Worthy Publishing has purchased the Ellie Claire Gift and Paper Expressions imprint from Guideposts, including the Ellie Claire brand and product lines. The deal also includes the acquisition of all nonfiction gift and inspirational books from Guideposts’ Summerside Press. Guideposts acquired Ellie Claire as well as the Summerside Press Christian book imprint in 2010. Guideposts will continue to publish the Love Finds You series well as Summerside’s fictional titles. Byron Williamson, president and CEO of Worthy Publishing, said, “This strategic opportunity allows Worthy to expand its product offerings and distribution reach to the gift market.”
While Worthy Publishing acquired the Ellie Claire imprint name from Guideposts, they did not purchase the Summerside name. “Worthy Publishing will have three prints: Worthy, Freeman-Smith, and Ellie Claire,” said Williamson. Worthy acquired about 150 active titles, and will likely release around 60 new tiles each year. Jason Rovenstine, who has led Ellie Claire’s creative team, will join Worthy as a vice president. The Ellie Claire operation will relocate to Worthy’s Nashville office from Minneapolis early in 2013.
