New Marketing Responsibilities and Continued Leadership of Anchor Sales Alliance to Drive Growth and Innovation

NEW KENSINGTON, PA, January 30, 2026 — Whitaker Corporation and Anchor Distributors are pleased to announce that Dale Wilstermann is expanding his role with the company, taking on new marketing responsibilities to help drive advertising opportunities for publisher and supplier partners. In addition to his continued leadership of the Anchor Sales Alliance (ASA), Wilstermann will work closely with the marketing team to expand the company’s footprint and provide enhanced promotional opportunities for vendors looking to reach Christian bookstores, churches, and secular gift stores.

This expansion follows the retirement of Jim Clark, a long-time industry professional who had been working part-time for the company. Wilstermann’s expanded role positions the organization to build on Clark’s legacy while introducing fresh strategies for growth and partnership development.

“Dale has already proven himself to be an invaluable asset to our organization through his leadership of ASA,” said Chuck Verrett, Chief Marketing Officer at Whitaker Corporation. “His deep understanding of the marketplace, combined with his strategic vision, makes him the ideal person to help us expand our marketing capabilities. We’re excited to provide our vendor partners with even more opportunities to connect with their target audiences across multiple retail channels, including: Christian Bookstore Churches and the Secular Gift Marketplace.”

Expanding Opportunities for Vendor Partners
With this expanded role, Whitaker Corporation aims to increase its support for vendors by offering tailored advertising opportunities that align with their specific product offerings and target markets. Whether partners are looking to reach Christian bookstores and churches or expand into the broader secular gift market, Wilstermann will help identify and execute strategic marketing initiatives that maximize visibility and sales potential.

“I’m honored to take on this additional responsibility,” said Wilstermann. “The goal is simple: to give our partners more tools and more avenues to succeed. By combining strong sales representation through ASA with innovative marketing strategies, we can help publishers and suppliers compete more effectively in today’s marketplace, regardless of their size or resources.”

About Dale Wilstermann
Dale Wilstermann is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in the book publishing marketplace. Dale’s extensive experience includes roles at Hachette Book Group, Worthy Publishing, and Guideposts/Ideals, where he managed key account relationships such as Readerlink, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Christianbook. With a strong background in building lasting business relationships through effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, Dale has consistently delivered profitable sales and marketing performance. Dale holds a B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Management from Oakland University.

About Whitaker Corporation and Anchor Distributors
Anchor Distributors, a division of Whitaker Corporation, has served the Christian retail and secular 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.

To learn more about the Anchor Sales Alliance Program and marketing opportunities, contact Beth Swaney at beth.swaney@anchordistributors.com.

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

Frankfurt am Main, February 2, 2026 – Bookwire, a leading global provider of digital publishing solutions, today announced a leadership transition in its U.S. organization, effective February 2, 2026.

After three successful years as U.S. Country Manager, Brittyne Lewis will step out of her current role and transition into a sales position with Bookwire U.S., enabling her to  be more closely involved with key customers.

During her tenure, Brittyne Lewis built Bookwire’s U.S. business from the ground up, expanded the local team, and strengthened Bookwire’s position as a trusted digital publishing partner in the North American market.

“Brittyne has laid a strong foundation for our US business,” said Jens Klingelhöfer, CEO and Co-Founder of Bookwire. “I am very grateful for her leadership and her continued support during this transition.”

Andrew Weinstein will assume the role of U.S. Country Manager as of February 2, 2026. A well-known and highly respected digital publishing expert, Weinstein previously helped to build Ingram’s digital distribution and print on demand businesses and spent more than 11 years at the subscription platform Scribd, most recently as Vice President of Content.

“With Andrew’s experience and deep industry expertise, we are ideally positioned to continue to aggressively grow our U.S. team and customer base in the coming years,” Klingelhöfer added.

The transition underscores Bookwire’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market and its continued focus on growth, strong partnerships, and digital innovation.

About Bookwire & “Bookwire OS – One Solution”
Bookwire was founded in Frankfurt in 2010 as a service provider for publisher distribution of eBooks and digital content. It has since become one of the leading international businesses in digital publishing technology. Bookwire currently employs 160 people in Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Italy and the USA, who take care of more than 3,500 publishers in the fields of eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts and Print-on-Demand. The pioneering software “Bookwire OS – One Solution” delivers, analyzes, and markets around 1,500,000 eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks in all relevant distribution channels. In addition to the latest customer analytics and pricing technology, publishing clients of Bookwire also have access to individual support from account & marketing managers who look after the clients from end to end. Bookwire is led by the founders Jens Klingelhöfer (CEO) and John Ruhrmann (Co-CEO), as well as by Christian Lindemann (COO), and has branches in Barcelona, London, Milano, São Paulo, New York and Paris, in addition to the company headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and the “Digital Hub” in Dortmund.

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact:
Jan Stausberg, Corporate PR Manager, Bookwire, jan.stausberg@bookwire.de 

Lake Mary, FL — Embolden Media Group is proud to announce that award-winning author, poet, Bible teacher, and cultural thought leader Jackie Hill Perry has signed with the agency for literary representation.

Perry’s work has reached millions of readers seeking theological depth without cultural disconnection. She is widely recognized for her theologically rigorous, culturally engaged work exploring faith, formation, and transformation. Her writing invites readers into deeper discipleship with clarity, conviction, and pastoral care—bridging theology, lived experience, and cultural critique.

“This partnership feels like a gift and a responsibility I don’t take lightly,” Perry shared. “I’m excited to create work that’s truthful, rooted, and expansive—work that meets people where they are while still pointing them somewhere deeper.”

Perry is the best-selling author of Gay Girl, Good God, Holier Than Thou, and Upon Waking, the latter of which has become a widely embraced devotional resource for readers seeking spiritual depth and honesty. Her forthcoming work will continue to explore the transforming work of God in the life of the believer, with a particular focus on sanctification and spiritual formation.

“Jackie is a singular voice in Christian publishing,” said Jevon Bolden, founder and CEO of Embolden Media Group. “Her work carries theological weight, cultural clarity, and deep compassion for readers. I’m honored to advocate for her next season of writing and to steward the publishing partnerships her work deserves.”

Further details about Perry’s forthcoming projects will be announced soon.

Jackie Hill Perry is an author, Bible teacher, and hip-hop artist. Since becoming a Christian, she has been compelled to use her speaking and teaching gifts to share the light of the gospel of God as authentically as she can. She is the author of Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been; Holier Than Thou; and Upon Waking. At home, she is a wife to Preston and Mommy to Eden, Autumn, Sage, and August.

Embolden Media Group is a boutique literary agency and publishing consulting firm representing some of the most engaging, transformative, and authentic voices in our culture including several New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and ECPA best-selling authors. Founded in 2017, Embolden Media Group is a market leader in cultivating and amplifying the works of women writers, authors of color, and forward-thinking creators whose diverse ideas move the world.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
elodie.leroy@emboldenmediagroup.com.

Ada, Mich. (February 2, 2026)—Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is thrilled to announce that bestselling author Jody Hedlund has reached a significant sales milestone. Since her debut novel The Preacher’s Bride released in 2010, she has written over twenty-five novels with Bethany House, collectively selling more than one million copies.

Winner of the 2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and numerous other accolades, Hedlund has delighted readers with her sweet historical romances filled with sizzling chemistry, compelling characters, and richly detailed settings spanning from 1650s England to the American frontier. Her beloved series include the ORPHAN TRAIN series, COLORADO COWBOYS, and A SHANAHAN MATCH, among others. Her newest series, SISTERS OF STONY RIDGE ISLAND, launches in October 2026 with A Marriage by the Sea (Bethany House; ISBN 9780764246333; paper; 336 pp; $18.99).

Jody Hedlund has received extensive recognition for her achievements, including the ACFW Carol Award for Historical Romance, the Inspy Award for Historical Romance, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and the Kipp Award. Her novels have garnered favorable reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal. She lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

Rochelle Gloege, senior acquisitions editor, said, “We’re delighted to be able to celebrate this exciting milestone with Jody Hedlund! It’s an honor to have been able to partner with Jody these past sixteen years to bring readers the sweet award-winning romances that have given her such a devoted following, and we look forward to launching her newest historical romance series with us, SISTERS OF STONY RIDGE ISLAND, this fall.”

Jody Hedlund said, “I’m so honored and humbled to reach this milestone in sales. I’d like to thank all of my faithful readers for making that possible! Your enthusiasm and excitement over each of my books has been such a gift. I’m also grateful to Bethany House for a wonderful partnership over the years. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the support of so many dedicated people there. I hope for many more years of writing books that readers will continue to fall in love with!”

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, has been publishing high-quality books for more than 50 years. Recognized as the pioneer and leader in Christian fiction, Bethany House publishes over 75 new fiction and nonfiction titles annually. Each Bethany House publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Contact: Karen Steele, 616.676.9185 x 100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., February 2, 2026 — Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce an exciting milestone for the NIV Beautiful Word Bible and NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible: together, these editions have reached 250,000 copies sold as of November 2025.

First released in 2016, the NIV Beautiful Word Bible introduced unique, hand-lettered verses and full-color illustrations into the Bible-reading experience, inviting readers to engage visually and creatively with Scripture. Building on this innovation, the NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible provided an interactive format for readers to engage with God’s Word while enjoying the stress-relieving benefits of coloring.

“The 10-year anniversary of the Beautiful Word collection is a celebration of creativity and Scripture coming together,” said Melinda Bouma, VP and Associate Group Publisher for Bibles at Zondervan. “Passing 250,000 copies sold is a testament to the desire for visually rich, accessible Bibles that invite readers of all ages and backgrounds to encounter God’s Word in fresh ways.”

Both Bibles feature the trusted text of the New International Version (NIV), alongside hundreds of illustrated verses and wide margins for journaling, note-taking, and drawing. The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible, in particular, has been embraced by readers seeking a meditative, hands-on approach to Scripture engagement—whether in personal study, small groups, or church settings.

Over the past decade, Beautiful Word Bibles have become a beloved resource for families, students, and anyone seeking to deepen their connection to Scripture through creativity. This is especially true for the girls and teens who benefit from special editions of these Bibles, created just for them. The collection’s enduring popularity highlights the growing movement among Bible readers to combine faith, art, and reflection.

“From the beginning, our vision was to create a Bible that would invite readers to interact with God’s Word in meaningful and beautiful ways,” Bouma added. “We’re grateful for the artists, designers, and readers who have made this journey possible, and we look forward to many more years of helping people encounter the beauty and truth of Scripture.”

The NIV Beautiful Word Bible and NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible are available in a variety of covers and formats, including hardcover, Leathersoft™, and large print editions. For more information, visit beautifulwordbible.com.

About Zondervan
 Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in numerous genres and subject areas; academic and reference works; curriculum resources; and books for children and young adults. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit zondervan.com.

About the NIV
 The New International Version (NIV) is the world’s bestselling modern-English Bible translation—accurate, readable, and clear, yet deeply faithful to the detail of the original languages. For over 50 years, the Committee on Bible Translation has overseen the work of scholars from around the world to ensure the NIV remains accessible, relevant, and authoritative. Every NIV purchased helps Biblica translate and distribute Scripture to people around the globe. Learn more at thenivbible.com.

For interviews or review copies, contact:
Serena DeKryger, Manager, Publicity & Reader Engagement
serena.dekryger@harpercollins.com

Shippensburg, PA—January 2026 — Nori Media Group (NMG), a faith-focused publishing and media company and home to imprints including Destiny Image and Harrison House, and Sound Wisdom announced today a new Operating and Distribution Agreement with Bridge-Logos, Inc., effective February 1, 2026.

Under the agreement, NMG will assume responsibility for Bridge-Logos’ operational functions—including sales, marketing, distribution/fulfillment, production, accounting/royalty management, and inventory management—to strengthen operational excellence and expand market reach.

Bridge-Logos will continue to lead acquisitions of new titles and authors and maintain author relationships, while retaining ownership of its intellectual property, trademarks, and publishing assets.

“This agreement represents a meaningful next step in supporting Bridge-Logos’ legacy and future growth,” said Don Nori, CEO of Nori Media Group. “By bringing Bridge-Logos’ operations into NMG’s proven publishing infrastructure, we’re creating a foundation for expanded distribution, stronger execution, and greater long-term impact for authors and readers.”

Suzanne Wooldridge, President of Bridge Logos, added, “Bridge Logos has been publishing Christian books since 1967, and our mission remains the same—publishing content that glorifies and honors God. This new operating and distribution relationship helps us focus our energies on acquiring and developing the right projects while NMG strengthens the operational engine behind our catalog.”

As part of the agreement, NMG will manage Bridge-Logos operational execution across the full lifecycle of publishing—from production to sales, marketing, distribution, and financial reporting—while Bridge-Logos continues to guide acquisitions and author care.

About Nori Media Group
Nori Media Group is a publishing and media company serving faith audiences through mission-driven content and author partnerships. NMG is home to imprints including Destiny Image and Harrison House, delivering books and multi-format resources designed to inspire, equip, and impact readers worldwide.

About Bridge Logos
Bridge Logos is dedicated to publishing content that glorifies and honors God and supports the spiritual needs of people around the world. Bridge Logos has been publishing Christian books since 1967.

Media contact:  customerservice@norimediagroup.com

SPCK Group has signed a new sales and distribution agreement with Baylor University Press

SPCK Group will become the primary agent for sales and distribution for Baylor University Press in the UK, European Union, South Africa, the Far East, Australasia, and Singapore, effective 1 July 2026.

Baylor University Press (BUP), the publishing division of Baylor University, is committed to producing books of the highest academic rigour that advance specialist knowledge, promote cutting-edge research, and foster clarity and wisdom in an age of information overload. BUP’s core academic list focuses on theology, religious studies, biblical studies, and history, producing technical scholarship for researchers, tools for teachers, and textbooks for students. In addition, BUP publishes non-academic books under two imprints: 1845 Books and Big Bear Books. 1845 Books covers topics including ministry, spirituality, pastoral care and biography, and Big Bear Books celebrates the history and people of Baylor University.

BUP joins Crossway, IVP USA, New Growth Press, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, and Kregel as a US publisher represented by SPCK Group.

Dave Nelson, Director of Baylor University Press said:  We are thrilled to partner with SPCK Group to serve our books in the UK, EU, and beyond. SPCK Group has a sterling reputation for client care, an extensive network of retail and other sales channels, and over three centuries of experience building bridges between authors and readers. We are confident that this partnership will greatly increase the visibility and sales of Baylor University Press books in English-speaking markets around the world.

Rowan Miller, Commercial Director at SPCK Group said:  “The team at SPCK Group are delighted to be partnering with Baylor University Press, the home of both outstanding academic scholarship and transformative titles covering everything from pastoral and ministerial support to spirituality and biography. We at SPCK Group wholeheartedly support the vision of Baylor University Press to publish books that disseminate wisdom and clarity in an age of global overwhelm. As a 300-year-old, award-winning publisher dedicated to the promotion of Christian knowledge, our team of passionate and dedicated professionals will ensure that the books entrusted to us reach a wide audience of new customers. We are so excited to get going and look forward to talking to everyone about Baylor University Press books very soon!”

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

Media Contact: Emily Beater: ebeater@spck.org.uk 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (January 8, 2026)—WaterBrook, the flagship imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a yearlong campaign highlighting the imprint’s history, authors, and continued mission to publish books that honor God and help readers deepen their faith.

Founded in 1996 as an autonomous Christian imprint under Bantam Doubleday Dell (a division of Random House), WaterBrook has grown from its Colorado Springs base into one of the leading publishers in the Christian market. The imprint publishes across adult non-fiction categories such as Christian living, spiritual formation, devotionals, personal development, and inspiration, as well as children’s picture books, middle grade and YA fiction.

WaterBrook’s early New York Times bestsellers include Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory, One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook, To Heaven and Back by Dr. Mary Neal, and Fearless by Eric Blehm. More recently, the imprint has published major bestsellers and ECPA Book of the Year winners such as Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer, Find Your People by Jennie Allen, Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison, and Shaken by Tim Tebow. WaterBrook’s broader roster has included many respected voices in Christian publishing, including Kay Arthur, Liz Curtis Higgs, Joanna Weaver, Michael Todd, Andrew Peterson, Rich Villodas, Dr. Sarita Lyons, Lisa Tawn Bergren, and many more.

The anniversary will be marked with a dedicated logo and tagline—Inspiring Faith, Changing Stories, Empowering Lives—and a series of promotional initiatives across social media, retail, and consumer channels. Plans include backlist celebrations, author features, digital storytelling, and anniversary-themed marketing throughout 2026.

“For three decades, WaterBrook’s books have offered readers spiritual guidance, practical insight, and encouragement for following Jesus in the midst of everyday life,” said Campbell Wharton, SVP, Publisher PRH Christian. “It is an honor to steward that mission today, and we are deeply grateful for the authors, retailers, and readers who have joined us in this meaningful work.”

More anniversary programming will be announced in the months ahead. For more information, visit https://sites.prh.com/waterbrook30thanniversary.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House.

Contact:  Beverly Rykerd, brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

 

 

January 13, 2026 – New York Times bestselling author and host of the That Sounds Fun podcast, with more than 105 million downloads, Annie F. Downs has signed a four-book deal with WaterBrook.

The deal is anchored by Don’t Let That Hold You Back, a trade book that challenges readers to step into the life they can’t stop thinking about by releasing guilt, fear, and pressure and taking bold action toward what matters most. The project will be accompanied by a forthcoming 40-day devotional that is scheduled for publication in Fall 2026.

The deal also includes a second trade book and a Let’s Read the Gospels Bible, inspired by Downs’ popular podcast by the same name, which pairs the complete books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts with simple prompts designed to help busy readers engage more deeply with Scripture and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

World rights were acquired by Susan Tjaden, Vice President and Executive Editor at WaterBrook, from Lisa Jackson of Alive Literary Agency.

For rights inquiries, contact Denise Cronin at decronin@penguinrandomhouse.com.

WaterBrook is an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group.

For the Third Consecutive January, Tara-Leigh Cobble’s Podcast Lands in Top Ten Across All Categories

Dallas, Texas (January 19, 2026) — The Bible Recap Podcast, hosted by author and Bible teacher Tara-Leigh Cobble, was ranked in the Top Five most popular Apple podcasts during each week of January 2026. For the third consecutive January, The Bible Recap Podcast is among Apple’s top ten shows, with more than half a billion total downloads since its 2019 debut.

The Bible Recap Podcast helps millions of people worldwide better understand the Bible as they follow a daily plan for reading the entire Bible in one year. In addition to a half a billion downloads, The Bible Recap’s YouTube channel has garnered more than 30 million views. As The Bible Recap Podcast has become one of the most trusted and widely listened-to Bible podcasts worldwide, it consistently ranks at the top of religion and spirituality podcast charts as well as the overall Top Shows chart at Apple Podcasts.

Also in January 2026, The Bible Recap Podcast for Kids (TBR Kids) debuted at #1 spot on Apple podcasts in Kids & Family. TBR Kids is hosted by Emily Pickell—known as “Miss Emily” to the younger listeners—and it’s part of the TBR Podcast Network. TBR Kids is a daily podcast geared toward younger Bible Readers, and follows the same 365-day TBR reading plan, so grownups and the kids in their life can read and recap together.

The Bible Recap 365-Day Chronological Study Bible (Baker Publishing, September 2) was #1 on Amazon in the Christian Bibles category for the first week of January.

“The continued growth of The Bible Recap Podcast audience reminds us that people are hungry for God’s Word and spiritual growth,” comments show host Tara-Leigh Cobble. “My favorite thing in the world is helping people around the world read, love, and understand the Bible.”

The Bible Recap Podcast launched in 2019 to serve D-Group International, a Christian ministry founded by Tara-Leigh Cobble. At the time, Cobble led an online Bible study for 1,200 people, and she hoped 300 listeners might tune in to the podcast. The show’s reach immediately outstripped expectations, and by January 2024, it had reached the #1 spot on Apple Podcasts across all categories.

In 2020, The Bible Recap Podcast content was adapted and published as a book, which has sold more than one million copies to date and still ranks among the top ten nonfiction titles on Amazon. Tara-Leigh Cobble has published more than a dozen additional Bible study resources, all designed to help people read, love, and understand the Bible. The author and podcaster is also the host of a daily radio program, “The God Shot,” heard on more than a dozen radio stations in the U.S.

Tara-Leigh Cobble (www.TaraLeighCobble.com) lives in Dallas, where she creates content and resources that help people read, understand, and love the Bible. She is the founder of D-Group International, a discipleship network reaching thousands of people around the world. Tara-Leigh is the host of a daily podcast, The Bible Recap Podcast, which has twice reached #1 across all Apple Podcast charts and has surpassed 500 million downloads across all platforms. Her daily radio show, “The God Shot,” airs on more than a dozen radio stations. Tara-Leigh is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author with more than two million books sold in the line of books under The Bible Recap brand. Her most recent project is The Bible Recap 365-Day Chronological Study Bible (September 2025). Tara-Leigh is a popular speaker and Bible teacher who leads multiple tours of the Holy Land each year via Israelux.

Baker Publishing Group (www.BakerPublishingGroup.com) publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers. Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, seeks to uplift readers’ families, faith, and free time with its library of industry-leading fiction and bestselling, Christ-centered nonfiction.

Media Contact:
Jana Muntsinger, McClure Muntsinger Public Relations
jana@mmpublicrelations.com, 832-247-9308