WESTMONT, IL—John H. Walton, a prolific author and professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School, has signed a three-book contract with IVP Academic. The first book, Faithful Interpretation, will release in Fall 2023.

“One of the newly contracted projects will lay out Professor Walton’s approach to interpretation comprehensively but accessibly, revealing the method behind his books,” said Jon Boyd, IVP Academic editorial director. “His hermeneutics (and his skill in explaining them) have been honed over many years not only in his books, articles, and commentaries but in the lecture hall and seminar room, so this should feel like an invitation to a master class in Old Testament interpretation. The other two projects will be new installments in the Lost World Series.”

Walton has authored or coauthored all six volumes that currently make up the Lost World Series: The Lost World of Adam and Eve, The Lost World of Scripture, The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest, The Lost World of Genesis One, The Lost World of the Flood, and The Lost World of the Torah. Walton’s two newly contracted books, releasing in 2024 and 2025, will include The Lost World of Prophecy and an additional Lost World book on Genesis.

Boyd said, “The genius of the Lost World series is that every new volume stands out and stands apart (since Walton zeros in each time on a different topic from somewhere in the Old Testament), and at the same time the books all fit into his interpretive master plan, starting with felt needs of readers and addressing them with facts and hermeneutical principles that shed true insight. I can’t wait to read what Professor Walton will have to say.”

Walton was professor of Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for twenty years and has taught church classes for all age groups, high school Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes. He also served as a teacher for “The Bible in 90 Days.” Some of his other books include Old Testament Theology for Christians, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament, The Essential Bible Companion, The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis, and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (with Victor Matthews and Mark Chavalas).

CHARLOTTE, NC– The Good Book Company is excited to announce a new addition to the bestselling Tales That Tell The Truth series for children. Written by Laura Wfiler, co-founder and co-author of Risen Motherhood, the book is titled Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer (The Good Book Company, September 2021). This beautiful Bible storybook, illustrated by the award-winning Catalina Echeverri, will teach kids how to pray.

Spanning the Bible from start to end, the book takes children on a journey from the start of the Bible story to the end. By showing kids God has always made a way for his people to talk with him, Wifler opens the way for kids to embrace access to God through Christ and get excited about talking to God about anything, anytime, anywhere.

Explaining why she approached the topic of prayer for kids by spanning Scripture, Wifler says, “Having three children of my own, I know how prayer can feel intimidating for children. Tracing prayer throughout scripture shows children they’re not alone in these feelings, but because of Christ’s work, they don’t have to be afraid to talk with God.”

Catalina Echeverri’s artwork serves to bring the concept of prayer to a level kids understand and delight in. TGBC EVP Publishing, Carl Laferton, notes, “The combination of Laura’s faithful yet simple writing and Catalina’s creativity have produced a book that will not only tell kids about prayer, but excite them to do it. I read this book to my kids last week and every single page drew them in, prompting a mixture of questions, laughter… and prayer.”.”

Wifler’s prayer for kids as they read this storybook together is that “they realize that talking with God is not just something reserved for dinner time or Sunday mornings—it’s for all the time. I hope they discover what I have found, that being able to talk with God anywhere, anytime about anything, is a beautiful gift.”

A suite of pre-order bonuses will also be available in July and August, including exclusive video content, a family prayer journal, and more.

An accompanying coloring and activity book can be purchased alongside the book.

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact: publicity@thegoodbook.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Wifler is the cofounder of Risen Motherhood and serves as the executive director and co-host of the podcast. She is the co-author of the bestselling book, Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope For Everyday Moments and the forthcoming children’s book, Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer (September 2021). Laura, her husband, and her three children live in central Iowa.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Catalina Echeverri is a Colombian freelance illustrator specializing in children’s books. She is based in London, UK, and illustrated the bestselling The Garden, The Curtain and the Cross.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

(Nashville, Tenn.) July 1, 2021—Thomas Nelson today announced Brian Dembowczyk as associate publisher for its Bibles team, which publishes multiple Bible translations: King James Version (KJV), New King James Version (NKJV), and New English Translation (NET).

Dembowczyk spent the last six years as the managing editor and publishing team leader for The Gospel Project, where he spearheaded the brand expansion into Korean, Spanish, French, and Vietnamese. He also led the significant growth of their weekly Bible study resource subscribers. Dembowczyk holds a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and is a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct professor.

As the associate publisher, Dembowczyk will oversee the editorial strategy, ideate new projects, acquire authors, and serve as the main editor on thematic study Bibles.

“Brian brings a critical blend of scholarly insight, publishing experience, and pastoral love for God’s Word, which are all essential for success in this role,” said Philip Nation, v-p and publisher, Thomas Nelson Bibles. “I look forward to how his rich background will help steer our editorial strategy.”

For more information about Thomas Nelson Bibles, visit www.thomasnelsonbibles.com or follow @nelsonbibles on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact: Chelsea Taff, Manager, Corporate Communications, 615.902.2137  Chelsea.Taff@harpercollins.com

RENOWNED WORSHIP LEADER, SINGER AND SONGWRITER LAURA STORY OPENS UP IN NEW BOOK ABOUT HOW GIVING UP “NORMAL” CAN MAKE A PERSON ABSOLUTELY UNSHAKABLE IN AN OUT-OF-CONTROL WORLD 

So Long, Normal is the latest book by the popular author and award-winning songwriter of award-winning CCM hits such as “Blessings” and “Indescribable”

“Change, upheaval, and tough transitions. They’re God’s favorite way of shaking you up and out of what’s ‘normal.’ Yes, it’s hard, but it’s necessary if we are to grow in grace. My friend Laura Story speaks to this beautifully and powerfully in her wonderful new book, So Long, Normal, and I give her work a double thumbs-up! Read it and you’ll understand why saying goodbye to ‘normal’ is your passport to a faith-filled life of surprise and adventure.”
 ––Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

“Laura has been a friend of mine for quite a while. This is a beautiful story of love and hope and Jesus. As you read these pages you are going to laugh, you are going to cry, and best of all, you are going to think.”
––Bob Goff, New York Times best-selling author and speaker

“In this encouraging guide, Story (When God Doesn’t Fix It), a Grammy Award–winning musician and worship leader at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, invites Christian women to say ‘goodbye to normal and hello to unshakeable faith.’ She shares biblical stories, personal experiences, and anecdotes from friends that illustrate the value of letting go of safe expectations and learning to trust God’s plan . . .  Story’s uplifting challenge will resonate with Christians who enjoy the work of Lysa TerKeurst. (July)”
––Publishers Weekly

---

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) June 30, 2021—“I gave up my pursuit of normal a long time ago,” writes worship leader and Christian recording artist Laura Story in her new book, So Long, Normal: Living and Loving the Free Fall of Faith (Thomas Nelson/W Publishing Group, July 13, 2021). Laura continues, “Surprisingly, I can say this without shame or regret.” 

Not only was she terrible at trying to be normal, she confesses, but somewhere along the way she realized that “normal” was a vapor: “Whenever it appeared within reach, I was unable to grasp it.” The unattainability of it made her realize that if she did achieve some semblance of normal, she might actually be bending low, settling for something less. “But what if God has designed me not to bend down low but to stretch up and reach for the stars?” she asks. “Not that normal is bad, but why should you or I settle for normal when we’ve been created for something far greater?” 

This is the foundational question that Story, who has written award-winning songs such as “Blessings” (which won a Grammy), “O Love of God” (which won a Dove Award), and Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable,” (which was featured on his Dove Award-winning Album, Arriving) winsomely and transparently explores in So Long, Normal—her third book and a follow-up to her recent popular titles, When God Doesn’t Fix It and I Give Up.

As she says in her new book, the problem is that normal appears to offer us something solid we can stand on. Normal promises to be steady. Yet people end up choosing “the bondage of normal over the promise of better things. Staying in normal for the sake of normal may be shortchanging the very purpose of your life!” What’s more, it never holds up when times get tough. Normal ultimately disappoints every person on the planet, because life never happens according to plan. 

“Each of us has something in our lives that has forced us to let go of whatever normalcy we envisioned,” empathizes Story. “Every one of us has endured uninvited change.” She and her husband, Martin, came face-to-face with this as newlyweds, when he—a former college athlete—was diagnosed with a disabling brain tumor that upended all their expectations for their future. The couple recognizes now that this was God’s way of calling them to step out in faith, leaving normal behind and saying hello instead to the unshakable life, vision, and mission that he had purposed for both of them. It’s a necessary, two-part process that Story walks readers through in these pages. 

As she explains, the only way anyone can know for sure whether they are holding the things they cherish in their rightful place is through the sifting process. This is how God teaches his children to stop looking to worldly attachments for their security and satisfaction. This is how he helps them stop anchoring their hearts to their performance, or linking their identity to the successes and failures of their loved ones. “If we can believe that God is writing a greater story,” encourages this wife and working mother of four, “we may be able to move ahead without definitive answers to life’s pains, confident that in kindness and mercy, he is exposing any faulty foundation so that we will cling instead to what cannot be shaken: his forever-faithfulness.” 

Laura Story’s deftly written book combines strong biblical insights like these with amazingly practical wisdom, her signature humor, and many anecdotes and illustrations aimed at discovering:

• Why we crave normalcy 
• How our longing for normal affects our day-to-day lives 
• Why “big faith” isn’t the solution
• The five things every individual needs to say “so long” to
• Ways to avoid spiritual identity theft
• What it means to live “a tethered life” 
• How to find true community
• Three great comforts and three gifts to steady Christians on their journey

The book also features candid interviews with people Story knows who have faced significant challenges to normal and seen God display his greatness by growing them in unexpected ways. And So Long, Normal concludes with a unique, engaging “It’s Your Turn” section, where readers can answer the interview questions for themselves and consider the ways God may be working that maybe they haven’t recognized before.

“Here is the good news of this book as a whole,” Story offers. “When life becomes shaky, we do not have to be shaken. We can be steadfast in a world that’s beyond our control.” By gaining a vision for what it looks like and feels like to be tethered to God, readers of every age and circumstance can find the faith to step out and greet the unknown with the hope and expectation that only God makes possible. 

For those who are ready and willing to say “So long, normal,” they’ll be able to let go of the things they once leaned on that weren’t sturdy enough to support them. And they’ll discover what author Laura Story is learning through her own journey: that with God, what feels like a free fall isn’t really a free fall, but the life of faith being lived out day by day.

Story is also releasing a new single to coincide with the book release “Hello Unknown” (July 9, 2021, Fairtrade). She wrote both the book and the song in the midst of the global pandemic. She shares, “The song, ‘Hello Unknown’ was birthed in those Covid pandemic days when our world was under strict quarantine and the country was plagued with social and political unrest, and everyone that I knew was anxious over everything. But the truth about change is this: in the shifting or even collapsing of everything familiar in life, we don’t have to wring our hands and fear.” Both the book and the single encourage audiences to embrace change as a part of life and find security in their faith over the familiar so that they can step into the glorious adventure God invites them to embark upon.

So Long, Normal: Living and Loving the Free Fall of Faith is available July 13, 2021 everywhere books are sold. Learn more at solongnormal.com.

About Laura Story: Laura Story is a wife, mother, songwriter, worship leader, author, artist, and Bible teacher. Her songs—which have won Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and Dove Awards—include “Blessings” and Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable.” Her books and devotionals have also found a strong following: What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, When God Doesn’t Fix It, and I Give Up. So Long, Normal is her latest book. 

Laura has a master of theological studies and a doctorate in worship studies, and has served as a worship leader at Perimeter Church in Atlanta since 2005. Her greatest joy is being a wife to Martin and mother to Josie, Ben, Griffin, and Timothy. To learn more about Laura, visit laurastorymusic.com/ and follow her on Facebook @laurastory, Instagram: @laurastorymusic, and Twitter: @laurastorymusic. 

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, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com. 

Author Stephen E. Strang announces new book, ‘God and Cancel Culture’
Releases in September

Award-Winning Journalist, Known for His Books About Donald J. Trump, Addresses Today’s Biggest Cultural Challenges

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stephen E. Strang, award-winning journalist and founder of Charisma Media, announces the forthcoming publication of his latest book, “God and Cancel Culture: Stand Strong Before It’s Too Late,” releasing on September 7, 2021. Strang is a widely read author and Christian businessman who authored “God and Donald Trump” among his other books on President Trump.

Says Strang about his new book and the circumstances that led him to write it, “Today, 64 percent of Americans believe cancel culture is a threat to their freedom, according to a Harvard CAPS-Harris poll. Among Republicans, that figure is even higher, at 80 percent. While the term ‘cancel culture’ applies to conservatives who oppose the politically correct crowd, it is part of a bigger effort to cancel Christianity and those who espouse biblical principles. It almost seems this is the beginning of the end—and that Christians are in an unprecedented season of fragmentation, political division and actual separation on many fronts.

“Yet now is not the time for Christians to be divided,” continues Strang. “The body of Christ is a big, diverse family, and we must choose to cheer one another on. This book will help Christians realize the seriousness of the battle before us and illuminate the present circumstance for the purpose of doing good—to bring hope.

“Christians must not lose heart,” he emphasizes. “We must stand strong and not be intimidated. We must pray—and we must believe God for a great awakening.”

“God and Cancel Culture” features compelling interviews with a cross section of leaders. In clear, authoritative prose, Strang’s new book also does the following:

• Documents what is happening in our country right now
• Shares how believers can respond
• Explains why we can look to the future with hope
• Helps readers understand that no matter how bad things seem, God always comes through.

Strang says, “We are called according to His purpose. A purpose never goes in reverse. This book will reveal what that looks like in its various forms in the day in which we live. It gives a great handle for promoting unity and appreciation of one another when that is breaking down so badly elsewhere. Indeed, maybe the love Jesus spoke about that makes us recognizable to the world, will be seen as this book illuminates the supernatural unity among people of diverse opinions and approaches—while pointedly addressing various hot-button areas.”

The new book, “God and Cancel Culture,” will be published by FrontLine, an imprint of Charisma House, which publishes books that challenge, encourage, teach, and equip Christians. The book will be available in hardcover, paperback and e-book formats and can be pre-ordered now at www.stevestrangbooks.com.

Stephen E. Strang is an award-winning journalist who founded Charisma magazine, the only national evangelical magazine to endorse President Donald J. Trump. He is also the bestselling author of “God and Donald Trump,” “God, Trump and the 2020 Election,” “Trump Aftershock” and “God, Trump and Covid-19.”  Voted by Time magazine as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America, Strang has interviewed four U.S. presidents—including Donald J. Trump—and has been featured on many media outlets, including Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and CBN.

To interview Stephen E. Strang or for an early review copy of “God and Cancel Culture,” contact  Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.

CONTACT:
Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108 or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102

 

Grand Rapids, Mich. (July 6, 2021) — Zondervan today announced Katherine Easter as acquisitions editor for Zonderkidz, the children’s imprint for Zondervan.

As acquisitions editor, Easter will identify and acquire authors to create picture books, nonfiction, middle grade, and young adult (YA) titles. She will work alongside Megan Dobson, the v-p and publisher for Zonderkidz, to steward brands including The Beginner’s Bible and The Berenstain Bears.

Easter joined HarperCollins Christian Publishing two-and-a-half years ago as an editor in the custom division, where she worked with publishing teams across the company to create special editions, box sets, and other custom products. Prior to this, she spent five years at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers where she worked with award-winning authors and illustrators including Bryan Collier, Melissa Sweet, and Lee Bennett Hopkins.

“Katherine is an innovative editor with a passion for the Zonderkidz list,” remarked Dobson. “We valued her collaborations with our team when she served as a custom editor, and we are so excited to have her in this acquisitions role as a dedicated member of the Zonderkidz team.”

For more information about Zonderkidz, visit www.zonderkidz.com or follow @zonderkidz on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.

Contact: Chelsea Taff, Manager, Corporate Communications, 615.902.2137 Chelsea.Taff@harpercollins.com

“DUDE PERFECT 101 TRICKS, TIPS, AND COOL STUFF” DEBUTS AT #1 ON WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER LIST IN TWO CATEGORIES THIS WEEK

Follows on heels of debut on New York Times Best Sellers List and #1 Amazon Best Seller Ranking 

Viral Sensations with 56+ Million YouTube Subscribers and Over 12 Billion Views, Continue To Gain Momentum with Top Literary Accolades 

LOS ANGELES (July 7, 2021) – Dude Perfect, viral sensations with 56+ million YouTube subscribers and over 12 billion views, continue to gain momentum with their latest book,  “Dude Perfect 101 Tricks, Tips, and Cool Stuff.” The title debuted at #1 in two separate categories (Hardcover Non-Fiction and Non-Fiction Combined) on the Wall Street Journal Bestsellers list this week. This recent honor follows on the heels of a number of notable literary accolades including a New York Times Best Seller List debut (#4 in Children’s) and No. 1 debut week positioning on Amazon’s Best Sellers List (Top 100 Books).

“We’re having a blast! The response has blown us away and we are super grateful. We love to see how our fans are resonating with our book and trying out their own tricks and skills,” said Dude Perfect’s Cory Cotton.

Displaying never-before revealed tips and tricks through high-quality, captivating photos and Dude-worthy graphics, the book gives readers an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look into Dude Perfect’s favorite stunts, stats and personal lives.

The Dude Perfect team – consisting of Coby Cotton (Twin #1), Cory Cotton (Twin #2), Garrett Hilbert (The Purple Hoser), Cody Jones (The Tall Guy), and Tyler Toney (The Bearded Guy) – first gained viral fame by posting videos of the Dudes’ extraordinary basketball trick shots. Over the years, Dude Perfect has amassed a fanatical YouTube following with over 56 million subscribers and more than 12 billion views, making it one of the world’s most-subscribed YouTube channels:  www.youtube.com/user/corycotton.

“Dude Perfect 101 Tricks, Tips, and Cool Stuff” is available now wherever books are sold.

For more information and assets about Dude Perfect, visit:

• DP Website: https://dudeperfect.com/
• DP Facebook: www.facebook.com/DudePerfect/ (18M followers)
• DP Instagram: www.instagram.com/dudeperfect/ (11.3M followers)
• DP Twitter: @DudePerfect, https://twitter.com/dudeperfect (431.9K followers)
• DP YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/corycotton (56.4M subscribers)

About Dude Perfect:
Founded in 2009, Dude Perfect is a group of five former college roommates from Texas A&M University who initially made basketball trick shots for fun. Cory Cotton, Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones, and Tyler Toney had no idea what they were getting themselves into after that first ball swished, but they believe that nothing happens by accident and are grateful that they’ve had an opportunity to make an impact on the lives of countless others all around the globe. “The Dudes,” who all call Texas home, have gone on to reach more than 55 million YouTube subscribers, sell out arena-events, and hold several Guinness World Records.

About Tommy Nelson:
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

PRESS KIT AVAILABLE HERE: https://we.tl/t-oe5XA6RUdE (link expires on 7/13/21)

Contacts: 
Lesley A. Burbridge, 14 PR & Entertainment Group, lesley@14PRandEntertainment.com 310.562.0715
Tracy Cole, Rogers & Cowan PMK, tracy.cole@rogersandcowanpmk.com 615.568.2988
Natividad Lewis, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Natividad.Lewis@harpercollins.com  931.698.9620

 

In High Cotton named Carol Awards Finalist

Iron Stream Media is very excited to announce that Ane Mulligan’s In High Cotton has been named a finalist for the Historical Fiction Category for the Carol Awards. The Carol Awards recognize the best in Christian fiction. Winners will be announced on September 11, 2021, at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference.

In High Cotton is the first book in The Georgia Magnolias Series followed by On Sugar Hill.  While the rest of the world has been roaring through the 1920s, times are hardscrabble in rural South Georgia. Widow Maggie Parker is barely surviving while raising her young son alone. Then as banks begin to fail, her father-in-law threatens to take her son and sell off her livelihood—the grocery store her husband left her. Can five Southern women band together, using their wisdom and wiles to stop him and survive the Great Depression?

Ane Mulligan has been a voracious reader ever since her mom instilled within her a love of reading at age three, escaping into worlds otherwise unknown. But when Ane saw Peter Pan onstage, she was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. She submerged herself in drama throughout high school and college. One day, her two loves collided, and a best-selling, award-winning novelist emerged. She lives in Sugar Hill, Georgia, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website: anemulligan.com.

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, one to 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 services. Iron Stream Media is the home of New Hope Publishers, Iron Stream Books, Ascender Books, LPC Books, and New Hope Kidz. Through the popular Life Bible Study and Student Life Bible Study imprints, they also provide web-based, full-year and short-term Bible study teaching plans as well as printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum.

Book Ane Mulligan as a guest speaker or for book signings by contacting Kim McCulla at kim.mcculla@ironstreammedia.com. A limited supply of giveaway copies is available for special events and interviews. Books can also be ordered through your distributor or by calling 888-811-9934.

Company names Doug Lockhart, SVP Sales and Centralized Marketing

(Nashville, Tenn.) July 8, 2021—HarperCollins Christian Publishing today announced its plan to join sales and centralized marketing operations under a unified leadership structure that better positions its retail partners to capitalize on the company’s best-in-class marketing resources. Doug Lockhart will lead this strategy for the company as senior v-p Sales and Centralized Marketing.

“The dramatic increase in online purchases over the last year has spurred brick-and-mortar and online retailers to invest heavily in digital marketing for their own tech platforms,” said president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Mark Schoenwald. “This has strengthened people’s dependency on online shopping resources which creates an opportunity for our company to increase cross-functional collaboration within the digital marketing and retail merchandising space.”

In his expanded role, Lockhart will integrate marketing expertise more robustly into the company’s retail partner strategy for both the Christian division and HarperCollins Focus.

“Selling books has always been dependent on great marketing,” said Lockhart. “However, discovering new books and authors now almost always includes an overabundance of online resources. We are going to focus on sharing information between teams to improve the customer journey experience. We have developed an industry leading marketing operations team with expertise in analytics, metadata, SEO, social media, research, website development and email marketing. These teams will work together to maximize our author’s exposure at retail.”

Lockhart is an industry veteran with more than 11 years with the company. Most recently, serving as senior v-p of Marketing and Business Partnerships, Lockhart identified opportunities to expand the company’s reach in new and emerging markets, including the stewardship of the company’s co-publication and co-distribution partnership with Urban Ministries, Inc. Before joining Zondervan in 2002, he spent ten years building and leading a sales organization for a Johnson & Johnson company. He has led at an executive level for 18 years including six years as the president and CEO of Biblica. Lockhart rejoined HCCP in 2014 and has served in several leadership roles where consumer purchasing behavior and market trends were aligned with business strategy.

Schoenwald continued, “Doug is a well-rounded executive leader, with great relationships across the industry. He is one of the original architects for our centralized marketing operations and has since positioned talented leaders to grow our expertise in this rapidly changing discipline. As we seek to aggressively acquire new voices and publish life-changing content, this new alignment will be critical in our success.”

HarperCollins Christian Publishing:
The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. comprises the Thomas Nelson, Zondervan and HarperChristian Resources publishing groups and imprint, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com, StudyGateway.com and ChurchSource.com. The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. Bible Gateway is the world’s largest Christian website with more than 20 million unique visitors each month. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico. For more information visit www.harpercollinschristian.com.

About HarperCollins Focus:
HarperCollins Focus, LLC owns and operates a collection of publishing imprints, that enlighten and empower readers to transform their hearts and minds, connecting through story, advice, mentorship and community. The company’s mission is to inspire the world with content that equips people to lead lives of significance, integrity and purpose. Current publishing imprints include HarperCollins Leadership, Harper Horizon, and Harper Muse. The company also operates HarperCollins Leadership Essentials, a destination online community dedicated to accelerating personal and professional development. The company is based in Nashville, TN. For more information go to www.harpercollinsfocus.com.

Contact: Casey Harrell, VP, Corporate Communications, 615.902.1109 Casey.Harrell@harpercollins.com

SPCK Group, the UK’s leading Christian publisher made up of SPCK Publishing, Inter-Varsity Press and Lion Hudson, today announces the appointment of Wendy Grisham as Group Publishing Director.

Grisham is currently Head of Content for Spring Harvest at Essential Christian, and prior to that was Publisher and Vice President of Jericho Books which she founded as part of FaithWords in Nashville, Publishing Director of Hodder Faith in London, and Regional Publishing Director of Alpha International.

The Group Publishing Director is a newly created role following SPCK’s acquisition of Lion Hudson’s publishing, and will oversee all commissioning activity within the group’s imprints which include Inter-Varsity Press, SPCK Publishing, Lion, Monarch, Candle and the new FORM imprint.

Wendy Grisham said, ‘I am thrilled to be joining the SPCK Group at this exciting time in the history of such an illustrious organization. I have long admired the heritage of SPCK and the work that Sam Richardson and the team have done over the last seven years. As they enter this new phase with the acquisition of Lion Hudson and the restructure, I am delighted to join that team.’

‘As the vision for the future rolls out and SPCK moves further into the global space and the digital space, I can’t wait to contribute my experience, insight and relationships to this new role. To be part of the vision to acquire the best and biggest books from the leading authors and work with agents and publishers, both here in the UK and internationally, is a dream come true.’

James Catford, Chair of SPCK, said, ‘With her wisdom, experience and extensive connections, Wendy Grisham brings to SPCK an enviable reputation for publishing the very best books for Christians and the wider general market. I have admired her work over many years and I’m thrilled that she will be leading our highly talented team of editors to seize the many new opportunities that are emerging both domestically and globally.’

Sam Richardson, Chief Executive of SPCK, said, ‘We have made great strides in our publishing in recent years resulting in record growth and market share. Wendy is exactly who we need to take our publishing to the next level, commissioning the very best Christian books for the UK and global markets. I have admired Wendy’s achievements for many years and am hugely excited about working with her.’

As part of the restructure following the acquisition of Lion Hudson, the SPCK Group has appointed Suzanne Wilson-Higgins (formerly Managing Director of Lion Hudson) as Deputy Chief Executive, and John Hotham (formerly IT Director of SPCK) as Operations Director.

Alexandra McDonald (Commercial Director of SPCK) and Caroline Gregory (Finance and Shared Services Director of Lion Hudson) will be leaving the organization following the restructure.

Alexandra McDonald said, ‘I have spent eleven stimulating and happy years at SPCK looking after the rights, sales, marketing, publicity and most recently the fundraising teams and whilst I am sad to depart, I know that I leave behind a truly amazing department that will continue to step up to the challenges ahead as the organisation continues to evolve.’

Sam Richardson said, ‘I am grateful for the outstanding contributions that Alexandra and Caroline have made to SPCK and Lion Hudson and I look forward to see them thrive in their next roles.’

The SPCK Group is the UK’s leading Christian book publisher. 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. Since coming under new management following the closure of its bookshops, SPCK has seen great success from its publishing in the last six years, doubling its income and winning Specialist Consumer Publisher of the Year three times and Large Christian Publisher of the Year three times. The SPCK imprint is a broad-based imprint seeking to publish the very best Christian books. SPCK’s subsidiary Inter-Varsity Press specialises in evangelical books. More recently the SPCK Group acquired Lion Hudson’s publishing with its world leading expertise in Christian children’s books and international co- editioning. 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.

Sam Richardson, Chief Executive of SPCK, is available for interview. Please contact 0207 592 3900.

Media Contacts: 
Alexandra McDonald, alexandramcdonald2021@gmail.com and Caroline Gregory, Gregory.Caroline@hotmail.co.uk