NASHVILLE, Tenn., October 2024 — Zondervan today announced that Webster Younce is stepping down from his position as Vice President and Publisher of Zondervan Books to take on a full-time editorial role at Zondervan as Vice President and Executive Editor. Daniel Marrs has been named as the new Vice President and Publisher of Zondervan Books. Zondervan is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, the world’s largest Christian publisher.
“I have loved my four years as publisher of Zondervan Books,” said Younce. “I am proud of all that our team has accomplished on behalf of our authors and their books, and how well we are positioned for the future. I look forward to being part of where Daniel will take Zondervan going forward. But I am excited about returning to my first love, which is working daily with authors on their books as their editor and champion.”
Marrs, who previously served as the associate publisher for Nelson Books, also at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, will begin his leadership at Zondervan Books on October 28, 2024.
“Zondervan Books has an incredibly rich heritage as a leader in the Christian publishing space,” Marrs said. “It’s a tremendous honor to step into this leadership role and I look forward to working with Webb and the rest of this talented team to build on the great work they’ve already been doing. Together with our amazing agent partners we’re excited to continue working with authors to craft life-changing messages that honor God, encourage the church, and inspire believers in their walk with Jesus.”
Marrs’s seven-year tenure in publishing includes working as publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles (where he stewarded multiple Bible translations, including the New King James Version and the NET Bible), Vice President and Editorial Director for Ave Maria Press, and Associate Publisher with Nelson Books. As an editor, he has worked with multiple bestselling authors, including Dr. Anita Phillips (the New York Times bestselling The Garden Within), John Eldredge (Resilient), and Chris Hodges (Pray First). Titles published under his editorial direction include multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers and ECPA Christian Book Award winners. Marrs holds a Doctor of Philosophy in theology and ethics from Baylor University, with minors in church history and philosophy. In addition, he earned a Master of Arts in theology from Talbot School of Theology.
Under Marrs’s leadership, the Zondervan team will be stewarding publications from many of today’s most influential Christian thought leaders, including Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life), Craig Groeschel (Winning the War in Your Mind), Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend (Boundaries), Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ), Justin Whitmel Earley (Habits of the Household), and Peter Scazzero (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality). Upcoming titles from the imprint include Ian Morgan Cron’s The Fix (January 28, 2025), Craig Groeschel’s The Benefit of Doubt (February 18, 2025), and Lee Strobel’s Seeing the Supernatural (March 18, 2025).
Don Jacobson, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for Harper Collins Christian Publishing said, “I’ve worked closely with Daniel over the past several years and have seen firsthand not only his talents as an editor who’s passionate about the written word but also an entrepreneurial business leader. Further, he demonstrates genuine care for the authors and books he publishes. I am excited to have him move into this new leadership role with Zondervan and believe that his strategic vision will build on Zondervan’s heritage while also guiding this imprint into an exciting new season.”
Zondervan is a HarperCollins company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For additional information, please visit zondervan.com.
Contact: Amanda Woods, Director of Publicity | Zondervan Books, Harper Collins Christian Publishing, Amanda.Woods@harpercollins.com, 615-902-1277
