Morrison Doubles Up at WaterBrook
Laura Barker, v-p and publisher at WaterBrook, took world rights from Yates & Yates’ Mike Salisbury to two nonfiction books by Latasha Morrison, author of Be the Bridge, which was selected as the ECPA’s book of 2021. The first book in the deal, Brown Faces, White Spaces, is tentatively slated for release in spring 2023. In it, Morrison, who for years spoke out against racial justice before establishing her Be the Bridge foundation and ministry, considers historic and contemporary circumstances that feed racism in a variety of institutions, from the legal system to the church, and its impact on the daily experience of brown and Black people. Information about the second title in the deal is not yet available.
HarperOne Takes ‘Everything’
Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink sold world rights to acquiring editor Chantal Tom of HarperOne for Everything All At Once by Steph Catudal, a trained interpersonal mediator and Instagram influencer. The memoir chronicles Catudal’s discovery of the universality of grief and the power of love through her husband struggles with lung cancer, for which he was in an 84-day induced coma and which he ultimately survived. The book also delves into Catudal’s experience losing her father to the same disease when she was 14. The book is slated for publication in summer 2023.
Brazos is ‘Waking Up’
Brazos Press’ senior acquisitions editor Katelyn Beaty bought North American rights from Sarah Fuentes of Fletcher and Company to Karen Wright Marsh’s Waking Up to Amazement. Marsh is executive director of Theological Horizons, a ministry on the University of Virginia campus that serves those who work in academia, and is the host of the Vintage Saints and Sinners podcast. Waking Up to Amazement, which is slated for publication in summer 2023, presents “daily practices to try to awaken to God's presence and find their truest selves,” according to the publisher.
Broadleaf Gets 'Friends'
Valerie Weaver-Zercher at Broadleaf bought world rights from Laura Rennert of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency for a nonfiction book about intergenerational friendship by Mitali Perkins, award-winning author of novels for young people including You Bring the Distant Near and Bamboo People. In her tentatively titled Seasoned by Friends: The Forgotten Joy of Intergenerational Relationships, scheduled for release in fall 2023, Perkins makes a case for how relationships that bridge generational gaps are key to living well and can bring joy, delight, and meaning.
Tyndale Signs Young Franciscans Founder
Andrea Heinecke of The Bindery sold world rights to Jon Farrar at Tyndale for Beloved: Traditional Wisdom for a Modern Age by Rev. Chris Lee, vicar of a growing church in West London, Instagram influencer, and founder of The Young Franciscans spiritual community. Taking inspiration from Franciscan spirituality, Beloved conveys how unlocking the truth that we are profoundly loved by God will transform our lives and provides readers with a better way of seeing the world, discovering beauty, and knowing the love of God, according to the publisher. It is slated for publication in September 2023.
Wander Lands a New Trilogy
Linda Howard, associate publisher for Tyndale Kids, took world rights from Don Pape of Pape Commons to a three-book series by D.J. Williams to be published via Wander, Tyndale’s YA imprint. Williams, author of the adult thriller The Auctioneer, centers his YA debut Beacon Hill series on Jack Reynolds and friends who attend an international boarding school in Hong Kong, and who are trying to solve the death of his sister. A supernatural underground world, secret societies, and ancient treasures are part of Forbidden City, the first in the trilogy that releases in April 2023. Tentative release dates for the untitled second and third books are November 2023 and August 2024.
Kar-Ben Counts on Churnin
Joni Sussman, publisher at Kar-Ben, has bought world rights from Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary to Counting on Shabbat, a board book debut by 2021 National Jewish Book Award-winning author Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Petronela Dostalova. The book tells a story about kindness, counting, and Shabbat as a lonely person welcomes surprises. Publication is set for fall 2023. Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
A ‘Worried Wiseman’ Moves to CPI
Editor Milton Brasher-Cunningham at Church Publishing Inc. has acquired world rights from Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary to The Worried Wiseman by author/illustrator Susan Eaddy. The picture book follows one of the magi in the Bible, Melchior, who reluctantly leaves his safe home to follow a star on a dangerous journey. Although the wiseman is fearful and anxious, his camel Nubia is a steady, guiding force, and together they face the different challenges. Publication is slated for September 2022.
Cottage Door Takes Two
Ginny O'Donnell at Cottage Door Press took world rights from Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary to two picture books by Deb Adamson. Thankful Thanksgiving and God Sent You With Love will both be published in spring 2023. Thankful Thanksgiving celebrates gratefulness by following a mouse family’s traditions, connections, and holiday fun. It will feature illustrations by Benedetta Capriotti, who was represented by Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency. God Sent You With Love is “an ode from a mom who prayed for her child’s arrival and now delights in everything that makes them special,” according to the publisher. The book does not yet have an illustrator.
