Designer Signs Multi-Book Deal with Zondervan
Zondervan acquisition editor Carolyn McCready took world rights to five books by jewelry designer Lisa Leonard, founder and creative director of the international company Leonard Designs. The deal includes two trade books, a devotional, a gift book, and a children’s book. Brave Love, the first trade book, will be about her identity struggles as a wife, mother, and professional. It’s slated for publication in February 2019. The author was represented in the deal by Lisa Jackson of Alive Agency.
Baker Books Takes a Triple
Shannon Marven with Dupree/Miller & Associates brokered a world rights deal with Baker Books’ acquisition editor Rebekah Guzman for three books by Scottish singer and author Sheila Walsh. Slated for publication over the next two years, starting in October 2018, the titles will fall into the Christian Living category. The first book, I’m Not Okay and That’s Okay, encourages women that “it’s never too late to start again,” according to the publisher.
Plough Nabs Bio of ‘Somalia’s Mother Teresa’
Sam Hine, acquisition editor at Plough, took world rights to the first English-language yet-to-be-titled biography of Annalena Tonelli, often referred to as Somalia’s Mother Teresa. An Italian native, Tonelli’s story features her work in East Africa, including tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment campaigns, establishing special schools for deaf, blind, and disabled children, and ultimately, her murder in 2003 which remains unsolved. The book will be written by American expat and journalist Rachel Pieh Jones, and it is expected to be published in fall 2019.
IVP Signs a Myth-Busting Debut
InterVarsity Press acquisition editor Al Hsu bought world rights to the first book by Jonathan Walton, an urban director for the Christian campus ministry InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and a blogger for the Huffington Post. Slated for publication in winter 2019, the book is tentatively titled 12 Lies that Hold America Together, and it explores commonly-held beliefs about American culture, such as “America is a Christian nation,” “a melting pot,” and “all men are created equal,” according to the publisher.
‘Powerful Prayers’ Land at Whitaker
Whitaker’s Don Milam took world rights to Powerful Prayers that Open Heaven by Atlanta-based pastor Jamie T. Peasant. The book, which is slated to release in spring 2018, features exercises intended to strengthen both readers’ prayer practices and their relationship with God.
Ed Stetzer Goes to Tyndale Momentum
In a world rights deal, Tyndale's senior acquisition editor Jon Farrar bought Christians in the Age of Outrage by Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. The book, which is expected to be published in October 2018, examines three problematic ways Christians are reacting to current cultural issues, and calls for a change. The author was represented by Mark Sweeney.
