(COLORADO SPRINGS, CO—January 13, 2025) Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group (PRHCPG) is delighted to announce the promotion of Susan Tjaden to Vice President and Executive Editor and is excited to share changes to several other roles across the editorial, publicity, and creative services departments.
In her nearly 13 years at PRH, Tjaden has become an invaluable member of the team, having shaped numerous bestselling and award-winning titles, including Own Your Everyday by Jordan Lee Dooley, The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker, I’ve Seen the End of You by W. Lee Warren, M.D., The Love Everybody Wants by Madison Prewett Troutt, and Midnight Mom Devotional by Becky Thompson and Susan K. Pitts. She has built a well-deserved reputation for identifying commercial concepts and shaping them into stellar works that connect with their audience in a meaningful way. In addition to acquiring and editing adult nonfiction titles, Tjaden oversees the Ink & Willow gift line, featuring such popular products as The Bible Is Funny Card Game and Whatever Is Lovely, an adult coloring book that has sold nearly 700,000 copies.
“Susan serves as a thoughtful guide for first-time authors and a trusted mentor for her colleagues while helping seasoned authors further hone their craft,” says Laura Barker, VP and Publisher. “She is celebrated by her colleagues as a vital source of insight and encouragement, as she brings creativity and energy to her work at every stage.”
Bunmi Ishola has been promoted to Senior Editor. In her four years with PRHCPG’s children’s publishing program, Ishola has helped shape the vision driving many of the program’s incredible picture books, including the STEM-based series, “Big Adventures for Growing Minds,” starting with God’s Little Astronaut; the series authored by Esau McCaulley, including the just-released Andy Johnson and the March for Justice; and many other joy-filled stories like Be My ValenSlime, authored by Kris Tarantino and illustrated by New York Times bestseller Cori Doerrfeld. In addition, the first two middle grade series acquired and edited by Ishola, “The Restorationists” and “Noah Minor,” have garnered strong accolades. She recently signed bestselling author Bunmi Laditan for a chapter book series featuring a BIPOC and neurodivergent protagonist.
Barker adds, “Bunmi is a true team player who continues to promote diversity across our list. She is universally beloved and trusted by the authors and agents she works with. She has a keen eye for commercial opportunities, closely tracks the trends in the children’s space, and offers crucial insights that contribute to our program’s success and innovation.”
CREATIVE SERVICES
In the creative services department, Sonia Persad has been promoted to Art Director, Illustrated Products. Persad joined PRHCPG from the Random House Illustrated team under the brilliant leadership of Jenny Davis. Before that, she worked at Clarkson Potter where she designed and art directed a wide variety of titles, including Matzo by Michele Streit Heilbrun and David Kirschner, Sweet Potato Soul by Jenné Claiborne, and The Thai Pepper Cookbook by Pepper Teigen and Garrett Snyder. Persad has spearheaded stunning designs and art programs for such books as What Color Is God’s Love? by Xochitl Dixon, I Gotta Sing! by Alice Faye Duncan, The Prince of Yorsha Doon by Andrew Peterson, and Holy Night and Little Star by Mitali Perkins, a Christianity Today award-winning entry in the children’s category.
Creative Director Kristopher Orr said, “Sonia’s passion for excellence, strong leadership, attention to detail, and excellent sense of good design all merit this new level of responsibility over all aspects of the children’s list.”
PUBLICITY
In publicity, Shauna Carlos has been promoted to Publicist, working on nonfiction and fiction titles. She has been a vital part of bestselling campaigns for Michael Todd’s Damaged But Not Destroyed and A Cup of Love, Church Girl by Dr. Sarita Lyons, The Book of Belonging by Mariko Clark, and Do It Anyway by Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and more. Upcoming releases on her roster are A Better Friend by Grace Valentine, Out of the Wilderness by Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma, Chichi and Didi Love Their Names by Peace Amadi and Ndidi Amadi, A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee, and God Chose Me by Charles Henry Metcalf, III. Within PRH, Carlos has served as a divisional DEI officer and in 2023 was named an ECPA Emerging Leader.
“Shauna is a quick learner and astute about the ever-changing media landscape,” says Beverly Rykerd, VP, Publicity Director. “She brings her full self to every project, offering strategic insights, executing on tactics at a high level, and building her portfolio of press relationships. Her colleagues across the board enjoy her energy and curiosity as well as her desire to serve our authors and books well.”
PUBLISHER’S OFFICE
In addition, Campbell Wharton, SVP and Publisher PRHCPG, announced Tina Richey-Swanson is promoted to Executive Assistant, continuing to report to Wharton and Tina Constable, EVP, Business Development.
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group is a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.
Contact: Beverly Rykerd, VP Publicity Director brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com
