SPCK Group has appointed Rio Summers as Head of Marketing and Publicity, effective from 1st August 2025.

Rio Summers will spearhead the entire marketing strategy for SPCK Group, overseeing the marketing, publicity, and web teams across all its imprints and divisions. These include SPCK Publishing adult fiction and non-fiction lists, IVP UK and academic imprint Apollos, children’s imprints, and Lion Books formerly known as Lion Hudson.

Summers was previously Marketing Campaign Manager at SPCK Group in a freelance capacity, leading campaigns for a range of titles, including the New York Times bestseller Practicing The Way by John Mark Comer, which is SPCK’s top selling title. She is also a Producer for Premier’s Unbelievable? Podcast and the Ask NT Wright Anything Podcast leading on strategy and content and securing guests such as Ben Shapiro, Alex O’Connor, John Lennox, and John Vervaeke.

SPCK Group is the UK’s third-oldest publishing house and has been active since 1698. Under CEO Sam Richardson, the company merged with Inter-Varsity Press UK (IVP UK) in 2015, and acquired Lion Hudson in 2021, becoming the largest Christian publisher in the country.

Summers will report to Rowan Miller, SPCK Group’s Commercial Director. Miller says: “I am absolutely delighted to have Rio Summers as SPCK Group’s new Head of Marketing and Publicity. Rio has been instrumental in transforming our approach to marketing and driving our vision for commercial success, and her superb blend of expertise, leadership skills, market knowledge, creativity and wisdom will drive us into a new era of international growth”.

Summers says: “I’m excited to lead such a talented team at a pivotal moment for SPCK Group. Building on our passion and remarkable portfolio of authors and Bibles, my goal is to see SPCK lead the way in Christian publishing through bold, creative marketing and impactful PR —championing our authors, expanding our reach, and delivering publishing excellence that resonates beyond the Christian market.”

Sam Richardson, CEO of SPCK Group, says: “We are thrilled to have Rio at the helm as our new Head of Marketing and Publicity. Under her leadership and guidance, SPCK’s Group’s marketing, PR outreach and websites will enter a new dimension of growth and expansion, as we lean into opportunities that are opening up for our books and our authors around the world”.

Summers will work three days per week for SPCK Group, with her time split 70% leading on General division campaigns and 30% as team lead.

Press contact:  Emily Beater; ebeater@spck.org.uk

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Themes of hope, grief and mental illness—and their intersection with the Christian life—come into focus in several fall releases from B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources.

The forthcoming titles present authentic representations of what it is to be human and what it means to live in a broken world with broken people. Some feature personal experiences of mental illness and others share about their journey with a loved one or as a counselor. The books guide readers as they experience anxiety, grieve losses and consider how one’s past impacts his or her present. Amid such suffering, the authors describe how one can turn to God and His Word for hope and comfort.

Additionally, these new releases are intended to equip ministers to serve their congregations. According to Lifeway Research, most pastors (54%) say they’ve known at least one church member who’s been diagnosed with a severe mental illness. And 26% of U.S. Protestant pastors say they’ve personally struggled with some type of mental illness.

“At B&H, we believe God’s Word is sufficient for all of life, and that includes the battlefield for the mind,” said Devin Maddox, publisher of B&H Publishing Group. “Our ambition is that God would work through His people to renew every mind according to His Word.”

Hope, Hurt, and Healing by Catherine Renfro, available Sept. 2  

Author Catherine Renfro offers biblical encouragement to those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide in “Hope, Hurt, and Healing.” Renfro, who serves as the national director for women’s evangelism at the North American Mission Board, points to Christ as the one who stayed with her in the grief that followed her brother’s suicide, bringing healing and hope.

 

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Made to Tremble by Blair Linne, available Sept. 16 

In her second book, spoken word artist Blair Linne reframes anxiety not as a purely negative experience but as a spiritual turning point.

The author’s journey through crippling anxiety and panic attacks led her to a new dependence on God. “Sometimes we have been made to tremble in our anxiety so that we might more deeply tremble before God as we enjoy a deeper fellowship with Him,” Linne writes.

 

 

 

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Hopeful Sorrow by Julie Busler, available Oct. 1 

Julie Busler shares her journey through childhood trauma, emotional neglect and grief, that, when undealt with, led her to a place of hospitalization on the international mission field. In “Hopeful Sorrow,” she encourages the practice of lament, looking at the wounds and sorrows, so one might then move forward with hope in God.

“Lament allows us to bring every dark thought and emotion into the presence of a loving Father,” said Busler.

 

 

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Making Friends with Darkness by Nick Hamilton, available Oct. 16 

Nick Hamilton brings his years of experience as a Navy and hospital chaplain to bear in “Making Friends with Darkness.” Anchored in the Psalms and other passages of Scripture, Hamilton offers a scriptural companion to those recovering from trauma and moral injury. This work reflects what Hamilton does in a counseling setting, seeking to help people recover from trauma and remove barriers it causes in their relationship with God.

 

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Additional forthcoming B&H titles that touch on themes of hardship and point to the faithfulness of God and His Word include: “Someone to Believe In” by Courtney Reissig, “Hopeful-ish” by Scarlet Hiltibidal and “Carried Through Cancer” by Kim Harms.

About Lifeway Christian Resources
In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, group curriculum, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Brentwood, Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a self-supporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jill Waggoner, jill.waggoner@lifeway.com

 

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by Jill Waggoner, a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources

“Nearly every oligarch on Earth was surrounded by this nervous, eager, nodding flock of yes-men, little men (and a few women) who gained a fortune and lost their souls by telling their bosses what they wanted to hear.”

Brian McLaren’s newest book “The Last Voyage” released from Hodder Faith on July 29.  This first volume in a thrilling new trilogy from Brian McLaren, explores what it means to be human and what would we choose to bring with us or leave behind, if we were to start all over again.

It’s 2056 and international oligarchs have pushed the world to the precipice of ecological, economic, and nuclear catastrophe. But two philanthropists have teamed up to establish a long-term colony on Mars. Could this daring outpost be the next chapter in the story of the human race?

Assembling a crack team of experts including scientists, engineers and ecologists, the colony begins to establish a viable outpost on our nearest planet. But the team quickly runs into problems as they bear the responsibility of creating a new humanity. Can they work out what has gone wrong before it’s too late? And will the passengers of the last voyage from earth bring what’s needed for this fledging community to flourish?

This first volume in a thrilling new trilogy from Brian McLaren, explores what it means to be human and what would we choose to bring with us or leave behind, if we were to start all over again.

Brian McLaren is a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed speaker and outspoken advocate for ‘a new kind of Christianity’. Named one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Evangelical Christians, McLaren was a pastor for over 20 years. He is a frequent guest on radio and television programs, and an in-demand blogger on faith and public policy (brianmclaren.net). @brianmclaren

For marketing & press enquiries please contact:
Kaitlyn Shokes – kaitlyn.shokes@johnmurraypress.co.uk

Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group continues to grow, adding Robin Bermel in the new role of Backlist & Brand Director and strengthening the marketing department with the addition of Savana Bishop as Associate Marketing Manager.

Robin Bermel joins PRH Christian as Backlist & Brand Director on August 4, reporting to Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher. A strategic marketer and proven leader, Bermel has more than 20 years of go-to-market publishing experience. Bermel has led brand efforts for Tyndale Alliances partner NavPress Publishing, most recently spearheading their 50^th year celebrations. She has directed marketing for key authors and books including the 20^th Anniversary Edition of Dallas Willard’s Renovation of the Heart, Foster Cline and Jim Fay’s Parenting with Love and Logic, the repackage and re-release of Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, the U.S. release of Pete Greig’s How to Pray, as well as books by Pastor Derwin Gray, Bible study teacher Linda Dillow, and Jay Stringer, author of Unwanted.

Bermel has provided clear direction and innovative multi-channel marketing plans across digital and print platforms that effectively position books and resources for growth.

As PRH Christian’s Backlist & Brand Director, Bermel will take a strategic approach to managing PRH Christian’s backlist, working closely with editorial, sales, marketing, publicity, digital, and creative services to maximize sales opportunities. Bermel will also develop year-round plans for the division’s lead authors and brands including John Mark Comer, Andrew Peterson, Mark Batterson, Jennie Allen, Kay Arthur, Henri Nouwen, Randy Alcorn, Francine Rivers, and others, and will work closely with the frontlist teams to enhance backlist titles simultaneously with authors’ new releases.

Also newly joining PRH Christian is Savana Bishop, Associate Marketing Manager, reporting to Ginia Croker, VP, Marketing Director.

Bishop comes from Portfolio Books, an imprint of the Penguin Publishing Group, where she served as marketing associate. At Portfolio, Bishop spearheaded title-marketing campaigns for frontlist titles, including the #1 New York Times bestseller The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon as well as the instant New York Times bestseller On Character by General Stanley McChrystal. Engaging with a diverse list of authors, she also worked on The Warrior Poet Way by John Lovell and Losing Our Religion by Russell Moore.

Bishop will use her experience to grow PRH Christian’s social platforms and lead marketing campaigns across all PRH Christian imprints.

A graduate of Clemson University, Bishop lives in Greenville, SC. Prior to joining Portfolio, Savana worked seasonally at Barnes & Noble and enjoyed internships at Writers House Literary Agency and Little, Brown.

Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group includes the imprints WaterBrook, Multnomah, Image, Forum, and Ink & Willow and is a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.

From America’s Gerontologist, a practical guide that offers a radical and optimistic approach to longevity

Dr. Kerry Burnight—known to her many followers as “Dr. Kerry”—is sparking a revolution to make older better.  Fed up with the fear driven, anti-aging hysteria, hundreds of thousands of people turn to Dr. Kerry for her practical, effective and uplifting approach to navigating longevity—our parents’ and our own.

In Joyspan, Dr. Kerry shares her popular philosophy and tools in a comprehensive resource that moves readers from fear to peaceful confidence. Dr. Kerry’s insights, along with those of her inspiring 95 year-old mother Betty, are based upon a profound truth: the key to good longevity isn’t the length of your life, it’s the quality of your life. Books that advance lifespan and “healthspan” don’t address the whole picture. Dr. Kerry introduces readers to the critical concept of “joyspan” based on the science of well-being, contentment, connection, meaning, growth, choice, and purpose.

Part manifesto, part how-to guide, Joyspan proves that internal strength is as critical as external fitness.Filled with both perspective-shifting strategies and troubleshooting for the specific challenges of aging—including caregiving, dementia, unexpected diagnoses, isolation, uncoupling via death or divorce, financial concerns, and more— this book is an essential resource for a generation looking for a better way to grow older—and to help our aging parents do the same.

America’s Gerontologist, Dr. Kerry Burnight, is on a mission to make older, better.  Dr. Kerry taught Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology for 18 years at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She is the cofounder of the nation’s first Elder Abuse Forensic Center and the founder of TheGerontologist.com. She was an invited speaker to the U.S. White House at the Elder Justice Summit, and at the U.S. Department of Justice. She has appeared on such T.V. programs as CBS News, NBC News, The Doctors, Money Matters, and The Dr. Phil Show  and has been the keynote speaker at hundreds of conferences. She’s known as “America’s Gerontologist” for optimizing dignity, health, and joy in longevity through research, teaching, podcasts, blogs, Instagram, X, Facebook, and Tiktok.

Ada, Mich. (August 1, 2025)—Ashley Opliger, founder of the national nonprofit Bridget’s Cradles, landed on the USA Today Bestseller list with the release of her debut book, Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven—A Biblical Guide for Grieving Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss (available now via Bethany House).

The book solidifies Opliger as a bestselling author just one week after the July 22 release of Cradled in Hope. Opliger also joined previous bestsellers including Mel Robbins, Kristin Hannah, James Patterson, and more across all genres, but hers was the only Christian Living title to make the cut for the sales week ending Sunday, July 27.

Knowing well the overwhelming pain and hopelessness of losing a child after her daughter Bridget was born into heaven at 24 weeks, Ashley walked through a dark valley of grief while questioning God’s goodness. Sharing her story, she provides a safe space for grieving moms to cry, ask why, and bring their sadness, anger, bitterness, loneliness, and shame to One who can hold it all—Jesus. Cradled in Hope offers a tender yet profound guide for navigating pregnancy and infant loss through the lens of faith, showing readers how God cradles grieving moms in hope even as He cradles their babies in Heaven.

“Ashley writes with tenderness, authenticity, and unwavering faith. She poured her heart and experience into Cradled in Hope, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary,” says Jennifer Dukes Lee, Senior Acquisitions Editor for Bethany House. “From the beginning, Ashley wanted this book to be the gold standard for guiding women through the deep, personal grief of infant loss. And it is, indeed, the gold standard. Her vision was always to create a resource that would meet grieving mothers exactly where they are, and now seeing her book reach the USA Today bestseller list is a powerful affirmation that it’s doing just that. So many need this book, and we are honored to walk with Ashley on this publishing journey.”

See full list of the week’s bestsellers at https://www.usatoday.com/booklist.

Cradled in Hope: Trusting Jesus to Heal Your Heart as He Holds Your Baby in Heaven—A Biblical Guide for Grieving Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss by Ashley Opliger
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764244346; ebook ISBN 9781493450862; $19.99)

Ashley Opliger is the founder and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles, a national nonprofit that provides hope and healing to over 30,000 bereaved families each year. Host of the award-winning podcast Cradled in Hope, she’s been a media guest and contributor to outlets such as Focus on the Family, Live Action, and American Family Association Journal. Ashley is also the leader of Hope Gatherings and Wave of Light, an annual event held on Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. She is a sought-after speaker and podcaster. She lives in Wichita, Kansas with her husband and two sons. Learn more at BridgetsCradles.com.

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, seeks to uplift readers’ families, faith, and free time with our library of industry-leading fiction and bestselling, Christ-centered nonfiction.

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

Contact:  Anne Van Solkema, (616) 676-9185 x152, avansolkema@bakerpublishinggroup.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 5, 2025—Christian publisher David C Cook announced today the appointment of Linda Howard as executive publisher. In this role, Howard will prioritize cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with authors, agents, and partners, and will oversee all aspects of trade book publishing, including acquisitions, editorial development, and production for the company’s growing brands, including The Action Bible and The Chosen series.

Howard, who most recently served as the associate publisher at Tyndale House Publishers, brings extensive experience in multiple genres. In her most recent role, she led the team that acquired and developed Christian children’s products and oversaw the strategy for Tyndale’s Kids Division. During her time with Tyndale, she also served as the senior product and marketing manager and ​guided the publisher’s relationship with Focus on the Family, overseeing their nonfiction, fiction, and kids’ titles.

“When we started our search for an executive publisher, we were looking for the right personality, experience, skillset and level of spiritual maturity,” said Bill Reeves, CEO of David C Cook. “We believe we’ve found that in Linda. Her character and work ethic are highly regarded throughout the publishing industry and she has a wealth of experience in areas in which we’re continuing to expand.  

“Linda has a proven track record of success,” Reeves continued. “She’s in touch with our customer base and she has a deep understanding of the value of multimedia. It will be great to have her on board as we launch Beloved—Francis Chan’s first new release since 2021—and other key titles this fall.”

Prior to her time with Tyndale, Howard worked for Wheaton College as assistant director of the Community School of the Arts. She is a graduate of ​the University of West Alabama, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in music education.

“It’s an honor to join a ministry that has faithfully served the church for 150 years,” said Howard. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work alongside a talented team on projects that will continue to equip today’s generations with resources to grow their ​faith.”

About David C Cook 
David C Cook is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to equipping the global church with leadership, discipleship and worship resources to help Christians grow in faith and pass it along to the next generation. Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, is committed to taking songs of substance to the local church and its leaders around the world. Also part of the David C Cook family of brands, Group Publishing is a leader in vacation Bible school curriculum and creates a wide variety of award-winning, faith-based content, products and experiences for kids, teens and adults. Read more about David C Cook and its global ministry outreach at davidccook.org.

CONTACT:  Alli Ehrhardt, 541.973.1994

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Good Book Company is excited to release the Training Young Hearts series by Abbey Wedgeworth as a colorful box set, including a new Guide for Grown-ups. This box set completes the Life-the-Flap board book series collection.

Wedgeworth reflects, “We began crafting this series with the conviction that the books about Jesus shouldn’t be the boring ones, and now, we hear all the time that these titles are the favorites of the kids for whom they were created. But we also hear that this set of books is effectively doing what they were written to do: resourcing parents with language and tools to respond to common behaviors with gospel intentionality, and rescuing kids from guilt, shame, and the pressure to get it right on their own by encouraging them to look to Jesus. I am praying that the release of the box set and Guide for Grown-ups will mean that more kids and caregivers will not only enjoy the entire series but ultimately, hear the truth of the gospel and experience its changing power.”

Beloved for its use of a redemptive gospel framework and its playful illustrations, this series helps kids understand how to use their hands, feelings, mouth, and more in ways that are honoring to Jesus. The new Guide for Grown-ups explains the parenting principles behind the series, as well as offering practical advice on how to use moments of discipline as opportunities for gospel growth.

Series editor Katy Morgan says, “This is a very special series and I’m so delighted to see the board books come together in such a beautiful box. I’m praising God for the way he’s equipping so many parents and engaging so many little ones with these joyful and down-to-earth board books!”

The Training Young Series Box Set released August 1st.

ABOUT THE GOOD BOOK COMPANY
Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact:  publicity@thegoodbook.com.

From the bestselling author of Holy Hot Mess, a laugh-out-loud look at what happens when life goes a direction we didn’t expect and we are forced to reconsider the beliefs, assumptions, and stories that have always steered our course.

Mary Katherine Backstrom grew up the most basic of all youth group kids—pH level 14—and her faith only grew as she led youth ministry, served as a missionary, and went on to become a bestselling Christian author. She knew all the practiced, perfect Sunday school answers and was driving happily down the straight and narrow, until one day her young son asked a simple question: will my Jewish best friend go to hell?

In the months and years that followed, that single question continued to snowball. MK challenged and reconsidered every part of the faith she’d been raised to accept so completely. Not That Wheel, Jesus! is Mary Katherine’s hilarious journey from certainty to doubt to going nuclear on the socials (“it was my heresy era”), and then of slowly and painfully finding her way back to a different, less defined faith.

It’s the heartfelt and achingly honest story of a spirituality that went off the road and crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, right before God and everybody. And then, slowly, through grace and plenty of therapy, grew richer and deeper than she ever could have imagined.

Mary Katherine Backstrom is best known for her viral videos and candid writing on family, faith, and mental health. She has been featured on Today Show, CNN, and New York Times—but her friends and family are most impressed with her one-time appearance on Ellen. MK resides in Alabama with her children and two stinky dogs. When she isn’t writing, MK can be found in the woods, hiding from the all the world’s problems. 

UK-based publisher of Christian greeting cards and gifts now available to US and Canadian retailers via Anchor’s full-service distribution and fulfillment support.

New Kensington, PA | August 8, 2025 — In a major expansion of its international reach, UK-based Christian publisher Just Cards Direct has officially launched in the North American market. As the brand’s sole distribution and fulfillment partner in the US and Canada, Anchor will now make Just Cards Direct’s award-winning greeting cards and inspirational gifts widely accessible to retailers, churches, and consumers across the continent.

Founded in 2007, Just Cards Direct has built a strong reputation throughout the UK and Europe for its high-quality, Scripture-based designs offering everything from holiday and occasion cards to coloring bookmarks, coasters, and more. In February 2025, the Just Cards team was warmly received in the US, as they connected with Christian retailers at CPE in Florida.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Anchor to serve the Christian retail community here in the USA,” said Anne Stiles, Founder of Just Cards Direct. “Our heart is to equip churches, bookstores, and believers with encouraging, Bible-based products that speak hope and truth. It’s a joy to see our designs reaching new hands and hearts across the Atlantic.”

This marks the first time their full product line will be readily available in North America through a domestic distributor, and through this integrated logistics approach, Just Cards Direct now has a robust and streamlined infrastructure for both retail and online growth. Retailers interested in carrying Just Cards Direct can now place wholesale orders through Anchor and WordAlive.

About Just Cards Direct:
Just Cards Direct is a multi-award-winning Christian publisher based in the UK, offering inspirational greeting cards, gifts, bookmarks, coasters, and more. Known for their bold design and biblical messaging, their work has appeared in both retail shops and major publishers like Baker Books. Learn more at www.justcardsdirect.com.

About Anchor:
Part of the Whitaker Corporation, Anchor has served the Christian retail and inspirational gift industry since 1970. Located in western Pennsylvania, Anchor supplies books, Bibles, music, and gifts to Christian bookstores, churches, and general gift retailers across the country. With a longstanding commitment to quality and service, Anchor remains a trusted partner to thousands of stores and ministries nationwide providing distribution, marketing and sales

To learn more about fulfillment and distribution through Anchor, contact Beth Swaney at beth.swaney@anchordistributors.com.

Media Contact:  Beth Swaney, Anchor Distributors, 1-800-444-4484 x203, Beth.swaney@anchordistributors.com