Zondervan Nabs a ‘Dangerous Book’
Chris Ferebee sold world rights to Zondervan editor John Sloan for This Dangerous Book: How the Bible Has Shaped Our World and Why It Still Matters Today by Steve and Jackie Green (son and daughter in-law to David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby). Slated for publication in November 2017, the drop-in title explores the Bible’s influence on people throughout history.
Joel Houston Brings ‘Unknown’ to HarperOne
Kathryn Renz Hamilton at HarperOne bought world rights from Nena Madonia Oshman at Dupree Miller & Associates to The Great Unknown: Where Feet May Fail by Hillsong NYC pastor and singer-songwriter of Hillsong United Joel Houston. Subtitled after Hillsong United’s hit song about having faith in God—Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)—the book blends “the rhythms of life through art, story, and theology within the framework of the song,” according to the publisher. It’s slated for publication in January 2018.
Nelson Books Gets Chic
Brian Hampton, senior v-p and publisher at Nelson Books, bought world rights from Kevan Lyon of the Marshal Lyon Literary Agency to Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. The founder of the lifestyle website TheChicSite.com, Hollis draws on her insecurities about relationships and body image, as well as her experiences as a working mother, to provide advice on how to, as the publisher put it, move past “limited mindsets," or beliefs about yourself that are rooted in doubt and fear. Girl, Wash Your Face is slated to release in February 2018.
Baker Grabs 'Choosing Donald Trump'
Baker Publishing Group’s Chad Allen acquired world rights to Choosing Donald Trump: God, Anger, Hope, and Why Christian Conservatives Supported Him by Stephen Mansfield, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Faith of Barack Obama and The Faith of George W. Bush. Scheduled to go on sale in October, the title explores Trump’s spiritual background and features interviews with religious conservatives who supported him. Mansfield was represented by his wife, Beverly Darnall Mansfield of the Chartwell Literary Group.
SparkHouse Adds a Chapter Book
In a deal brokered directly with author Heather Bouwman, SparkHouse editorial director Andrew DeYoung acquired world rights to Owen and Eleanor Move In, the publisher’s first chapter book and the first in a new series. The book, which is slated for publication in April 2018, follows two unlikely friends who bond over the challenges that surface after their move into the same duplex. SparkHouse expects to publish up to two books a year in the Owen and Eleanor series, which explores childhood from the perspectives of two different Christian families.
Whitaker House Signs Up for Battle
In a world rights agreement, Whitaker House editor Tom Cox bought Pockets of Joy, a memoir about single motherhood and how to find moments of happiness by Roxanne Battle, the host of the Today Show on KARE11, the NBC-affiliated television station in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market. The book is slated for publication in September 2018.
Sounds True Picks Up a ‘Warrior Goddess’
Acquisitions director Jennifer Brown at Sounds True bought world rights, from Steve Malk of Writers House, to I Am a Warrior Goddess by Jen Adams and illustrated by Carme Lemniscates. The children’s book (for kids 4-8), which is scheduled for publication in February 2018, emphasizes the importance of inner strength and kindness. The publisher said the book serves as "an antidote to the flood of princess picture books” available today.
Fortress Press Keeps the Faith
Keeping Faith in Congress by Lois Capps, in which she reflects on the 18 years she spent in Congress representing Santa Barbara, Calif., was acquired by Fortress Press editor Tony Jones in a world rights deal. Capps, who left her career as a public health nurse after the sudden death of her husband, Congressman Walter Capps, and ran for his seat, will explore the central role faith played in her career in public service. The book is scheduled for publication in fall 2018.
