption to be Released on September 1^st as First of Four Original FOX Nation Films

NEW YORK – August 16, 2022 — FOX Nation, FOX News Media’s direct to consumer streaming service, is set to release its first original film, marking the platform’s entry into in-house movie production, announced John Finley, Executive Vice President of Development. On Thursday, September 1^st, FOX Nation will premiere “The Shell Collector,” a feature film based on a bestselling title by author Nancy Naigle. Over the course of the next year, the streaming service will roll out three additional original films with the next release tied to the holiday season.

In making the announcement, Finley said, “Since launching less than four years ago, FOX Nation has established itself as a go-to destination for lifestyle and entertainment programming. I’m thrilled to share our expansion into film production and Nancy Naigle’s The Shell Collector is the perfect fit for our first title.”

Produced in association with Cartel Pictures, FOX Nation’s “The Shell Collector” will star Caitlin Clark, Christopher Russell, and Jennifer Higgin in a heartwarming story about a widow, Amanda Whittier, with two children who befriends some interesting characters in her small seaside town as she looks to forge ahead with her new life following the death of her husband. Throughout the journey, three friends find encouragement in the most mysterious places, discovering a love that’s bigger than their pain, healing their wounded hearts in ways none of them could have hoped for or expected.

“The Shell Collector” is adapted from bestselling author Nancy Naigle, who has developed a dedicated following over the years for her deeply moving small-town love stories mixed with suspense. With over 30 titles in print, including “What Remains True,” “Recipe for Romance,” and “The Christmas Shop,” Naigle is a USA Today bestselling author who began her debut contemporary romance series, “Adams Grove,” while juggling a career in finance and life on 76-acre goat farm. Several of her holiday titles have been developed into movies for The Hallmark Channel, including “The Secret Ingredient” and “Christmas Joy”. “The Shell Collector” debuted on the Evangelical Christians Publishers Association (ECPA) Bestseller list at number 20.

FOX Nation is a direct-to-consumer on-demand streaming service designed to complement the FOX News Channel experience with a members-only destination for its most passionate and loyal super fans. Featuring more than 5,000 hours of content, the subscription service includes conservative opinion programming, lifestyle, and entertainment content, as well as historical documentaries and investigative series from a multitude of FOX News personalities at a cost of $5.99 a month/$64.99 a year. Launched in 2018, FOX Nation is available at foxnation.com and via app for iOS devices, Android devices, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, FuboTV, Vizio TVs, and Samsung TVs as well as DIRECTV, YouTube TV, Comcast Xfinity, Cox Contour and The Roku Channel.

Bellingham, WA | August 29, 2022—Lexham Press and Anchor Distributors are pleased to announce a partnership. Effective August 26, Anchor Distributors will provide distribution and fulfillment services for Lexham Press. Anchor Distributors will be the exclusive, authorized distributor for the sale of Lexham titles to all Christian markets, all ABA trade bookstores/general market, and all other distributors nationwide.

Kim Shurley, associate publisher, Marketing & Sales at Lexham Press shared, “we are thrilled about our partnership with Anchor Distribution and the excellent team on staff. Anchor will provide the fulfillment we need for our diverse catalog and we are confident they will provide professional and efficient service to our customers. Anchor has a proven track record of successful performance, and—with them supporting our entire catalog—we’re looking forward to great growth and success.”

“We are so pleased and excited to welcome Lexham Press back into the Anchor Distributors family of partner publishers,” says Karen Fulton, Director of Operations at Anchor Distributors. “We are confident that our warehousing and distribution services will assist them in expanding their reach in North America and beyond. Our dedicated distribution team delivers timely and accurate order processing capabilities from our expansive warehouse which will enable Lexham Press to provide the best possible customer service to their valued customers.

Lexham Press is committed to excellent publishing that loves the church, loves the faith, and loves the Word, drawing from the Christian tradition and the global church to provide resources for pastors, scholars, parents, and students of the Bible. As part of the Faithlife Corporation (the makers of Logos Bible Software), Lexham Press seeks to increase biblical literacy, thoughtful reflection, and faithful Christian action around the world.

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.

Media: Lindsay John Kennedy – Publicity Strategist – lindsay@lexhampress.com

SPCK is pleased to announce that it will become the sole sales and distribution partner for Lexham Press in the UK and the European Union (EU). Lexham Press titles will be available from Wiley Distribution Services from 15th January 2023.

The partnership offers an opportunity to increase visibility and sales of Lexham Press books in the UK and EU, reinforcing SPCK as the go-to publisher for quality Christian content for booksellers. Lexham joins Crossway, IVP USA, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press and Kregel as a US publisher represented by SPCK in the UK and EU.

Rowan Miller, Head of Sales at SPCK, said, “SPCK is delighted to be taking on the representation of Lexham Press titles. The titles that Lexham publish are truly outstanding, and a perfect fit for church and academic markets in the UK. The mission of Lexham to increase biblical literacy around the world aligns powerfully with SPCK’s own vision to transform the world through the promotion of Christian knowledge. We are excited to see Lexham Press titles connect with readers and change lives”

Kim Shurley, Associate Publisher Marketing & Sales for Lexham Press, concurred, saying, “We couldn’t be more pleased to have such focused and respected representation of Lexham titles in the UK and EU. With Lexham’s diverse catalogue, we are confident SPCK will provide professional, efficient service and exposure to maximize our availability and sales. We are grateful for SPCK’s work and privileged to be welcomed into their catalogue. Together we will deliver outstanding service to the Christian retail products industry and consumers around the world.”

For all UK & EU enquiries about Lexham Press titles from 1st September 2022, please contact sales@spck.org.uk.  

For orders from 15th January 2023: trade@wiley.com and +44 (0) 1243 843291

About SPCK: The SPCK Group (SPCK, IVP) is the UK’s leading Christian book publishing organisation. Its vision is a world where everyone is transformed by Christian knowledge, and its mission is to lead the way in creating books and resources which help everyone to make sense of faith. The SPCK imprint is a broad-based imprint seeking to publish the very best Christian books. SPCK’s subsidiary Inter-Varsity Press specialises in Christian evangelical books. The acquisition of Lion Hudson in 2021 added world-leading expertise in publishing and selling co-editions of colour children’s Bibles and reference products under the SPCK roof. SPCK is a charity founded in 1698 and governed by a royal charter. SPCK’s patron is Her Majesty the Queen, and its president is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

About Lexham Press: Lexham Press is committed to excellent publishing that loves the church, loves the faith, and loves the Word, drawing from the Christian tradition and the global church to provide resources for pastors, scholars, parents, and students of the Bible. As part of the Faithlife Corporation (the makers of Logos Bible Software), Lexham Press seeks to increase biblical literacy, thoughtful reflection, and faithful Christian action around the world. To learn more, go to https://lexhampress.com/.

New imprint invites authors ages 10-24 to submit their books to the newest End Game Press imprint.

Memphis, TN, August 2022 – When acquisitions editor and author Hope Bolinger first started writing in high school, she realized there were very few opportunities for younger authors. She sought to change that.

Eight years later, at the age of twenty-five, she partnered with End Game Press (EGP) to create an imprint for younger authors and illustrators. Any author or illustrator—between the ages of 10 and 24—is invited to send submissions to the newest EGP Imprint, Generation Hope.

“Generation Hope recognizes that young writers not only have something important to say—but they truly understand their audience. They’re living the same experiences as the very people they write to,” says founder Hope Bolinger.

Generation Hope has acquired its first title, Brynn and Amir and the Magic Map, a fun chapter book with the heart and humor of The Magic Treehouse series in which two characters travel to another country, through the help of a magical map, and learn about a different culture. Written by fourteen-year-old Anna Cook, the book is full of real-to-life characters, charming humor, and beautiful descriptions.

Generation Hope intends to publish two to four titles each year.

Submissions to Generation Hope will open to young writers soon. Keep an eye on the End Game Press website (www.endgamepress.com) for more details.

“I’ve always been told that once someone has brought me forward that it’s always important to reach back,” Bolinger says. “This is me reaching back, doing what I yearned for back in my teenage years. And this is also me bringing forward a generation of beautiful, talented, and worthy writers. I can’t wait to hear what their stories have to say and share.”

Hope Bolinger is a Managing and Acquisitions Editor at End Game Press, and Founder of Generation Hope. More than 1,300 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids to HOOKED to Crosswalk.com. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies, and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Twenty of her books are under contract or out now with traditional publishers, and she hopes more of her stories will find a home soon. She has also contributed to ten other books. Find out more about her at hopebolinger.com.

Bolinger is available for interviews on topics including:

• Young writers in the publishing industry
• Writing to children, tweens, and teens
• Running a publishing imprint at a young age
• Work-life balance between working as a publisher and a writer
• Why we need to hear stories from the next generation

Media Contact: Kayla Duerstock, PR@endgamepress.com

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Suggested Interview Questions for Hope Bolinger, Generation Hope:

• How did you get the idea for Generation Hope?
• Did you come up with the imprint’s name? Tell me about that process and its meaning.
• Why did you choose Brynn and Amir for the first title for Generation Hope?
• What do young writers have to offer the publishing industry that others do not?
• What are your goals for Generation Hope?
• What kinds of authors and books are you seeking for Generation Hope?
• How do you balance your writing with running an imprint?
• Where can our readers/listeners find out more about Generation Hope?

EGP’s Inaugural Year Sees Many Wins

Memphis, TN. August 2022 – It’s one thing for a publisher to release a steady stream of titles in its first year. But for nine authors to place and final in 16 different contests in the publishing industry? Almost unheard of. Enter End Game Press (EGP).

Founder and director of EGP, Victoria Duerstock is excited to see industry recognition for her authors and their work—from board books to adult nonfiction titles—they are all winning accolades.

The contests include: the prestigious Golden Scroll Book Awards, the Christian Market Book Awards, the Selahs, the Illumination Book Awards, the Firebird Book Awards, and the Independent Book Publishers Association Awards to name a few.

Michelle Medlock Adams, author of more than 100 books, placed and finaled in 13 different contests with her first EGP title, Dachshund Through The Snow. That picture book, which features a heartwarming story about a little dog with a big heart and fabulous illustrations from Ana Sebastian, has earned 10 first place awards, five second places, and two Book of the Year honors since its release less than a year ago.

“We are so pleased to see our first books continuing to win awards and recognition in the marketplace both for their design and content,” Duerstock shared in a social media post. “Thank you for supporting us as we work to create beautiful books that will make an impact out into the marketplace.”

EGP Award winners and nominees include Nancy I. Sanders (Bedtime with Mommy), Victoria Duerstock (Guard Your Heart, Revived & Renovated—with coauthor Paige Rien), Bethany Jett (Navigating Minefields—with coauthor Victoria Duerstock), Michelle Medlock Adams (Dachshund Through The Snow), Caris Snider (Anxiety Elephants for Tweens), Josie Siler (Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw), Melanie Redd (Just Rest), and Lisa Lorraine Baker (Someplace to Be Somebody).

End Game Press continues to work hard to produce beautiful, meaningful books. By the end of 2023, EGP will have 45 books in the marketplace. Duerstock is hopeful that all future titles will also win awards, but more than anything, she is determined to publish books that make a great, positive impact in the world today.

Media Contact:  Kayla Duerstock, PR@endgamepress.com

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Suggested Interview Questions for Victoria Duerstock, Founder and Director of End Game Press:

• How surprised were you that so many End Game titles received so many awards and nominations?
• What is it about End Game Press books that make the publishing house really stand out in the marketplace?
• What is the value of entering contests in the publishing industry?
• What books are you releasing soon that you anticipate could also potentially accrue industry recognition?
• Are contests an important strategy for End Game Press?
• What do you hope these contests will communicate to readers and potential buyers about End Game?

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) August 26, 2022 — Jeremy and Jinger Vuolo (with illustrator Naomi C. Robinson) have released their first children’s picture book through WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. YOU CAN SHINE SO BRIGHT (ISBN: 9781546013815) released on August 23, 2022. Based on the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5, the message of the book shows children what living by faith looks like.

From their experience appearing on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On, the Vuolos are known for living out their faith and family values. With this release, they hope to now bring those values to the next generation.

“You Can Shine So Bright! has a singular message,” says Jeremy Vuolo, “that through the love of Jesus you can make a huge impact in the world.” The book is dedicated to their daughters, Felicity Nicole and Evangeline Jo. “Evy Jo is into the pictures,” says Jinger. “Felicity is enjoying reading about the different scenes. We wanted it to be a book that captivated kids, so to see our two little girls get so into it is exciting.”

“Our children are watching us,” Jinger continues. “They are learning primarily from their experience of our actions. It’s our desire to teach them profound truth in a simple way, and then to show how that truth affects their parents lives and can affect theirs as well.”

Even small actions can have a big impact. The book shows how sharing toys, picking flowers for a neighbor, and waiting patiently in line are all ways to demonstrate God’s love and grow to be more like Him. The final verse of the book shares that desire:

“God, help me to be more like you. I really want to be. I want to let your love shine bright, for all the world to see.”

YOU CAN SHINE SO BRIGHT is now available wherever books are sold. For publicity inquiries and review copy requests, please contact Cat Hoort at Catherine.Hoort@hgbusa.com.

New program, Lehman Tribute Collaborations and Yvonne Lehman Award Announced at the 2022 Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference.

Black Mountain, NC – In partnership with Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and Lori Marett, the new program, Lehman Tribute Collaborations and Yvonne Lehman Award will help raise up writers new or fairly new to the publishing world. The announcement of this new program was made during the 2022 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRCMWC) at Ridgecrest, North Carolina.

The award winner will be announced each year at BRMCWC during the awards program. First copies of said winner will be available the following year at BRMCWC, followed by a release to the public one month after the conclusion of the conference unless it conflicts with the July 4 holiday.

The first two years of the program will be dedicated to using unpublished material of Yvonne Lehman as selected by her daughter Lori Marett and a staff member from Iron Stream Media (ISM). After two years, ISM reserves the right to expand into nonfiction, YA, children’s, or other genres for consideration in the program. The leadership team at ISM will determine the selection of unpublished work beginning in year three.

Eligibility for the award will include authors who have published three books or fewer through a non-traditional avenue or who are unpublished. Publication in an anthology or compilation through a traditional house will not eliminate an author from participation if the author has otherwise only published in a non-traditional manner. Traditionally published authors are not eligible.

Award applicants will submit original unpublished material to a designated email address (i.e., lehmantributecollaborations@ironstreammedia.com). Each year, submissions will open on the night of the announcement. The deadline each year will be the second Monday of July, with the exception of the first year. Submission guidelines are available at https://lehmantributeaward.ironstreammedia.com/, including genre of the work (i.e., thriller, romance, etc.) along with additional details.

Entrants will also submit a 100- to 150-word essay that shares their personal feelings about the contest and why they’re entering. Deadline: First year: October 1, 2022. Subsequent years: second Monday of July (for example, July 10, 2023)

Iron Stream Media will not retain rights to any submission and is not committed to offering feedback on a submission. An ISM employee designated by the ISM leadership team will distribute entries to the following judges no later than the second Wednesday of each July, with the exception of the first year, which is listed below.

First round judges (October 5 to November 2)*

• Lori Marett, daughter of Yvonne Lehman
• Eva Marie Everson, award-winning author
• Senior Editor at ISM, Susan Cornell
• Acquisition Editor for ISM Harambee Press, Edwina Perkins

An ISM employee designated by the ISM leadership team will distribute three finalists to the following judges no later than the fourth Friday of each July.

Finalists (3) (November 14 to November 23)*

• ISM CEO & Publisher, John Herring
• ISM Chief Creative Officer, Suzanne Kuhn
• ISM COO, Bradley Isbell
• Director of BRMCWC, Edie Melson

*Dates are for 2022 only

About BRMCWC
The mission of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is to inspire writers to connect with God, other writers, and industry professionals as they embrace their calling with excellence.Their mission is to encourage writers and would-be writers to courageously step out and follow the call of God. https://www.blueridgeconference.com/

About Iron Stream Media
Making disciples as we go. Iron Stream media derives its name from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  This sharpening describes the process of discipleship, to one another. Iron Stream Media provides a variety of solutions for churches, missionaries, and nonprofits that include in-depth bible study curriculum, Christian book publishing, and consultative series. Iron Stream Media is the home of Iron Stream Books, Brookstone Creative Group, Iron Stream Kids, Iron Stream Harambee Press, and Iron Stream Fiction. Through the popular Life Bible Study imprint, they also provide web-based year and short -term Bible study teaching plans as well as printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum.  https://www.ironstreammedia.com/.

For More Information: 
Lori Heiselman, Lori@BiscuitMediaGroup.com, 714-553-5181
or Callie Daruk, Callie@BiscuitMediaGroup.com, 615-308-5638

Bestselling author Lauraine Snelling shares a heartfelt story of friendship when three friends take a hilarious and meaningful trip to Florence, Italy

NASHVILLE, TN – Bestselling author Lauraine Snelling’s latest novel is packed with friendship, grief, and travel gone awry, three friends take their dream trip to Florence, Italy in memory of a beloved woman who has passed away.

As the last will of a close friend is read, three women discover that they have inherited a legacy from her: the funds to take a dream trip to Florence, Italy, in her memory. With plenty of hilarious travel mishaps along the way, this book is a story of deep friendship, of making room in our lives to celebrate and remember, of grief, of the realization that friendship keeps the memory alive, and the sweet discovery of unexpected romance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauraine Snelling has been writing since 1980, with over 65 books published, both fiction and non-fiction, historical and contemporary, for adults and young readers. She received a Career Achievement Award for inspirational fiction from RT Book Reviews and her books consistently appear on CBA bestseller lists. A hallmark of her style is writing about real issues within a compelling story. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons and live in the Tehachapi Mountains in California with a Bassett Hound named Sir Winston.