January 26, 2026 Edition
Staff Updates
Cook Media Global welcomes Chriscynethia Floyd as Chief Curriculum Officer
Christian media company Cook Media Global is pleased to announce industry veteran Chriscynethia Floyd as its new chief curriculum officer. Floyd will oversee all aspects of curriculum publishing—including content development, instructional design, production and distribution—for David C Cook Publishing and Group Publishing within the Cook Media Global family of brands.
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PRH Christian announces key promotions in marketing, publicity, editorial, operations
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group is thrilled to announce promotions within its marketing, publicity, editorial and publishing teams. Beverly Rykerd has been promoted to VP, Senior Director of Publicity and Communications, continuing to report to Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher, PRH Christian.
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After 37 years of global impact, MTI founder Sharon Mumper to retire
After 37 years at Magazine Training International (MTI) as the founder and president, Sharon Mumper will retire this month. Since the inception of MTI in 1989, Mumper has dedicated herself to the training, mentorship, and encouragement of Christian magazine publishers.
Industry News
ECPA releases Christian bestseller lists for January 2026, Christmas 2025 + Best of 2025
ECPA has released three bestsellers lists for Christian books and Bibles: The January 2026 monthly lists in 15 categories; the Bestselling Books & Bibles of 2025; and the Bestselling Christmas 2025 titles. The top-selling book in January is “Until He Comes” by Amir Tsarfati and Barry Stagner (Harvest House). The top selling book in 2025 is “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson), and the top selling non-fiction Christmas title is “The Case for Christmas” by Lee Strobel (Zondervan).
View the lists at ReadGoodBooks.com
ECPA Leadership Summit to gather Christian publishing leaders in Chicago, April 28-29
Management teams in Christian publishing are invited to the annual ECPA Leadership Summit, Awards Celebration, and Member Meeting held outside Chicago on April 28-29. The two-day program is focused around the theme “The Future of Christian Publishing: Word, Work, Wonder” with expert speakers presenting on: Leadership Formation & Resilience; Industry Trends, Innovation, AI; Market & Consumer Insights; and Generational Engagement.
Save the most by registering at the early bird rate today. Multi-employee discounts available. Learn more about the speakers and sessions at ECPALeadership.org
Nori Media Group and Bridge-Logos enter into strategic partnership
Nori Media Group, a faith-focused publishing and media company and home to imprints including Destiny Image, Harrison House, and Sound Wisdom, has announced a new Operating and Distribution Agreement with Bridge-Logos, Inc., effective February 1st.
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SPCK Group to lead UK & international sales and distribution for 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 1, 2026.
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IPG adds six publishers to its sales & distribution programs
Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is pleased to announce the addition of six publishers to its sales and distribution programs.
European Christian Rights Fair to be held March 16-18 in Kraków Poland
Registration is open for the European Christian Rights Fair, held March 16-18 in Kraków, Poland, presented in conjunction with ECPA and CLC International. The event gathers publishers and international rights & licensing managers, with a focus on Europe.
Milestones
WaterBrook marks 30th anniversary in 2026 with yearlong celebration
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.
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The Action Bible is the #1 bestselling religion, Christian and juvenile nonfiction title of 2025
A graphic novel adaptation of the Bible is the #1 selling religious book of 2025, according to Circana. Published by David C Cook, a ministry of Cook Media Global, The Action Bible finished the year with more than 470,000 units sold in the timeframe and landed the #1-selling spot for both the Christian and juvenile nonfiction books categories.
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Three IVP Kids titles honored with Independent Press Awards
InterVarsity Press (IVP) is thrilled to announce that three IVP Kids titles have received 2026 Independent Press Awards (IPA). The honored titles include “Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World” by Helen Lee, “Abigail and the Waterfall” by Sandra L. Richter, and “Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World” by Tara Hackney.
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The Bible Recap Podcast named top ten show among all Apple podcasts
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.
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Media Announcements
IVP launches season three of The Digital Examen Podcast on January 28
On January 28 InterVarsity Press (IVP) will kick off the third season of The Digital Examen podcast. Hosted by pastor and author Jay Y. Kim, the podcast aims to guide listeners in “Living at the Pace of Peace.”
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Iron Stream Media releases IronStreamSports.com for sports and faith
Iron Stream Media has launched IronStreamSports.com to feature inspiring stories from athletes and coaches who live out their faith both on and off the field. The site will also feature books and blogs from authors like Del Duduit, Wally Armstrong, Caris Snider, and more.
Product News
New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Norris signs second book with IVP
The New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Norris has signed a second contract with IVP Formatio for the fall 2027 release of “Finding God in the Desert: How Monastic Spirituality Revived My Faith.”
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W Publishing acquires “Influence for Jesus” by content creators Navarro, Petersen and Kelly
W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, announces the acquisition of tentatively titled “Influence for Jesus,” a new book by author and podcaster Kirby Kelly and content creators Joe Navarro, Jacob Petersen, and Julia Petersen, scheduled for 2027 publication.
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Practicing the Way’s Brandon Shields to publish with WaterBrook
Director of Church Formation at Practicing the Way, Brandon Shields will publish “Practice the Way of Jesus Together,” addressing the crisis of discipleship in modern churches and providing a framework for implementing spiritual formation.
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Nelson Books announces new book by Stasi Eldredge, releasing fall 2026
Nelson Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce the acquisition of world rights to “The Ladder of Love,” the highly anticipated new book from New York Times bestselling author Stasi Eldredge.
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WaterBrook signs NYT bestselling author Annie F. Downs to four-book deal
New York Times bestselling author and host of the That Sounds Fun podcast, Annie F. Downs, has signed a four-book deal with WaterBrook. The deal is anchored by “Don’t Let That Hold You Back” accompanied by a 40-day devotional scheduled for publication in Fall 2026.
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Digital creator & podcast host Ally Yost signs deal with WaterBrook
Lifestyle and faith-based digital creator and podcast host of Christ with Coffee on Ice Ally Yost will publish her debut book, “Love That Lasts: Finding Purpose in the One Who Never Fails” with WaterBrook, scheduled for publication in Fall 2026.
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Calla Press Publishing releases “Roots and Fruit” by Timothy E. G. Bartel
Calla Press Publishing is pleased to announce the release of “Roots and Fruit: An Introduction to the Christian Faith” by acclaimed poet and scholar Timothy E. G. Bartel on January 24, offering readers a lyrical and accessible entry point into the foundations of Christianity through poetry.
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Calla Press Publishing to release “Voice of the Ashes” by T.R.Q.T on February 2
Calla Press Publishing is pleased to announce the release of “Voice of the Ashes” by T.R.Q.T on February 2nd, but now available for preorder through January 27, 2026.
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INDUSTRY
PUBLISHING
- Publishers Move to Join Copyright Lawsuit Over Google’s Gemini AI Product
- Ingram Lets Publishers Opt Out of Book Sales to Tech Firms
- Independent Publishers Caucus Launches Bestseller List with ABA
- James Daunt Sees a Bright Future for B&N
- BISG webinar on Feb 3: Tariffs, Trade, and Environmental Compliance in 2026
- Bookwire: Ten Defining Trends Reshaping Book Publishing
