Broadleaf Adds A Transgender Perspective
Trinity McFadden of The Bindery Agency brokered a world rights deal with Lil Copan, acquiring editor at Broadleaf Books, for theologian Shannon T.L. Kearns’ No One Taught Me How to Be a Man: A Transgender Perspective on Non-Toxic Masculinity, with publication set for spring 2025. Kearns—author of In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture and cofounder of QueerTheology.com—provides insights on how readers can become better men, better feminists, and work in solidarity with all people.
Derwin Gray Sends New Title to NavPress
NavPress senior editor Caitlyn Carlson acquired world rights to Derwin L. Gray’s Sent from Alex Field of The Bindery Agency. Gray, a pastor and the author of bestselling books The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness (2020) and How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and the First Christians Knew, about Racial Reconciliation (2022), will highlight a vision for discipleship in Sent. Publication is planned for 2025.
IVP to Launch Multi-Lingual Bible Studies
Kristel Acevedo, a spiritual formation director, has signed a two-book, world rights agreement with IVP’s executive editor Elissa Schauer for two Bible studies that will include English and Spanish translations of each. The tentatively titled first book, Walking in the Wilderness, will be released in spring 2025. It encourages readers to think of tough or trying periods in life as times to grow closer to God. Jenaye Merida at WTA Media brokered the deal, with details of the second book currently undecided.
Penguin Takes a Liking to Jewish Board Books
I Like Your Chutzpah & Other Likable Yiddish Words will be the first in a series of four Jewish-themed board books from author, illustrator, and product designer Suzy Ultman that were acquired by Cecily Kaiser, director of preschool publishing at RISE X Penguin Workshop. The series, launching in fall 2024, will feature future titles on Shabbat, Passover, and more. Kathleen Brady at The Current Company negotiated the world rights deal.
Jesus Goes to School in Multnomah Title
Kimberly Von Fange, associate editor at WaterBrook Multnomah, has acquired world and all language rights to April Graney’s picture book If Jesus Came to My School for readers ages 3-8. Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency brokered the deal for the summer 2025 release. The rhyming tale encourages children to make a difference at school through compassion, kindness, and inclusion. The illustrator is still to be chosen.
Izard Signs with Baker Books
Padnacia Goodman, acquisitions editor at Baker Books, signed a world rights deal via Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency with Kathy Izard (The Hundred Story Home) for the tentatively titled Trust the Whisper: Finding Your Life by Listening to Your Soul. Izard, who works on issues of homelessness, housing, and mental health in Charlotte, encourages women at crossroads to create faith connections that lead to a more fulfilling life. Expected publication is summer 2024.
Abuse Survivor's Memoir to Lake Drive Books
Lake Drive Books publisher David Morris acquired world and audio rights to Christa Brown's tentatively titled Baptistland: A Memoir of Abuse, Betrayal, and Beyond. In the memoir, Brown will assert that women, like herself, who were betrayed by what she calls a patriarchal Southern culture, can achieve a better life by opening up about the abuse they suffered. Brown represented herself in the deal and the book is set for a May 2024 publication.
