NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 8, 2026) — Hachette Nashville announces the launch of the newly created faith-based publishing imprint, Apiary. Under the leadership of Vice President and Publisher Daisy Hutton, Apiary will publish books designed to meet readers’ most deeply-felt needs with faith-based books and resources that offer opportunities for spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical transformation.
“We’ve worked very hard as a team to build a successful program that places human creativity and the power of transformation at the core of our publishing values,” said Hutton. “We’re thrilled to begin working under a new imprint identity that reflects who we are and what we do, the enduring contribution of the authors we publish, and our on-going vision for how to meet the needs of the audience we serve.”
Apiary’s first list will publish in fall of 2026 and will include global bestselling authors William Paul Young (RETURN TO THE SHACK, ISBN: 9781546008873) and Dr. Henry Cloud (RENEWAL, ISBN: 9781546011477) along with exciting newcomers Cissie Graham Lynch (STAND STEADY, ISBN: 9781538779675), Nirup Alphonse (DEFIANT LIGHTS, ISBN: 9781546011187) and Tara Sierra Moseley (HOUSE OF THE FOREST, ISBN: 9781546011866.)
Apiary authors will include pastors, Bible teachers, storytellers, and experts at the top of their fields working at the intersection of faith and human thriving. Apiary will also publish resources, including Bibles, Bible Studies, and devotionals that are noted for their beauty and for inspiring readers to experience a life of greater purpose and joy.
“We celebrate this new chapter in Hachette’s longstanding commitment to publishing enduring and transformative Christian books, Bibles, and resources,” said Grand Central Publishing President and Publisher Ben Sevier. “Hachette Nashville plays an important role in our mission of making it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment, and opportunity. Apiary will be uniquely positioned to serve our authors and audiences, and we look to the future of the imprint with great anticipation.”
In parallel with the launch of Apiary, Hachette Nashville will also retire one of its flagship imprints, Worthy. As of September 2026, all new projects originally contracted as Worthy Publishing titles will be published under the new Apiary imprint. Backlist Worthy titles will also migrate to the new imprint branding as they are reprinted.
Hachette Nashville acquired Worthy and its children’s book imprint, WorthyKids, in 2018. WorthyKids will undergo a rebrand in early 2027. Additional details on that transition will be forthcoming. Hachette Nashville imprints FaithWords and Center Street will continue to serve their audiences within their existing publishing visions.
Apiary is a division of Hachette Book Group. Learn more at apiarybooks.com.
Contact:
Katie Robison, Sr. Director of Publicity, Hachette Nashville
Katie.robison@hbgusa.com, (917) 538-1417
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 2, 2026 — Savannah Chrisley, media personality and entrepreneur best known for starring on the USA Network series Chrisley Knows Best and its spinoff Growing Up Chrisley, has signed a two-book deal with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. The deal includes a trade book titled The Truth Behind the Smile, with W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, set to release in September 2027, and a gift book with Thomas Nelson Gift scheduled for release in Summer 2028. The deal was brokered by Chrisley’s manager Ryan Ault, who represented the author in securing world rights for publication. W Publishing Senior Acquisitions Editor Kyle Olund acquired the trade title, and Acquisitions Editor Karissa Taylor acquired the gift book.
Dressed in Love Press has contracted with Terrance Niedziela Jr. for a speculative series for the Young Adult Christian fantasy market. Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire & Lightning released on May 19, 2026, and is the first installment in an exciting, clean speculative fiction series designed to entertain, build rich and memorable worlds, and introduce unforgettable characters who remind readers that God is always at work, even in the most unexpected places.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Nashville-based boutique publisher Rabbit Room Press has notched its biggest book launch to date with the history-making success of Galahad and the Grail, the debut volume in British poet and priest Malcolm Guite’s epic poem cycle, Merlin’s Isle: An Arthuriad. Landing in the Top 50 on Amazon’s overall “Best Sellers in Books” chart last week, Galahad and the Grail is currently sold-out in Amazon’s U.S. store.
May 12, 2026 — SPCK Group has secured global rights to produce a new and Anglicised edition of The Message bible.
May 19, 2026 — SPCK Group’s The Lion Baby Bible by Antonia Woodward has been awarded Gold in the Religion category at the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Book Awards 2026.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 1, 2026—Harper Collins Christian Publishing today announced that Susan Ligon, former principal of Ligon Group Consulting, will become the VP and publisher for W Publishing Group, a part of Thomas Nelson. In this role, Ligon will lead the acquisition and editorial strategy and oversee marketing for the nonfiction imprint, reporting to Don Jacobson, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. She will also be responsible for maintaining relationships with the strong roster of current W Publishing Group authors, in addition to discovering and growing new Christian voices in the market.
Doug Lockhart is stepping into the new role of SVP, Business Development. Doug has done an outstanding job identifying and closing many of HCCP’s recent acquisitions, and his strategic vision has been instrumental in shaping our future. In this new capacity, Doug will focus on initiatives that drive growth and position HCCP for long-term success. Mark Warner and Russ Casenhiser will continue to report to Doug in support of continued growth initiatives.
Robert Bedenbaugh has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Trade Sales, for HCCP and HCF, reporting to Mark Schoenwald, President and Chief Executive Officer, HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Robert has been with HCCP for nearly 16 years, holding various roles, including managing key CBA accounts and overseeing the Amazon business. He became Vice President of Sales in 2021, successfully leading the Online Sales division, including Amazon, Christianbook, and all digital accounts. Under his leadership, online business has more than doubled since 2020. His direct reports will include Sally Driscoll, Sandy Harris, Wren Franklin, Ayannah Mers, Cami Miller, and Rod Schumacher.
Ayannah Mers has been promoted to Vice President, Online Sales, overseeing the Online Sales group. Ayannah joined HCCP in 2010 and played a key part in building the digital business. Since 2018, Ayannah has been part of the Amazon team and participated in the channel’s growth. In 2021, she advanced to Sales Director, taking on leadership of the Amazon team, and was most recently promoted to Senior Director of Sales. Patty Curtis, Nick Gilbert, Brad Poel, and Paul Vought will report to Ayannah.
Paul Vought has been promoted to Sales Director, overseeing the Amazon business. Paul has been with HCCP for almost ten years, beginning as a Telesales Representative before being promoted to Telesales Lead. In 2019, Paul joined the Custom Sales team as Sales Manager, where his analytical and problem-solving skills proved instrumental in improving efficiencies and revenue. Since joining the Online Sales team in 2021, Paul has consistently delivered strong results across the Amazon business, driving double-digit growth, improving returns, and strengthening deal performance. Laura Fernandez will report to him.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 27, 2026 — Cook Media Global, parent company of David C Cook Publishing, is pleased to announce Brock Eastman’s promotion to vice president and associate publisher of children’s media & The Action Bible brand.





