(Nashville, TN – October 28, 2024) Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is excited to announce the promotion of Brigitta Nortker to the role of Associate Publisher. Since joining Nelson Books in 2016, Nortker has had a substantial hand in shaping the imprint’s editorial program and publishing portfolio. Most recently, she has served in the role of Editorial Director, where her strategic planning and thoughtful implementation have continued to elevate the quality of authorial and reader experience. She has worked with highly acclaimed and bestselling authors such as: Jason Wilson, Tori Hope Petersen, Shawn Johnson, and Ruth Chou Simons.
“I’m thrilled to take on this new role at Nelson Books, where I will continue to strengthen our team and champion the work of our exemplary author and agent community,” said Nortker, “My years at HarperCollins Christian Publishing have been deeply formative and I’m excited to continue that journey in this new season of leadership.”
Andrew Stoddard, VP & Publisher of Nelson Books, expressed his enthusiasm for Nortker’s leadership. “We are so pleased that Brigitta will be stepping into this pivotal role as a part of the Nelson Books Leadership and Acquisition team. Her thoughtful and nuanced editorial approach is consistently appreciated by her authors and their agents. By proving time and time again that she understands the creative modalities and commercial mechanics of publishing, Brigitta has earned the respect of her peers and fellow publishing professionals across the industry.”
Simultaneously, Nelson Books is eager to announce that Paul J. Pastor will be joining the team in the role of Executive Editor.
Pastor has served critically acclaimed and bestselling authors such as: Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson, Rich Villodas, Justin Whitmel Earley, Faith Womack, Tauren Wells, Sho Baraka, Lee Strobel, Melissa Dougherty, Rod Dreher, Dr. Ben Carson, and many more.
Paul holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary and is a candidate for Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas. He is a widely published poet, essayist, and critic, and the author of several books. His writing and editorial work has won more than a dozen Evangelical Press Association awards, a prestigious Maggie award, and numerous awards from ECPA’s and Christianity Today’s respective book awards.
“I am thrilled and honored to be joining the world-class team at Nelson Books and am excited to strategically continue my work here at HCCP,” said Pastor, “It is truly a dream to have my calling and craft so closely align with my career. I am humbled by this dream opportunity to continue investing in top authors and culture-making books, and excited to serve this remarkable publishing program.”
Stoddard also shared his excitement about Paul joining the team: “Paul Pastor is a profoundly gifted acquirer and editor. Poll any one of Paul’s authors and you’ll quickly hear phrases like ‘thoughtful dialogue partner,’ ‘dynamic, creative ally,’ ‘deeply attuned and insightful,’ – the list goes on. I look forward to seeing all that he brings to market in his new post at Nelson Books.”
Paul will continue to work from his home state of Oregon, where he lives with his wife Emily, a classically-trained fine artist, and their three children.
Thomas Nelson, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., is a world-leading provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. The publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, children’s books, and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com or contact Lisa Beech at lisa.beech@harpercollins.com.
