Olivia Newport’s New Fiction Series Appeals to America’s Fascination with Genealogy

Uhrichsville, OH—Millions of Americans have become captivated with uncovering their family histories. In fact, genealogy is touted as the second most popular hobby in the United States. That’s why the timing of Barbour’s latest series by Olivia Newport could not be better.

Tree of Life, a charmingly heartfelt and often surprising series, explores and celebrates family stories against the backdrop of a lovely Colorado mountain town readers will want to visit (and revisit). Stories (often based on actual historical events) are uncovered and woven together by an endearing father-daughter genealogy duo. Characters learn about who they are, where they come from, and their unique faith journeys as they discover their own Tree of Life.

This truly unique series will launch in May 2019 with the release of The Inn at Hidden Run, which follows genealogist Jillian as she traces a tradition of doctors to an ancestor saved during a yellow fever outbreak in Memphis in 1878. Four books are currently planned with the potential for more releases in the future.

“The charming warmth of Olivia Newport’s characters and setting are what drew me in,” said Annie Tipton, senior acquisitions editor. “But it is the genealogy journeys of discovery— connecting past to present, brokenness to healing, and heritage to faith—that keep me wanting to read more!”

Release Schedule for First Four Books:

• May 2019: The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport 978-1-68322-994-0
• November 2019: In the Cradle Lies by Olivia Newport 978-1-68322-995-7
• May 2020: When I Meet You by Olivia Newport 978-1-68322-996-4
• November 2020: What You Said to Me by Olivia Newport 978-1-68322-997-1

To learn more about the Tree of Life series, visit www.barbourbooks.com or view our latest catalog on Edelweiss.

Media Contact: Shalyn Sattler ssattler@barbourbooks.com 740.922.6045 X 109

Hall of Fame Coach will sign books in Bloomington, suburban Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne on March 1 and 2

CAROL STREAM, ILL. – Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) has announced that Tony Dungy (@tonydungy), Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, football commentator, and #1 New York Times bestselling author, will be in Indiana next weekend to promote his new book, The Soul of a Team, which he wrote with Nathan Whitaker. The Soul of a Team (Tyndale House Publishers, $26.99, hardcover, 978-1-4964-1376-5) is Dungy’s seventeenth book, which includes ten children’s books he co-authored with his wife, Lauren.

Headlining the three book signings is an “Evening with Tony Dungy” event at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington, Ind., on Friday, Feb. 1, at 7:00 p.m. A free event, Indiana University head football coach Tom Allen and Dungy will discuss leadership and team building in a 40-minute question & answer session. The Q&A will be immediately followed by Dungy signings copies of The Soul of a Team, which will be available for purchase at the event. The free non-ticketed event is open to the public. Seating is general admission and doors open at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, March 2, Dungy will sign books in Fort Wayne and Carmel (details below).

As a former Super Bowl–winning coach, Dungy is an expert at building and bringing out the best in a team. Drawing on his experiences from years of coaching and working with other leaders, The Soul of a Teamlays out four essential principles practiced by truly effective teams. Telling the story of a fictional NFL team looking for a turnaround, The Soul of a Team not only identifies some of the most common issues that hold a team back but also lays out a game plan for winning teamwork. Tony’s principles can be applied to any team, whether it relates to business, sports, or families. The book includes a bonus group-discussion guide.

The book-signing schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 1
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
“An Evening with Tony Dungy”
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church
2700 East Rogers Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 334-0206
Event includes a 40-minute Q&A Followed by a Book Signing. Admission is free and doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 2 
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Costco
5110 Value Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 481-1100

Saturday, March 2
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Barnes & Noble
Greyhound Plaza
14790 Greyhound Plaza
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) 844-2501

Tony Dungy is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books include Quiet Strength, Uncommon, The Mentor Leader, and Uncommon Marriage, the last of which he wrote with his wife, Lauren. He has also written ten children’s books with Lauren as well. He led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory on February 4, 2007—the first such win for an African American head coach. Dungy established another NFL record by becoming the first head coach to lead his teams to the playoffs for ten consecutive years. He joined the Colts in 2002 after serving as the most successful head coach in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. Dungy has also held a number of assistant coaching positions. Before becoming a coach, he played three seasons in the NFL. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Dungy retired from coaching in 2009 and now serves as a studio analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America. Tony and Lauren are the parents of ten children.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $100 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

February 25, 2019 — Responding to a need in the Christian rights community, ECPA has announced the formation of the European Christian Rights Fair in Krakow, Poland, and the International Christian Rights Fair in Chicago.

The European Christian Rights Fair is being held March 18-20 at the Domus Mater retreat center in Krakow, Poland. Working together with the leadership of the Licensing Sub Rights Association (LSRA), ECPA arranged for and will facilitate the three-day event. The first two days will enable rights professionals to meet with publishers and distributors from several European countries, including Austria, Hungary, Norway, Germany, the Slovak Republic, and Poland.

The entire day of March 20 will be a Training Day for those attending the European Christian Rights Fair, and also for people attending the CLC European Conference, which will immediately follow. Training Day session leaders will include Jim Elwell Director of International Publishing for Tyndale House Publishers; Nadiyka Gerbish, European and Nordic languages rights manager for Riggins Rights Management; and ECPA President Stan Jantz.

“ECPA saw the need in the international Christian rights community to facilitate and host this rights fair in Krakow,” said Jantz. “The ECPA board has asked our office to explore ways to partner and collaborate with the global publishing community, and I can’t think of a better way than to collaborate with the international rights professionals who serve our membership.”

Two months later, on June 25 and 26, the International Christian Rights Fair will convene in Chicago on the campus of Moody Bible Institute. Members of the Christian rights community in North America will have an opportunity to meet with foreign publishers, retailers, and distributors.

“We were asked by the leadership of LSRA to help facilitate this first-ever rights event in Chicago,” said Jantz. “ECPA sees this as filling an important need for the rights community.

For more information on how to exhibit and register for both events, please contact Cynthia Helblig, ECPA office manager, at chelblig@ecpa.org.

(February 18, 2019) — Last week, ECPA released the first installment in a two-part series that considers the priority of diversity in the industry – economically, culturally, and theologically.  ECPA commissioned Dr. Theon E. Hill, assistant professor at Wheaton College, who presented to editors at PubU 2018 and to authors in 2017 at The Art of Writing conference.

“His well-received session at PubU to industry editors on ‘Achieving Diversity in Book Publishing’ was the impetus for this project,” states ECPA President & CEO Stan Jantz. “ECPA publishers are launching and continuing efforts in their own programs and want more opportunities and information to expand their diversity efforts.”

Dr. Hill lays out the industry-specific ‘why’ of diversity in this paper, and will drill down into the industry-specific ‘how’ in his session at Leadership Summit and corresponding part-two paper.

Dr. Hill will present at the upcoming ECPA Leadership Summit on “Connecting the Christian Community through your Publishing program” and will also be part of a session with Wheaton College President Dr. Phil Ryken on “Identifying the voices of the future Church in Higher Ed.

“Both sessions are part of our robust program for Christian publishing leaders on expanding your mission beyond borders… in your institution, the industry, the future church, throughout the global marketplace, and in the expanding reaches of consumer engagement,” continues Jantz.

The ECPA Leadership Summit will be held April 30-May 1 in Chicago.
Early bird rates expire on March 15.
Register for ECPA Leadership Summit.

“The Priority of Diversity in Christian Publishing” paper is available for immediate download for all ECPA members only.

Leadership expert John Maxwell reaches sales milestone

(Nashville, TN) February 4, 2019—Thomas Nelson is pleased to announce that The Maxwell Leadership Bible has officially sold its one millionth copy. Originally published in 2002 with executive editor Dr. John C. Maxwell, the Bible is now in its third edition.

The Maxwell Leadership Bible features over 120 “Profiles in Leadership” lessons that examine different leaders throughout the Bible, along with compelling short articles and notes on mentoring and influencing the workplace and the world as an employee, boss, parent, or neighbor. The Bible also provides a complete reference index for Maxwell’s bestselling leadership resources, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership  (Thomas Nelson) and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader (HarperCollins Leadership).

“While I’m best known for leadership, my ultimate goal is to see men and women fulfill their God-given potential to make a difference in the world,” says Maxwell. “There is no greater book to make that type of transformation possible than the Bible.”

“Regardless of your career or vocation, John transforms familiar Bible stories into profound lessons and life-changing principles,” says Daniel Marrs, publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles. “We are honored to celebrate this outstanding publishing achievement and are eager to continue partnering with John to share his time-tested wisdom, equipping a new generation of godly leaders.” The Maxwell Leadership Bible is available in English in the New King James Version (NKJV) and New International Version (NIV) and in Spanish in Nueva Versión Internacional (NVI) and Reina-Valera 1960 (RVR60), reaching readers across the United States, Latin America, and Spain, all printed in Thomas Nelson’s exclusive Comfort Print typeface.

“The potency of the leadership advice John provides in The Maxwell Leadership Bible transcends culture and language,” says Cris Garrido, publisher for Grupo Nelson. “Not only are we thrilled that the message of this Bible clearly resonates with Spanish-language readers; we are also excited for the work still ahead as we steward this powerful content in order to reach new readers across the globe.”

Maxwell’s commitment to empowering Christian leaders on a global scale goes beyond The Maxwell Leadership Bible. He also founded EQUIP, a non-profit organization focused on training and mobilizing effective Christian leaders to practice Biblical servant leadership in their ministries. 

About Thomas Nelson: Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum, and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Carol Stream, Ill. (February 5, 2018)—Focus on the Family, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release Young Whit and the Shroud of Secrecy, #2 in the Young Whit series, on April 9, 2019.

The Young Whit series tells the backstory of John Avery Whittaker, the beloved patriarch of the Adventures in Odyssey audio dramas. The series introduces newcomers to the larger world of Odyssey and provides longtime fans with the exciting history of the franchise’s key character.

Authors Phil Lollar and Dave Arnold are seasoned experts when it comes to Adventures in Odyssey. Lollar has created, written, produced, and performed in dozens of kids’ audio/video series, including: Adventures in Odyssey, Jungle Jam and Friends, The Little Angels, Little Dogs on the Prairie, 3,2,1 Penguins, Paws & Tails, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, The Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Show, Tom and Jerry, and Space Racers. Arnold is the executive producer of Adventures in Odyssey and Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. During his 30-year tenure, he has worked in many facets of the programs’ creation, including writing, directing, acting, sound design, and producing.

Young Whit and the Shroud of Secrecy by Dave Arnold and Phil Lollar
ISBN: 978-1-58997-585-9 | Hardcover: $12.99 | April 2019
FocusontheFamily.com
Tyndale.com

Tyndale House Publishers, founded in 1962, is the world’s largest privately held Christian publisher of books, Bibles, and digital media. Tyndale has published many New York Times bestsellers. The largest portion of its profit goes to the nonprofit Tyndale House Foundation, which makes grants to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale was founded to publish Living Letters, which later comprised part of The Living Bible, a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible that became a global publishing phenomenon. Tyndale now publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), the translation of choice for millions of people.

Focus on the Family, which reaches about 38 million people in 120 countries, is a global faith-based ministry that helps families thrive. Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to partner with Focus on the Family to help provide trusted resources for strengthening believers in their faith and sharing the gospel; building resilient marriages that reflect God’s design; equipping parents to raise their children with a thriving faith; advocating for the preborn, orphaned, and life at every stage; and engaging the culture through a biblical worldview. Visit Focus at FocusontheFamily.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

WaterBrook, an imprint of Random House, has acquired the first book from stand-up comedian John Crist, known for his humor relating to the nuances and quirks of the church. Tina Constable, WaterBrook Executive Vice President and Publisher, and Lead Acquisition Editor Andrew Stoddard acquired world publishing rights from United Talent Agency. Stoddard will also serve as the editor. The book, which will offer a delightful dose of Crist’s signature wit as he explores themes from his upbringing, millennial foibles, and the bothersome trapping of modern life, is scheduled to be published in Spring 2020.

“John Crist brings something fresh to comedy with a hilarious perspective appealing to both Christian and mainstream audiences,” says Constable. “We couldn’t be happier to be publishing his first book. John’s humor helps us laugh at ourselves, and who couldn’t use more of that?”

Adds Crist, “The book writing process has been so much fun! There are tons of funny stories and observations that I’ve made in life that are not necessarily stories for my live show or a social media video…but perfect for a book. I’m excited for readers to experience a new side of me that I’ve never explored before. I can’t wait for people to read it!”

The next big thing in comedy, Crist has performed to sold-out crowds around the country and has more than one billion views of his comedy videos, such as “Millennial International,” “Road Rage in the Church Parking Lot,” and “Every Parent at Disney.” Crist has shared the stage with some of the most influential comics in the business, including Dave Chappelle, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Meyers, Larry the Cable Guy, Trevor Noah, Dana Carvey, Adam Carolla, Chris D’Elia, Anjelah Johnson, and Louie Anderson and has appeared on such outlets as ESPN, USA Today, US Weekly, Buzzfeed, “Today,” HLN, Sports Illustrated, and The Huffington Post. His social media following boasts more than three million followers.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher.

For more information, contact Beverly Rykerd at brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com or (719) 268-1935. 

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that Jen Wilkin’s Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds (Crossway, July 2014) has surpassed 250,000 units in print sales.

As a Bible teacher, Wilkin has grown concerned that many women read God’s Word through the lens of their emotions, forgetting that the Bible is, first and foremost, a book about God. Wilkin wrote Women of the Word as a challenge and resource for women desiring to dig deeper in their study of Scripture, with the aim of transforming their hearts by training their minds.

“The heart cannot love what the mind does not know,” writes Wilkin. “Yes, it is sinful to acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but acquiring knowledge about One we love, for the sake of loving him more deeply, will always be for our transformation. We must love God with our minds, allowing our intellect to inform our emotions, rather than the other way around.”

Available in both trade paperback and ebook formats, Women of the Word has received commendations from Kathy Keller (author of Jesus, Justice, and Gender Roles), Matt Chandler (pastor of the Village Church in Dallas), Gloria Furman (author of Missional Motherhood), and more.

Publishers Weekly writes, “Wilkin’s challenges to the status quo, grounded in years of observation, ring with gentle wisdom and guide readers in how to study the Bible with greater depth.”

“Jen is a gift from God to the whole body of Christ, both men and women,” notes Crossway’s publisher for books, Justin Taylor. “We are so delighted that a quarter of a million readers in just these past five years have picked up her book in order to grow in the knowledge of how to read and apply the Scriptures.”

Wilkin has also written None Like Him (Crossway, 2016), which has sold over 100,000 copies, and In His Image (Crossway, 2018). For more information about the author, visit jenwilkin.net.

Jen Wilkin is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. During her seventeen years of teaching, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas.
jenwilkin.net | facebook.com/wilkinjen | @jenniferwilkin

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 • crossway.org

[NASHVILLE, TENN., February 11, 2019—] B&H Publishing is excited to unveil a new and improved website and brand update to better serve both customers and retailers.

Launched in late 2018, the new website features clean, effective imagery and copy that provide a more streamlined and easy-to-use experience for retailers, customers and visitors. The new website also allows the B&H team to effectively promote bestsellers, new releases and familiar backlist titles that support each B&H imprint.

Features that will be particularly useful to retailers include:

• Homepage features B&H bestsellers, new titles and seasonal titles
• Retailer tools with online application for new trade accounts
• Search products by category
• Search products by ISBN number
• View B&H bestsellers by category
• Choose your own Bible option (coming soon)

The website re-launch also provided a chance for B&H to refresh its brand logos, following the successful launch of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) and the rebrand of the Holman Bibles line.

“We’re extremely proud of this new site and the way it improves our online experience; we want any visitor to the site to see what B&H is known for and what our priorities are,” said Dave Schroeder, VP of Marketing. “As we continue to strive for improvement on the website, we also anticipate adding more resources to equip our retail partners for success.”

Visit www.bhpublishing.com to learn more.

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.

October release will focus on generosity

January 31, 2019 (Nashville, TN)—Abingdon Press announced today it will publish two new gift books from Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author. The first gift book will be for the 2019 holiday season and called 7 Days of Christmas.

Inspired by and adapted from her breakout book 7:  An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, 7 Days of Christmas takes Hatmaker’s social experiment of restraint in seven key areas—food, clothes, spending, media, possessions, waste, and stress—and turns them into thoughtful and practical ideas for more generosity to capture the true spirit of Christmas.

“I can’t think of a better season to apply the lessons of 7, and it is my great delight to bring my readers 7 Days of Christmas to help us discover the joy of less stuff and more Jesus in our families and communities,” said Hatmaker.

“A simpler lifestyle has gone beyond a trend to something many people seek,” said Karen Longino, acquisitions manager for Abingdon Press. “Jen’s work provides tangible steps to building a more minimalistic approach to consumerism while strengthening one’s spirituality and generosity.”

7 Days of Christmas offers inspiration for practicing both generosity and restraint during the Christmas season. It explores why each area is important to Jen and also applicable to most American families. Readers will see how each particular area of excess impacts the family unit, the community, and the world at large—complete with ideas on how to reduce thoughtless consumption and consider other practices that lead to less stuff but more joy.

“Jen has what few thought-leaders have achieved—popularity and relatability across a wide spectrum of readers. We are thrilled to share her wisdom with people at Christmastime,” said Audrey Kidd, Chief Revenue Officer for Abingdon Press.

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, devotional, academic, professional, and reference books published each year to enrich faith communities across the globe. Learn more at AbingdonPress.com.

7 Days of Christmas by Jen Hatmaker
$21.99  │  9781501888274  │ October 1, 2019

Jen Hatmaker, sought-after speaker, Big Sister Emeritus, and Chief BFF, is the beloved author of eleven Bible studies and books, including New York Times bestsellers For the Love and Of Mess and Moxie. Jen hosts the award-winning For the Love Podcast and leads a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week in addition to speaking at events all around the country. Jen and her hubby, Brandon, are founders of Legacy Collective, a giving community that grants millions of dollars around the world. The couple lives on the outskirts of Austin with their 5 kids: Gavin, Sydney, Caleb, Ben, and Remy, in a 1910-era farmhouse that they overhauled as stars of the HGTV series My Big Family Renovation. To learn more about Jen, visit JenHatmaker.com.