August 2025 | LISLE, IL— InterVarsity Press (IVP) is delighted to announce that The Association of Logos Bookstores has awarded James Bryan Smith with this year’s Author of the Year award. Smith joins many other distinguished authors, such as J. I. Packer, Dallas Willard, and Richard Foster, in receiving the award.

“We are pleased to announce that James Bryan Smith is this year’s Author of the Year, for his body of works and the role his books have played in changing lives through the written word,” said Becky Gorczyca, executive director of Logos Bookstores.

The Association of Logos Bookstores is a member-owned, non-profit trade association of independent Christian booksellers with locations across the United States, in Canada, and in the Bahamas. The 51-year-old organization is headquartered in Kent, Ohio.

The Logos Bookstores gather at the Logos Annual Conference each summer for a time of education, fellowship, and celebration. Part of that celebration is the awarding of Books of the Year, Reps of the Year, Vendor of the Year, and Author of the Year, which Logos Bookstores nominate and then vote for.

Of Smith’s The Good and Beautiful Series, fellow Author of the Year award-winner Dallas Willard said, “The [Good and Beautiful] Series is the best practice I have seen in Christian spiritual formation.” Over 250,000 copies of Smith’s The Good and Beautiful God have been sold.

James Bryan Smith is the author of The Good and Beautiful Series, including The Good and Beautiful God, The Good and Beautiful Life, The Good and Beautiful Community, The Good and Beautiful Journal, and The Good and Beautiful You. He is also the author of The Kingdom and the Cross, Hidden in Christ, The Magnificent Story, The Magnificent Journey, Room of Marvels, and Rich Mullins, and the editor of A Spiritual Formation Workbook and Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster). Smith’s writing invites readers to explore the God that Jesus knew while uncovering the truth about themselves, their communities, and their lives as disciples of Christ.

“It has been an honor for me to work with author James Bryan Smith on ten books at InterVarsity Press. His commitment to IVP and to a publishing relationship is a mark of his integrity and his commitment to kingdom values in all parts of his life. I have met countless readers who have expressed appreciation for his work and described how it has shaped their experience of a rich life with God every day,” said Cindy Bunch, vice president of IVP Editorial. “During the time that IVP has been working with Jim, he has also established the Apprentice Institute at Friends University, and it has been a delight to see the growth and influence of that part of his work as well. His work is truly shaping the work of spiritual formation in this generation.”

For a complete list of IVP award-winning titles, visit https://www.ivpress.com/award-winners.

Contact:  Eva Pankratz | epankratz@ivpress.com

AUGUST 22, 2025 — WaterBrook has signed therapist, speaker, and founder of Let’s Move Albaner Eugene Jr. for a two-book deal for MOMENTUM, a bold, action-oriented 100-day devotional for readers ready to move again, offering short daily reflections and practical steps to reclaim energy, renew faith, and create forward motion, and THE WILDERNESS, a biblically anchored and emotionally grounded roadmap for readers who feel stuck, hidden, or in transition, using Jesus’s time in the wilderness as a model for growth, identity formation, and spiritual maturity.

Deal went to Kimberly Von Fange at Waterbrook, at auction, in a two-book deal, for publication Fall 2026 and Spring 2028, respectively, by Jevon Bolden at Embolden Media Group (World Rights).

For rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin, decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Carol Stream, Il. — Tyndale House Publishers expresses its deep appreciation for the remarkable life and ministry of Dr. James C. Dobson, who faithfully served families and the Christian community for decades.

As a long-standing Tyndale author, Dr. Dobson profoundly shaped conversations on family, faith, and parenting. We are honored to have published many of his bestselling and enduring works, including Dare to Discipline (1970), What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew about Women (1975), The Strong-Willed Child (1978), When God Doesn’t Make Sense (1993), Bringing Up Boys (2001), and Bringing Up Girls (2010). These books have touched millions of readers, offering biblical wisdom, practical guidance, and encouragement for generations of families.

Beyond his books, Dr. Dobson’s influence reached into homes worldwide through his radio ministry at Focus on the Family and later through the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. His vision also extended to the public square, where he co-founded Alliance Defending Freedom, leaving a lasting impact on the cause of religious liberty and family advocacy.

With heartfelt sympathy, Tyndale House Publishers extends condolences to Shirley Dobson, Danae Dobson, and Ryan Dobson on the loss of their loving husband and father. “We at Tyndale are deeply grateful for Dr. Dobson’s unwavering commitment to strengthening families and equipping believers,” said Ron Beers, Chief Publishing Officer at Tyndale House.

Dr. Dobson’s life was a testimony to his faith in Christ and his steadfast dedication to serving families everywhere. His influence will endure for generations to come.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Andrea Martin, andreamartin@tyndale.com

Fort Washington, PA (August 25, 2025)—CLC Publications will be publishing an updated and revised edition of Prayer on Fire by Fred A. Hartley III this September.

Prayer on Fire—Rekindled is not a guide on how to pray.   It’s a call to encounter—a call to trade lifeless rituals for the living flame of God’s Spirit. Drawing from Scripture, personal encounters, and testimonies from around the world, Hartley reveals what happens when ordinary believers and churches welcome the extraordinary presence of God into their lives through prayer. With updated Fireside Encounters and additional text, Prayer on Fire—Rekindled will help you set your soul ablaze for God.

Whether you’re a seasoned intercessor or spiritually dry and desperate, Prayer on Fire—Rekindled will spark your hunger for more—and show you how to experience God in ways you never thought possible.

Prayer on Fire—Rekindled will be available on September 15^th.

Here’s what early readers are saying about Prayer on Fire—Rekindled:

“We stand at the threshold of a nationwide Christ-awakening in answer to over two decades of united prayer across the land. In this remarkable book, Fred shapes our expectations about how this impending move of God will manifest itself, showing us ways to enter into it even now. The hope that springs from the last chapter is by itself worth the price of the book!”
—David Bryant, founder

“Prayer On Fire is a wonderful explanation of how the Holy Spirit makes prayer happen in a person and in a church. My prayer life also used to be a duty, a ‘flicker’ in flame. Then the Holy Spirit touched me, and I could not pray enough. I am so thankful for this book’s message and the fruit it will inspire in the church.”
—Dr. Terry Teykl, founder and director, Renewal Ministries and the World Methodist Prayer Team

CLC Publications is the English language publishing house for CLC Ministries International. Headquartered in Fort Washington, PA, CLC has published books for the Deeper Christian Life for over 50 years.

AUGUST 22, 2025 — Thomas Nelson celebrates as Max Lucado’s recent release, Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life, lands the No. 3 spot on Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous on the New York Times bestsellers list.

“I’m deeply grateful to see my books on The New York Times bestseller list,” says Max Lucado. “Any recognition like this is not about me, but about the timeless hope of God’s Word reaching hearts. I’m thankful beyond words Tame Your Thoughts is helping people win the battle in their minds.”

With Lucado’s story-telling skill and pastoral insight, Tame Your Thoughts explores three key thought management tools and then applies them to the most common thought problems: worry, guilt, anxiety, and other types of mental quicksand that threaten to trap us.

• Tool 1: Practice Picky Thinking – Guard your thoughts
• Tool 2: Identify UFOs – an Untruth creates a False narrative that leads to an Overreaction
• Tool 3: Uproot + Replant – Weed out your most unhealthy thought patterns

Adds Max: “God loves us too much to let us lead a life marked by poor thinking. He made our brains; he can retrain our brains. God has not left us alone in this battle of the mind.”

“We couldn’t be more delighted that Tame Your Thoughts is a New York Times bestseller,” says Nelson Books VP & Publisher Andrew Stoddard. “Max Lucado brings transformative and timeless truths to life, and we’re thrilled to see readers responding so wholeheartedly.”

With more than 150 million products in print, Max Lucado is known for combining poetic storytelling and homespun humor with the heart of a pastor. His trade books all begin as sermon series at Oak Hills Church, and his sermons all start with Max asking himself this question: “What can I say on Sunday that will still matter on Monday?” He’s been dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, “The Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest, and the “Ted Lasso of Pastors” by the Dallas Morning News. Max Lucado has penned more than 40 works of adult nonfiction, standing alongside dozens and dozens of bestselling children’s books, gift books, Bible studies, commentaries, and collections. His books have been published in 56 languages worldwide and regularly appear on bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today. Learn more at www.MaxLucado.com.

Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content, providing readers with quality inspirational products for more than 200 years. With over 250 new, original books and Bibles published each year and distributed in more than 100 countries, translating content in more than 65 different languages, Thomas Nelson is committed to one central mission: inspiring the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curricula, and digital content. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.ThomasNelson.com.

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

August 13, 2025 — GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On Sunday, August 10, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association announced the winners of the 17th annual Golden Scroll Awards and the 6th annual Christian Market Book Awards. Three Kregel titles are winners.

An Invitation to Experience Literature’s Power to Transform Lives and Deepen Faith in an Age of Distraction

New Book Explores How Reading Is More Than a Pastime —It’s a Spiritual Practice

Orleans, MA – August 6, 2025 — Why should we read? It’s a question Jeff Crosby both poses and beautifully answers through engaging personal stories, literary reflections, and spiritual insights in World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading. In an era dominated by screens and information overload, where attention spans are shrinking and deep reading is on the decline, this rich, thought-provoking book makes a compelling case for reading as a transformative spiritual discipline.

Studies show that immersive, intentional reading is linked to improved empathy, greater mental clarity, and deeper self-reflection. Crosby argues that reading isn’t just an intellectual exercise or an escape—it’s a sacred practice that opens the door to spiritual renewal, personal growth, and divine connection.

Drawing on the wisdom of C. S. Lewis, Dostoyevsky, Maya Angelou, and other literary greats, Crosby explores how books bridge differences, cultivate wonder, and illuminate the presence of God in everyday life. Each chapter includes curated book recommendations, guiding readers toward literature that has the power to shape both heart and mind.

In her foreword, Dr. Carolyn Weber, author of Surprised by Oxford, calls the book “a beautiful illumination of what God has in store for us, and in story for us.”

Brent Bill, author of Holy Silence, adds, “World of Wonders is itself a wonder—showing us how reading deepens our spiritual lives, even when we don’t realize it.”

With the resurgence of faith-based literature and a growing movement toward “slow reading” as a counterbalance to digital fatigue, World of Wonders is a timely, much-needed invitation to reclaim the joy, wisdom, and sacredness of the written word.

Jeff Crosby is the president and CEO of ECPA, the trade association of Christian publishing, and has worked in bookselling and publishing roles for more than four decades. Among cherished books on his personal library’s “shelf of honor” you would find books by Dostoyevsky, John Steinbeck, Maya Angelou, Kent Haruf, Marilyn McEntyre, Frederick Buechner and Luci Shaw, among others. He resides in the Chicago area with his wife, Cindy Crosby.

Media Contact:  Danielle Bushnell, danielleb@paracletepress.com

Praise for World of Wonders

“This beautiful book illuminates what God has in store for us, and in story for us. With Jeff Crosby as our guide, we see how best to number our days along with the pages. The wonder of reading unfurls the glory of God – a God who is lo! with us always – to the very last page.” — Dr. Carolyn Weber, author of Surprised by Oxford (from the foreword)

“World of Wonders is itself a wonder. In this delightful and inspiring book, Jeff Crosby shows us how reading deepens our spiritual lives, even when we may not initially be aware of it doing so. While reading it, I was reminded of so many books and writers who have influenced me over my life. Crosby’s clear and wise writing illuminates, as do the vignettes from other authors sprinkled throughout the book. And the reading lists for each section are delightful. As we Quakers say, this book speaks to my condition. I’m sure it will yours as well.” — J. Brent Bill, author of Holy Silence and Amity: Stories from the Heartland

“C.S Lewis wrote, ‘Heaven, once attained, will work backward.’ In that sense, Jeff Crosby’s book is heavenly, as it works its way backward in your life, revealing that your reading was really a companioning, with the great Companion from whom all creativity comes. After reading World of Wonders, I no longer see the books on my shelf as a home library; I see them as a spiritual record of my time here. What a gift.” — Dr. Kelly Flanagan, author of The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell and True Companions

“As I read through World of Wonders, it created two surprising images for me. First, I felt like I was with Earnest Shackleton sailing the infamous Drake Passage, battling hurricane force winds and waves over a hundred feet high and like him, telling myself, ‘No doubt Providence guided us.’ Second, I felt a kinship to John Muir strapped to a California Sierra Douglas Spruce during a violent December storm. Muir said, ‘Never before did I enjoy so noble an exhilaration of motion.’ Crosby’s book brought me to the Southern Ocean and to the California Sierra. Good books and good reading do that. Crosby’s book is rightly named and an adventure worth taking. Read this book. Go exploring. ” – J. K. Jones, author of Reading with God in Mind and A Soul’s House

“World of Wonders is a heartfelt tribute to the transformative power of reading. Crosby’s depth and breadth of personal vignettes is deftly woven with profound insights, making a compelling case for reading as a spiritual discipline. From soulful reflections on spiritual growth to prescriptive tools, this book is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to deepen their faith through literature. It’s more than just a guide—it’s also an invitation to embark on a lifelong journey of wonder, curiosity, and connection. A must-read for avid readers, would-be readers, and spiritual seekers alike.” — J. Dana Trent, author Between Two Trailers

“Most book lovers love that genre of writing — books about books. They are beloved and often influential. World of Wonders is one that is unlike any other in this field, a truly lovely, easy-to-read, utterly delightful, deeply spiritual book that indeed makes you want to read more. It helps you realize God’s presence as you turn the pages and guides you to encounter the world of wonder that is discovered in an open-hearted reading life. No stuffy tome for only the erudite experts, this is a book for you, me, your neighbors, friends, and even those who may not (yet) love to read. This book is a gift. Read and share.” — Byron Borger, Hearts & Minds Books, Dallastown, Pennsylvania

“Crosby’s book not only traces the way the magic of reading captured his own imagination, setting him on a lifelong career in the book industry. More than that, his exploration of reading as an act of worship, a form of liturgy, and even a spiritual discipline, summons all of us, calling us forth from the frenzy and fragmentation of modern life to the sacred and healing ground of getting lost in a book. It is a stream of shining waters for a fatigued and thirsty soul.” — Wendy Murray, journalist and author of Clare of Assisi, Gentle Warrior and Inner Healing the Franciscan Way.

“Having been an English teacher and language arts administrator on both high school and college levels during my 40-year career in education, it is easy for me to say that our national education community would greatly benefit from Jeff Crosby’s refined celebration about the mesmerizing holiness of reading. I highly recommend World of Wonders!” — Christopher de Vinck, contributing columnist for The Dallas Morning News, author of Things That Matter Most

“In World of Wonders, Crosby has given us a wonderfully written, intimate bit of memoir.  Woven throughout are excerpts from great writers, across all genres. With these quotes, we are shown the way in which reading has been formational in this author’s journey and discover the joy to be found within our own pages.” — Rick Lewis, Logos Bookstore, Dallas, Texas

“If spiritual disciplines are practices to help us encounter God’s grace, then Jeff Crosby is onto something important. What’s more, he’s the consummate storyteller who brings decades of experience reading, writing, editing, selling, and publishing a variety of books and genres. His wisdom is as evident as his breadth of reading in these pages, gently pointing us toward grace in the various seasons of life.” — Mark R. McMinn, co-author of An Invitation to Slow

“Jeff Crosby appropriately begins his exploration of reading with a quotation from C. S. Lewis’s brilliant Experiment in Criticism, which, with the perceptive precision typical of Lewis, perfectly describes why we read: ‘We want to see with other eyes, to imagine with other imaginations, to feel with other hearts, as well as with our own.’  World of Wonders is intended to help us do just that.  Despite his immersion in every aspect of book reading and publishing, Jeff is an unintimidating, disarmingly gentle and humble guide for readers of every level of proficiency and every type of reading intention, whether it’s for sheer entertainment or deepest spiritual discipline.  And don’t miss the dozen reading lists, reflecting decades of experience of a veteran reader and publisher.  Pure gold.” — Warren Farha, founder and owner, Eighth Day Books, Wichita, Kansas

“Jeff Crosby invites me to step away from my fragmented life of screens, information, images and opinion, and he returns me to earlier days when I dwelled in books, when I lost track of time, when the now-rare experience of “presence” was as natural as reading.  Where researchers fail to spark a change in my habits (despite their evidence of my changing brain and shrinking capacity for attention), World of Wonders speaks to my soul through literary quotes, intriguing books lists, practical strategies, and stories of people who call me back to what I once knew – that to read deeply is to inhabit the world more fully and to encounter the God who is there.” — Karen Wright Marsh, author of Wake Up to Wonder and Vintage Saints and Sinners, and executive director of Theological Horizons.

With compassion and candor, Daniel K. Eng presents a robust defense of God’s goodness and righteousness shown in the epistle of James. Grappling with the trials and tests we face today, he teaches us how the teachings of James are a guide to how to live with our eyes on eternity. This book goes on sale from Hodder Faith on August 19, 2025.

Engage with the latest theological thinking in this new, readable exposition of the Bible in 50 volumes. Covering all books of the Bible and including the full Anglicised New International Version (NIV) text, the Hodder Bible Commentary series makes connecting scripture and scholarship easier than ever.

DANIEL K. ENG is a husband, father, and Associate Professor of New Testament at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is a graduate of Talbot School of Theology and the University of Cambridge. He is the editor of the Tyndale House Greek New Testament, Guided Annotating Edition and the author of Eschatological Approval: The Structure and Unifying Motif of James.

Contact:  kaitlyn.shokes@johnmurraypress.co.uk

August 13, 2025 — Elk Lake Publishing took home ten Golden Scroll and Christian Market Book Awards at the recent Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) convention including Pebbles Wireman’s Finding Faith in the Storm Golden Scroll for Memoir of the Year and Joan C. Benson and Marjorie Wingert winning the Christian Market Children’s Book of the Year for Wonder of Life, illustrated by Holly Pallett.

The complete list of Elk Lake winners follows:

Golden Scroll Award

• The Memoir of the Year was awarded to Pebbles Wireman for Finding Faith in the Storm
• Second place for Christian Living Book of the Year went to Evelyn Johnson Taylor for In & Out of Season
• Second place for Inspirational Gift Book of the Year went to Donna Wyland for Last Best Year: A Short Guide to a Grateful Life
• Third place for Historical Novel of the Year went to Rebecca Price Janney for East of the Sun
• Third place for Romance Novel of the Year went to Kristen Terrette for Morning Star

Christian Market Book Award (CMBA)

• The CMBA Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Joan C. Benson and Marjorie Wingert, illustrated by Holly Pallett, for Wonder of Life
• Third place for the CMBA Children’s Fiction Book of the Year went to Joan C. Benson and Marjorie Wingert, illustrated by Holly Pallett, for Who Am I?
• Second place for the CMBA Novel of the Year was awarded to Claudia LeBoeuf for Fields of Prosperis
• Third place for the CMBA Novel of the Year went to Kristen Terrette for Morning Star
• Second place for CMBA Devotional Book of the Year went to Sheri Schofield for Sunflower Love 

Contact:  Deb Haggerty, Deb@ElkLakePublishingInc.com

Frankfurt, Germany – Bookwire announces “All About AI”, a forward-thinking virtual conference dedicated to helping publishing professionals unlock the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 9, at 3 PM (CET) / 9 AM (ET) and will bring together industry leaders and AI innovators to share practical strategies, case studies, and emerging opportunities for the publishing sector.

“Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept – it’s shaping publishing today,” said John Ruhrmann, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Bookwire. “This event will give publishers the tools, insights, and confidence they need to integrate AI into their strategies in a meaningful way.”

Exploring AI’s Impact Across Publishing

Attendees will gain first-hand insights into the many ways AI is already reshaping the publishing industry. From licensing and monetization, where publishers can learn how to license book content for AI model training and tap into new revenue streams, to marketing and automation, where cutting-edge tools are expanding audience reach and engagement, AI is driving innovation at every stage. The event will also explore the latest developments in narration and synthetic voices, offering a glimpse into what’s next in voice technology, as well as the role of AI-generated metadata in boosting discoverability and sales. Participants will see how AI-enabled multilingual publishing can unlock new markets with scalable translation solutions, and gain an understanding of how AI-driven pricing models, already transforming other industries, could redefine book pricing in the years ahead.

Expert Speakers

The conference will feature renowned voices from the AI and publishing landscape:

• Nadim Sadek, Founder & CEO, Shimmr AI
• Dustin Blank, Head of Partnerships, elevenlabs
• Hannah Johnson, Chief Customer Officer, Veristage
• Dr. Alexander Franck, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, goaudio
• Sebastian Heinz, Founder & CEO, Statworx

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Time: 3 PM (CET) / 9 AM (ET)
Format: Virtual Conference

Registration for “All About AI” is now open.
For more information and to secure your place, visit https://www.all-about-ai-in-publishing.com/  

About Bookwire & “Bookwire OS – One Solution”
Bookwire was founded in Frankfurt in 2010 as a service provider for publisher distribution of eBooks and digital content. It has since become one of the leading international businesses in digital publishing technology. Bookwire currently employs 160 people in Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Italy and the USA, who take care of more than 3,500 publishers in the fields of eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts and Print-on-Demand. The pioneering software “Bookwire OS – One Solution” delivers, analyzes, and markets around 1,300,000 eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks in all relevant distribution channels. In addition to the latest customer analytics and pricing technology, publishing clients of Bookwire also have access to individual support from account & marketing managers who look after the clients from end to end. Bookwire is led by the founders Jens Klingelhöfer (CEO) and John Ruhrmann (Co-CEO), as well as by Christian Lindemann (COO), and has branches in Barcelona, London, Milano, São Paulo, New York and Paris, in addition to the company headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and the “Development Hub” in Dortmund.

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Jan Stausberg
Corporate PR Manager, Bookwire
jan.stausberg@bookwire.de