Iron Stream Media (ISM), which produces curriculum, discipleship materials, and other content for ministries and missionaries, is adding three new imprints to its publishing efforts. In addition to its flagship imprint, New Hope Publishers, the Birmingham, Ala.-based company will house Ascender Books, Iron Stream Books, and New Hope Kidz, each geared toward the Christian marketplace.
Ramona Richards, associate publisher, will oversee all lines “with critical input from the entire team, especially our CEO, Dr. John Herring,” she said.
“We want to continue to serve our current customers and brands, but it’s now time to expand into areas that we see need reliable and foundational resources,” Richards said.
Ascender Books will feature books on spiritual growth, spiritual warfare, and in-depth studies of Scripture. The first book under the new line, The Heart of the Caregiver by Mary Tutterow, will release on June 3.
Iron Stream Books (ISB) will center on leadership, spiritual growth, business, millennials, and specialty markets. It’s inaugural title, The Restored Man by Randy Hemphill, was published on January 14.
New Hope Kidz will publish picture and board books for preschool and early readers. Storybooks and Bibles for boys and girls will be added in 2020. The inaugural title for New Hope Kidz, Rivers Overseas by Sarah Nunnally, will be out August 12.
The New Hope Publishers imprint, which launched in 2017 after Iron Stream acquired the publishing arm of the Woman's Missionary Union (an offshoot of the Southern Baptist Convention), focuses on Christian trade nonfiction and fiction aimed at conservative-to-mainstream audiences. Output across all imprints will total 40-45 titles a year, according to Richards, who noted that half would come from New Hope. All four imprints will feature expanded studies and online resources available through ISM’s Life Bible Study and Student Life Bible Study curriculum brands.
No staff changes are planned at this time, and Baker & Taylor will continue to handle distribution.
