B&H Publishing Group has teamed up with (in)courage, a website for Christian women, in a long term publishing contract that will kick off with two trade books in 2017.
Founded in 2009 by DaySpring, a subsidiary brand of Hallmark that specializes in Christian products, (in)courage offers daily blog posts, forums, and a book club. The (in)courage community is comprised of over 50,000 members and currently has 23 contributing writers.
“(in)courage gives women a place for connection and encouragement in everyday life,” B&H trade book publisher Jennifer Lyell told PW. “It fits our intentionality to reach women and give them tools for faith-filled support and connection in relationships.”
The first title to be published under the partnership, Craving Connection: 30 Challenges for Real Life Engagement, will release in January 2017 and features a collection of blog posts by (in)courage writers. The second, Never Unfriended: The Secret to Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships by (in)courage community manager Lisa-Jo Baker, is scheduled for release in April 2017.
“For years publishers have talked to us about a book, and now is the time,” said Baker, who has been involved with (in)courage since its 2009 launch. “B&H allows us to amplify our message. We aren’t just one book, one name, or one product, and this is a long-term partnership with multiple relationships—it isn't defined by the number of years but instead by a commitment to multiple projects that will span multiple years.”
Titles published through the partnership will reach across several areas of LifeWay Christian Resources, including both the B&H imprint (trade distribution), the LifeWay imprint (direct to church distribution), and LifeWay Christian Stores. “This is an opportunity to serve audiences through different platforms and stores,” said Lyell.
Additional products in the partnership will include an (in)courage Bible Study, We Saved You A Seat: Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships, slated to publish in May 2017, as well as devotionals, gift books, and a Bible expected to release in 2018.
