The Dead Sea Squirrels from Co-Creator of VeggieTales

Nashville, TN (December 5, 2024) – Minno, the #1 source of Christian content for kids and families, has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to exhibit and distribute the highly anticipated animated series, The Dead Sea Squirrels, created by Mike Nawrocki and produced by Steve Taylor. Nawrocki is known for being the co-creator of VeggieTales, as well as the voice of “Larry the Cucumber.” Taylor is an acclaimed recording artist, music producer and filmmaker.

This multi-year deal, in partnership with Wonder Project, encompasses global video streaming distribution and YouTube. The Dead Sea Squirrels series will make its exclusive debut on Minno in early 2025, bringing to life the adventures of Merle and Pearl Squirrel for audiences around the world.

“As a parent, I know how important it is to find content that not only entertains our kids but also helps them grow in their faith,” said Erick Goss, CEO and Co-Founder of Minno. “That’s why we’re so excited to bring The Dead Sea Squirrels to Minno! Mike Nawrocki and Steve Taylor are incredible storytellers, and we can’t wait for families to laugh, learn, and fall in love with Merle, Pearl, and the whole Dead Sea Squirrels crew. It’s a privilege to partner with such creative minds to offer kids content that parents can trust, and kids will love. We are also grateful to the Wonder Project team for providing the opportunity to partner with them on such a great show.”

Minno’s acquisition underscores its commitment to offering innovative and faith-filled storytelling that entertains and inspires. Fans can look forward to a fresh chapter of family entertainment when The Dead Sea Squirrels debuts exclusively on Minno. The animated series is based on

“We’ve been hard at work over the last several years bringing The Dead Sea Squirrels to life and are beyond excited to finally release Merle and Pearl into the wild!” said Nawrocki. “Since delivering my last VeggieTales episode 10 years ago, it’s been a dream to be able to launch a fun new series for families. We look forward to working with our great partners at Wonder Project and Minno to bring The Dead Sea Squirrels to kids everywhere!”

ABOUT MINNO
Minno is the leading voice globally for using media to spark kids’ imaginations and curiosity around God and the Bible. The Minno Kids streaming service is available as an app on all platforms. Minno Originals creates shows produced in partnership with top industry talent. Minno’s publishing program includes the award-winning, best-selling “Minno Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.” With the fastest-growing YouTube Channel for Christian Kids, along with parent resources, blogs, life guides, and more, Minno is where God’s goodness and love comes to life for kids. To find out more, go to www.GoMinno.com.

Contact:  Paige Collins, 615-934-4162, ICON Media Group, @WeAreIconMedia

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that Arlo and the Keep-Out Club by Betsy Childs Howard, has won the Children and Youth category for Christianity Today’s 2025 book awards.

Arlo and the Keep-Out Club teaches kids ages 3–7 about the danger of peer pressure, the benefits of doing right, and the joy of putting their trust in Jesus as their ultimate friend and comforter in times of loneliness. Arlo and the Keep-Out Club is part of the TGC Kids series, which features illustrated storybooks that engage the hearts and imaginations of kids by teaching them biblical truths about how to live and grow as God’s children in today’s culture. Published in partnership with the Gospel Coalition.

“We are delighted that Betsy’s book is being recognized in this way. Betsy is the creative mastermind behind this TGC-Crossway book series for kids, and this is her second Arlo book in the seven-book series. We pray that the Lord continues to use these delightful children’s books to shape Christian virtue in the hearts and minds of the next generation!” says Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher.

Three additional books from Crossway won awards of merit in their respective categories:

• Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life by Mark Vroegop, was a runner-up in the Christian Living and Spiritual Formation category
• Loving Your Adult Children: The Heartache of Parenting and the Hope of the Gospel by Gaye Clark, was the runner-up in the Marriage, Family, and Singleness category
• You Will Be My Witnesses: Theology for God’s Church Serving in God’s Mission by Brian DeVries, was the runner-up in the Missions and Global Church category

The Christianity Today Book Awards are presented to books in fifteen different categories, including Theology, Christian Living and Spiritual Formation, and Biblical Studies. Matt Reynolds, Christianity Today’s senior books editor, notes, “Our Book Awards affirm the biblical wisdom that ‘two are better than one’ (Ecc. 4:9). They also celebrate the irreducible fact of individual genius and creativity, given by God and then amplified however he chooses. As long as he gets the glory, we can stay easygoing about who gets the credit.”

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based 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.

Five Additional Titles Given Awards of Distinction

December 6, 2024 | WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce three books have won a 2024 TGC Book Award:  Kevin DeYoung’s Daily Doctrine (October 2024) in the Popular Theology category, Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite’s Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls (July 2024) in the History and Biography category, and Brian A. DeVries’s You Will Be My Witnesses (October 2024) in the Missions and the Global Church category

“It’s gratifying to see the recognition for these three books—Daily Doctrine, Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls, and You Will Be My Witnesses—because they represent so much of what is near and dear to Crossway as a publishing program,” says Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing and book publisher. “We believe in sound, accessible doctrine (as exemplified in Daily Doctrine), historical retrieval to give pastoral guidance and wisdom today (as modeled in Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls), and calls to encourage the church to fulfill the Great Commission (as commended in You Will Be My Witnesses). We give thanks to God for the opportunity to work with authors like Kevin DeYoung, Coleman Ford, Shawn Wilhite, and Brian DeVries, and to publish these outstanding books!”

Kevin DeYoung’s Daily Doctrine makes systematic theology clear and accessible for the everyday Christian by breaking down important theological topics into daily readings. TGC commends the book saying, “Though DeYoung is a prolific author, Daily Doctrine represents an intense effort over years. The result is a goldmine for discipleship and doxology.”

In Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls, Ford and Wilhite help pastors embrace a classic, patristic vision of ministry through a study of pastoral virtues and early church figures. “Though Ford and Wilhite are scholars of the patristic era, they write with pastoral sensitivity. They demonstrate how the ‘ancient wisdom’ offered by the church fathers can be applied thoughtfully and practically to the spiritual life of pastors and the shepherding ministry of local churches,” writes TGC.

You Will Be My Witnesses by DeVries examines the witness of God’s people within the story of God’s mission, draws insights from the church’s witness since Pentecost, and reflects on practical aspects of contemporary Christian witness. TGC notes, “one of the book’s greatest strengths is its measured and encouraging tone. DeVries addresses some of today’s hot-button missions topics with an irenic spirit.”

Five additional books from Crossway won awards of distinction in their respective categories:

• One with My Lord: The Life-Changing Reality of Being in Christ by Sam Allberry in the Popular Theology category
• Ruined Sinners to Reclaim: Sin and Depravity in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective edited by David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson in the History and Biography category
• Who Are You?: A Little Book about Your Big Identity by Christina Fox and illustrated by Daron Parton in the Children’s category
• The Mission of God and the Witness of the Church by Justin A. Schell in the Missions and the Global Church category
• The Pastor as Leader: Principles and Practices for Connecting Preaching and Leadership by John Currie in the Ministry category

The Gospel Coalition Book Awards are presented to books in eleven different categories. They are judged on how they offer gospel-centered argument and application, include faithful and foundational use of Scripture (both Old Testament and New Testament), foster spiritual discernment of contemporary trials and trends, and encourage efforts to unite and renew the church.

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based 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.

Contact:  Lauren Susanto, lsusanto@crossway.org, crossway.org

December 2024 | LISLE, IL—InterVarsity Press (IVP) is celebrating the work of numerous authors who were honored as part of this year’s Christianity Today and Gospel Coalition Book Awards.

“We are humbled and extremely grateful for these awards programs and for the ways they shine a light on books that will continue to leave a lasting impact on the church and culture for years to come,” said Terumi Echols, IVP’s president and publisher. “I am also thankful for the authors who have entrusted these projects to us and for the dedicated teams at IVP who work alongside them to bring their ideas to life and ultimately to the lives of readers.”

IVP Honors from The Christianity Today Book Awards

WINNER, BIBLICAL STUDIES

The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Bible Commentary, edited by Esau McCaulley, Janette H. Ok, Osvaldo Padilla, and Amy Peeler, is a first-of-its-kind volume that is both theologically orthodox and multiethnically contextual.

Gregory Lanier, New Testament professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, said, “This book, in which four major scholars pull together contributions from over two dozen authors, marks a major step forward. Not only does it sketch out the rationale for doing biblical exegesis from Black, Native American, Latino, or Asian standpoints. It reveals what the results look like, showcasing how scholars from diverse backgrounds read the same Bible while attending differently to its applications and implications.”

Michael Kibbe, associate professor of Bible at Great Northern University, said, “The editors deserve thanks and congratulations for producing a groundbreaking Bible commentary that amplifies their voices and perspectives. I hope it prompts more of its kind.”

AWARD OF MERIT, POLITICS AND PUBLIC LIFE

In Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, Caleb E. Campbell introduces the basics of Christian nationalism and explores the reasons so many people are attracted to it. He also addresses a variety of American Christian nationalist talking points and offers questions and responses that humbly subvert these claims and cultivate deeper, heart-level conversations.

“While I am deeply concerned about a sudden uptick in Christian nationalist rhetoric and the harm it does to Christian witness, I’m also sensitive to the ways this threat can be overhyped,” said Rachel Ferguson, director of the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Chicago. “Campbell navigates the topic with prudence, not to mention the credibility that comes from his experience as a teenaged white supremacist turned pastor with firsthand knowledge of the pain and dissension extremist politics brought to his church. Disarming Leviathan was personally convicting, as it forced me to acknowledge that flapping my gums against Christian nationalism has far less kingdom impact than actually loving people who have been drawn into its orbit.”

FINALIST, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, AND SINGLENESS

Family Discipleship That Works: Guiding Your Child to Know, Love, and Act Like Jesus by Brian Dembowczyk invites parents into more active family discipleship without judgmentalism but with grace and understanding.

Pastor and author Barnabas Piper said, “In all honesty, as both a father and a pastor, I usually cringe when I see books about family worship (or parenting in general) because of how many of them heap pressure, expectation, and even legalistic standards on parents. In Family Discipleship That Works Brian Dembowczyk does a wonderful job pointing parents to Christ as hope and a means of discipleship. Brian doesn’t shy away from high biblical standards and commands, but neither does he burden parents with them. Rather, he models what he writes about by explaining truth with clarity and grace and dependence on the gospel of grace. This book offers a deep, firm foundation for discipleship as parents, and meaningful, practical steps we can take.”

For a list of past IVP honors from the Christianity Today Book Awards visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

 

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IVP Honors from The Gospel Coalition 2024 Book Awards 

WINNER, THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

On Classical Trinitarianism: Retrieving the Nicene Doctrine of the Triune God not only addresses the major modern challenges to the classical doctrine of the Trinity but also illustrates why properly articulating this central mystery of the faith is vital for the church’s worship, witness, and discipleship. Motivated by the longstanding need to retrieve the classical doctrine of the Trinity, theologian Matthew Barrett brings together Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox scholars to intervene in the conversation. With over forty contributions, this ecumenical volume resurrects the enduring legacy of Nicene orthodoxy, providing a theological introduction that listens with humility to the Great Tradition.

Michael F. Bird, deputy principal at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, said, “One will be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive explanation of trinitarian doctrine than this collection of essays. Matthew Barrett has assembled a prestigious team of scholars to explain what the Trinity is and why it still matters. On Classical Trinitarianism is an outstanding achievement in modern scholarship on the Christian doctrine of God.”

AWARD OF DISTINCTION, HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY

In Ownership: The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery in Edwards, Wesley, and Whitefield, Sean McGever takes three of evangelicalism’s greatest giants—Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and John Wesley—and considers their approaches to slavery, which were (to say the least) complicated. Laying out the dominant attitudes among Christians toward slavery at the time, McGever sets these “men of their times” in their own context, inviting us to learn how these shapers of American evangelicalism contributed to the tragic history of racism in America. He also explores how Christians finally began to recognize that slavery, which they’d excused for most of Christian history, is actually wrong.

Mark Noll, author of America’s Book: The Rise and Decline of a Bible Civilization, 1794–1911, said, “This book is unusually well researched (showing that Wesley, Edwards, and Whitefield actively or passively supported slavery even after Quaker Bible believers had published solid arguments showing the system’s evil). It is patiently argued (bending over backward to explain charitably why these landmark evangelicals acted as they did). It is also painstakingly self-reflective (asking, If we condemn earlier Christians for unthinking support of their society’s evil, what evils might we be supporting unthinkingly today?). The result is unusual clarity about the past and, even more, a compelling imperative for examining our own lives today.”

For a list of past IVP honors from The Gospel Coalition Book Awards visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

 

Contact:  Krista Clayton | kclayton@ivpress.com

Life-Changing Mission helps short-term mission teams get the most out of their trip and live on mission once they get back home. 

AVAILABLE JANUARY 20, 2025

Mission trips give participants a unique opportunity to see and experience God differently than they do at home. While most people who take short-term mission trips describe them as life-changing, the truth is that after they return home, not a lot changes in how they live day-to-day, and the memories start to fade. Life-Changing Mission offers ten impactful devotions from Acts for short-term mission teams that will help them prepare spiritually for their trip, stay connected to Jesus while they serve, and continue to expand God’s kingdom when they return home.

The devotions will help readers connect what they are doing each day to God’s big kingdom and see how God is using them, just as he did the early Christians, to bring hope and healing to the world. Each devotion emphasizes the power of God to use weak and needy people to bring the gospel to a broken world.

• Written by men and women who serve as missionaries and edited by Patric Knaak, Deputy Director of Mission at Serge.
• Includes a pre-trip exercise, ten guided devotions, and space for journaling about the unique memories, people, and experiences encountered along the way.
• Three debriefing sections for after the return home give participants an opportunity to process all they saw and learned.

Life-Changing Mission
from Serge, edited by Patric Knaak
January 20, 2025 / Retail Price: $16.99
Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-487-8
Religion / Christian Ministry / Missions

Patric Knaak, MA, is the Deputy Director of Mission at Serge, where he helps grow their renewal, church planting, and leadership development programs. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, Patric has worked in curriculum development and was the pastor for spiritual formation at Naperville Presbyterian Church (IL) before joining Serge. He is the editor of On Mission: Devotions for Your Short-Term Trip and coauthor of Psalms: Real Prayers for Real Life. A veteran of nearly a dozen mission trips, he’s seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to living out grace at the fray.

Ada, Mich. (November 19, 2024)—On Thursday, November 14, over 200 publishers, authors, and fans attended the 2024 Christy Awards Gala at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Downers Grove, Illinois. This prestigious event, organized by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), recognizes excellence in Christian fiction, and eleven outstanding novels were honored this year. Baker Publishing Group made a strong showing at the gala, with four of its authors receiving awards during the evening’s celebrations.

Amanda Barratt, who received the Novel of the Year Award in 2023, was awarded another Christy in the Historical category for her novel The Warsaw Sisters (Revell; ISBN 9780800741716; Ebook ISBN 9781493443420; $17.99). Amanda was also the keynote speaker at the celebration.

Katie Powner claimed her second consecutive Christy Award, winning in the General Fiction category for The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass (Bethany House; ISBN 9780764242007; Ebook ISBN 9781493443772, $17.99).

Jaime Jo Wright’s novel The Vanishing at Castle Moreau (Bethany House; ISBN 9780764238345, Ebook ISBN 9781493440603, $18.00) was selected as the winning title in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category.

Rounding out the wins for Baker Publishing Group was Gabrielle Meyer’s In This Moment (Bethany House; ISBN 9780764239755; 9781493442102; $20.00), which was awarded a Christy in the Speculative category.

ECPA President Jeff Crosby celebrated the power of storytelling, stating, “Stories have a unique power to entertain, encourage, inspire, and prompt reflection. The novels that rose to the status of both finalists and winners all embody those qualities. I extend my sincere congratulations to each of the winning authors and publishing teams that were recognized with the prestigious Christy Award for 2024.”

Baker Publishing Group extends its congratulations to all winners and its appreciation to Jeff Crosby and award-winning novelist and radio host Chris Fabry for presenting the ceremony.

The Christy Award® program was established in 1999 as a way to honor excellence, imagination, and creativity for works of fiction written from a Christian worldview. For the complete list of winners, please visit https://rushtopress.org/edition/for-immediate-release-november-15-2024/.

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.

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.

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

Moody Publishers reflects on 130 years with gratefulness to God for sustaining its place in the book-selling industry. Since its founding in 1894, Moody Publishers has impacted millions of lives across generations by maintaining a commitment to publish books for all stages of the Christian life—from new believers to seasoned pastors and ministry leaders—as a trusted name in Christian publishing.

Eight years after Dwight L. Moody founded The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, he noticed an alarming lack of Christian books for young people. While preaching in Madison, Wisconsin, Moody surveyed a local bookstore and found nothing suitable, so he started his own company in the fall of 1894. The mission of Moody Publishers has always been to spread the message of hope, redemption, and the Gospel. Over the years, the company has sought to resource the church with affordable, truth-filled Christian books.

“We are truly humbled as we look back on 130 years of book publishing. It all started when Dwight L. Moody wanted to provide affordable Christian books for young people—what a legacy and what a timeless vision!” said Randall Payleitner, vice president and publisher. “ As our faithful team and amazing authors continue this great work, we are looking to the Lord to know how to best serve our readers in the days and years to come.”

Over its 130-year history, Moody Publishers has been home to some of the most influential Christian authors, including Gary Chapman, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Charles Ryrie, John MacArthur, Erwin Lutzer, and many others. Their works have shaped and nurtured the faith of countless individuals and families, and their legacy continues to live on through the books published by Moody.

Moody Publishers has distributed more than 300 million books in 70 languages and 130 countries around the world.  When a book is purchased from Moody Publishers, one hundred percent of the profits benefit the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, which exists to educate and equip students for Christian ministry.

For more information about Moody Publishers and its 130th anniversary celebration, visit www.moodypublishers.com.

Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014)

To live without Hope is to cease to live.
—Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821–1881)

Where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.
— Anne Frank

The editors at Paraclete Press have compiled a new collection of writings entitled, Anchor of My Soul: A Treasury of Readings on Trust and Hope.  

This beautiful collection weaves together classical and contemporary cherished works of literature, scriptures, poems, and songs paired with beloved works of art, providing opportunities for reflection on three aspects of Hope:

• A Patient Waiting
• Taut Expectancy
• Trustful Anticipation

With reflective works by Walter Ciszek, Emily Dickenson, Nikki Grimes, O.Henry, Julia Ward Howe, Victor Hugo, Helen Keller, Christian Wiman, and others, interspersed with inspired art by Degas, Doerr, Homer, Kandinsky, Pissaro, Redon, Van Gogh, Vermeer and others, this stunning treasury provides comfort, joy, and solace in the exploration of hope.

In a world often shadowed by darkness, where the flickering light of hope can seem distant, the pursuit of true hope is not just comforting—it is imperative.

“May you look forward with expectation, not because of assurance for what the future holds, but because of confidence in who holds the future. May you find strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”
–Editors at Paraclete Press

Anchor of My Soul: A Treasury of Readings on Trust and Hope
Compiled by Editors at Paraclete Press
ISBN 9781640609815 | Pub date January 21, 2025 | Hardcover | 7×9 | 144 pages | $21.99)
www.paracletepress.com

For interviews or review copies, contact:
Publicist Lexa Hale at lexa@paracletepress.com, (508) 236-0658

LittWorld 2024 in Puebla, Mexico:  Publishing for Lasting Impact

(Carol Stream, Illinois, USA) – “God’s creativity is evident in the diversity of his Church, a fact that LittWorld showcases beautifully,” said editor Daniel Faria of Brazil. “MAI has created a space for diverse perspectives within the Christian publishing world, allowing us to gain a broader understanding of the gifts and talents bestowed by the Holy Spirit on his Church. I’m grateful to witness this in person!”

One hundred and ninety-two Christian publishing staff and writers from 40 countries gathered in Puebla on November 3-8 for LittWorld 2024, the triennial global publishing conference organized by Media Associates International (MAI). Comix35 NextGen President José Carlos Gutiérrez M., a team from MILAMEX led by Sally Isáis and the newly formed MAI-América Latina Board served as conference hosts.

“The experience has been inspirational and eye-opening!” said Shantal Artieda de Odicio of BCM Peru, whose ministry involves creating engaging content for children to grow in faith.

“It was exciting to see many new people and a good group of young people participate in this year’s LittWorld,” said incoming MAI President Heather Pubols. “This demonstrates how the next generation is eager to be equipped to share words of hope that will impact their communities and beyond.”

Challenged to innovate and be “protagonists in the marketplace”

About 40 speakers and workshop leaders from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas led vision-building and “how-to” sessions for Christian communicators, weaving in the conference theme Publishing for Lasting Impact into their sessions.

“Do you always wait until a new idea is safe before investing in it?” asked Mark Carpenter, CEO of publishing house Mundo Cristão in Brazil. “We’re protagonists in the marketplace. If we’re not innovating, we’re dying. Let’s engage all of society—not just the church—and create useful, delightful, transformational products.”

Delegates were challenged not only to be proactive in the general marketplace, but to create quality content for children. “Stories are the best way to tell truth to young people,” said author and MAI-Europe Board Chair Janet Wilson. “Giving a child a book is like taking them to Jesus.”

“A spirit of generosity should be at the heart of every author’s desire to write,” said Jeremy Taylor, President of Tyndale House Foundation. “I would love to see more local authors, writing in local languages, being published by local publishers, for the benefit of the local church.”

Awarding excellence in global Christian publishing, training and editing

In her home country of Mexico on the final night of LittWorld, Keila Ochoa Harris was awarded Media Associate International’s Distinguished Trainer Award in recognition of her tireless efforts to raise up Christian writers serving the global Church. Keila is also a prolific author, with over 20 published books.

Célimène Bada of Benin has become the first winner of the Judith E. Markham Editorial Legacy Award, an annual grant for the training and professional development of Christian editors in the Majority World. She is an editorial assistant with Presses Bibliques Africaines (PBA) and manager of her church library.

“Representatives from three generations are leading Certeza. Talk about publishing for lasting impact!” MAI Director of Publisher Development Ramon Rocha said, upon presenting the Robert B. Reekie Global Publisher Award to publishing house Certeza Argentina. Certeza is led by Beatriz Buono, who serves with her daughter, Daniela, and granddaughter, Flor.

“The globalization of publishing makes the MAI community more valuable than ever,” Beatriz said. “I thank God for you.”

A new era for Media Associates International

“That more than half of our participants were first-timers—many in their twenties and thirties—points to the continued hunger and need for the kind of training and networking offered by this unique global publishing conference,” said outgoing MAI President of 26 years John Maust.

Conference participants recognized John on his imminent retirement at the conclusion of LittWorld, and welcomed his successor, Heather Pubols.

“Connecting God’s people together to do his work yields a greater harvest for his kingdom,” said Heather. “LittWorld does just this as it connects Christian writers, editors, and publishers from across the world and amplifies their impact.”

LittWorld is the largest training event of Media Associates International (MAI), which also holds in-country workshops and webinars to equip and encourage Christian publishers and writers in hard places to create excellent content that builds the Church and influences society.

Media enquiries:  trix.wilkins@maiglobal.org Website: www.maiglobal.org.
Subscribe to MAI news and stories: www.mailchi.mp/littworld.org/words-for-the-world

November 2024 | LISLE, IL—Keelia Clarkson, an actress, writer, and podcaster, has signed a two-book contract with InterVarsity Press (IVP) for the Avila Falls series, a classic fiction story of a big city girl returning home to a small town to find herself, faith, and love.

Clarkson describes this series as “The Devil Wears Prada and Gilmore Girls go to church and discover their identity.” She adds that Avila Falls is a contemporary love story with all the fun, romance, and charm of any of the most popular novels for women, but without the problematic content and confusing messaging so often present in today’s love stories.

“So often, the genre of romance is filled not only with oversexualized and problematic storylines but also stories that leave the readers with incomplete, untrue, and confusing messages about love, relationships, and romance,” Clarkson said. “My hope with this book is to offer an enchanting, exciting, engrossing story that offers the reader hope, redemption, and a vision of what true love can look like—without sacrificing enjoyment, fun, and romance.”

As an actress, Clarkson has appeared in popular TV shows like NBC’s New Amsterdam and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and beloved romantic indie films like Miracle on Highway 34. She is playing the lead in the faith-based romance/western Bright Sky. She has been published in multiple print and online outlets, including Magnify Collective, Radiant NYC, and Evie Magazine.

Clarkson is also the editor-in-chief of Wallflower Journal, which launched in January 2022 and has since reached hundreds of thousands of women. She leads a team of women writers covering topics of relationships, lifestyle, beauty, personal stories, and culture. She launched the Dear Wallflower podcast in September 2022 to thousands of young women listeners and receives up to 3k
downloads per month.

Clarkson lives between New York City, Los Angeles, and Colorado Springs with her husband, Nathan Clarkson, an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and best-selling author. She is the daughter-in-law of beloved speaker/podcaster and best-selling author Sally Clarkson

The first title in the Avila Falls series will release in Spring 2026. The acquiring agent is Cindy Bunch, associate publisher and director of editorial at IVP, and Clarkson is represented by Don Pape of Pape Commons.

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com