The Christian Authors Network Crown Awards recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors.  We are pleased to announce the CAN Crown Award finalists:

• Adria Wilkins, The Joy Box Journal, Ellie Claire Gifts
• Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Sacred Rest, FaithWords
• Linda Goldfarb and Kelly Harris, Lovey Mouse Easter, (double-finalist), Life Foundation Publishing
• Linda Goldfarb and Kelly Harris, Lovey Mouse in The Night Before Christmas, (double-finalist), Life Foundation Publishing
• Susan Neal, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar & Carbohydrates, Christian Yoga, LLC
• Carla Hoch, Fight Write-How to Write Believable Fight Scenes, Writers Digest Books
• Michelle Medlock Adams & Bethany Jett, Platinum Faith, Abingdon Press
• Michelle Medlock Adams, Dinosaur Devotions, Thomas Nelson

Finalists receive a ticket to attend the CAN Crown Awards banquet, logos for websites/materials, and recognition via the Christian Authors Network. Winners (gold, silver, and bronze) will be awarded at the ICVM/CAN Conference Nov. 12-16, 2019 in Franklin, TN. The Crown Awards banquet includes an overview of each Gold winning campaign in three categories. Gold winners in each category receive promotion via the Christian Authors Network until the 2020 CAN Crown Awards, a trophy, and logo medallions for their websites/materials.

The Christian Authors Network is comprised of a large network of traditionally published authors who work together to grow the industry, their careers, and Christ. Learn more about the Christian Authors Network at http://ChristianAuthorsNetwork.com.

Media Contact: Linda Kozar, 832.797.7522  lindakozar@gmail.com

Grand Rapids, Mich. — With over a million copies sold, Sacred Marriage has become a classic for married couples since its original release in 2000. Revised and updated in 2015 by author and speaker Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage continues to be a perennial bestseller, meeting the needs of today’s pre-married and married couples.

“I can’t count the number of couples that have told me this message saved their marriage,” says Thomas. “So many had given up but looking at marriage as a way to grow closer to God gave them a new foundation.”

Thomas remembers the first time a couple came up to him and showed him their baby, saying it was their “Sacred Marriage baby.” They were on the brink of divorce and said their marriage wouldn’t have survived and they never would have had this child if it wasn’t for the message of Sacred Marriage.

Sacred Marriage offers help with insights from Scripture, church history, time tested wisdom from Christian classics and examples from today’s marriages. It reveals how marriage trains us to love God and others well, how it exposes sin and makes us more aware of God’s presence, how good marriages foster good prayer, how married sex feeds the spiritual life and more.

“We recognize that the principles behind Sacred Marriage are timeless,” says Tom Dean, Vice President of Marketing. “We want a new generation of readers to look at marriage in a new light and ask the question Gary has been asking all along – what if marriage was meant to make us holy more than to make us happy.”

Gary Thomas is a writer-in-residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas. He is the author of nineteen books including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Cherish, Sacred Parenting and When To Walk Away.

Zondervan Books publishes books that ask big questions and bring inspiring insights. Part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the imprint works with gifted writers and communicators who engage readers with books about spiritual and personal growth, everyday living, memoir, family and marriage—topics that fuel life transformation through faith. Zondervan Books’ products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Their offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit zondervan.com.

Contact: Robin Barnett, Director of Public Relations  (616) 698-3251  robin.barnett@harpercollins.com

2020 List Marks the Publisher’s Strongest Lineup Yet

Eugene, Oregon (October 29, 2019)— Harvest House Publishers celebrated the company’s 45th anniversary last week, marking the historic moment with a staff celebration. In remarks to the team, Harvest House president, Bob Hawkins Jr., reminisced about significant corporate milestones and embraced the work ahead with a positive and encouraging message.

“When my dad originally founded the company with five titles and a dream, he never imagined the company would be one of the leading publishers of Christian literature in the world,” said Hawkins. “Now, after publishing over 140 million copies in more than 75 languages around the world, comprised of works by 907 authors, with eight titles that have each sold over 1 million copies, we know more than ever that the mission has just begun and the best days are yet ahead.”

Harvest House’s 2020 publishing roster is home to one of the most noteworthy lists in the company’s history, with titles forthcoming by Ruth Chou Simons, Gloria Furman, Amir Tsarfati, Naomi Zacharias McNeil, Donna VanLiere, Jerrad Lopes, Tony Evans and Jeremy and Adie Camp, to name a few.

“We’ve been blessed to publish so many important messages, but I have to say I am personally excited about the lineup for next year and the world-class team here that will be responsible for shepherding those launches,” said Hawkins.

True to the company’s guiding principles, management stayed late the night before the party to decorate the corporate office to surprise workers when they arrived the next day. “Our core values include fostering an environment in which people are highly valued as well as placing an emphasis on teamwork,” said Hawkins. “We wanted to celebrate our staff, and what better way to do that than to have the leadership team throw a party?”

Hawkins Jr. has led the company since 1991. With a commitment to distributing biblically sound books that proclaim Jesus as the answer to every human need, he believes that their work is more important now than ever before.

“When you work with our company in any capacity or purchase one of our books, we want the end result to be an affirmation of biblical values. In a world that can place priority elsewhere, we have chosen to glorify God through our high-quality products, and that will continue to be the mission of the company for the next 45 years.”

For more information about Harvest House, visit www.harvesthousepublishers.com.

About the Publisher
Harvest House, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes more than 135 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,200 titles. Over 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in over 75 different languages. For more information, visit www.HarvestHousePublishers.com.

Media Contact:  Jennifer Willingham, jennifer@epic.inc  615-483-4729

On Tuesday, November 5, InterVarsity Press will be launching its first book by a United States independent presidential candidate. Mark Charles, and coauthor Soong-Chan Rah, will be releasing Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.

A recent Publishers Weekly starred review described the book this way: “This sobering critique presents a disturbing yet welcome analysis of how the Doctrine of Discovery has split American church and society along racial lines, and makes a powerful argument for engaging in national dialogue around issues of class, gender, and race.”

With a prophetic blend of history, theology, and cultural commentary, Charles and Rah reveal the damaging effects of the Doctrine of Discovery and call the nation and churches to a truth-telling that will expose past injustices and open the door to conciliation and true community.

“I recall hearing Mark Charles speak at a Confessing Church consultation in Alexandria, Virginia, on the topic of the Doctrine of Discovery, several years before the publication of Unsettling Truths,” said Jeff Crosby, publisher for IVP. “I thought then, Mark’s message must be taken more widely than his speaking engagements will allow. I’m grateful for the InterVarsity Press team’s courageous commitment to publish this book about a topic that is not well understood, a topic we would do well to grapple with. If, as Mark and Soong-Chan write, the ‘unsettling of deeply entrenched beliefs’ leads to healing for a nation, then this book is one to be celebrated for not only its prophetic challenge but also its healing powers.”

Unsettling Truths and the ideas within it were in the works long before Charles decided to run for president. Together Charles and Rah put in nearly a decade of research, three years of writing, and another year of editing. Crosby said, “Unsettling Truths is an unsettling book because it challenges its readers to evaluate what we have long been taught and perhaps blindly accepted regarding American history and our country’s notion of its ‘exceptionalism’ and forces us to consider another viewpoint. It also helpfully and with precision probes questions regarding the intersection of Christian doctrine and a faithful pursuit of justice. While we may not agree with all of Mark’s and Soong-Chan’s interpretations and applications, we will benefit—as individuals, as communities, and as a nation—from giving the work careful, reflective attention.”

Charles, a man of Navajo and Dutch descent, is a speaker, writer, and consultant on the complexities of American history, race, culture, and faith. He and his family live in Washington, DC. Rah was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States shortly after his sixth birthday. He currently serves as Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. Rah is the author of Prophetic Lament, The Next Evangelicalism, Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church, and others.

Charles and Rah wrote, “The coauthors of this book have been friends for many years. . . . Our connection stems from our mutual love for Jesus and our mutual passion for Justice, both of which have found expression in our mutual lament for the church. In our journey together, we have discovered the power of developing common experiences and a common memory, which moves us toward a common purpose.”

Al Hsu, senior editor at IVP, said, “Mark and Soong-Chan are an ideal team for this project, bringing together history and theology, pointing readers to original sources and grappling with contemporary issues. Together they help us reckon with how the past continues to have ongoing implications for our present. Their unflinching exposition of hard truths will be deeply unsettling to many, in ways that will open us to a more hopeful future.”

The November release of Unsettling Truths also coincides with Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native people and to acknowledge their important contributions.

A Moving Story of Two Fathers—One Whose Daughter Was Killed in the Bombing, and the Other the Father of Her Killer, Timothy McVeigh—and of Forgiveness and How Good Can Overcome Evil

Grand Rapids, Mich., Nov. 4, 2019 – Zondervan Books has contracted to publish Grace from the Rubble: Two Fathers’ Road to Reconciliation after the Oklahoma City Bombing, the riveting true story of two men who appeared destined to be enemies—but who instead formed an unexpected bond in the wake of terrorism and tragedy.

Written by Jeanne Bishop, Grace from the Rubble will release April 14, 2020, five days before the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. Bishop is represented by Greg Daniel of Daniel Literary Group. World rights were acquired by Senior Acquisitions Editor Mick Silva.

The Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, was the deadliest attack of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, and it became one in a long line of violent attacks that have left communities across the nation searching for healing and hope.

Grace from the Rubble tells the intertwining stories of four individuals:

• Julie Welch, a young professional full of promise;
• Timothy McVeigh, the troubled mind behind the horrific event;
• Bud Welch, a father whose only daughter (Julie) was murdered; and,
• Bill McVeigh, Timothy’s father.

With searing details by first-hand witnesses (including the governor of Oklahoma), masterful storyteller Jeanne Bishop describes the suspenseful scenes leading up to that fateful day and the dramatic events after, as one father buried his daughter and the other saw his only son arrested and tried for mass murder. Vivid and haunting, this true story is rich with memories and beautiful descriptions of the nation’s heartland, a place of grit and love for neighbors and family. Bishop shares how murder affected her own family and led her to meet Bud and, ultimately, how they learned to see humanity amidst inhuman violence.

“With compassion for all who have been touched by tragedy, this poignant narrative will touch readers’ hearts with the astonishing forgiveness that led to an extraordinary friendship,” says Mick Silva, Senior Acquisitions Editor.

For review copies and interview requests, email Trinity McFadden at trinity.mcfadden@harpercollins.com.

About the Author: Jeanne Bishop grew up in Oklahoma City and is a public defender and human rights advocate who has written for online publications including Huffington Post and CNN.com, magazines, newspapers, law journals and academic books. Her memoir, Change of Heart, chronicles the murder of three of her family members and her forgiveness of and reconciliation with their killer.

Zondervan Books publishes books that ask big questions and bring inspiring insights. Part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the imprint works with gifted writers and communicators who engage readers with books about spiritual and personal growth, everyday living, memoir, family and marriage—topics that fuel life transformation through faith. Zondervan Books’ products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Their offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit zondervan.com.

Media Contacts:
Robin Barnett, Director of Public Relations, 616-698-3251  robin.barnett@harpercollins.com
Trinity McFadden, Senior Manager of Public Relations, 616-698-3331  trinity.mcfadden@harpercollins.com

Michael Pietsch, Hachette Book Group CEO, announced on October 23rd that Rolf Zettersten, Publisher of Hachette Nashville, will be retiring.  Zettersten will continue to lead the Nashville division’s five imprints until a successor is named shortly.

Rolf joined the company in July 2000 to establish a Christian publishing program, opening a Nashville office and launching an imprint that would eventually become FaithWords. Several of FaithWords biggest bestselling authors – Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and Wm. Paul Young – are among the most popular names in Christian publishing.

In 2004, Rolf introduced Center Street, publishing bestselling general market authors like John C. Maxwell, Mike Huckabee, Karen Kingsbury, Nelson DeMille, and Robert Edsel. In 2017, Center Street was refocused as a conservative political and military imprint that has been home to a number of bestsellers.

In 2018 Rolf played a key role in bringing Worthy Publishing into the Nashville Division.

“I am profoundly grateful to my Hachette colleagues and to the wonderful authors and agents with whom I have worked,” Zettersten said.  “It’s been a remarkable career and I am cheering for the continued growth and development of this program which means so much to me.”

“I want to thank Rolf for leading the Nashville division to reach remarkable heights with their publishing programs – selling more than 100 million copies since the division’s inception – and for his many contributions as a member of the Executive Management Board,” expressed Michael Pietsch, Hachette Book Group CEO.

October 25, 2019 – Michael Pietsch, CEO of Hachette Book Group, announced today that Daisy Blackwell Hutton will join Hachette Book Group (HBG) as Vice President and Publisher of the Hachette Nashville division. Hutton will join HBG on November 11 and will be a member of the company’s Executive Management Board.

In her new role, Hutton will lead Hachette Nashville’s publishing programs at its three imprints, FaithWords, Center Street, and Worthy Publishing. She will work with the imprints’ editorial teams on their excellent roster of authors and focus on expanding and deepening that roster, guiding acquisitions and list development for the division.

Hutton will be responsible for growing sales and creating marketing strategies that appeal to the Christian, inspirational, and conservative markets and beyond, while identifying new business opportunities and strategic partnerships. Hutton comes to HBG from HarperCollins Christian Publishing, where she has worked since 2012 in the role of Vice President and Publisher. Most recently she oversaw W Publishing, a commercial nonfiction imprint of Thomas Nelson (acquired by HarperCollins in 2012), working with New York Times bestselling authors Chip Gaines, Dr. David Jeremiah, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kathie Lee Gifford, and Rory Feek. Prior to her role at W Publishing, Hutton was Vice President and Publisher of Thomas Nelson Zondervan Fiction, working with New York Times bestselling authors Max Lucado, Terri Blackstock, Rachel Hauck, and Lis Wiehl, among others. Before these publishing roles, Hutton had more than a decade of experience in licensing, export sales, and subsidiary and foreign rights.

Michael Pietsch said, “Daisy brings to Hachette Nashville a deep understanding of the faith-based, inspirational, and conservative political book markets, combined with a passion for partnering with authors, and proven ability to grow business lines. I’m confident that she will build in exciting ways upon the successful program created by Rolf Zettersten and his talented editorial, marketing, publicity and design teams. I’m looking forward to working with Daisy as she leads and inspires the Hachette Nashville team, expands the business, and brings new voices to the group’s imprints. Her voice and perspective will be a welcome addition to HBG’s Executive Management Board.”

“I am honored to join the team at Hachette. I have long admired the organization’s publishing culture and look very much forward to contributing my own vision and effort to the amazing program that Rolf Zettersten and the Nashville team have created.”

Contact: Sophie Cottrell, SVP Corporate Communications, sophie.cottrell@hbgusa.com

Award-winning Slugs & Bugs creator Randall Goodgame releases two more kids books 

[NASHVILLE, TENN., October 28, 2019—] B&H Kids is excited to announce the next two Slugs & Bugs books, “The Society of Extraordinary Raccoon Society” and “The Society of Extraordinary Raccoon Society on Boasting,” from Dove Award-nominated singer-songwriter, family entertainer and Slugs & Bugs creator Randall Goodgame.

Goodgame has released four critically-acclaimed Slugs & Bugs children’s albums in the past 12 years, with CCMMagazine.com describing the brand as “…the greatest thing to happen to children’s music in a generation.” Goodgame has received multiple Dove Award nominations and rave reviews from families all over the world that love his scripturally-based, witty and unique music.

Goodgame says he designed the books so that old and new friends of Slugs & Bugs alike can enjoy its witty world and biblical wisdom through books, even when the music isn’t playing. In May, B&H Kids released the first Slugs & Bugs books by Goodgame, “Who Will Play with Me?” and “Are We Still Friends?.”

The books are designed to get kids ages 4 to 8 laughing while teaching them scriptural truths, using few words and engaging, visual storytelling. The Society of Extraordinary Racoon Society (“SOERS”) are favorite characters from the Slugs & Bugs songs, and these new picture books explore their world and their fun message about giving.

“For families raising kids to know and love Jesus, ‘The Society of Extraordinary Raccoon Society looks an awful lot like the church family. Before the SOERS, our raccoons are thieves, and slaves to their most base instincts. The SOERS provide a loving, wise, and safe place for Morty and Maggie to grow into something more,” Goodgame said. “Additionally, these books mirror relationships and temptations kids can relate to. And long-time fans may enjoy the glimpse into the whimsical underground world of reforming raccoons.”

Goodgame has written songs for Veggie Tales, Caedmon’s Call, Andrew Peterson, Jason Gray, Jill Phillips and Eric Peters. He is also a frequent collaborator with singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson, working on the 2006 music album, “Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies.” From this album, the song, “You Can Always Come Home,” was featured on the Veggie Tales’ “The Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s” (2007).

In October, “The Slugs & Bugs Show” premiered on home video and streaming RightNow Media, with each episode showcasing joyful stories, memorable musical moments and a colorful cast of characters who journey through life together, grounded in biblical principles.

“I’m not sure if there is anything more exciting than hearing your own children sing the Bible,” said Devin Maddox, B&H trade book publisher. “In my family, Slugs & Bugs has been a huge part of my children’s spiritual formation, which is part of the reason I am so proud of LifeWay’s partnership with Randall and the whole gang.”

For more information, visit bhpublishing.com or slugsandbugs.com

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Hailed by CCMMagazine.com as ” . . . the greatest thing to happen to children’s music in a generation,” Randall Goodgame has a deep and abiding passion for helping families get to know Jesus and the joy of the gospel. His Slugs & Bugs music is among the most revered and critically lauded series in Christian family entertainment, garnering multiple Dove Award nominations. He now brings his trademark artistic excellence and delightful enthusiasm for the Word to these books written for children and the grown-ups who love them.

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.

New agreement moves distribution of Foundation vendors to Anchor Distributors

(Orono, ON) – Pat Chown, Claire Prodger, and Bob Wood, owners of Foundation Distributing Inc. (FDI) are pleased to announce an agreement moving all distribution and operations to Anchor Distributors in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, effective December 1st.

“We see this agreement as one that will aid current and new retailers in Canada in being more competitive against the growing online giants. It allows for more cohesive marketing opportunities.”
—Bob Whitaker, president of Anchor Distributors

“Sourcing more product from a single location can provide better fill rates, save time, reduce freight costs, and simplify day to day business. This agreement will strengthen the Christian Product supply chain and provide efficiencies that will benefit retailers in Canada.”
—Pat Chown, partner, Foundation Distributing Inc.

“Anchor Distributors’ mission is to serve retailers by providing Christian and Inspirational resources to the market. Anchor Word Alive and FDI share this mission and we’re working for a seamless transition. The 72 Hour Sale, 2 Day Sale, and other sales and marketing programs will continue uninterrupted.”
—Claire Prodger, partner, Foundation Distributing Inc.

“Bob Whitaker is a straightforward, forward thinking person of integrity. There’s a common mission and purpose shared by the entire Whitaker, Anchor Word Alive team that made us confident this was the right path forward. This agreement is a progressive step for the Canadian market.”
—Bob Wood, partner, Foundation Distributing Inc.

“Our customers in Canada are vital to the lifeline of our mission and business and this exciting change will allow us to continually improve to serve them better.”
—Jeremy Braun, managing director for Canadian operations – Word Alive

Anchor Word Alive Inc. is a Canadian subsidiary of Anchor Distributors (“Anchor”), which is a division of Whitaker Corporation established in 1970.

For information contact the transition teams:

• Foundation Distributing Inc., CistomerService@fdi.ca  Phone: 1-877-368-3600
• Anchor Word Alive, WordAlive.CustomerService@WordAlive.ca  Phone: 1-800-665-1468