The Week's News in Christian Publishing

Steve Laube Agency acquires Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency

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(Phoenix, AZ)  Steve Laube, president of The Steve Laube Agency, has announced the acquisition of the Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency.

Les Stobbe has been a part of the Christian publishing industry for 62 years, starting as an editor and book buyer, then publisher, book coach, ghostwriter, and the last 25 as a literary agent. Les has been awarded five Lifetime Achievement Awards by writers’ conferences in the U.S. and Canada. This sale will allow him to focus his future efforts on becoming available as a non-fiction ghostwriter, writing coach and title development specialist. He said, “I have the utmost respect for my brother in Christ, Steve Laube. I’ve known him for almost 30 years. His agency’s oversight will guarantee that my clients will have top level representation for years to come.”

Steve Laube said, “I’m always looking for ways to increase the services our agency provides to current and potential clients. By adding more than 75 authors to our agency, we can create more synergy with our publishing partners and maximize clients’ sales. We look forward to working with these exceptional authors to develop and guide their publishing efforts and extend their reach in multiple markets. This purchase moves us further to fulfill our mission to help change the world, word by word.”

Laube referred to Les Stobbe as “one of the great icons of our industry,” adding that “his legacy to authors and publishing has had far-reaching impact.”

Founded in 2004, The Steve Laube Agency has secured publishing contracts for over 1,500 new books. These include bestselling titles from authors like Lisa Bergren, Nancy Pearcey, Lynette Eason, Susan May Warren, William Lane Craig, A.W. Tozer, Elizabeth Camden, Mary Hunt, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Hugh Ross, Ronie Kendig, Susie Larson, Deborah Raney, Chris Hudson, Roseanna White, and Stephen M. Miller.

Biblica announces expanded partnership around Nueva Versión International (NVI) Bible

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 1, 2017 — Biblica, The International Bible Society has announced the expansion of distribution partners for the Nueva Versión International (NVI) Bible. In addition to long-term partner, Vida-Zondervan, Biblica has recently agreed to partner with Lifeway Publishers to provide even greater access to God’s Word in a contemporary translation for Spanish speakers.

For over 15 years, Biblica and Vida-Zondervan have successfully partnered to bring the NVI to  readers and churches worldwide.  Biblica is excited to add Lifeway to their publishing strategy in an effort to increase distribution and opportunities for more people to engage in the NVI throughout the region.

“I believe there will be more impact and an expanded reach, thanks to this agreement,” says Esteban Fernandez, Biblica’s Area Executive Director of Latin America. “We expect God to do great things.”

Biblica looks forward to seeing more lives touched by Christ through His Word as this new and exciting publishing partnership moves forward.

“When contemporary translations of the Bible are placed in people’s hands, it has the power to change everything in their life – it’s the living Word of God! Through the expansion of our publishing partnership of Biblica, Vida-Zondervan and Lifeway, we are thrilled to see the Word of God reach more people.” said Stephen Cave, Biblica’s Chief Ministry Officer.

ABOUT BIBLICA
Biblica provides the Bible in accurate, contemporary translations and formats so that more people around the world can have the opportunity to be transformed by Jesus Christ. We do this through Bible Translation, Bible Access, and Bible engagement programs. Biblica has stewarded God’s Word for more than 200 years. We believe that when the Bible is placed in someone’s hands, it has the power to change everything.

Contact: Tracy Thomas, Tracy.Thomas@biblica.com

Human rights activist, attorney, diplomat and New York Times bestselling author Bob Goff back with new book

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Scheduled to release April 2018 , Goff’s highly anticipated second book reminds readers to let go of judgment, choose love, and open their hearts to “Everybody, Always” 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – December 4, 2017 – What happens when we stop worrying about today’s challenging world full of difficult people and tough situations and instead, simply love? News cycles and our social feeds leave us on-edge, fearful and angry. How do we even begin to repair such a fractured world?

In his highly anticipated new book EVERYBODY, ALWAYS: BECOMING LOVE IN A WORLD FULL OF SETBACKS AND DIFFICULT PEOPLE (Nelson Books; ISBN: 978-0718078133; April 17, 2018; $16.99), Bob Goff––author of the New York Times bestselling and wildly popular “Love Does”––shows us that healing starts with every person stepping up to love all people, all the time.

“Bob Goff is a force for good in this world,” said Brian Hampton, senior vice president and publisher at Nelson Books. “His email signature refers to him as the Chief Balloon Inflator at Love Does. But he’s also a truth-teller, a do-gooder, a connector, a risk-taker and an advocate for the least fortunate among us. We are honored to partner with him on his second book, EVERYBODY, ALWAYS. It’s the perfect time to be reminded to love our neighbor well.”

EVERYBODY, ALWAYS serves as the follow-up to the bestselling phenomenon “Love Does,” which has sold more than 800,000 copies since its release in 2012. Whether he’s skydiving without shoes or befriending a Ugandan witch doctor, Bob steps into life with a no-limits embrace of others that is as infectious as it is extraordinarily ordinary. EVERYBODY, ALWAYS reveals how you can do the same. With his disarming sense of humor and sharp self-awareness, Bob builds each chapter of the book around vivid anecdotes that portray universal love in action – moments in his life when he dropped his barriers and it made all the difference.

“When you first meet Bob, you are overcome by his charm,” said Jeff James, vice president of marketing at Nelson Books. “How many people do you know who actually throw a parade for their neighbors? Or who fly into the eye of the storm to serve those who the world seems to have forgotten? Bob Goff and EVERYBODY, ALWAYS are bringing a clear message to this world—one of love for every single human—no matter what. And, it’s our distinct privilege to be along for the ride.”

Urging us to shun our go-to behaviors like living in judgment and demanding compliance, Bob writes about the potential transcendence of everyday people: a blind Paralympian, an airport security officer, refugees, a convict, and many more. He paints stunning portraits of humble service and grace, all to create an inspiring tapestry of humanity striving to accomplish what he argues we were all born to do: become love.

“What I’m learning about love is we have to tackle a good amount of fear to love people who are difficult,” Bob writes. “Oftentimes, when I encounter someone who makes me feel afraid, I instantly put up barriers. I put them up with my big words and opinions. Barriers make me feel right, and that makes me feel safe. Except it’s not what Jesus did. He showed us what it means to become love when He spent His last meal with a man who He knew would betray Him.”

Goff is available for interviews. Please contact Heather Adams at Heather@ChoicePublicity.com or (404) 423-8411 to request an advance reader’s copy of EVERYBODY, ALWAYS or to schedule an interview. And, for more information, please visit BobGoff.com.

About Bob Goff 
Bob Goff is the founder of Love Does, a nonprofit organization that operates schools and pursues justice for children in conflict areas such as Uganda, Somalia, and Iraq.  Bob is the New York Times bestselling author of “Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World” and the forthcoming “Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People,” out April 17, 2018.  Bob is a lawyer and serves as the honorary consul for the Republic of Uganda to the United States.  He is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law School and Point Loma Nazarene University and lives in San Diego with Sweet Maria, their kids, and extended family.

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 format 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 more information, visit ThomasNelson.com

Suzanne Woods Fisher reaches 1,000,000 sales milestone

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Ada, Mich. (November 27, 2017)—Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that Suzanne Woods Fisher has reached a significant sales milestone of one million copies sold!

Fisher is an award-winning author of more than two dozen novels and is ranked as one of the top five inspirational Amish fiction writers. Her novels, with both historical and contemporary settings, include the bestselling Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. Her newest novel, Phoebe’s Light (Revell; ISBN 9780800721626; ebook ISBN 9781493412495; $15.99), releases February 2018, the first book in her new Quaker series entitled Nantucket Legacy.

In addition to her well-loved novels, Fisher has also written a selection of nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peaceand The Heart of the Amish. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Andrea Doering, executive editor for Revell, stated, “It’s been exciting to watch Suzanne’s readership grow and deepen with every release—and we all look forward to reading each book as much as her many fans!”

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Paraclete Press prepares digital and social media tie-ins for “A Christmas Carol” with original engravings

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As the latest Hollywood hit, “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” opens this weekend, Paraclete Press is preparing digital and social media tie-ins for a new illustrated edition of A Christmas Carol that includes engravings from the original 1843 book.

“Dickens is one of the most enduring classic authors, and this is Dickens’s most memorable work. We wanted to create a memorable edition of what is already a Christmas treasure,” says Jon M. Sweeney, Paraclete’s publisher and editor-in-chief.

Who can resist the story of the bad-tempered Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation into a kinder and more loving version of himself? Then there are the visiting ghosts of past, present, and future, the deeply good Bob Cratchit, and his iconic son Tiny Tim. With period illustrations in a beautiful book package, this new edition of A Christmas Carol will help create or revive family traditions with Christmas.

“We even imagine—and hope—that families will once again begin to read books like this aloud,” concludes Sweeney.

For more information, contact Sr. Antonia Cleverly, srantonia@paracletepress.com, (508) 255-4685 x 329​​

Baker Publishing Group signs contract with Sheila Walsh

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Ada, Mich. (November 21, 2017)—Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that they have signed a new three-book contract with Sheila Walsh.

Releasing over the next few years, these three new books by Walsh will focus on a variety of topics related to the Christian life. In the first book, I’m Not Okay and That’s Okay: Moving Forward One Day at a Time, Walsh walks alongside women, helping them understand that it’s never too late to start again, and there is healing and freedom in just taking the first step. I’m Not Okay and That’s Okay will release in October 2018 and will be promoted on the TV show Walsh cohosts, “LIFE Today with James and Betty Robison.”

“Our entire team at Baker is honored to partner with Sheila,” says Rebekah Guzman, senior acquisitions editor for Baker Books. “She is a true encourager and seeks to help women in every season of life. We’re thrilled to be working with someone with such talent, passion, and enthusiasm. Readers will immediately find a part of their story in Sheila’s and be inspired to move forward each day with grace and courage.”

Sheila Walsh is a Scottish lass known as “the encourager” to the over 5.5 million women she’s met and spoken to around the world. She loves being a Bible teacher, making God’s Word practical, and sharing her own story of how God met her when she was at her lowest point and lifted her up again. Sheila has sold more than five million books, including her most recent, In the Middle of the Mess: Strength for this Beautiful, Broken Life (2017). She is also the co-host of the television program “LIFE Today,” airing in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. Calling Texas home, Sheila lives in Dallas with her husband, Barry; her son, Christian; and three little dogs.

Baker Books has a vision for building up the body of Christ through books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging. We publish titles for lay Christians on topics such as discipleship, apologetics, spirituality, relationships, marriage, parenting, and the intersection of Christianity and culture. Learn more at www.BakerBooks.com.

Contact: Brianna DeWitt  (616)676-9185 x395  bdewitt@bakerpublishinggroup.com

“Called to Create” hits Publishers Weekly bestsellers list

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Ada, Mich. (November 21, 2017)—Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk (Baker Books; ISBN 9780801075186; ebook ISBN 9781493409327; $15.99) by Jordan Raynor has landed on the Publishers Weekly Bestsellers list, achieving the #17 spot on the Trade Paper list. This ranking reflects sales for the week ending November 12, 2018.

In this energizing book, Jordan Raynor helps artists, entrepreneurs, writers, and other creatives reimagine our work as service to God and others. Called to Create includes compelling stories from an eclectic group of 40+ Christian entrepreneurs, including the founders of TOMS Shoes, Charity: Water, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out Burger, Guinness, HTC, and Sevenly as well as nontraditional entrepreneurs such as C. S. Lewis, Johann Sebastian Bach, and J. R. R. Tolkien. 

Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author who leads a growing community of Christians following God’s call to create. He currently serves as the CEO of the venture-backed tech startup, Threshold 360. He is also a cofounder of Citizinvestor, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform for government projects. His book Startup Stories debuted in the #1 bestseller spot in multiple Amazon categories, including entrepreneurship and Christian business. Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in the Bush White House in 2006. He lives in Tampa, Florida.

Baker Books has a vision for building up the body of Christ through books that are relevant, intelligent, and engaging. We publish titles for lay Christians on topics such as discipleship, apologetics, spirituality, relationships, marriage, parenting, and the intersection of Christianity and culture. Learn more at www.BakerBooks.com.

Contact: Adam Lorenz  (616)676-9185 x394  alorenz@bakerpublishinggroup.com

Max Lucado’s “Anxious For Nothing” tops bestseller lists

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Nashville, TN (November 27, 2017)—HarperCollins Christian Publishing celebrates the excellent sales and promotion for “America’s Pastor” Max Lucado’s latest release Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World (September 2017, Nelson). Anxious for Nothing achieved remarkable success, including:

  • Multiple appearances on national bestseller lists including Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and Walmart.
  • Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study launched November 6th
  • Anxious for Nothing webinar will launch in January 2018.

In Anxious for Nothing, Lucado invites readers to discover a life characterized by peace and calm. Based on the encouragement in the Bible to “not be anxious about anything,” Lucado’s message has been incredibly timely and applicable within breaking news cycles during the fall of 2018.

Immediately after the Las Vegas shooting, Lucado wrote two original op-eds on anxiety—one appeared at USAToday.com and the other at FoxNews.com, both were picked up by a wide variety of media outlets in the days following. When the Sutherland Springs, Texas church shooting happened near Lucado’s own base of San Antonio, he wrote a third original op-ed that appeared on FoxNews.com, Christian Post, CBN and other online outlets.

Earlier in the fall, Lucado and Anxious for Nothing were featured in a wide variety of national media including an interview on Fox and Friends, a drop by with Kathie Lee and Hoda for the 4th hour of The TODAY Show, KLOVE Radio, Kilmeade & Friends Radio, Rick & Bubba Radio, SIMPLE Grace Magazine, The 700 Club and many more.

“Max has based his teaching and writing ministry on his unwavering belief that God is both good and sovereign,” says Senior Vice President and Group Publisher David Moberg. “Anxious for Nothing could not have come at a more opportune time.”

“Is God sovereign over your circumstances?” Lucado asks. “Is he mightier than your problem? Does he have answers to your questions? According to the Bible, the answer is yes, yes, and yes! If he sustains all and controls all, do you think he has authority over this situation you face? What about his mercy? Is God’s grace great enough to cover your sin? Again, yes!”

Anxious for Nothing was simultaneously released in a jacketed hardcover, a Spanish edition, an audiobook, and as a DVD curriculum with participant’s guide. Companion products from Thomas Nelson included a $2.99 booklet entitled Less Fret, More Faith, a full-color children’s book entitled I’m Not a Scaredy Cat: A Prayer for When You Wish You Were Brave (October 2017) and gift book entitled Trade Your Cares for Calm (January 2018).

Max Lucado is the leading inspirational author in the United States. His writings have been shaped into bestselling books, videos, devotionals, songs, greeting cards, booklets, Bible studies, commentaries and theatrically-released movies. More than 130 million Lucado products have been printed in 54 languages, including 92 million books to date. According to a recent LifeWay Research Division national survey, 1 in 6 Americans are familiar with Max Lucado and 1 in 7 Americans have read a Lucado book. Lucado has been featured on countless national media outlets including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, NPR’s All Things Considered and Fox & Friends. Max and his wife of over 35 years, Denalyn, call San Antonio, Texas, home. Max has served the people of Oak Hills Church since 1988. www.maxlucado.com

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, Tenn. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Contact: Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, jana@mmpublicrelations.com, 281-251-0480

Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World
By Max Lucado
Available from: Thomas Nelson
Release date: September 2017
Price: U.S. $22.99
Format: Hardcover, Jacketed
Pages: 240
ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-9612-0
BISAC category: Religion / Christian Life

Review copies, reprint permission and interviews are available.
Contact Jana Muntsinger, McClure Muntsinger Public Relations, 281-251-0480 or jana@mmpublicrelations.com

Thomas Nelson wins Book of the Year at 2017 Christy Awards™

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Thomas Nelson fiction authors honored with awards in four categories

(Nashville, TN) November 14, 2017—Thomas Nelson is pleased to congratulate fiction author Charles Martin on winning the top honor at the 2017 Christy Awards. Martin’s novel, Long Way Gone, was named Book of the Year. The 2017 Christy Awards were presented by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) at the 18th annual event held at Lipscomb University on November 8, 2017.

In addition to Martin’s Book of the Year award, Thomas Nelson authors were recognizes for their contributions to various genres of Christian fiction, picking up Christy Awards in three other categories.

  • When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
  • The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James Rubart in Visionary
  • The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson in Young Adult
“The Christy Awards herald excellence across the Christian fiction industry and highlight the most outstanding voices in the marketplace, so we are grateful these authors are being recognized for their dedication to the craft of storytelling,” says Amanda Bostic, publisher for Thomas Nelson fiction. “We are immensely proud of all four authors—Charles, Carrie, James, and Melanie—for their tireless work in creating compelling and meaningful content that honors Jesus Christ.”

To learn more about the Christy Awards, please visit www.christyawards.com. 

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.

Baker Publishing Group wins three Christy Awards™

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Ada, Mich. (November 14, 2017)—The winners of the 2017 Christy Awards were announced on Wednesday, November 8, at the Christy Award Gala in Nashville, TN. Three titles published by Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, won an award.

Her One and Only by Becky Wade won in the Contemporary Romance category, and The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green won in the Historical category. A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander tied for first place in the Historical Romance category.

Established in 1999, the Christy Awards recognize the value of Christian novels in contemporary culture and honor authors who create stories written from a perspective of faith. For the complete list of winners, please click here.

Her One and Only by Becky Wade
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764211102; ebook ISBN 9781441269461; $13.99)
Gray Fowler, star NFL tight end, is being pursued by a stalker, so his team hires a protection agency to keep Gray under the watch of a bodyguard at all times. When Gray meets Dru Porter, an agent assigned to him, he’s indignant. How can an attractive young female half his size possibly protect him? But Dru’s a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt. She’s also determined to uncover the identity of Gray’s stalker. And she’s just as determined to avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player. But the closer they get to finding the stalker, the closer they grow to each other. As the danger rises, can Dru and Gray entrust their hearts—and their lives—to one another?

 

 

The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764219061; ebook ISBN 9781441231079; $14.99)
After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, Benjamin, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict. New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects, and there is no news of Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit? With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace—and love—can overcome the stigma of the king’s mark upon her shoulder.

 

 

A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764206245; ebook ISBN 9781441230942; $15.99)
A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to get an audition at the newly formed Nashville Philharmonic. But women are “far too fragile and frail” for the rigors of an orchestra, and Rebekah’s hopes are dashed because the conductor bows to public opinion. Nationally acclaimed conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville’s new orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse—and a strange recurring pain in his head—he must finish composing his symphony before the grand opening of the city’s new opera hall. But he must also finish it for the one who inspired his love of music—his father, who is dying. As Tate’s ailment worsens, he believes Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how do you win back a woman’s trust when you’ve robbed her of her dream?

Bethany House has been publishing high-quality books for over 50 years. Recognized as the pioneer and leader in Christian fiction, we publish over 75 new fiction and nonfiction titles annually in subjects including historical and contemporary fiction, Christian living, devotional, family resources, and theology.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Lynnae Lubbers
(616)676-9185 x193  llubbers@bakerpublishinggroup.com

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