Santa Rosa, CA – Janet Kobobel Grant, founder and president of Books & Such Literary Management, announced on August 31, 2020 that Barb Roose, national speaker and author, will join the agency as a literary agent.

Janet Grant says, “I’ve had my eye on Barb as a potential agent for more than a year. I knew that her ability to relate easily to others and her warmth and approachability would serve her well. Her breadth of friendships with other authors, her previous success as a sales rep for a major industry, and her personal knowledge of the ups and downs of being an author added fuel to my enthusiasm for her in this new role. Our conversations about being an agent with Books & Such have left me impressed with her perceptivity and astute questions.”

With experience as an award-winning pharmaceutical sales representative and executive leader in the megachurch environment, Barb embraces the challenges and opportunities that agenting in Christian publishing offers. “Not only do I have the chance to join one of the most respected agencies in the Christian publishing industry, but I also look forward to increasing the representation and opportunities for people of color in publishing.”

Books & Such Literary Management was founded in 1996. From the onset, Books & Such broke new ground, being among the first agencies to serve the Christian market—and the first for that market headed by a woman. The agency’s tagline—Distinguishing Literature—conveys the spirit of the group of six agents. Books & Such’s focus remains on high-quality writing and manuscripts that make important contributions to society’s ongoing conversations.

“My heartbeat in life is to help others achieve their goals,” Barb says. “I know what it’s like to wonder if someone like me could publish a book. I’m ready to partner with publishers and authors to offer marketable, well-crafted books that inspire others.”

Barb will represent both adult fiction and nonfiction with an emphasis on nonfiction.

Books & Such Literary Management

(Nashville, Tenn.) Aug. 25, 2020—The Jesus Calling Podcast has officially surpassed five million downloads, Thomas Nelson announced today. Lauren Akins, philanthropist, author, mother and wife of multi-platinum entertainer Thomas Rhett, will appear as the special guest to commemorate the milestone. Her episode will air Sept. 17.

Akins is the author of the recently released book, Live in Love: Growing Together Through Life’s Changes. In it, she shows readers what it takes to live in love, stay in love, and grow together. Akins has been reading Jesus Calling for many years and has used it to navigate the busy moments of her life to strengthen her faith and prayer life.

“ I love Jesus Calling,” Akins said. “It has been something that I have been reading for at least 10 years. I got my first Jesus Calling, just like a little pocket book, and I carried it with me everywhere I went. And if I was having a busy day or just needed to have a quick moment with the Lord…having that nearby would always jump start whatever conversation I was wanting to have, or just to have a little God wink in my day and just a conversation starter with Him.”

The Jesus Calling Podcast, which originally debuted in 2016, has seen continuous growth in downloads since it launched. Originally launched as an audio-only podcast, it has since expanded to include video podcasts and special series on social media, including Jesus Calling: Peace for Everyday Life, featuring high-caliber guests from various backgrounds. From WWE wrestlers and Olympic gymnasts, to pastors, musicians, and everyday readers, recent guests have included Rev Run, ABC News’ Linsey Davis, Evander Holyfield, Cyntoia Brown-Long, Colton Underwood, Kristin Chenoweth, and many others.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone,” said Michael Aulisio, Vice President of Marketing for the Children’s & Gift Books Group at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “As the Jesus Calling team finds new ways to communicate with our audience, especially during our unpredictable times, we strive to deliver inspirational content to new and established readers. People need faith and hope more than ever, and we are glad that the podcast can help bring some peace and encouragement to listeners.”

The Jesus Calling podcast was created as a result of the success of the bestselling daily devotional, Jesus Calling, which has sold more than 30 million units since it was published in 2004. The podcast, available on iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, and other podcasting platforms, features stories from readers of Jesus Calling and illustrates how spending time with the devotional has made a difference in their lives.

Nik Wallenda, acrobat, aerialist, skydiver, and the man who crossed Times Square and the Grand Canyon on a tightrope without a safety net, is also featured on the episode. In the interview, he talks about his new book, Facing Fear: Step Out in Faith and Rise Above What’s Holding You Back (Thomas Nelson, Sept. 15, 2020). Facing Fear centers on Wallenda’s experiences as a member of his family’s circus act, The Flying Wallendas, and touches on how everyone can face and overcome the fears and anxieties that hold us back.

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 multiples formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact: Stefanie Schroeder, Publicity Director, Gift Books, 615.902.1722  Stefanie.schroeder@harpercollins.com

 

Iron Stream Media is excited to announce that Laine Lawson Craft’s new release, Enjoy Today, Own Tomorrow, debuted as the #1 New Release in Personal Growth and Christianity, #1 New Release in Christian Church Leadership and #1 New Release in Christian Stewardship last week. It remains the #1 New Release in Personal Growth and Christianity.

Want to know how to live your dreams? Reconnect. Realign. Reactivate.
Do you feel broken, disappointed, lifeless? What if one second, one minute, or one hour could give you the power you needed to win at life every day, no matter what you are facing? How is that possible? Enjoy Today, Own Tomorrow will show you how to start winning in life by spending literally seconds each day discovering God’s power. As you extend the process, you’ll find the joy and hope you need for today. As you reconnect, realign, and reactivate you’ll discover the power you need to walk confidently into tomorrow and to live your dreams!

“Laine is one of those people who are always filled with joy and laughter. In her book Enjoy Today, Own Tomorrow, she shares how through her own seasons of brokenness she was able to find hope and rediscover the power to live the life she loved and find true healing from life’s hurts.”  —Victoria Osteen, co-pastor of Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas

The Well-Watered Woman
Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (August 26, 2020)—Tyndale House Publishers (@TyndaleHouse) announces that Gretchen Saffles, author and founder of the online community Well-Watered Women, has written The Well-Watered Woman, leading readers to discover the bottomless, refreshing well of God’s Word so they can experience a fullness and peace beyond their circumstances. The Well-Watered Woman and the companion devotional journal, The Well-Watered Life, are scheduled for release from Tyndale Momentum on April 6, 2021, and mark the first two products in a major multi-book deal.

Gretchen Saffles knows what it’s like to feel overwhelmed and unable to flourish. In The Well-Watered Woman, she leads women to the Well of fullness, the Word of freedom, and the Way of fruitfulness. She teaches that God’s Word will satisfy for all eternity.

Using Scripture and her own personal story of surrender, Gretchen offers spiritually hungry women tangible tools not only to know Jesus more but to live a life that thoroughly enjoys him, seeks him, and follows him into freedom.

Known best for her visually stunning quiet time journals and Bible studies, Saffles will also release a companion devotional journal, The Well-Watered Life. This beautifully designed journal, filled with writing prompts, Scripture teaching, and biblical exercises, encourages readers to chronicle their journey of faithfully finding and following Jesus. Saffles helps readers discover how to satisfy the deep craving in their souls as they learn practical ways to implement spiritual disciplines and rhythms in their daily routine as they pursue a “well-watered life” in Christ.

Senior acquisitions editor Kara Leonino said, “During my very first conversation with Gretchen Saffles, I knew I had met someone special. Gretchen has a unique ability to create space for women to come as they are, to know that they are not alone, and to discover who God calls them to be. I know firsthand that Gretchen is an incredibly kind person, a dedicated wife and mother, a creative and gifted communicator, and a compassionate leader; it is an honor for Tyndale and for me personally to release her first book into the world.”

Additionally, executive publisher Jan Long Harris said, “What a privilege it is for the Tyndale Momentum team to partner with Gretchen Saffles, a ‘well-watered woman’ of unusual depth, purpose, and biblical insight, on her first book. Many, many readers are going to find their lives and souls enriched as they journey with Gretchen to the only Well that truly satisfies.”

Gretchen Saffles (@gretchensaffles @wellwateredwomen) is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to drink deeply from the well of God’s Word and to find their identity and purpose in Christ. She is the founder of Well-Watered Women, an online ministry that reaches women worldwide with the hope of the gospel. She has written several Bible studies, including Redefined: Defining Identity through the Mirror of God’s Word and Esther: The Fingerprints of God. She is also the creator of the Give Me Jesus quiet-time journal for women, a tool to help women study Scripture daily. On any given day, you can find her with a cup of coffee in hand, her boys by her side, a message stirring in her soul, and a God-sized dream on her heart. Gretchen lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Greg, and their two sons, Nolan and Haddon.  Gretchen is represented by William K. Jensen Literary Agency (www.wkjagency.com).

For more information, an advance reader copy, or to book an interview with Gretchen Saffles, contact Amanda Woods, amandawoods@tyndale.com, 630-784-5125.

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 $100 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.

CHARLOTTE, NC— One of the deepest and most difficult subjects apologists address is suffering. In Where Is God in All the Suffering? (The Good Book Company,  September 2020), Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing enters the conversation with empathetic, easy-to-read, and powerful insights. Positioned as an evangelistic resource, this book is good for both unbelievers and believers alike.

Part of the popular Questioning Faith Series from OCCA the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, this book is the latest answering common objections to faith. Other topics in the series include Can Science Explain Everything?, Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?, Am I Just My Brain? and Is Jesus History?.

Orr-Ewing’s approach to the book, she explains, aims to reach people in their trials. “Books on suffering written by academic types rarely connect with people who are actually suffering,” she says. “I work in Oxford, and I have had the opportunity of studying and teaching throughout my adult working life. In the course of that time, I have found myself drawn to thinking about and reflecting on some of the toughest questions of life. Through all of that, I have come to realize that if Christian faith is worth considering, it needs to be deep enough to cope with our most rigorous human scrutiny and our most heart-rending questions.”

Covering topics like, asking “why?” and where God is in anger, grief, mental illness, natural disasters, and more, Dr. Orr-Ewing addresses a breadth of challenges with depth and compassion. Os Guinness, author of Unspeakable, notes, “As deeply caring as she is wise, deep, and helpful, Amy Orr-Ewing has written for all who are suffering and in pain. She has been there herself, and she also knows the sure path to comfort, healing and faith. A book to be read slowly, and cherished — and shared with others who are in pain.”

As Guinness notes, this unique approach to one of the most common experiences and questions every person faces positions Where Is God in All the Suffering? as a book that can help both apologists and the individuals they are trying to reach with the gospel.

About Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing
Over the last twenty years, Amy has spoken about how the Christian faith answers the deepest questions of life on university campuses around the world. She is a regular speaker on TV, radio and has addressed politicians in the Speakers Rooms and Chapel at the UK Parliament, on Capitol Hill, and to West Wing staff at the White House. Dr Orr- Ewing gained her undergraduate degree and her doctorate from the University of Oxford. She is co-director of OCCA The Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics and the co-founder of REBOOT, a youth initiative aimed at helping young people think deeply about faith, which now runs in countries all over the world. Amy is married to Frog. They have three children. She helps lead Latimer Minster, a church community based on a farm in Buckinghamshire. She and the church were heavily involved in the church’s response to the Grenfell disaster in the UK in 2017.

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

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

Elk Lake Publishing, Inc. authors took home seven awards from the AWSA Golden Scroll Awards August 15.  AWSA Member of the Year was awarded to Edie Melson (“Maiden of Iron”).

The Christian Book Market Award for Novel of the Year went to “Shadow of the Dagger” by Anne Greene.

Golden Scroll Awards went to Cynthia L. Simmons, who took first place in the Christian Education segment for her “Pursuing Gold: A Historical and Critical Thinking Curriculum.” Catherine Finger took second in the Mystery/Suspense category for “Capsized in Death,” and LeighAnn Thomas took second for her Christian Living book “Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone.”  “The Best Gift of All” by Michelle Lazurek took third place in the Children’s Nonfiction category.

The Christian Book Market Awards are open to anyone who has published a book during the past year. AWSA Golden Scroll Awards are for members only. Congratulations to all the winners.

THE BIBLE RECAP: A ONE-YEAR GUIDE TO READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE ENTIRE BIBLE

Minneapolis, MN — The Bible Recap started as a small podcast with a big goal: to help its listeners read and understand the entire Bible in one year. Launching the podcast January 1^st of 2019, Tara-Leigh Cobble aired daily episodes that chronologically reviewed each day’s Bible reading and has since helped thousands of listeners discover that He is where the joy is. Today The Bible Recap podcast has nearly 30 million downloads!

Now in book form, The Bible Recap (Bethany House Publishers, November 2020) is here to help anyone who has ever shut their Bible thinking, What did I just read? Each daily reading includes new writings from Tara-Leigh, her best commentary from the podcast, and a daily “God Shot”—those moments in Scripture where we get a clear image of who He is.

“Picture yourself actually hearing from God in His Word directly and feeling closer and more intimate with Him that you ever have before,” writes Tara-Leigh. “I believe your joy will grow deeper and richer, because you will be spending time with Him—and He’s where the joy is!”

The Bible Recap helps readers focus on the most important questions to consider while reading the Bible:

• What does God say or do in this passage?
• What does this reveal about what God loves?
• What does this reveal about what God hates?
• What does this reveal about what motivates God to do what He does?
• In all of that, what attributes of God are displayed?

Tara-Leigh Cobble (www.taraleighcobble.com) is the creator and host of The Bible Recap podcast and the founder of D-Group, an international network of weekly discipleship and accountability groups. She also hosts a daily radio show called The God Shot. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

Bethany House has been publishing high quality books for over 50 years. From humble beginnings as a publishing ministry for a missions organization, they are now a division of Baker Publishing Group, one of the top Christian publishing houses. Their nonfiction list encompasses a variety of subjects, including Christian living, family resources, theology, heaven, and many more. Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers. For additional information, please visit www.bakerpublishinggroup.com.

16 International Artists Collaborate for a Unique Bible Story Experience 

LOVELAND, CO — Illustrated Bibles and story Bibles have traditionally been targeted solely at children. But in an age of declining scriptural literacy, a new book aims to bring Bible stories to a more grown-up audience.

Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience is a 256-page, fully illustrated coffee table book that brings to life 39 Bible stories and beloved Scripture passages. Containing more than 120 original works of art by 16 artists from around the world, Eyewitness offers Biblical narratives written from the perspective of the people in the stories. Eyewitness releases on September 1.

“Research has shown that most people don’t read the Bible much, if at all,” said author Jeff White, who wrote an illustrated story Bible for children in 2017 called Friends With God Story Bible. “Many adults admit that the Bible feels intimidating. They aren’t sure how to read the Bible, how to understand it, or even where to start with it. Eyewitness is an effort to change that.”

The book presents most of the major stories in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, with roughly half of the stories from the Old Testament and half from the New Testament. Eyewitness also features many stories by female characters, with about one-third representing women.

One distinctive aspect of the book is that each story has been rewritten from a first-person perspective. All the Bible characters—from Adam and Eve to Moses, Esther, and even Jesus himself—tell their own stories from their unique points of view.

“The entire book is really a giant exercise in empathy. The first-person approach makes the stories highly relatable because you discover that these Bible characters are far more like us—average, everyday folks—than we usually assume,” White said. “The results are rather surprising.”

Publisher Thom Schultz believes the art will draw a lot of people to the book.

“We recruited artists from 13 different countries on four continents to be a part of this project,” said Schultz, the president and founder of Group. “We wanted to present the Bible with images that readers have never seen before—something original, compelling, and even a bit unexpected. We’re thrilled with what these very creative and culturally diverse artists have dreamed up.”

The artists—all professional, full-time illustrators—come from all over the globe, including Greece, Indonesia, Spain, Colombia, Poland, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Argentina, Turkey, Russia, and the U.K.

The publisher enlisted the help of veteran Bible curriculum editors and Bible scholars to ensure that every story and passage interpretation remained true to Scripture. What one reads in Eyewitness is the same thing one would read in the Bible itself, except that it’s retold with an engaging, conversational quality.

Group Publishing has produced a wide variety of Bible- and Jesus-based resources for more than 45 years, including the world’s most popular vacation Bible school programs and the bestselling Jesus-Centered Bible. Eyewitness is published under Group’s Lifetree imprint.

For more information, please contact Karen Hennings at 970-292-4131, or visit www.group.com and www.experienceeyewitness.com.

CONTACT: Karen Hennings, 970-292-4131, khennings@group.com

[NASHVILLE, TENN., August 19, 2020—] B&H Publishing is proud to announce its acquisition of writer and Bible teacher Amy Gannett for an adult trade book and several children’s board books.

Gannett’s adult trade book, tentatively titled “Fix Your Eyes” and set for publication in September 2021, will walk believers through key theological concepts and show how each can be lived out in a daily life of discipleship.

“Our pursuit of worshiping God has to be founded on our knowledge of him,” said Gannett. “Our worship needs to have deep roots in the Word of God. And the more we learn about him, the more we should find within ourselves a worshipful posture of humble surrender and obedience.”

An experienced leader and teacher, Gannett has created a variety of resources for believers. She is the founder of Tiny Theologians, which offers training tools that will help parents and children’s ministries pass on the Christian faith to the next generation. She also created Take Root Seminars and The Rooted Home Bible studies. In addition to writing regularly on her blog and to her social media followers, she has also written for top Christian media outlets including The Gospel Coalition, For the Church and Risen Motherhood.

“Amy is a strong, vibrant and deep theological thinker whose passion for biblical and doctrinal literacy is a force to be reckoned with,” said Ashley Gorman, B&H associate publisher. “Her work drips with an undeniable love for God, his Word and his people, and her determination to help others grow in their spiritual maturity is inspiring. Her writing carries a certain quality that can only come from years spent in the pages of the Bible, and her debut book will compel readers far and wide to fix their eyes on the one it reveals.”

Gannett will also write three children’s board books that are all slated for publication in February 2022, with the theme being God’s attributes and character qualities.

“B&H Kids is thrilled to partner with Amy, who has a passion and talent for connecting even the youngest readers with sound theology,” said Michelle Freeman, B&H Kids Publisher. “This upcoming board-book series—simple in format yet rich in message—will be welcomed not only by fans of Amy’s Tiny Theologians brand but also by any parents hoping to teach their little ones to know and love God fully.”

Gannett’s contract was negotiated by Austin Wilson with Wolgemuth and Associates, with worldwide rights.  For more information, visit bhpublishing.com

Amy Gannett (M.Div, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary) is a speaker, writer and Bible teacher. She has authored several exegetical Bible studies (amygannett.com) and is the founder of Tiny Theologians.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

Iron Stream Media (ISM) is pleased to announce that four of our authors have been honored at the 2020 Golden Scroll and Christian Market Book Awards at AWSA’s (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) virtual awards ceremony on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

ISM’s 2020 Golden Scroll Awards were as follows:

• The Devotional Book of the Year was awarded to Lucinda Secrest McDowell for Life-Giving Choices: 60 Days to What Matters Most;
• Second place for the Christian Living Book of the Year was awarded to Tina Yeager for Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You;
• Third place for the Christian Living Book of the Year was awarded to Lucinda Secrest McDowell for Soul Strong: 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life.

This is the inaugural year for the Christian Market Book Awards, open to all authors who publish in the Christian market.

ISM’s 2020 Christian Market Awards were as follows:

• Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year went to Lauren Crews for Strength of a Woman: Why You are Proverbs 31;
• Second place for the Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Rhonda Robinson for FreeFall: Holding onto Faith When the Unthinkable Strikes.

ISM also offers congratulations to Janet McHenry, this year’s recipient of the Jennifer Kennedy Dean Award, which is named for the author of the Live a Praying Life, ISM’s best selling book for many years. According to AWSA’s founder, Linda Evans Shepherd, “This special award recognizes someone who carries the light with excellence to a hurting world.”

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, ministry leaders, 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 brands, they also provide web-based, full-year and short-term Bible study teaching plans as well as printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum.