American Christian Fiction Writers is pleased to announce  award-winning author Deborah Raney as the 2024 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Recipient. The award will be presented during the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference  to be held September 5-8 in New Orleans, Louisiana. American Christian Fiction Writers is a professional organization devoted to the craft of Christian Fiction, and helping writers expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.

Deborah Raney’s first novel, A Vow to Cherish inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-nine years and forty-plus books later, she’s still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won the RWA’s RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist.  Deb is a recent transplant to Missouri, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the web at www.deborahraney.com.

To register for the ACFW conference:  https://member.acfw.com/conference/registration_instructions?_ga=2.22397691.1526149295.1719257787-1531449170.1675364796

Media Contact:  Jeane Burgess – Tall Oak Media, 918-630-9695  – jeane@mytalloak.com 

AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announced the winners of the 2024 Golden Scroll Awards at the Golden Scroll Banquet, Sunday, August 4, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Awards were presented by Linda Evans Shepherd, founder and CEO of AWSA, Dawn Scott Damon, the AWSA Steering President, and Carol Kent.

This is the 16th year that AWSA has presented the Golden Scroll Awards which are open to the nearly 900 members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Karen Whiting was named AWSA Member of the Year.

The Jennifer Kennedy Dean Award went to Edie Melson.

Pam Farrel was awarded the AWSA Impact Award, presented to a member who has made a lifetime impact for Jesus.

Carol Kent was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She is an arena speaker and a celebrated author with more than thirty books, including bestsellers like “When I Lay My Isaac Down, Becoming a Woman of Influence, and Speak Up with Confidence. 

The Golden Scroll Book of the Year was awarded to Lori Stanley Roeleveld for Graceful Influence: Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible (Our Daily Bread).

The Nonfiction Book of the Year Award went to Brenda Yoder for Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life (Herald Press).

The Novel of the Year Award went to Kimberley Woodhouse for Set in Stone (Bethany House).

The Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Tama Fortner and Michelle Nietart, illustrated by Nomar Perez, for God, I Feel Scared: Bringing Emotions to a Bigger God (Zonderkidz).

The Youth Book of the Year was awarded to Blythe Daniel and Caryn Daniel for Let’s Be Friends (Harvest House).

The Children’s Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to Lisa Corduan, illustrated by Kirk Charlton, for Daddy, Are You a Duck? (Abundance Books).

The Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Tama Fortner & Michelle Nietart, illustrated by Nomar Perez, for God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God (Zonderkidz).

The Christian Education Book of the Year was awarded to Linda Goldfarb for Creating Dynamic Podcasts and Audio Books (Bold Vision Books)

The Parenting Book of the Year was awarded to Jill Rigby Garner for Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World (Redemption Press).

The Christian Living Book of the Year went to Dr. Michelle Bengtson for The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God when Pain Overwhelms (Revell).

The Bible Study Book of the Year was awarded to Janet McHenry for Training For Success (First Place for Health).

The Memoir of the Year was a tie with Linda Summerford for The Glider: A True Story of Survival from Heartbreak to Hope (Abundance Books) and Dr. Donna D. Kincheloe for A Life Just Like Mine: How God and Nursing Turned Past Pain into Present Peace (Morgan James Publishing).

The Anthology of the Year was awarded to Lisa Burns and Amber Weigand-Buckley for Leading Ladies: Discover Your God Grown Strategies for Success (Bold Vision Books).

The Inspirational Gift Book of the Year was awarded to Carol Kent for Life’s Lessons for Moms: Stories of Love, Laughter & Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart (Christian Art Gifts).

The Devotional Book of the Year went to Cheryl Schuermann for Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary (Bold Vision Books).

The Mystery/Suspense Novel of the Year was awarded to PeggySue Wells for Unnatural Cause (Pegwood Publishing).

The Contemporary Novel of the Year was awarded to Cheri Swalwell for Redemption Full Circle (Spoken From the Heart).

The Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Rebekah Montgomery for Hunt the Straight Path Home (Abundance Books).

The Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Kristen Terrette for Safe Harbor (Elk Lake).

The Novella of the Year was awarded to Kimberley Woodhouse for Penelope (Barbour).

This is the fifth year to present the Christian Market Book Awards. These awards are open to all authors who publish in the Christian market.

The Christian Market Book of the Year was awarded to Cherie Denna for Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging (Bold Vision Books).

The Christian Market Devotional of the Year was awarded to Latan Roland Murphy for His Strength Her Joy: Finding God-Powered Fulfillment (Bold Vision Books).

The Christian Market Memoir of the Year was awarded to Heather Wilber for Never Will I Leave Thee, Never Will I Forsake Thee: A Mother’s Testimony of Hope and Miracles (Trilogy).

The Christian Market Parenting Book of the Year was awarded to Casey Hilty for Her Children Arise: Passing a Legacy of Faith to the Next Generation (Like Eden Press).

The Christian Market Educational Book of the Year was awarded to Dr. Craig von Buseck for Telling the Truth: How to Write a Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir (Bold Vision Books).

The Christian Market Suspense Novel of the Year was awarded to Sarah Hamaker for Justice Delayed (Seshva Press).

The Christian Market Romance Novel of the Year was awarded to Karin Beery for Finally Forever (Elk Lake).

The Christian Market Historical Novel of the Year was awarded to Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse for With Each Tomorrow (Bethany House).

The Christian Market Biblical Fiction of the Year was awarded to David J. Marsh for Waterborne: Chronicle of the Clan of Noah (Bold Vision Books).

The Christian Market Children’s Book of the Year was awarded to Liz A. Pitman, illustrated by Jane Brobst, for Where is the Missing Puzzle Piece? (Liz A. Pitman).

The Christian Market Youth Book of the Year was awarded to Caris Snider for Anxiety Elephants for Teens: A 90 Day Devotional (End Game Press).

The Christian Market Children’s Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Crystal Bowman & Teri McKinley, illustrated by Anita Schmidt for Our Daily Bread for Kids: 365 Devotions from Genesis to Revelation (Our Daily Bread).

The Christian Market Children’s Fiction Book of the Year was awarded to Jill Roman Lord, illustrated by Camila Carrossine for Love Well, My Precious One (End Game Press).

The Christian Market Nonfiction Book of the Year was awarded to Debbie W. Wilson for Little God, Big Strength: Discover a God Greater than Your Goliaths (Leafwood Publishers).

The Christian Market Novel of the Year was awarded to Kimberley Woodhouse for The Secrets Beneath (Bethany House).

Second place for the Christian Market Novel of the Year was awarded to Cindy Stewart for Abounding Hope (Hope Springs Press). Third place went to Lynette Eason for Countdown (Revell).

AWSA, the sponsor of the Golden Scroll Awards Banquet, is an outreach of Right to the Heart Ministries and consists of nearly 900 top women authors who both publish and speak nationally. See www.AWSA.com.

For more info, please contact:  Linda Evans Shepherd at LindaReply@gmail.com or 303-772-2035.

God’s Goodness for the Chosen: An Interactive Bible Study Season 4
is available now

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE / August 7, 2024 – From the authors of the Bible studies that tie hand-in-hand with The Chosen seasons 1, 2 and 3, Amanda Jenkins, Dallas Jenkins, and Dr. Douglas S. Huffman’s newest Bible study God’s Goodness for the Chosen: An Interactive Bible Study Season 4 addresses the issues of suffering and the goodness that comes out of it.

This study is inspired by season 4 of The Chosen and serves as a companion guide of the show, teaching readers how to reframe their hardships and see them as fertile soil for God’s goodness to grow in their lives. God’s Goodness for the Chosen takes readers through eight lessons which reveal how God uses suffering to bring about good things in the lives of those He loves. Readers will be challenged to embrace the hard things of life, to experience more of the goodness God offers on the other side.

Some topics explored in God’s Goodness for The Chosen:

• Death is eclipsed by life
• Grief is eclipsed by praise
• Questions are eclipsed by resolve
• Confusion is eclipsed by grace
• Temporary things are eclipsed by eternal things
• Heartbreak is eclipsed by love
• Sin is eclipsed by obedience
• Pain is eclipsed by the fullness of God’s plan

God’s Goodness for The Chosen is an eight-lesson study, ideal for Fall of 2024 & Spring of 2025 bible studies.

PRESS ASSETS

• Media Tip Sheet 
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Amanda and Dallas Jenkins Headshots and Bios 
• For more information on The Chosen Bible Studies, visit davidccook.org
• For press materials, visit: 130a.com
• For interviews with Dallas and Amanda Jenkins, contact: Ashli Bock, 830-739-9145, ashli@130a.com
• You can order your Chosen Bible study today!
• Hear from Amanda and Dallas about God’s Goodness for the Chosen here.

About the Authors
Amanda Jenkins is an author and the lead creator of The Chosen’s additional content. Her husband, Dallas Jenkins, directed and produced over a dozen feature and short films before creating The Chosen, currently one of the most viewed TV shows in the world. They live in Texas with their four children. Dr. Douglas S. Huffman, the evangelical biblical consultant for The Chosen television series, is Professor of New Testament and Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) in California.

About David C Cook
David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the global Church with life-transforming, Christ-centered materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado—with offices in Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and the United Kingdom—David C Cook produces resources that are published in over 150 languages and distributed in more than 170 countries. Originally founded in 1875 as a curriculum publisher, David C Cook now also publishes numerous bestselling books, resources, music (Integrity Music), and media from a variety of award-winning authors and artists. Learn more about David C Cook’s mission at DavidCCook.org.

For information, contact: Ashli Bock, 830-739-9145, ashli@130a.com

Santa Rosa, CA – Janet Kobobel Grant, founder and president of Books & Such Literary Management, announces Jen Babakhan, author, educator, and brand specialist has joined Books & Such Literary Management as an associate agent.

Janet Grant says, “Jen caught my eye right away when she served as an agency intern earlier this year. Her reviews of proposals and manuscripts showed she had a strong sense of structure, good writing, and marketability. And she wrote critiques filled with helpful suggestions for how to improve the material. I knew immediately that these natural instincts would serve her—and her clients—well as an agent.”

With a degree in communications and background in education, marketing, and traditional publishing, including more than 150 articles with Readers Digest and two nonfiction books, Jen Babakhan offers a well-rounded perspective to her authors.

Janet Grant adds, “With professional experience in marketing and in helping to brand an international company, Jen can offer to clients important mentoring in how to present their uniqueness as authors as well as how to create projects that stand out to industry insiders and potential readers. I’m proud to have her join our stellar lineup of agents, and I know she will enrich the publishing industry in this new role.”

“I am honored to be joining such an incredible agency,” Babakhan says. “The art of writing is such a personal act, and it’s a beautiful display of generosity when writers choose to share their work with others—to lift up, entertain, and inspire. I’m excited to be a part of this process, and to have a role in getting talented writers a place on readers’ bookshelves.”

Among Jen’s first clients is novelist Catherine Palmer, author of nearly 60 novels, with sales well over 3 million. She has received a Christy Award and a lifetime achievement award from Romantic Times Magazine. Jen will acquire adult fiction and nonfiction projects that match the needs of Christian publishing.

Books & Such Literary Management was founded in 1996 as one of the first agencies to serve the Christian market. The agency’s tagline—Discerning Literature—conveys the spirit of the team of seven agents. Books & Such’s focus remains on high-quality writing and manuscripts that make important contributions to culture’s ongoing conversations.

Books & Such Literary Management

August 2024 | LISLE, IL—IVP Academic authors and respected biblical scholars Nijay K. Gupta and Carmen Joy Imes will be turning their writing focus toward a much younger audience with a newly contracted IVP Kids book about women of Scripture. Written for children ages 6 to 12, this hardcover book will be available in 2026.  

Gupta released Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church in March 2023. In it he cast a light on the many inspiring contributions by women leaders of the early church. He wrote, “These women leaders of the early church are more than just extras on the set of the gospel drama. They were key figures.” 

Now Gupta, along with Imes, associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University, will introduce young readers to twenty-five women of the Bible, telling their stories of faith, gifting, courage, and wisdom. This collection will also offer an illustration depicting each figure. 

“Through their writing and teaching in Old and New Testament studies, Carmen and Nijay have helped us recognize the many ways that God has worked through women in Scripture. And we are eager to have them share this insight with the next generation,” said Elissa Schauer, IVP Executive Editor. “Our hope is that in hearing these stories and in learning more about these figures, kids begin to recognize that God can and will work through them too!” 

Nijay K. Gupta (PhD, University of Durham) is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. His books include Tell Her Story, A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, and commentaries on Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1–2 Thessalonians.  He has co-edited The State of New Testament Studies, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and The State of Pauline Studies.

Carmen Joy Imes (PhD, Wheaton College) is the author of Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends, and Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters.  

Contact:  Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com  

August 2024 | LISLE, IL—In anticipation of the August 13 release of Penny Preaches: God Gives Good Gifts to Everyone! IVP Kids is kicking off the #GiftedWomen campaign to celebrate all the women who, as the subtitle says, are using their “good gifts” to inspire, encourage, and make a difference in the lives of others.

On August 7 the IVP social media team will set off the first wave of tags, asking people to share a word or video about three people they have seen sharing their gifts in impactful ways.

Allie Noble, IVP’s senior social media manager said, “We are asking our followers to post the names of gifted women they know and nominating others to do the same. Our goal is to create a chain reaction of empowerment, lifting up women in the church and beyond.”

Penny Preaches by Amy and Rob Dixon was written to inspire young people, especially girls, to embrace the gifts God has given them.

Amy Dixon is the author of three picture books—Maurice the Unbeastly, Sophie’s Animal Parade, and Marathon Mouse—as well as a middle grade novel. Rob Dixon is the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships.

“Our desire in writing Penny Preaches was to catch our readers in that moment of radiant confidence—When I grow up, I’m going to be a mermaid!—to see that God gives good gifts to everyone, and to begin the sacred process of wondering, What good gifts has God given to me?” said Amy and Rob. “As Penny reminds us, God gives good gifts to everyone. And while being a mermaid is, sadly, not one of the gifts, parents and caregivers have a crucial role to play in the process of helping kids discover theirs. We pray that as more young people discover their good gifts and are given the freedom to exercise them in the church, we will grow into the flourishing community we were always meant to be.”

Publishers Weekly called Penny Preaches “one of IVP’s more provocative titles” in its portrayal of a little girl who longs to teach God’s words to others, since many Christian denominations don’t allow women in preaching or teaching roles.

“Our hope for every child is that they would be able to discern, embrace, and cultivate whatever gifts God has given them, even if those gifts push the boundaries of how the church has historically understood gifting for women and men. I pray that we are forming a church in the future where that isn’t a problem anymore,” said Amy and Rob.

Noble said, “We hope that this social media campaign is a celebration and awareness of all the women who are sharing their good gifts. Most importantly, we hope Penny Preaches and this social media campaign will inspire all the girls and young women who want to someday be like the women they look up to, the women using their good gifts.”

Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com

Carol Stream, Ill. (August 5, 2024) — Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) is delighted to announce the forthcoming release of Paws in His Presence: 50 Inspirational Animal Stories to Help You Pray and Ponder the Psalms by acclaimed author Jennifer Marshall Bleakley. Known for her animal-centered stories including Pawverbs for a Dog Lover’s Heart, which has sold over 100,000 copies since its release in 2020, Bleakley once again invites readers to discover spiritual truths through our animal friends.

In this new release, readers will see animals as living, breathing pictures of God’s love. Complete with stories, passages from Psalms, full-color photos, prayers, and reflection questions, Paws in His Presence is a great book for any animal lover.

Carol Traver, the director of content development at Tyndale House Publishers, stated, “We couldn’t be more excited about the release of Paws in His Presence. Regardless of where people stand spiritually, nearly everyone loves animals, and Jen Bleakley has such an incredible gift for showing how these friends and companions so perfectly reflect God’s grace, humor, and unconditional love. That’s the beauty of this book. The devotions are rooted in the Psalms, and because Jen’s stories are so delightfully disarming, you could literally gift Paws in His Presence to just about anybody.”

Paws in His Presence will be available October 1, 2024. For more information or for media inquiries, please contact Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com.

Jennifer Marshall Bleakley is also the author of Joey, the Pawverbs devotional series, Project Solomon, and Finding Grace. Jen has a master’s degree in counseling and worked as a grief counselor for several years before staying home with her children. Somewhere in between countless loads of laundry, library story time, petting zoos, and the blessed hours of nap time, Jen discovered a way to combine her lifelong love of animals and her longing to encourage others with her passion for writing. Jen often says that animals have much to teach us about ourselves, about each other, and about God, but in order to learn from them we must paws and pay attention. (She also really loves a good pun!) Jen lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, Darrell, their two children, Andrew and Ella, and a menagerie of pets, including a rescue cat, a sloth-like bearded dragon, and a very needy golden retriever. You can connect with Jen online at jenniferbleakley.com or on social media @jenbleakley.

Paws in His Presence by Jennifer Bleakley
ISBN: 978-1-4964-8771-1 | Hardcover: $19.99 | October 2024 | Tyndale.com

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $110 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Contact:  Natalie Wierenga, nataliewierenga@tyndale.com, 630.784.5211

The Best News of All helps preschoolers remember the angel’s announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10–11: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The birth of Jesus is truly the best news of all. The angel’s good news of the arrival of the Savior told to the shepherds long ago is still good news for us all today. It’s the reason why we celebrate Christmas each year!

In The Best News of All, Sally Michael helps parents to instruct the mind and engage the heart of their children as they learn Scripture. Each page shows pictures and asks questions to engage preschoolers in understanding the verse. Repetition of the verse throughout the book, helps children memorize the Bible verse after just a few readings. Also included are pointers for helping children memorize and suggestions for activities that will reinforce “Living by the Word.”  

• Christmas-themed edition of the Bible Verses to Remember series.
• Bright, fun illustrations by Sengsavane Chounramany bring the angels’ message to the shepherds to life.  
• Builds a foundation for memorizing Scripture and seeing God’s work in salvation.

The Best News of All
Bible Verses to Remember series
by Sally Michael
September 16, 2024 / Retail Price: $11.99
Print ISBN:978-1-64507-481-6
Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Celebrations / Christmas & Advent

Sally Michael is a cofounder of Truth78 and has authored curricula and books marked by a passion for developing God-centered resources for the spiritual development of children. For 16 years, Sally served as minister for children at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota under the leadership of John Piper and of her husband, David. She is the author of the Bible Verses to Remember series. Sally and David live in Indianapolis, Indiana. They enjoy spending time with their daughters, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.

For review copy and interview information, contact: Audra Jennings – audra@newgrowthpress.com  

After celebrating 10 years in the US market in 2023, knk is an established leader in streamlining and supporting publishing and media businesses with its best-in-class software solutions. As the Microsoft partner for publishers and the media industry, knk continues to leverage incredible leaps in AI technology to introduce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at further empowering the publishing community.

To mark our first decade in the US market, knk is thrilled to announce the launch of the inaugural knk Scholarship Program. This initiative is a testament to knk’s unwavering commitment to the book publishing industry and its belief in fostering a diverse ecosystem of publishers of all sizes. At a time when maintaining free speech and offering a wide variety of books is more critical than ever, knk’s new scholarship program offers substantial support to smaller publishers.

Program Overview
Over the next five years, knk will provide 10 small publishers with the opportunity to implement its award-winning software for free, a benefit valued up to $100,000 per recipient. This initiative allows smaller publishers to enhance their workflows with knk’s cutting-edge technology, bypassing the significant cost of implementation.

The 2024 scholarship will offer one publisher the free implementation of knk’s standard software package, designed to optimize publishing operations. The program is set to launch on July 23rd, with the first enrollment period ending on October 25th. The first scholarship recipient will be announced by November 8th.

Supporting the Future of Publishing
“After a decade of growth and learning in the US, we at knk are more committed than ever to the people who are the heart of the publishing industry. Our new scholarship program is a reflection of our deep respect for the diverse voices that make up this vibrant community,” said Sebastian Mayeres, CEO at knk Software. “We’re not just investing in technology; we’re investing in the dreams and aspirations of smaller publishers. By offering our scholarship, we hope to empower these passionate individuals to share their stories and ideas with the world, enriching our culture and preserving the invaluable tradition of free speech. It’s an honor for us to support the industry that does so much to educate, inspire, and entertain readers everywhere.”

knk invites publishers to apply for this transformative opportunity and to join the knk family.

For more information and to apply for the knk Scholarship Program, please visit our website at knkScholarship.com.

About knk Group
knk has been a pioneering force in the publishing and media software industry for over 35 years, serving over 450 businesses worldwide. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, knk continues to set the standard for publishing solutions. As the Microsoft partner for publishers and the media industry, knk integrates advanced AI technology to deliver unparalleled support to publishers of all sizes.

For further information please contact: 
Cheryl Spais, knk Software LP, Scholarship@knk.com, knkMediaSoftware.com