Baker Nabs a Bestselling Author
Jenni Burke of the Illuminate Agency negotiated a multi-book, world rights contract with senior editor at Baker Stephanie Duncan Smith for projects by blogger and bestselling author Jess Connolly (Wild and Free, Zondervan). The first of the unnamed adult nonfiction books will release in 2024, and Smith describes Connolly’s writing as “crafting messages that lead women into life.”
The Dude Dad Doubles Up at WaterBrook
Andrew Stoddard, editorial director at WaterBrook, bought world rights from Kyle Negrete of the Fedd Agency to two books by Taylor Calmus, creator of the Dude Dad vlog on YouTube and star of Discovery+’s Super Dad. The first book, A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size, features advice to dads-to-be during the 40-week journey to meeting their baby for the first time, and it’s slated for publication in May 2022. The second project is an unnamed four-color children’s picture book celebrating a father’s relationship with his kids, and it’s scheduled for publication in 2023, according to the publisher.
A Bible Podcaster Lands at NavPress
Ingrid Beck at The Bindery sold world rights to Caitlyn Carlson, acquisitions editor at NavPress, for BEMA Podcast creator and cohost Marty Solomon’s Asking Better Questions of the Bible. The book is a primer on the culture, viewpoints, and context of the Bible’s original authors and audience. BEMA, or bimah, is a Hebrew word that refers to the elevated platform at the center of first-century synagogues. The book is slated for publication in spring 2023.
Kregel Gets Brave
Catherine DeVries, publisher of Kregel, bought world rights from Blythe Daniel of the Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. to Braving Intimate Betrayal by Dr. Christine Bielinski, a licensed professional counselor. Drawing on personal experience with betrayal in marriage, Bielinski lays out actions intended to restore and strengthen women’s femininity, sexuality, and self-worth. The book features tips on who to talk to and how to talk with children about issues of betrayal. The book is slated for publication in 2023.
Brazos Takes on a Transformation
Senior acquisitions editor at Brazos Katelyn Beaty took world rights to the tentatively titled Rituals That Transform by Amy Davis Abdallah, a theologian and minister. The book explores the need for rituals to process life in various seasons and moments. It is scheduled to release in fall 2023. Abdallah was unagented.
Anthony DeStefano ‘Grows’ with Convergent
Editorial director at Convergent Keren Baltzer acquired world rights from the late Peter Miller at Global Lion to children’s book author Anthony DeStefano’s Greenlee is Growing. Slated for publication in spring 2023, the book explores the intersection of the four seasons and the seasons of our lives, as told through the eyes of Greenlee, who first appears in the book as a girl of three. It follows her through the spring of her youth and the summer of her adulthood. By the end of the book, she is an old woman knitting by the fire in the cold days of winter. Artist Louise Ellis, who was represented by Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency, will illustrate Greenlee is Growing, which is for ages 3-8.
Broadleaf Buys a Professor’s Debut
Tom Miller of Liza Dawson Associates sold world rights to Broadleaf’s Lisa Kloskin to a debut book from Anita Nowak, a speaker, consultant on empathy and business, and professor at McGill University in Montreal. Drawing on the latest research, sharing inspiring stories, and filled with self-development exercises and best practices, Purposeful Empathy will help readers build empathy and transform their communities, according to the publisher. The book is slated for publication in spring 2023.
