New Brunswick, NJ – April 4, 2018 – Writing for Your Life, a resource center for spiritual writers, is pleased to announce that fourteen member companies of the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA) will be represented at the first Publishing in Color conference, which is intended to increase the number of books published by African American authors. The member companies are:

• Abingdon Press
• Baker Publishing Group
• Christianity Today
• Credo Communications
• Frederick Buechner Center
• HarperCollins Christian Publishing – Thomas Nelson
• HarperCollins Christian Publishing – Zondervan
• InterVarsity Press
• Moody Publishers
• Our Daily Bread
• Simon & Schuster – Howard Books
• Tyndale House
• Urban Ministries
• Waterbrook & Multnomah

Publishing in Color is a series of conferences for under-represented groups of spiritual authors such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/a Americans, and Native Americans. The goals of these conferences are to:

• Foster relationships between under-represented groups of prospective spiritual authors and representatives of spiritual book publishing companies, literary agencies, and spiritual magazines
• Provide networking and educational opportunities so that prospective authors can learn more about how to work with these publishers, agencies, and magazines
• Result in an increased number of books and articles published by under-represented groups

The first Publishing in Color conference will serve prospective African American authors and others of African descent. It will take place June 19-20, 2018 at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Additional information about the conference can be found here: https://publishingincolor.com/conferences/

The first Publishing in Color conference will include accomplished authors from the African American Christian community, including Patricia Raybon, Sophfronia Scott, Rev. Frank A. Thomas, and Rev. Jacqui Lewis. In addition to these keynote speakers, the event will feature publishing house representatives speaking about various aspects of “how to get published” and will include ample time for networking and relationship building.

Publishing in Color has established a scholarship fund that will pay for selected individuals to attend a future Publishing in Color conference at no charge. The fund is currently accepting donations, and profits from the Publishing in Color conferences will be donated to this fund.

You can learn more about the Publishing in Color conference series at: https://publishingincolor.com/

About Writing for Your Life
Writing for Your Life is committed to offering a comprehensive set of useful resources and services to support spiritual writers. We offer in-person writing conferences and online webinars featuring leading spiritual authors and publishing industry experts. Authors discuss and teach about various aspects of spiritual writing. Industry experts offer advice on how to get published and how to market.  We also offer a variety of writer support services including book development, editing, book proposal review, marketing, and platform development. https://writingforyourlife.com/

About Publishing in Color
Publishing in Color is a series of conferences for under-represented groups of spiritual authors such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino/a Americans, and Native Americans. The goals of these conferences are to: foster relationships between under-represented groups of prospective spiritual authors and representatives of spiritual book publishing companies, literary agencies, and spiritual magazines; provide networking and educational opportunities so that prospective authors can learn more about how to work with these publishers, agencies, and magazines; and result in an increased number of books and articles published by under-represented groups. https://publishingincolor.com/

For additional information contact Brian Allain at brian@writingforyourlife.com

PEABODY, MA (April 2, 2018)—Redeeming Ruth by Meadow Rue Merrill has been selected to receive a Christopher Award in the Books for Adults category at the 69th annual Christopher Awards ceremony. The Award will be presented to author Meadow Rue Merrill on Thursday May 17, 2018, in New York City at the Mutual of America Building.

Redeeming Ruth: Everything Life Takes, Love Restores is the inspirational, true story of adoption, grief, and selfless love. When Merrill met her, Ruth was a sixteen-month-old child some church friends were hosting from an orphanage in Uganda. She had cerebral palsy and was so weak she couldn’t lift her head. Part family drama, part travel adventure, and part memoir, Redeeming Ruth is the riveting, against-all-odds story of the most unlikely pairing of a small-town New England family and their adventure in adopting Ruth. Honest, raw, and illuminating, this book explores what happens when we sacrificially reach out and share God’s love with others.

Merrill joins the ranks of past winners including David McCullough (John Adams), Eric Metaxas (Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy), Laura Hillenbrand (Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption), and others.

The mission of The Christopher Award is to encourage people of all ages, and from all walks of life, to use their God-given talents to make a positive difference in the world. Since 1949, the Christopher Awards have annually saluted media (TV programming, feature films, books for adults and children) that affirm the highest values of the human spirit and reflect the Christopher motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

Meadow Rue Merrill is an award-winning journalist and the author of the inspirational memoir Redeeming Ruth: Everything Life Takes, Love Restores (Hendrickson Publishers, May 2017). She has worked as a reporter for The Times Record, a daily newspaper in Brunswick, Maine, The Boston Globe, and Down East magazine. Merrill has published parenting essays in The New York Times, written for Harvard University, and contributed feature articles to The Boston Sunday Globe Magazine. She also regularly writes about faith for The Portland Press Herald, Maine’s largest newspaper. The Christmas Cradle, the first volume of her forthcoming Lantern Hill Farm picture-book series, releases with RoseKidz publishers this fall. Visit her website https://meadowrue.com/.

Hendrickson Publishers has a strong history of producing outstanding academic, trade, reference books, and Bibles at a reasonable price. Their products include books on Christian living, biblical studies and reference works for pastors, thoughtful laypeople, and the academy.

Contact:  Meg Rusick,Marketing & Communications Manager, Hendrickson Publishers
mrusick@hendrickson.com  978-573-2147

Bestselling author and pastor Jim Cymbala hits sales milestone and marks 20 years with updated & expanded edition available February 2018 

Comprehensive resource, available in KJV and NKJV Comfort Print®, is the only Bible to contain the complete Nelson’s Minister’s Manual

Nashville, Tenn., March 21, 2018 – Thomas Nelson is pleased to announce the release of the new Minister’s Bible, available in both the trusted King James and New King James translations. These beautiful and durable Bibles will help pastors and church leaders meet the needs of those in their congregations. The Minister’s Bible is the only Bible containing the complete text of the bestselling Nelson’s Minister’s Manual, which is conveniently set between the Old and New Testaments. A single thumb index at the middle of the Bible offers quick navigation to the Minister’s Manual.

“The Minister’s Bible is a one-stop resource with sermons, readings, outlines, prayers, and more,” says Daniel Marrs, publisher, Thomas Nelson Bible Group. “Covering a wide range of pastoral care situations—including weddings, funerals, communion services, baptisms, and various counseling situations—this is the perfect daily companion for those who have dedicated themselves to being ready to meet the needs of God’s people.”

Bert Ghezzi’s powerful words on anger return to the forefront with a new edition of his original The Angry Christian: A Bible-based Strategy to Care for and Discipline a Valuable Emotion (March 20, 2018 • ISBN 978-1640600393 • Hardcover • 128 pp. • $19.99).

At a time when anger rages at a high level in our society, Bert Ghezzi shows us how to control it in our own lives. He corrects the mistaken view that anger is always bad and sinful. Bert says it is a normal part of our human nature. Anger is good if we engage it to help us do the right thing and if we don’t let it escalate out of hand. But it spawns evil if it gets out of control or if we use it for selfish, wrong-headed purposes. Bert explains that under the power of the Holy Spirit, we can transform our anger into occasions of grace. We can replace it with behaviors like patience, endurance, and determination to do the right thing. So anger used well can help us overcome obstacles that block our twofold mission of becoming saints and advancing and applying the Gospel.

Bert’s unique approach to this issue is much needed today. Endorsers of the book include Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Dr. Ray Guarendi, and Fr. Dwight Longenecker who writes, “In this practical and pastoral little book, Bert Ghezzi walks us through a guidebook on anger, showing how anger is God’s blessing not his curse. When the energy of anger is directed properly, God’s power to heal and transform ourselves and our world is unleashed.”

Along with the book, a new 50-minute DVD Angry and Good: A Biblical Approach will be released this month, featuring Bert Ghezzi’s popular talk on the same subject: biblically-based advice on how Christians can use anger wisely, and transform anger into occasions of grace under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bert Ghezzi is a popular author and speaker. He has written twenty books, including Voices of the Saints, and Mystics and Miracles. Hundreds of his articles have appeared in the Catholic and religious press. He has been involved in all levels of religious education for more than 40 years. He has served as a leader and teacher in several Catholic renewal movements. He appears frequently as a guest on EWTN programs. His 2-minute spots on saints play regularly on EWTN radio. He earned his PhD from the University of Notre Dame, has seven adult children and 16 grandchildren, is an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, and lives in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Bert is available to speak to groups or churches. If you are interested, please contact the author directly at bertghezzi@gmail.com

For an interview with Bert Ghezzi or a review copy of the book, reply to this email or contact Laura McKendree at lauram@paracletepress.com or 1-800-451-5006 ext 316. ​

Nighty Night and Good Night is first book in collaboration with VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki; Lullaby album to accompany book release

Grand Rapids, MI – March 21, 2018 – Multi-platinum, three-time Grammy Award winning artist Michael W. Smith, known as one of the most influential Christian music artists in the world, will be releasing a new children’s book titled, Nighty Night and Go0d Night, May 8, 2018. This title, written with the help of friend and co-creator of VeggieTales Mike Nawrocki, is the first release in a new book series called Nurturing Steps™. A new album “Lullaby” from Smith will be released in conjunction with the first book and available everywhere.

In Nighty Night and Good Night, members of the Nighty Night band are called upon to help their friend, Ben, as he tries to fall asleep. After bedtime prayers and some going-to-sleep rituals are done, a lullaby sung by the band of animals including Bear, Sleepy Puppy and Lamby finally does the trick. Parents will be delighted in this sweet tale to share with their young children.

“One of the greatest joys of my life is being a parent and a grandparent,” says Michael W. Smith, the father of five, who is called “G-Daddy” by his 14 grandkids. “I want to serve the next generation well. That’s why I created Nurturing Steps, to provide stories and songs that will help shape the faith of our newest generation.” Nurturing Steps seeks to provide children’s music and books to enliven a little one’s journey with hope and faith through song and storytelling.

“We’re so humbled that Michael and Mike chose to publish these messages of reassurance and tenderness for young families with Zonderkidz,” said Annette Bourland, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher at Zondervan. “We love the creative flair of Nurturing Steps as it reaches young children with stories of delight.” Zonderkidz will publish the second title in this series in conjunction with Smith and Nawrocki in October 2018.

Smith has recently been in the media spotlight for his two new album releases “A Million Lights” and “Surrounded”, a worldwide 2018 tour, and an upcoming Israel trip he’s hosting. In addition to the new music and overseas activities, he recently received the distinct honor of leading worship during the memorial and funeral services honoring the late Rev. Billy Graham.

Even in the midst of busy times, Smith makes time for his children and grandchildren and treasures the special moments he has to speak into their lives. “I hope they see these books and this music as a gift to them, to remember that they are loved as they fall asleep every night.”

Nighty Night and Good Night will be available online and in stores May 8, 2018, but it is available for preorder now. Additional titles will be available in Fall 2018.

#NightyNightBook #NurturingSteps #Zondervan #Zonderkidz
www.zondervan.com www.nurturingsteps.com
Twitter: @michaelwsmith Instagram: @mwsmithofficial Facebook: @michaelwsmithofficial
Web: www.michaelwsmith.com

About the Authors:

Michael W. Smith is a successful recording artist who has recorded more than 25 albums and had numerous hit radio songs in the Christian and General markets. He’s won numerous Grammy and Dove Awards and is the founder of Rocketown, an outreach to teenagers in a 38,000 squarefoot facility in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. He is involved in mission work around the world. He and his wife Debbie have five children and fourteen grandchildren and live in Nashville.

Mike Nawrocki is co-creator of the popular series VeggieTales. Acting as the voice of Larry the Cucumber and several other VeggieTales characters, Mike also wrote, directed and contributed to the development of the 3-2-1 Penguins series. He resides in Franklin, TN, with his wife and two children.

Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children’s communications, it creates products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 14. Zonderkidz is also publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the third grade reading level edition of the NIV. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

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. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Grand Rapids, Mich., March 21, 2018 – Shauna Niequist’s New York Times bestseller, Present Over Perfect, has sold over 500,000 copies since its release in August of 2016.  An instant bestseller, the title debuted at #2 on The New York Times Advice, How-To, & Miscellaneous bestseller list and sold 250,000 copies within the first six months of release.

Written in Niequist’s warm and vulnerable style, this ever-relevant collection of essays invites readers into the most important transformation: leaving busyness and frantic living behind and rediscovering the person readers are made to be. She gifts readers with a compelling vision for an entirely new way to live: soaked in grace, rest, silence, simplicity, prayer, and connection with the people that matter most.

“It has been a tremendous joy for all of us at Zondervan to work with Shauna on this beautiful book and to see it reach such a significant sales milestone,” says Carolyn McCready, Executive Editor at Zondervan. “It is clear by the ongoing response from readers that Shauna has struck a chord of meaning and relevance with this topic. In writing with such transparency and from a place of experience she has led thousands of readers to find their own road to peace, meaning, and living for what really matters.”

Shauna Niequist is the author of Present Over Perfect, Savor, Bread & Wine, Cold Tangerines, and Bittersweet. Shauna is a bookworm, a beach bum, an enthusiastic home cook and a passionate gatherer of people. She is married to Aaron, and they live in Chicago with their two boys, Henry and Mac. You can connect with her online at ShaunaNiequist.com.

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.

Contact: Jennifer VerHage, Manager of Public Relations
tel: 616-698-3331  web: jennifer.verhage@harpercollins.com

Experience a guided journey through Scripture with Pastor Jerry Vines in The Vines Expository Bible

Nashville, Tenn., March 22, 2018 – Thomas Nelson is pleased to announce the release of The Vines Expository Bible with Dr. Jerry Vines. Featuring the beautiful and faithful NKJV™ translation, The Vines Expository Bible provides the opportunity for readers to be mentored by Dr. Vines’ wise Scriptural insights.

Delivered in Dr. Vines’ characteristically warm style, each page helps readers build their understanding of the Bible. Based on a lifetime of sermons and lessons from his faithful ministry, The Vines Expository Biblebrims with biblical exposition, practical teaching, illustrations, principles, and translations insights, offering scriptural truth alongside guided explanations of key passages.

“Like a good sermon, The Vines Expository Bible makes Scripture accessible and applicable,” says Daniel Marrs, associate publisher, Thomas Nelson Bible Group. “Dr. Vines is famous for his warm and pastoral tone, and we think that readers will find that this Bible will lead them on a journey that will bring them into direct contact with Scripture’s message for their lives.”

(March 26, 2018) – Serving independent retailers nationwide, The Parable Group, the leading data-driven marketing agency for the Christian products industry, recently reached 400 store-fronts participating in a variety of their tools, programs and services.

“We’re honored to serve a diverse group of retailers with personalized solutions—helping them boost traffic, increase turns, grow profits, and expand their local ministries,” said Erik Ernstrom, Manager of Business Intelligence for The Parable Group. “We’re called to use our gifts, talents and time to advance His kingdom and we all win when we link arms to propel this incredible industry forward.”

To celebrate the milestone, The Parable Group is hosting a store meeting on Sunday, July 8th during UNITE 2018 which is open to every store they serve, whether enrolled in data programs, print marketing, email solutions, Get It Local Today or more. The store meeting, hosted by four industry leaders with over 125 years of collective Christian retailing experience, will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and is centered on traffic-driving services, training on the powerful ParableConnect 24/7 data hub, retailer-focused education, and fellowship.

Currently serving Covenant, Munce, Logos and Parable stores, church stores, Catholic stores, and unaffiliated stores across the US and Canada, The Parable Group aims to help all those in Christian retail thrive.

The Parable Group is a privately owned multi-service Christian marketing agency based in San Luis Obispo, CA. Since 1985, we’ve served over 1,000 Christian brands; including retailers, publishers, churches, non-profits, film studios and more. Today, we pair decades of Christian consumer data with proven business practices, cutting-edge digital technologies, and thoughtful design to drive measurable results for those we serve. For more information, contact sally.ross@parable.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

Contact: Sally Ross
Tel. (805) 329-4020  Email: sally.ross@parable.com

Memoir with Behind-the-Scenes Look at Ferguson Protests Releases in August 2018

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (March 22, 2018) – It was a news story that captivated a nation. On August 14, 2014, five days after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown ignited race riots in the city of Ferguson, Missouri, Captain Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol was charged with the task of restoring peace between local police and angry protesters—many of whom had engaged in destructive and violent acts. In 13 Days in Ferguson (ISBN 978-1-4964-1657-5, HC, $25.99), Johnson provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the Ferguson protests and the instrumental role he played in addressing the anger and hurt of a damaged community. The book, cowritten by Alan Eisenstock, is scheduled for an August 2018 release.

The days and nights that followed Brown’s death were the most trying of Johnson’s life—professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. Officers in his own command called him a traitor. Lifelong friends stopped speaking to him. The media questioned his every decision. Alone at the center of the firestorm, with only his family and faith to cling to, Johnson persevered in his belief that the only way to effectively bridge the dived between black and blue is to—literally—walk across it.

In 13 Days in Ferguson, Johnson shares for the first time his view of what happened during the turbulent days following Michael Brown’s death and the extraordinary impact those two weeks had on his faith, on his approach to leadership, and on shaping what he perceives to be the most viable solution to the issues of racism and prejudice in America.

Johnson’s memoir will be supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign as well as a national media tour.

Captain Ronald S. Johnson was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He holds a criminal justice degree and is a graduate of Northwestern University Traffic Institute of Police Staff and Command and a 2014 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. He is certified in police instruction and the development and implementation of assessment-center exercises for command-level staff officers. Captain Johnson and his wife, Lori, have been married for 29 years and have two adult children, Amanda and Bradley.

Alan Eisenstock is the author of 15 books, most recently Hang Time: My Life in Basketball (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), written with NBA legend Elgin Baylor. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California.

Tyndale House Publishers, founded in 1962, is one of the largest privately held Christian publishers of books, Bibles, and digital media in the world. Tyndale Momentum, Tyndale’s nonfiction imprint, is the publisher of many New York Times bestsellers and is known for integrity in building lasting personal relationships with authors and agents. Tyndale extends the ministry of its authors by contributing most of its profits 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.