It’s no surprise that religion and spirituality publishers maintain a strong presence in the self-help category. For readers with faith backgrounds, spiritual growth and self-development are core values, according to Andrew Stoddard, an editor at WaterBrook & Multnomah, imprints of the Crown Publishing Group.
“Christians in particular believe that their lives are a constant process of becoming more like the person God created them to be,” said Stoddard, who edited the forthcoming There is More by Brian Houston. “They tend to gravitate toward uplifting messages that will empower them to encourage those that God has placed around them.”
Picking up on a growing demand for spiritual self-help books, New Harbinger, which exclusively publishes self-help, launched a dedicated spirituality imprint last year, Reveal Press. The books combine spiritual practices with tools for self-improvement in order to end suffering, says to acquisitions manager Tesilya Hanauer.
“There’s more of a bridge between spirituality and self-help today,” she said, “and I do think spiritual readers want what self-help has to offer, which is actual practices, principles, and guidance for shifting their thinking and ways of being in the world.”
Here’s a selection of forthcoming self-help books from religion and spirituality publishers, which approach success, overcoming anxiety, and more, all from a faith-based perspective.
Finding Peace and Encouragement
Finding Selah by Kristen Kill (Zondervan, Jan. 2018). Kill, who hosts the podcast At Home, explores the practice of taking a pause or rest—known as “selah” in the Psalms—providing biblical insight on how to slow down amid stressful moments.
Forgiving Mother by Marge Steinhage Fenelon (Servant, Dec.) offers nine prayers inspired by Mary, mother of Jesus, on becoming whole again after experiencing heartache.
There is More by Brian Houston (WaterBrook, Mar. 2018). The senior pastor of the global Hillsong Church encourages readers to live more fulfilled lives by following principles from the Bible.
Unafraid by Adam Hamilton (Convergent, Mar. 2018). Hamilton, a Methodist pastor, draws on passages from Scripture and on his personal experience to help the reader address fear, worry, and anxiety.
Worthy by Melanie Springer Mock (Herald, Apr. 2018). In an examination of modern Christian culture, including its stereotypes and expectations, Mock argues that freedom from stifling cultural norms can be found in Scripture, which promises that Christians are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
From Struggle to Success
Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels (Howard, Mar. 2018). Former sports attorney turned life coach Daniels shows how disappointment and disruption can lead to greater confidence, a deeper faith, and more meaningful success.
Putting It Together Again When Everything Has Fallen Apart by Tom Holladay (Zondervan, Feb. 2018). Holladay, a pastor who lost his home and church during a California flood in 1986, offers seven principles based on the Bible’s Book of Nehemiah for starting fresh and rebuilding a better life.
Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt (Baker Books, Jan. 2018). Hyatt, a leadership mentor, urges readers to focus on their top five goals, and provides an assessment-based plan for accomplishing those goals, along with prayers of gratitude.
Mindfully Helping the Self
Boundless Awareness by Michael A. Rodriguez (Non-Duality, Apr. 2018). Debut author Rodriguez, a nondualism spirituality coach, uses contemplative exercises and brief meditations in an effort to help readers view suffering as a universal human condition that can lead to spiritual awakening.
The Dharma of Modern Mindfulness by Beth Ann Mulligan (New Harbinger, Jan. 2018). Mulligan, a physician’s assistant, highlights the connection between Buddhist teachings and the practice of mindfulness-based stress reduction, promoting its use during meditation.
Mindful Dreaming by Clare Johnson (Conari, Apr. 2018). After studying links between the creative process and lucid dreaming—or the awareness that one is dreaming—at the University of Leeds in the U.K., Johnson applies the Buddhist principle of mindfulness to the dream practice in order to help readers positively affect their waking lives.
Creative Inspiration
The Bhakti Coloring Book by Ekabhumi Charles Ellik (Sounds True, Apr. 2018). Artist and poet Ellik provides 40 images of Hindu deities and traditional Indian decorative patterns, accompanied by descriptions and instructions for using them to reach a meditative state.
Dancing with Cancer by Judy Erel (Watkins, Feb. 2018). Erel, an artist who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and who is now cancer-free, makes a case for the restorative qualities that can come from drawing, journaling, meditation, and a positive mindset.
Mandalas to Embroider by Carina Envoldsen-Harris (Search, Feb. 2018). Danish designer and blogger Envoldsen-Harris aims to help readers quiet their minds by offering 24 mandala patterns with directions for adding 10 simple stitches to each one.
May Cause Happiness by David Steindl-Rast (Sounds True, Mar. 2018). Benedictine monk Steindl-Rast provides a guided journal based on his TED Talk, Want to Be Happy? Be Grateful, which has nearly six million views on Ted.com.
