Tyndale Lands Francine Rivers’ Latest
Tyndale House fiction publisher Karen Watson bought world English/world Spanish and audio rights from Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates to bestselling author Francine Rivers’ next novel, tentatively titled Mercy. A 2026 publication is planned. Readers of Rivers’ 1991 megahit Redeeming Love and her recent bestseller The Lady’s Mine will recognize the 1870s California setting. Mercy “explores the cost of revenge” while following a woman who must choose between cutting ties with her father or the man she’s fallen in love with.
Claude Atcho Moves to WaterBrook
Jevon Bolden of Embolden Media Group sold world rights to WaterBrook editor Jamey Lapeyrolerie for Word and Time by pastor and teacher Claude Atcho (Reading Black Books, Brazos), an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of North America and a teacher. The book, which is slated to release in fall 2025, is “a fusion of scriptural and devotional reflections” timed with the church liturgical calendar, according to the publisher.
Apples and Honey Nabs A Robot for Shabbat
Dena Neusner, executive editor at Apples & Honey Press, an imprint of Behrman House, has acquired world rights from Erzsi Deak of Hen & Ink Literary Agency to Robot Shabbat by Laura Gehl, children’s book author and doctor of neuroscience from Georgetown University. The picture book for ages 2-5 follows a young girl who builds a robot to help her prepare for Shabbat. The book is slated for publication in fall 2024 and will be illustrated by artist David Williams, who was represented by Sarah Thomas of the Bright Group US Inc.
Paraclete Takes an Advent Celebration for Families
Lillian Miao, director at Paraclete Press, acquired world rights from Karen Neumair at Credo Communications to The Joy of Advent: Family Celebrations for Advent and the Twelve Days of Christmas, written by Rebecca Grabill and Stephen Grabill, and illustrated by Clare Therese Gray, who is unagented. This 37-day guided celebration of the season for families is slated for publication October 1, 2024.
Beaming Buys a Body Book for Kids
Beaming Books senior acquisitions editor Naomi Krueger bought world rights to a picture book, God’s Holy Body, by Sharei Green and Beckah Selnick, illustrated by artist Nikki Faison, all of whom were unagented. The creators use the concept of Imago Dei to “poetically affirm the image of God found in every body,” according to the publisher. Publication is planned for fall 2025.
WaterBrook Signs a Chapter Book Series
Bunmi Ishola, children’s editor at WaterBrook, bought world rights from Jevon Bolden at Embolden Media Group to three books by Bunmi Laditan, bestselling author and humorist behind the social media account The Honest Toddler. Laditan’s David’s Diary is a children's chapter book series that “reimagines the boyhood adventures of King David, now cast as a curious neurodivergent fourth grader living in today’s world,” according to the publisher. The three yet-to-be-titled books are slated for publication in fall 2026.
Paraclete Doubles Up on Picture Books
Lillian Miao, director of Paraclete Press, bought world rights to two picture books. Slated for publication on December 3, 2024, No Greater Love by Dominique Okonkwo is a hardcover rhyming book aimed at helping children ages 4-8 learn about who God is. Lhaiza Morena will illustrate. The author represented herself, and Karen Kaller at Illustration X represented the illustrator.
In the second deal, The Christmas Elephant: A Nativity Story by Maria Antonia, illustrated by Laura Zarrin, is slated for publication in fall 2024. The book follows a young girl who wants to be an elephant in the Christmas play despite her know-it-all sister’s disapproval. Stephanie Cardel at Lighthouse Literary represented the author, and Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Dexterity Takes on ‘Destiny’
Matt West, CEO of Dexterity Books, acquired world rights from Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. to Engage Your Destiny: Practical Ways to Run After Your God-Given Purpose by Ben Peterson, founder of Engage Your Destiny Ministries. The book chronicles Peterson’s life, including serving in the U.S. Army for eight years and being deployed to Iraq, receiving the Army Commendation Medal, and launching Engage Your Destiny, a ministry for military veterans and their families. It is slated for publication in May 2024.
