Eerdmans Signs a Journalist’s Debut
In a world rights deal brokered directly with the author, Lisa Ann Cockrel at Eerdmans bought Lessons and Carols, a debut memoir by Wall Street Journal writer and technologist John West. The book features nine essays modeled after the traditional Anglican Christmas service, which is broken into nine lessons. In it, West touches on his history of mental illness, addiction, loss of friendships, engagement with art, and his unexpected faith. It is slated for publication in spring 2023.
Kar-Ben Takes a Bio of Rabbi Wise
Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben Publishing bought world rights to Dream by Dream: The Story of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise directly from author Geri Kolesar. Featuring illustrations by Sofia Moore, the picture book is a biography of Rabbi Wise, a leading rabbi in the 19th century and a founder of Reform Judaism in America. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023. Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Convergent Nabs Young Space Rider’s Trio
Keren Baltzer, v-p, editorial director for Convergent, bought North American rights to three books by Hayley Arceneaux, the youngest American and the first with a prosthesis to orbit the earth when she was on Inspiration4, the first all-civilian space flight. Rights were negotiated by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Arceneaux’s first book is Wild Ride: A Memoir of IV Drips and Rocket Ships to be published on Sept. 6, 2022. A middle grade edition of Wild Ride is forthcoming, as is a children’s picture book, though publication dates are undetermined. In a press release, Baltzer said the book “is a boldly optimistic story of a remarkable young woman whose bright and unexpected future shows us all that when we face our fears with hope, extraordinary things can happen.”
