Life to the Extreme Releases May 14, 2019, with Media Appearances on TODAY and FOX & Friends 

Grand Rapids, Mich., May 13, 2019— Ty Pennington is sharing much of his personal story for the first time. In Life to the Extreme: How a Chaotic Kid Became America’s Favorite Carpenter (available May 14), Pennington describes his early life in Georgia where he organized neighborhood kids to build his first treehouse, to being diagnosed with ADHD in his college years, to accidentally becoming a model and a carpenter, to achieving incredible television success on the hit shows Trading Spaces and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Pennington’s life has been one incredible adventure after another.

Pennington will launch the book with major national media in New York City this week, including the TODAY Show on Wednesday, May 15, and FOX & Friends on Thursday, May 16. Additional appearances include PBS’ World News America, FOX News Radio, Guideposts, and Sirius XM’s The Highway and The Jenny McCarthy Show.

To celebrate the release of Life to the Extreme, Zondervan is sponsoring a $25,000 Ty Pennington Dream Kitchen Makeover Sweepstakes. One grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 check and an in-person interior kitchen design consultation with Ty Pennington. The sweepstakes begins May 16. Sign up now for a text reminder by texting “25k” to 31996 to receive a text as soon as it’s time to enter the sweepstakes on May 16. To learn more, visit LifetotheExtremeBook.com/25K.

Ty Pennington has been recognized as a leader in the field of volunteerism for his work on Extreme Makeover and Ty’s Great British Adventure. He is back on the small screen in the new Trading Spaces, Small Business Revolution and While You Were Out. He served as ambassador for the Sears American Dream campaign. In line with his passion for creative and practical housing, he frequently volunteers time with Abōd Shelters Foundation, a charitable organization whose mission is to provide sustainable, quality housing to areas in need around the world.

Web site: TyPennington.com
Instagram: thetypennington
Facebook: typennington
Twitter: @typennington

For interview requests, reach out to Robin Barnett at robin.barnett@harpercollins.com or (616) 698-2351.

Book Info:
Life to the Extreme: How a Chaotic Kid Became America’s Favorite Carpenter
Ty Pennington with Travis Thrasher
Release date: May 14, 2019
9780310357377
$26.99; Hardcover

Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.  Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

 

---

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes begins at 9:00:00 AM PT on 5/16/19 and ends at 11:59:59 PM PT on 6/1/19. Open to legal residents of the 50 US/DC who are 18 years of age or older and homeowners at the address submitted at the time of entry and at the time of prize distribution. To enter, visit www.lifetotheextremebook.com/25k or www.typennington.com/25k and complete the official entry form as directed. Void in PR, all US territories and possessions and overseas military installations, and where prohibited by law. Total combined ARV of prizes is $25,107.96. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Limit one (1) entry per person or email address. For complete Official Rules including entry instructions and prize details, visit www.lifetotheextremebook.com/25k or www.typennington.com/25k.
Sponsor: HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., c/o Zondervan Books, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

WHEATON, Ill.—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced the winners of the 2019 Christian Book Awards® in Chicago on April 30, and three Crossway titles received distinction.

The Gospel according to God: Rediscovering the Most Remarkable Chapter in the Old Testament (Crossway, March 2018) by John MacArthur was the winner in the Bible Study category. This book explains the prophetic words of Isaiah 53 verse by verse, highlighting important connections to the history of Israel and to the New Testament—ultimately showing how this ancient prophecy illuminates essential truths that undergird readers’ lives today.

The award for the Bible Reference Works category was presented to Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique (Crossway, November 2017), edited by J. P. Moreland, Stephen C. Meyer, Christopher Shaw, Ann K. Gauger, and Wayne Grudem. This volume of more than two dozen essays written by highly credentialed scientists, philosophers, and theologians from Europe and North America sets forth the most comprehensive critique of theistic evolution yet produced, opening the door to scientific and theological alternatives.

The ESV Archaeology Study Bible (Crossway, March 2018) earned the award in the Bible category. With editorial oversight from Dr. John Currid (PhD, University of Chicago) and Dr. David Chapman (PhD, University of Cambridge), as well as contributions from a team of field-trained archaeologists, the ESV Archaeology Study Bible roots the biblical text in its historical and cultural context, offering readers a framework for better understanding the people, places, and events recorded in Scripture.
“We are thrilled that these substantial books, designed to help the church recover and live in light of God’s truth, are being recognized and honored in this way!” says Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing, and book publisher.

The ECPA Christian Book Awards® are awarded in twelve different categories—including Bible study, Christian living, children, and devotion and gift—and have recognized quality Christian books since 1978.

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-centered content, to honor our Savior and serve his Church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.

Media Contact: Lauren Harvey, lharvey@crossway.org, (630) 682-4300, ext. 6031

[WM] Worship Musician Digital Magazine Expands Distribution to 1.1 Million Opt-in Emails and Returns to FrontGate Media for Advertising Representation

Orange County, CA – [WM] WORSHIP MUSICIAN has gone all digital and returned to FRONTGATE MEDIA, the leading faith-based marketing agency and media group, to exclusively represent Worship Musician for sales of their digital advertising and promotions to the Christian market outside of the music and NAMM industries.

With the conversion to a fully digital magazine, the monthly publication has expanded its distribution partners, now delivering directly to 1.1 MILLION EMAIL INBOXES through the addition of direct partners including Worship Together, iTickets.com, Loop Community, Creation Festival and OnSong.

In addition to expanding in reach, the digital magazine has also expanded in size, now topping out at as many as 200+ PAGES. New coverage sections have been added for BOOK REVIEWS, MOVIE REVIEWS, and expanded EDITORIAL ARTICLES, along with additional coverage in their featured sections on Worship Guitar Player, Worship Drums + Bass, Keys, Pads + Loops, Artist Songwriting + Recording, Vocals, Teams + Leadership and Church Tech + Production.

All full-page ads receive a free additional INTERACTIVE PAGE that creates a 2-page digital spread. This fully interactive page features the advertiser’s video embedded and/or other multimedia content linked to the site of their choice. See the most recent issue at www.WorshipMusician.com.

“[WM] Worship Musician has captured the true value of what a digital magazine can be and is attaining a deeper reach to church leaders than anything that has come into the market before them. I’m excited to have them back home with FrontGate,” states Scott A. Shuford, Founder & CEO of FRONTGATE MEDIA.

“Our #BetterBySunday content is instructional and immersive not only for worship leaders, worship team musicians, and tech teams but also for Christians who want to go deeper in their personal relationship with the Lord. Our unique sell-through experience for advertisers is innovative and effective. We are pleased to be working with FrontGate again for advertisers looking to impact the Christian community,” shares Bruce Adolph, Publisher of [WM] WORSHIP MUSICIAN and co-founder of the Christian Musician Summit conferences.

Those interested in a promotional partnership with [WM] WORSHIP MUSICIAN should contact FrontGate Media at FrontGateMedia.com.

About FrontGate Media
Award-winning FrontGate Media is the leading marketing agency and media group specializing in the faith and family audience.  With a 19-year track record of success, the firm serves as “Your Gateway to the Christian Audience.” FrontGate’s full-service agency and media group has been trusted with over 5,000 campaigns, providing Faith-based market Strategy Development, Public Relations, Social Marketing, and Media Buying. FrontGate’s own Web & Events Network also provides reach to tens of millions of people each month via their sites, events and email subscribers.  Founded in 2001, FrontGate has repeatedly been honored in the Internet Advertising Competition and the WebAwards. The company plays a key role in the success of for-profit and non-profit organizations seeking the faith-based and family-friendly audiences.  http://FrontGateMedia.com.

WESTMONT, IL—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced that Becoming Dallas Willard: The Formation of a Philosopher, Teacher, and Christ Follower by Gary W. Moon was chosen as the book of the year in the category of Biography and Memoir for the 2019 ECPA Christian Book Awards®.

“Those who did not know Dallas in person can get a good sense of him from his lectures and writings. But what has been a gnawing omission is the details of his life made available to the public—until now,” said J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. “Becoming Dallas Willard is a first-rate, accurate, honest, timely, and riveting biography. I am so thankful to Gary for doing such a careful and painstakingly accurate treatment of the life of the greatest man I ever met.”

In Becoming Dallas Willard, Moon, a close friend of Willard, offers a candid and inspiring biography about a great man of the faith who was a personal mentor and inspiration to hundreds of pastors, philosophers, and average churchgoers. His presence and ideas rippled through the lives of many prominent leaders and authors, such as John Ortberg, Richard Foster, James Bryan Smith, Paula Huston, and Moreland. As a result of these relationships and the books he wrote, Willard fundamentally altered the way tens of thousands of Christians have understood and experienced the spiritual life. Moon writes about the development of Willard’s personal character, philosophical writing, and spiritual teaching and how he has inspired some of the most influential books on spirituality of the last generation.

Christopher Hall, president of Renovaré, said, “The web of Dallas Willard’s life is a highly complex, wondrous, and redemptive story woven from strands of God’s providence: family, friends, colleagues, events, institutions, ministry, teaching, writing, choices, pain, grief, healing, deep faith, and love. How difficult and maybe all but impossible task it is for a biographer to untangle and explain the story of any image bearer’s life, much less a giant in the land such as Dallas Willard. But Gary Moon does this in a kind, discerning, and wise manner. We can now know Dallas Willard much better—and be enriched and encouraged in the knowing—because his close friend Gary Moon has researched and written so clearly.”

Cindy Bunch, IVP associate publisher, director of editorial, said, “Gary W. Moon approached this project with the attitude of a historical researcher, traveling to visit the sites of Willard’s childhood, and the places where he lived and studied. He interviewed hundreds of people, including colleagues, family, and friends. He read deeply into both Willard’s spiritual and philosophical work in order to follow the development of Willard’s thought and teaching. Then Moon added his psychological understanding to consider how these factors came together to shape the person Willard became. But most importantly Moon gave attention to the formational work of God through the shaping forces in Willard’s life. This book fits well into our formation line because of the guidance it offers the reader on the transformational power of spiritual practice.”

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the highest quality in Christian books since 1978, honoring the best titles of the year in twelve categories. Five finalists are chosen in each category unless there is a tie, and this year’s winners in each category were announced on April 30 as part of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Awards Celebration in Chicago.

See a complete list of IVP’s award-winning titles at ivpress.com/award-winners.

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life. For more information, visit ivpress.com.

Media Contact: Krista Clayton, 630.734.4013, kclayton@ivpress.com

“I was made for more than watching. I have a history-changing, difference-making, life-giving, Spirit-empowered legacy to leave. Jesus, I ask you to work deeply in me and clearly through me as I pray, give, and go in your love. I am a difference maker. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
– The “Difference Makers Declaration”

[NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 3, 2019)—] When the devastating Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in August 2017, Gregg Matte, senior pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church, and his church were faced with the question, “Can we make a difference?”

As the church members sought to serve and provide relief to their neighbors who lost nearly everything in the storm, Matte guided his church to understand that they were called to rise to the occasion, and everyone could make a little difference somewhere, which would compound to make a huge difference in providing relief to their city.

In his new book, “Difference Makers: How to Live a Life of Influence and Purpose,” Matte shows readers that they are made for more than watching; they have a history-changing, differencemaking, life-giving, Spirit-empowered legacy to leave, and as Jesus works deeply in and clearly through them, they will be difference makers. Matte said he hopes readers will see stories from the Bible of all kinds of difference makers, that they’ll realize that they’ve been called to do the same and begin to live into this calling.

“Deep in every heart is a desire to make a difference. We want to live a life of impact and purpose not just pass the time. But how do we make turn that from dream to reality?” Matte said. “My desire is ‘Difference Makers’ would inspire and equip each reader for making a true difference in the lives of those they intersect every day at home, school or the office. Join me on an exciting journey of releasing your heart’s desire to become a Difference Maker!”

Matte is the founder of Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University, one of the largest college Bible studies in the nation and is the author of numerous books, including “Unstoppable Gospel.”

LifeWay is also releasing a six-session Bible study, as well as an album of songs written and performed by the music ministry at Houston’s First Baptist Church, both entitled “Difference Makers” and available June 1 on LifeWay.com/DifferenceMakers.

“Our churches don’t need more spectators; we need difference makers,” said Devin Maddox, B&H Trade Book Publisher. “I am so grateful for Gregg’s voice and am excited to see how this resource serves as a catalyst for Christians to become difference makers.”

For more information, visit bhpublishing.com.

Gregg Matte is the senior pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church and the founder of Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M University, one of the largest college Bible studies in the nation. Gregg holds a marketing degree from Texas A&M and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous books, including “Unstoppable Gospel.” Gregg has been married to his wife, Kelly, since 1997, and they have a son and daughter, Greyson and Valerie.

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.

Media Contact:  Jenaye White, Jenaye.White@BHPublishing.com 615.251.2964 bhpublishing.com

[NASHVILLE, TENN., May 3, 2019—] B&H Publishing Group is proud to announce that “The Storm-Tossed Family” by Russell Moore was awarded the Christian Book Award® in the Faith & Culture category by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).

ECPA announced the winners of the 2019 Christian Book Awards® in 12 categories at the ECPA Awards Celebration held April 30 at the Rosemont Hilton in Chicago, during the ECPA Leadership Summit. The Christian Book Award® program has “recognized the highest quality in Christian books since 1978,” according to ECPA.

Published in September 2018, “The Storm-Tossed Family” addresses questions such as, “Why do our families have so much power over us?” and explores how family makes us who we are and how understanding this can liberate us to live without fear.

A longtime pastor, a former professor and provost of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the current president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Moore brings theological insight and pastoral approach to this most sensitive of topics.

“Dr. Moore is an incomparable writer, thinker and leader. Working alongside him on books that are culture-shaping and life-changing is an honor,” said Jennifer Lyell, V.P. of Book Publishing and Merchandising for B&H. “Watching his efforts be so consistently recognized by readers and the publishing industry is exactly as it should be. We are very proud of ‘The Storm-Tossed Family’ and the recognition it received by ECPA.”

For more information about the ECPA Christian Book Award® program, visit ChristianBookAwards.com. For more information about the book, visit StormTossedFamily.com.

Russell Moore is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral and public policy agency of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. He is a frequent cultural commentator, an ethicist and theologian by background and an ordained Southern Baptist minister. Moore is the author of several books, including “Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel.” A native Mississippian, he and his wife Maria are the parents of five sons. For more information, visit russellmoore.com.

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.

Eugene, Oregon—May 3, 2018—Harvest House Publishers is pleased to announce that Seeing Green by Tilly Dillehay and Bible Infographics for Kids by Harvest House are recipients of the 2019 Christian Book Awards® in the New Author and Young People’s Literature categories.

Seeing Green is more than a book about envy—it’s about changing the way we think of God’s glory. In doing so, readers learn to rejoice with others, experience greater contentment, and discover how to truly love others.

“As a new author who feels blessed to have words in print in the first place, it means so much to me for ECPA to honor this project. Like every writer, I regard my first book almost as a first child,” said Dillehay.

Dillehay, is the host of The Green Workshop, an event for women about envy. A graduate of Lipscomb University, she has been the editor of a weekly newspaper and a lifestyle magazine and is currently a contributor to The Gospel Coalition. Tilly’s husband, Justin, is a pastor in the greater Nashville area where they are raising two daughters.

Bible Infographics for Kids is a collection of visually compelling and winsome graphics combined with interesting and often humorous content to make the Bible come alive for readers ages 8 to 12. The colorful pages depict key concepts, important people, and unusual facts from the Bible in an exciting a way, helping to instill a lifelong love of God and His Word in children.

“It is exciting to receive this award for one of our children’s books,” says Barb Sherrill, publisher and EVP, “particularly one developed by our own team. They are passionate about creating great products for kids, and this is validation of their hard work and commitment to excellence. It is rewarding to be able to provide fun and meaningful resources for kids.”

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the highest quality in Christian books since 1978. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award® program is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.

Harvest House, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes more than 135 books per year and carries a strong backlist of more than 1,200 titles. More than 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in more than 75 different languages.  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Contact: Christianne Debysingh, Harvest House Publishers, 888-468-4108, cdebysingh@harvesthousepublishers.com

---

Print quality images to accompany this press release are available in digital format. Available images are: cover art, author photo, Harvest House logo.

Eugene, Oregon—May 3, 2018—Ben Courson author of Optimisfits recently appeared on national television to promote his new book from Harvest House.

On April 29, Courson was interviewed on Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family on being a nonconformist, an adventurer, and living with wild abandon and unapologetic optimism. Then on May 1 he was interviewed on several CBN platforms, including the 700 Club, 700 Club Interactive, and the CBN podcast to discuss his message on being contagiously optimistic even while embracing failure and heartbreak.

Ben Courson is the founder of Hope Generation, has a global TV and radio program, and is a gifted and nationally renowned speaker. Hope Generation TV show airs in 180 countries around the world. Ben’s humorous, uplifting, and high-energy style couples with a gift to communicate God’s heart in an impactful way. His ultimate mission is to generate hope in God to build a generation of hope in others. For more information visit www.BenCourson.com and www.harvesthousepublishers.com.

Harvest House is among the top ten Christian publishing companies, publishing more than 135 books each year and carrying a strong backlist of more than 1,200 titles. More than 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels and additional millions have sold in more than 75 different languages.

Contact: Christianne Debysingh, Harvest House Publishers, 888-468-4108, cdebysingh@harvesthousepublishers.com

---

Print quality images to accompany this press release are available in digital format. Available images are: cover art, author photo, Harvest House logo.

Evangelical Christian Publishers Association names Lysa TerKeurst’s Embraced devotional as Christian Book of the Year®

(Nashville, TN) May 3, 2019—HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) is honored to have both its publishing groups, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, recognized by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) at the 2019 Christian Book Awards.

During its annual Leadership Summit in Chicago, IL, ECPA announced the 2019 recipients of their Christian Book Awards. Lysa TerKeurst was awarded the night’s top honor when Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close (Thomas Nelson) was named the 2019 Christian Book of the Year. Nabeel Qureshi was posthumously honored when his book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: Third Edition with Bonus Content, New Reflections (Zondervan) won in the Audio category.

HCCP was also recognized with three Platinum Sales Awards, which are awarded to titles that surpassed one million copies sold. Recipients for 2019 included Mark Batterson’s Circle Maker (Zondervan), Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids (Thomas Nelson), and Bob Goff’s Love Does (Thomas Nelson).

“It’s an honor to have our authors and publishing teams recognized by the ECPA for their efforts to reach readers around with world with meaningful content,” says Mark Schoenwald, CEO and president of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “We are proud to partner with authors like Lysa who help further our mission to inspire the world with content that honors Jesus Christ.”

“To have Nabeel’s work honored by the ECPA is a testament to the legacy he left by sharing the powerful story of his conversion from Islam to Christianity,” says Stanley N. Gundry, senior v-p and publisher for Zondervan Reflective. “It’s a privilege to continue to steward his message and allow his witness for God to live on through his writing.”

Additionally, David Moberg, senior v-p and group publisher for HCCP, was honored with the ECPA Chair Award for the outstanding contributions he has made to the industry throughout his career. Moberg plans to retire this year, effective at the end of June.

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises both Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups in addition to Olive Tree Bible Software.  The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space.  Also home to BibleGateway.com, the world’s largest Christian website, and FaithGateway.com, an online community dedicated to helping people grow in their faith. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in the U.S. and Mexico.  For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com.

The Agustin Agency and Author Bárbara Palacios—Miss Universe Titleholder—Partner with Art College to Provide Rare Publishing Opportunity for Young Artists

Nashville, Tenn.—The Agustin Agency, a global literary agency that connects authors with audiences around the world, along with author and Miss Universe titleholder Bárbara Palacios presented a $1,000 scholarship to Nossi College of Art alumnus Mikal Barker on Friday, April 26.

Barker received the scholarship as the winner of an illustration contest initiated by The Agustin Agency to find an illustrator for Palacios’ upcoming children’s book series. In addition to the scholarship, Barker’s art will be included in Palacios’ book proposal, providing him a unique opportunity to have his work in front of major publishers.

“I’m a firm believer in supporting young people with these types of programs,” said Lluvia Agustin, who founded The Agustin Agency in July last year and represents Palacios as her literary agent. “When you win something, big or small,” she continued, “it boosts your self-esteem.” Agustin, who spent twenty years in the publishing industry before launching her own agency, said she is passionate about helping young people advance in their field. “It’s a way of giving back,” she said.

Nossi All Access, a program at Nossi College of Art that connects students with professional opportunities, worked with Agustin and Palacios to facilitate the contest. All illustration majors and alumni were invited to submit sketches and fully executed illustrations to exhibit how they would portray the characters and themes in Palacios’ children’s series that focuses on how to overcome obstacles and embrace who you truly are.

“This is a great opportunity for our students and recent graduates to work on a project of this size and importance,” said Cyrus Vatandoost, executive vice president of the college. “Through our Nossi All Access program, Nossi College gives students a glimpse into real-world timelines and deadlines, so they can compete in the professional world.”

The quality of Barker’s work stood out to Palacios, who said she was drawn to Barker’s use of color and his portrayal of the characters.

“When I saw Mikal Barker’s art, it brought tears to my eyes,” said Palacios. “I thought, ‘Yes, that’s it. They will fit my stories.’”

Agustin hopes to be able to carry out more contests like this, giving young artists a chance to illustrate for books or book proposals.

“More than the scholarship money, simply winning a contest like this can have a huge impact on a young artist” Agustin said. “The agency and I represent some of the best authors we know, and we are committed to empowering the artists and writers of the future.”

The Agustin Agency is a literary agency that utilizes a comprehensive set of services that gets authors the results they deserve. They work with publishers all over the world to get their books translated and distributed internationally. The Agustin Agency focuses on the quality of the content first and because of that approach, they are able to prepare proposals for publishers that are really worth their time and attention. To learn more, visit TheAgustinAgency.com.

Nossi College of Art offers professional, creative associate and bachelor’s degrees in Web & Interactive Design, Graphic Design Media, Photography, Video & Film and Commercial Illustration.

Bárbara Palacios is a speaker, a published author, the host of the podcast El Universo de Inspiración, and the winner of the Miss Universe contest of 1986.

Media inquiries: Lluvia Agustin, Info@TheAgustinAgency.com, 615-562-1036

PHOTO (from left):  Libby Funke Luff, Media Manager Nossi College; Kendall Whiteside, Communications Coordinator; Mikal Barker, Artist and Alumnus; Miss Universe Title Holder Barbara Palacios; Lluvia Agustin, General Director The Agustin Agency;  Cyrus Vatandoost, Executive Vice President of Nossi College