HarperOne Goes to Hollywood

In a world rights deal, Nena Madonia Oshman at Dupree Miller & Associates sold The Hollywood Commandments by film producer and preacher DeVon Franklin to KathrynRenz Hamilton at Harper One. The book, slated to publish in October, encourages readers to pursue their passion in every area of life, including career, relationships, and faith.

Zondervan Nabs the ‘Chewbacca Mom’

Zondervan acquisitions editor Stephanie Smith bought world rights to two books by Candace Payne, also known as the “Chewbacca Mom” who shared a Facebook Live video of herself wearing a Chewbacca mask and laughing. The video entitled “the simple joys in life” went viral, garnering over 165 million views. Payne’s first book—a memoir on poverty, shame, and depression—will release on November 7 with a national media and multi-city book signing tour. Following in fall 2018, Zondervan will release a gift book illustrated by Payne that explores joy and how to find it. Payne is represented by the Icon Management Group and Jana Burson of the Christopher Ferebee Agency.

Faithwords Signs Up for a Miracle

Nena Madonia Oshman sold world rights to Rolf Zettersten at FaithWords for The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection by Joyce Smith with ghostwriter Ginger Kolbaba. Scheduled to publish in fall 2017, the book claims to tell the story of how a drowned child was brought back to life by his mother’s prayers.

Tyndale Takes ‘The Martyrs Oath’

Sealy Yates of the Yates and Yates Agency sold world rights to Tyndale Momentum’s acquisitions editor Jon Farrar to The Martyr’s Oath: Living For the Jesus They’re Willing to Die For by author of Defying ISIS Johnnie Moore. Slated to publish on October 17, the new book sheds light on Christian persecution around the world.

Grant Sells Children’s Debut to Sparkhouse

Jennifer Grant, author of five books including Love You More and Wholehearted Living, sold world rights to her first children’s book, Maybe God is Like That Too, to Sparkhouse editor Naomi Krueger. The book, illustrated by Benjamin Schipper, follows a child through a day in his busy city life, including encounters with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It will be published in March.

Conari Buys End of Life Book

Henry Fersko-Weiss, a hospice therapist and the founder of the International End of Life Doula Association, is bringing Caring for the Dying: The Doula Approach to a Meaningful Death to Conari Press in March. In it, Fersko-Weiss explores how the dying and their families can bring meaning and comfort to care at the end of life. Caroline Pincus acquired U.K./Commonwealth rights to the title from the author’s agent, Sheree Bykofsky.

IVP ‘Reconstructs’ the Gospel

Greg Daniel with Daniel Literary Group sold world rights to IVP for a new book by Strangers at my Door author Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Acquired by Al Hsu and slated to release in spring 2018, Reconstructing the Gospel (working title) examines teachings of Christianity as an antidote to racism.

Fortress Signs a Double with Micheli

Following up on Cancer Is Funny: Keeping Faith in Stage-Serious Chemo, Jason Micheli signed a two-book word rights deal with Fortress Press’ senior acquisitions editor Tony Jones. The first, a book on marriage, is tentatively titled Living In Sin: Lessons on Marriage while Living with Cancer, and is slated for release in early 2018. The second, an untitled book on parenting while living with cancer, will release in early 2019.

Loyola Embarks on a ‘Strange Journey’

Joe Durepos, executive editor at Loyola Press, acquired world rights to Strange Journey: How Two Homesick Pilgrims Stumbled Back into the Catholic Church by Christopher Award winner Jessica Mesman Griffith and writing partner Jonathan Ryan. Inspired by their popular spiritual blog, “Sick Pilgrim,” the book is an account of the pain and grace of living a 2,000-year-old faith tradition in a 21st Century world. It is slated to publish in October.

Immersive Prayer ‘Approaches’ Loyola

Elizabeth M. Kelly, author of May Crowning, Mass, and Merton and Other Reasons I Love Being Catholic, sold world rights to Joe Durepos for a book on immersive prayer, Jesus Approaches: What Today’s Woman Can Learn about Healing, Freedom, and Joy from Women of the New Testament. Publication is set for late 2017.