IVP Signs Grief Book for Black Women
Mary DeMuth of Mary DeMuth Literary has negotiated a two-book deal with IVP’s Nilwona Nowlin for the tentatively titled Black Woman Grief and an as-yet-undecided second book by Natasha Smith (Can You Just Sit with Me?). Each chapter navigates a progression of hope and healing for the grieving Black woman, using biblical examples that point to hope in Christ. Black Woman Grief will be published in October 2024. The second book is tentatively set for October 2025.
Herald Press Relaunches Children’s Line with Picture Book
Amy Gingerich, publisher and executive director of Herald Press, and Anabaptism at 500 project editor Mollee Moua have acquired world rights to the picture book Sparking Peace from Teresa Kim Pecinovsky (Mother God) and Hannah Rose Martin, a Mennonite pastor and reading interventionist, with illustrations by Gabhor Utomo. The book, for ages 4-8, will be published in spring 2025, and will help relaunch Herald Press’s children’s book line. It follows a young child who breaks a neighbor’s window and discovers friendship, transformation, and new beginnings. The authors were unagented and the illustrator was represented by Janet DeCarlo of Storybook Arts Inc.
Book on Beating 'Smartphone Attachment' to Broadleaf
Broadleaf Books editor Lisa Kloskin has acquired world rights from Gareth Esersky at the Carol Mann Agency to Its In Our Hands by psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and author Shannon Algeo (Trust Your Truth). The book, planned for fall 2025, offers mindfulness practices for "letting go of smartphone attachment and reclaiming our lives from the threat of mind-numbing and soul-crushing digital distraction."
Brazos Acquires Exploration Via Art, Justice
Brazos Press editor Katelyn Beaty took world rights for the unagented Beauty and Justice by Haejin Shim Fujimura and Makoto Fujimura. The book will explore the surprising connection between two sides of the same coin of the gospel through the lens of a celebrated artist ( Fujimura) and a successful lawyer’s (Fujimura) unique partnership. A fall 2025 release is planned.
ODB Takes TEND Trio
Our Daily Bread’s Anna Haggard has negotiated a three-book, world rights deal with Bible teacher and Bible study expert Mariel Davenport via Mary DeMuth of Mary DeMuth Literary. The first book, Tending Your Soul: Where Spiritual Formation Meets Bible Study, introduces readers to Davenport’s four-step TEND method of Bible study. The second and third books are Tending through Ruth and Tending through James. Release dates are summer, fall and winter 2025, respectively.
Rohr to Publish with Convergent
Convergent editorial director Derek Reed has acquired world rights from Christopher Ferebee of the Christopher Ferebee Agency to a new book by Franciscan Friar Richard Rohr tentatively titled The Tears of Things. Rohr (The Universal Christ) delves into the wisdom of the Jewish prophets, who embody what Rohr calls holy disorder—an approach to confronting malevolence and recognizing the wholeness of all living beings. Rohr is founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico and author of numerous books. The Tears of Things is set to be published in spring 2025.
IVP Helps Children Slow Down
IVP's Cindy Bunch has taken world rights to the tentatively-titled Slow Childhood by Grace Pate Pouch. The book offers small steps to help children experience life at a slower, gentler pace, where friendship with God has time and space to flourish. Pouch, who is unagented, is content curator for Renovaré, a Christian nonprofit that helps people understand and experience spiritual formation in Christ. The book will published for fall 2025.
Joy in Midlife to Broadleaf
Broadleaf Books acquisitions editor Lisa Kloskin has acquired world rights from Kelly Thomas at Serendipity Literary Agency to The Joy Document by Jennifer McGaha, writing instructor at the University of North Carolina-Asheville and author of Flat Broke with Two Goats. The book, planned for fall 2024, offers 50 rollicking explorations of the art of joy for readers in midlife.
New Nellist Title to Paraclete
Lillian Miao, director of Paraclete Press, took world rights to Song of the Seasons by prolific children’s author Glenys Nellist. Based on Psalm 98, Song of the Seasons is billed as a whimsical, faith-building journey through the four seasons for early readers who love nature and wonder at the beginnings of all things. C.B. Canga will illustrate. The author was self-represented. Tammy Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator. Publication is slated for April 2024.
Spiritual Giant Journey to Ink & Willow
Leslie Calhoun, associate editor at WaterBrook’s Ink & Willow gift product line, bought world rights from Ann Byle of AB Writing Services to Journey with a Giant: A One-Year Spiritual Mentorship Journey in the Footsteps of Mr. Fred Rogers by spiritual director Lori Melton. In this year-long guide for following in the footsteps of a spiritual giant, the author invites readers to learn from and be inspired by the faith journey of Mister Rogers, the Presbyterian minister and beloved TV personality who became one of America’s favorite neighbors. The book is planned for fall 2025.
21st Century Q&A to Broadleaf
Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink has negotiated world rights sale with Broadleaf Book’s Lisa Kloskin for the tentatively titled I Know You Feel It, Too by Aaron Cline Hanbury, founding editor of Common Good magazine. The fall 2025 release gathers the questions of 21st century life in thoughtful and often humorous dispatches at the intersection of technology, faith and the everyday.
