A Trio's Look at Suffering

Cindy Bunch, v-p and associate publisher for InterVarsity Press, bought world rights to the unagented and tentatively titled Traveling a Road Marked by Suffering, scheduled for publication in 2025. The book is meant to be a short, practical guide for leaning on faith during hardship and is based on interdisciplinary research by the trio of authors. Elizabeth Hall, professor of psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology (Biola University), was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2013; Kelly Kapic, whose wife was also diagnosed with breast cancer and later chronic pain, joined Hall in a study of suffering, and the pair wrote the book with Jason McMartin, who teaches theology at Rosemead and Talbot School of Theology at Biola.

Salem Takes Prayers for Women

Mary DeMuth of Mary DeMuth Literary sold world rights to Salem’s executive editor Timothy Peterson for Rachel Wojo’s Desperate Times Call for Desperate Prayers. In it, Wojo—a speaker, author, and podcaster—aims to help women “step away from last-minute prayers” and instead form an “intimate and unique prayer relationship” with God, according to the publisher. The book is scheduled for publication in fall 2024.

B&H Signs ‘Scribbles’

B&H editor Lauren Groves took world rights to When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful, a picture book for ages 4-8 written by Kate Rietema, a foster parent as well as a birth and adoptive mom who runs a family camp resort in Michigan with her husband. The book is intended to remind young readers that God can make difficult things beautiful, in the same way that scribbles can become beautiful. Karen E. Neumair at Credo Communications represents Rietema, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator, Jennie Poh. Publication is slated for spring 2024.

Plantinga Reups with Brazos

David Bratt with BBH Literary sold world rights to Robert Hosack, executive editor at Brazos Press, for The Spiritual Power of Gratitude by Cornelius Plantinga (Reading for Preaching). Plantinga, president emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary, writes about gratitude as being so much more than a path to self-improvement—arguing that it’s at the heart of the Christian faith. He meditates on the nature, purpose, and necessity of thankfulness. The new book is slated for publication in spring 2024.

IVP Heeds a Healthy Call

Al Hsu, senior editor at InterVarsity Press, bought world rights from Keely Boeving of WordServe Literary to Dr. Arianna Molloy’s The Blueprint of a Healthy Calling. Molloy, an associate professor of organizational communication at Biola University, explores why those with a strong sense of calling tend to experience burnout at such high rates. The book aims to equip readers with tools for overcoming exhaustion, and encourage them to pursue their work with joy, according to the publisher. It’s slated for publication in fall 2024.

Paraclete Shares Joy

Paraclete Press’ director Lillian Miao bought world rights to Share the Joy, a Christmas lift-the-flap book, written by Valerie Ellis, founder of Our Everyday Parables website for families, and illustrated by Sergio De Giorgio. The rhyming board book encourages toddlers and preschoolers to discover the excitement of sharing throughout a festive Christmas season. Annette Bourland at Bourland Strategic Advisors represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023.

DaySpring’s Jesus-Centered Devotional

Marc Hawbaker, acquiring editor for DaySpring, bought world rights to Jason Sautel’s Jesus Is All We Need Devotional, set to release in January 2024. Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink Literary brokered the deal for the full-color, 90-day devotional intended to show readers that “Jesus is truly all we need,” according to the publisher.

Zonderkidz Gets Brave

Megan Dobson, publisher at Zonderkidz, acquired world rights to the unagented picture book Bryson the Brave Bison by debut authors Nate Davenport and Luke Freshwater. The book, slated for publication in June 2023, is for ages 4-8. Richard Cowdrey (Fiona the Hippo), who represented himself in the deal, will illustrate. Inspired by Freshwater’s service as a firefighter and an Army bomb squad leader in the war in Afghanistan, Bryson the Brave Bison aims to teach children positive character traits such as bravery, honesty, perseverance, and courage to face the storms of life, according to the publisher.

This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Miao's name.