B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, which produces Bibles, as well as reference, trade, and academic books, is discontinuing its Fidelis imprint. The imprint launched in 2009 and was led by retired Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North, now an author and Fox News Channel host. In a January 28 divisional meeting, B&H Publishing Group president Selma Wilson said, “B&H launched Fidelis Books two years ago to produce quality books for patriotic consumers. We successfully published titles by individuals who shape national opinion. Despite that success, we feel the need to offer greater focus on our base as a distinctively Christian publisher.”

John Thompson, B&H’s v-p of marketing for more than a decade who recently assumed the role of v-p of acquisitions, told PW the idea of a Christian publisher having an imprint focused specifically on military affairs, politics, and current affairs “caused some brand confusion for our core base.” Thompson said that B&H created Fidelis in order to get placement in the ABA market, but that feedback from current events buyers at ABA accounts suggested it would be difficult for Fidelis, which was releasing about two current events titles a season, to compete with the large New York houses that publish as many as 200 titles a season.

Fidelis has about 12 titles in the pipeline, which will now be published by B&H. Those include books by Oliver North, former FBI agent Bob Hamer, Ralph Reed, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, and Fox News reporter Todd Starnes. “All these books have Christian content and are written from a Christian perspective,” Thompson said. “That will not change.”

Thompson said North’s role was that of “commanding editor,” in that he was assisting Fidelis in acquiring some authors. Going forward, North will not be involved in that capacity but is still under contract with B&H for several more fiction and nonfiction titles, as an author.

Other changes announced by the publisher included the promotion of Mary Katharine Hunt, formerly director of LifeWay Kids in LifeWay’s church resources division, to fill Thompson’s role as v-p of marketing. Hunt said that B&H will accelerate its digital publishing efforts. The company has recently launched the MyStudyBible.com platform and has a variety of individually branded applications for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, with several more in development.