Tina Constable, Senior Vice President and Publisher for Christian Publishing for The Crown Group at Penguin Random House, has announced that Laura Barker has been promoted to Vice President, Editor in Chief, WaterBrook and Multnomah, effective immediately. Barker has been a highly valued member of the WaterBrook and Multnomah editorial staff for nearly twenty years, serving in several management roles, including Managing Editor and Editorial Director. In the past year, Barker has done an outstanding job of collaborating on acquisition strategy, and on leading the editorial team with a high level of professionalism and expertise.

In addition to her leadership skills, Barker has acquired and edited with consummate skill some of WaterBrook and Multnomah’s most important authors, including Jennie Allen, Katie Davis Majors, Kay Arthur, Liz Curtis Higgs, Randy Alcorn and Joanna Weaver, to name but a few. In her new role, Barker continues as a vital member of the WaterBrook and Multnomah management team that also includes Associate Publisher Campbell Wharton; Vice President, Director of Marketing Ginia Hairston Croker; Vice President, Director of Operations Debbie Mitchell; and Vice President, Director of Publicity Beverly Rykerd. Together, WaterBrook and Multnomah will continue the creative growth, success, and intentional list building that has defined its Christian publishing program in recent years.

WaterBrook and Multnomah are imprints of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, which is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively. With more than 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With 15,000 new titles, and 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Contact: Beverly Rykerd  (719) 440-2746  brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

Company also received two Platinum Awards for titles selling more than one million units

(Nashville, TN) May 2, 2018—HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced today the company’s two publishing groups, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, received four Christian Book Awards®, cumulatively, including Sarah Young’s bestselling “Jesus Always” (Thomas Nelson) winning the 2018 Christian Book of the Year.

At this year’s ECPA’s Leadership Summit, held in Washington, D.C., Thomas Nelson was also recognized at the ECPA Awards Celebration on Tuesday evening, May 1, 2018, for two titles achieving major sales milestones.

The 2018 Christian Book Award winners include:

• “Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence,” by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson)-Christian Book of the Year
• “Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life Changing Truth for a Skeptical World,” by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, PhD (Thomas Nelson)- Bible Reference Works
• “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett, illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Tommy Nelson)- Children
• “The Bible’s Explorer’s Guide” by Nancy I. Sanders (Zonderkidz)- Young People’s Literature*
  

The Platinum Award for outstanding sales achievements, reaching more than one million units sold, was given to “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson) and “Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely” (Thomas Nelson) by Lysa TerKeurst.

In addition, HarperCollins Christian Publishing was honored to have eight additional titles to be named as award finalists in 11 categories:

• “Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible NIV” (Lexham Press, Zondervan)- Bibles
• “Kids’ Visual Study Bible NIV” (Zonderkidz)-Bibles
• “The Gospel According to Paul” by John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson)- Bible Study
• “God’s Great Love for You” by Rick Warren, illustrated by Chris Saunders (Zonderkidz)- Children
• “‘Twas the Evening of Christmas” by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Elena Selivanova (Zonderkidz)- Children
• “Goliath Must Fall” by Louis Giglio (W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson)- Christian Living
• “Standing in the Fire” by Tom Doyle (W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson)- Faith and Culture
• “The Story of Reality” by Greg Koukl (Zondervan)- Faith and Culture

“Congratulations to the authors and publishing team award winners of the 2018 Christian Book Awards,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “Special congratulations and thank you to Sarah Young for winning the Christian Book of the Year while also being recognized for one million units sold within a year.  The Jesus Calling brand continues to impact millions of people around the world, a true testament to our mission. All named winners and finalists are illustrating the breadth of influence our publishing groups have in delivering life-changing messages to people searching for inspiration.”

For more information about Thomas Nelson, go to www.thomasnelson.com.  For more information about Zondervan, go to www.zondervan.com.  For more information about HarperCollins Christian Publishing go to www.harpercollinschristian.com.

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. 

Unified examines the importance of national unity through personal friendship; also makes USA Today and Publishers Weekly lists

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (May 2, 2018)—Unified, the new book by Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina) is a New York Times bestseller. Published by Tyndale Momentum, Unified debuted at No. 12 on the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction Best Sellers list, and No. 14 on the Nonfiction Print Hardcover list for the week of April 22. In addition, Unified debuted at No. 11 on the Publishers Weekly nonfiction bestsellers, and is a USA Today bestseller as well.

To promote the book, Senator Scott and Congressman Gowdy appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation, CBS’s This Morning, ABC’s The View, FOX & Friends, FOX News’s The Story with Martha MacCallum, CNN’s New Day, and MSNBC Live with Katy Tur, as well as FOX Business’s Varney & Co. and Kennedy, among many other electronic and print interviews.

In addition to the extensive media interviews, Senator Scott and Congressman Gowdy have done a number of book signings in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Texas.

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that both Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia (Crossway, July 2017) by John Dunlop, MD and Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community (Crossway, September 2017) by Brett McCracken have won 2018 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Awards.

According to the ECPA’s website, the Christian Book Award program “recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.”

Awards are offered in the following 11 categories:
• Bibles
• Bible Reference Works
• Bible Study
• Ministry Resources
• Biography & Memoir
• Christian Living
• Faith & Culture
• Devotion & Gift
• Children (Ages 0–8)
• Young People’s Literature (Nonfiction)
• New Author

Uncomfortable tied for the award in the Christian Living category. In this book, McCracken makes a compelling case that following Jesus and being part of his church is not about seeking our own comfort, but rather that we are called to embrace the more difficult aspects of Christianity in the context of the local church.

Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia, winner in the Faith & Culture category, calls Christians to respond to dementia in a way that offers the best care to patients, honors the inherent dignity of all people, and brings glory to God.

“It is a great encouragement to us that books of this caliber, grounded in deep theology but made accessible and practical for the good of the church, would be recognized in this way,” says Justin Taylor, Executive Vice President of Book Publishing, Book Publisher for Crossway. “We are delighted to work with Brett and John and honored to publish these books.”

John Dunlop (MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) has practiced medicine in Zion, Illinois, for thirty-seven years and currently works with the geriatrics group associated with Yale Medical School. He is board certified in geriatrics and has a master’s degree in bioethics from Trinity International University, where he serves on the adjunct faculty.

Brett McCracken is a senior editor at the Gospel Coalition and author of Uncomfortable; Gray Matters; and Hipster Christianity. Brett and his wife, Kira, live in Santa Ana, California. They belong to Southlands Church, where Brett serves as an elder.

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.

Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia by John Dunlop, MD
Available from Crossway Christian Ministry/Counseling & Recovery (REL050000)
ISBN 978-1-4335-5209-0 5.5″ x 8.5″
Paperback $18.99 • 208 pp. Publication Date: July 31, 2017

Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community by Brett McCracken
Available from Crossway RELIGION / Christian Life / General (REL012000)
ISBN: 978-1-4335-5425-4 5.5″ x 8.5″
Paperback $15.99 • 224 pp. Publication Date: September 30, 2017

Eugene, Oregon—May 2, 2018—Harvest House Publishers is pleased to announce that GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Chou Simons is a recipient of the 2018 Christian Book Awards® in the Devotion & Gift category. 

GraceLaced is more than a book with pretty florals and fanciful brushwork—its about flourishing. This beautiful volume of seasonal devotions encourages readers in any circumstance to become deeply rooted in God’s faithful promises as they journey through the changing seasons of the heart.

“I am incredibly honored, and am grateful to my publisher, my agent, my editor and the many others who worked with me to bring this book to life. I’m thankful for friends who’ve diligently cheered me on, and my supportive readers. The glory goes to God, who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine,” shared Simons upon receiving the news.

Simons, an artist, writer, entrepreneur, and speaker, is the creator of the popular GraceLaced online shoppe, blog, and Instagram community where she daily shares scriptural truths through her hand-painted artwork and words.

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the absolute 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 is among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.

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.

Contact:  Christianne Debysingh, Harvest House Publishers
Phone: 888-468-4108  Fax: 541-302-0732
Email: cdebysingh@harvesthousepublishers.com
Web: www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Page Chaser: Books. Naps. Coffee. Repeat

(Nashville, TN) May 3, 2018— Not  long ago, a small group of HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) employees sat commiserating. The problem was this: they were avid readers, pop-culture enthusiasts and Christians who had no community.

Why doesn’t a fun, engaging faith-based book community exist?  Was there a way to build a home for avid readers who just happened to also be believers? Could a bookish community be diverse, intellectual, witty and sharp, and still be uplifting?

There was only one way to find out.  Enter Page Chaser.

Page Chaser is a space for everyone stuck in the middle; a place where you can talk about Stranger Things and Max Lucado. Page Chaser promotes positive, intelligent conversations on diverse content that makes people laugh, think and engage, leaving negativity at the virtual door. Any reader who is interested in discovering great stories, inspiring conversations and, well, just great clean content will feel welcome.

Stephanie Newton, the Page Chaser brand ambassador summed it up nicely, “When dreaming up Page Chaser, we discussed the idea of, ‘The nicest corner of the Internet.’ It seemed imperative to us that, in a world full of cruel social internet content, we could be here, metaphorically handing out muffins and asking if you’ve read Neil Gaiman.  We’re not here to fight with you. We’re not here to lead a revolution. We just want to bring goodwill back to humanity – one book at a time.”

PageChaser.com is home to humorous editorials, listicles recommending books, current news as it relates to books, author Q&As and more. Page Chaser’s audiobook platform offers readers “First Listens” of new books, bonus materials and behind-the-scene glimpses of in-studio author recordings. The all-original content features new titles, some hidden gems and contributor all-time favorites, positioning it to be an important discoverability point for readers and reviewers.

Page Chaser has a multifaceted reach through different content platforms. To support its blog, @page.chaser is a highly curated Instagram feed where engaging questions are posed alongside high-quality photos. Page Chaser on Facebook boosts blog posts and shares audience-provoking material to grab the attention of future page-chasers.

Newton added,  “Page Chaser is a place for conversing, laughing, reading, and belonging. Around here we firmly believe that there are two things you can never have enough of: friends and books, and we hope to be your favorite gathering spot for both.”

To learn more, please visit PageChaser.com.

Media Contact:  Casey Harrell, senior director, Corporate Communications
tel: 615.902.1109  email: casey.harrell@harpercollins.com

WaterBrook and Multnomah has promoted two key editors in the Colorado Springs office. Laura Barker, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, announced the promotions of Shannon Marchese to Executive Editor and Susan Tjaden to Senior Editor.

“Shannon is highly respected by colleagues throughout Christian publishing for her keen instincts and up-to-the-minute knowledge of current trends. She joined our company as Editor in 2004, and since then she has spearheaded our fiction and children’s programs with passion and energy,” said Barker. Marchese has edited books by best-selling, award-winning authors like Cindy Woodsmall and Lisa Tawn Bergren. In her most recent role as Senior Editor, Marchese has expanded her list to include nonfiction authors such as Jessica Honegger, Jonathan Merritt, and Jo Saxton. Marchese’s expertise is reflected in many forthcoming titles, including As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall, Walk On by Ben Malcolmson, and Imperfect Courage by Jessica Honegger.

“In her more than six years with WaterBrook and Multnomah, first as Associate Editor and most recently as Editor, Susan has consistently proven herself a team player with a great eye for books with commercial appeal. Along with winning the appreciation of authors like Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Becky Thompson for her skillful ability to draw out the best in their writing, Susan has taken the lead in developing ideas for the interactive inspirational resources and journals in WaterBrook’s proprietary creative line,” said Barker. Tjaden’s upcoming books include Made Like Martha by Katie Reid, Eat at Home Tonight by Tiffany King, and The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker.

WaterBrook and Multnomah are imprints of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, which is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively. With more than 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With 15,000 new titles, and 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Contact: Beverly Rykerd  (719) 268-1935  brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

Who Lynched Willie Earle? compels modern Christians to understand both race and faith

(Nashville, TN) – Abingdon Press is excited to announce Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism by author William H. Willimon is the winner of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) 2018 Christian Book Award® in the Ministry Resources category.

In Who Lynched Willie Earle? Willimon encourages preachers to see American racism as an opportunity for Christians to honestly name our sin and engage in acts of “detoxification, renovation, and reparation.” Preaching that confronts racism powerfully communicates salvation from the sinful narratives of American white supremacy. It hears black pain, names white complicity, and offers a Gospel-centered critique of American exceptionalism and civil religion.

“Will Willimon’s books are inspiring, creative, humorous, prophetic, and edgy. That’s in part how the author makes the lynching of Willie Earl in 1947 so relevant today,” notes Paul Franklyn, Associate Publisher at Abingdon Press. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” says Will Willimon. “I’ve been working on this book for fifty years, ministering to ‘America’s Original Sin’ (Jim Wallis) of racism and enjoying the task of speaking up and speaking out in the pulpit. My purpose was to equip and to encourage fellow preachers and I’m pleased to have been honored in the Ministry Resources category.”

The award was presented in Washington D.C., May 1, 2018, during the ECPA Leadership Summit. “For 40 years ECPA has recognized excellence in Christian publishing through the Christian Book Award® program,” says Stan Jantz, executive director of ECPA. “We are grateful to the publishers and their authors who create and produce these Award-winning books and Bibles. They are prime examples of the effective way publishing fulfills ECPA’s mission: To make the Christian message more widely known.”

Abingdon Press is the primary publishing imprint for The United Methodist Publishing House and has a tradition of crossing denominational boundaries with thought-provoking and inspirational books. Abingdon Press titles include a wide array of quality Bibles, Bible studies, small group studies, Christian living, fiction, devotional, academic, professional, and reference titles published each year to enrich church communities across the globe. Visit AbingdonPress.com.

Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, the New York Times bestselling author of Love & Respect, will do a media tour beginning this week to discuss his latest book The 4 Wills of God: The Way He Directs Our Steps and Frees Us to Direct Our Own (April 2018, B&H Books). Dr. Eggerichs will be featured on nationally-syndicated radio shows and top podcasts such as Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, RELEVANT Magazine’s new Love & Money Podcast, Life Today with James and Betty Robison and other top outlets.

Live appearances this week will include:

• May 7 from 10:30-11am CT: Bill Martinez Live!
• May 8 from 5-6pm CT: In the Market with Janet Parshall on Moody Radio
• May 9 from 3-4pm CT: Live the Promise with Susie Larson on MyFaith Radio

Earlier this spring, Dr. Eggerichs was featured on The Eric Metaxas Show, Chris Fabry Live! and Connecting Faith with Carmen LaBerge. For more information about The 4 Wills of God, click here.

Nashville, Tenn., May 4, 2018 – Bestselling author and nationally known speaker, Annie F. Downs, has reached a milestone: 100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self, has sold more than 100,000 units.

The book released October 2017 and has become so popular that it is continuously flying off the shelves at these retailers: Amazon, Target, LifeWay, and Barnes & Noble stores. 

“Annie comes alongside the reader as a friend and mentor, offering achievable steps to replace fears with courage.,” said Laura Minchew, senior vice president and publisher of Gift Books, Tommy Nelson Children’s Books and New Media at Thomas Nelson. “We are so happy to see the success of this book and the huge number of lives it has impacted.” 

Downs wrote 100 Days to Brave as a reflection of her own journey to stop allowing fear to hold her back. With honesty and relatable humor, the compilation of best-of writings and new pieces from Annie has helped readers embrace the path and the plan God has for them. 

“My life changed significantly when I stopped listening to fear and started to believe that I could be brave. I’ve seen it in other people, and I see it in myself, that amazing doors open (and all the right ones have closed) when I choose to take the courageous next step. It’s what I hope for all my friends and readers – that bravery would be their first option, not the last,” said Downs.

Annie F. Downs is an author, blogger and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God, and loves traveling around the country speaking to young women, college students and adults. Annie has written five other books: Looking for Lovely, Let’s All Be Brave, Perfectly Unique, Speak Love, and Speak Love Revolution. Learn more about her at anniefdowns.com and follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products.  Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Media Contact: Angela Guzman, Publicist
(615) 902-2737   Angela.guzman@harpercollins.com