Aundi Kolber Reups with Tyndale
Tyndale Refresh’s senior acquisitions editor Jillian Schlossberg bought world rights from Don Gates of The Gates Group to Strong like Water by therapist Aundi Kolber (Try Softer). The new book redefines personal strength as “more than pushing on and pushing through pain, bearing every heavy burden on our own,” according to the publisher, and it asks, “What if, instead, it were more like the tide: soft and bold, fierce and gentle, moving together as one powerful force?” Publication is slated for March 2023.
Debut, Tied to Film, Goes to Broadleaf
Broadleaf Books’ associate editor Jarrod Harrison took world rights from Liz Nealon of Great Dog Literary for the debut book from NAACP honoree, director, writer, and photographer Kim Watson. Tentatively titled Trespass and slated for spring 2024, the book features black and white photographs as well as descriptions of Watson’s time spent befriending and caring for houseless citizens of Los Angeles. Trespass will be released in three modules as part of a multi-media project: a film produced by Akil Productions to be directed by Watson; a multi-media photography exhibit in L.A. that will run for four consecutive Saturdays and Sundays, and will include a moderated panel discussion on the subject. And Trespass will be published in print and digital formats.
WaterBrook Signs A Female Pastor
Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink Literary sold world rights to acquiring editor Jamie Lapeyrolerie of WaterBrook for Faith Eury Cho’s tentatively titled The Purpose of Wilderness. The book promises to equip and heighten readers’ confidence to build a genuine friendship with Jesus, inspired by Brother Lawrence’s classic The Practice of the Presence of God. Eury Cho, whose book is scheduled for fall 2023, is CEO and founder of The Honor Summit, a nonprofit organization that promotes Asian American women in the church, and is co-founder and co-pastor, with her husband, of Mosaic Covenant Church in New Jersey.
Broadleaf Takes Memoir/Manifesto
Broadleaf Books acquisitions editor Valerie Weaver-Zercher took North American rights from Lara Love Hardin at Idea Architects to Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging by Reverend Ben McBride. Slated for publication in 2023, the memoir explores a future that includes loving our enemies—and if that does not seem possible to readers, McBride lays out ways to become someone who can.
Brutality Victim’s Sister Pens Memoir
Chalice Press’ executive director Rebeca Seitz bought world rights to Allisa Charles-Findley’s memoir After Botham: Healing From My Brother’s Murder by a White Police Officer, to be released in April 2023. The unagented memoir, co-written with Claudia Love Mair, chronicles Charles-Findley’s relationship with her brother Botham Jean, learning of his shooting death in his home by a police officer, and the aftermath as she fights for justice and to keep her lifelong faith. She is president of the Botham Jean Foundation, which promotes Christian intervention for social change, and serves as president of Sisters of the Movement, a coalition of sisters of police brutality victims.
Brazos to Publish Disability Expert
Katelyn Beaty, editorial director for Brazos, took exclusive world rights from Karen Neumair of Credo Communications to J. Lamar Hardwick’s tentatively titled Disabling God, scheduled to release in spring 2024. Hardwick, a pastor in the Atlanta area and author of Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion, received an autism diagnosis as an adult. His upcoming book helps the church understand connections between ableism and racism and how to dismantle both.
Baker Lands an Anglican Priest
Mary DeMuth of Mary DeMuth Literary sold world rights, excluding curriculum and merchandising, to Stephanie Duncan Smith, executive editor of Baker Books, for Summer Joy Gross’s tentatively titled Turn Your Face to Me. Scheduled for a spring/summer 2024 release, the book by the spiritual director and Anglican priest is “a journey to awaken readers to God’s nearness through everyday practices such as doing breath prayer, lighting a candle, and carrying a cross in a pocket,” according to the publisher.
