Brazos Remembers Mary Magdalene
Katelyn Beaty, editorial director for Brazos Press, acquired world rights for Jennifer Powell McNutt’s unagented The Mary Magdalene We Forgot, which is scheduled to be released in fall 2024. McNutt, a church historian, theologian, and the first woman to hold the William S. Dryness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College, examines scripture and church history to shed light on the “real” Mary Magdalene as a model of discipleship for contemporary Christians, according to the publisher.
WaterBrook Signs Journalist’s Debut
Kimberly Von Fange, assistant editor at Waterbrook & Multnomah, signed world rights for Chanté Griffin’s Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself from Jevon Bolden of Embolden Media Group. Scheduled for publication in winter 2024, the book brings “a contemporary perspective on the message of the Civil Rights Movement about God’s love for Black folks that invites readers to love their Black neighbors holistically and unreservedly,” according to the publisher. Griffin, a journalist, artist, and natural hair advocate, writes about the intersection of race, culture, and faith for publications such as The Washington Post and Vogue.com.
Zondervan Takes a Book on Dallas Willard
V-p and publisher for Zondervan Books Webster Younce took world rights to The Kind of People We Are: Dallas Willard’s Ideas and a Better Politics by Michael Wear, who served in the White House under President Obama and is the founder/CEO of the consulting firm Public Square Strategies. He was represented by David R. Patterson at Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency, Inc. Zondervan, which will release the book in January 2024, calls the work “a timely addition from one of America’s preeminent thought-leaders at the intersection of faith and politics” that “promises to chart a new path forward in the integration of faith and public life.”
St. Martin’s Buys Levings’s Memoir
St. Martin’s Press executive editor Eileen Rothschild acquired world English rights from Trinity McFadden at the Bindery to A Well Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy. In the memoir, Tia Levings describes growing up in a fundamentalist evangelical
culture and enduring church-sanctioned domestic abuse. After breaking loose from the church, St. Martin’s said, Levings became an activist for those affected by religious trauma, exposing the realities of Christian fundamentalism. As a writer, creator, and content specialist, she “explores the female narrative in patriarchal spaces.” In spring 2023, Levings will appear in an Amazon Prime documentary on the Institute of Basic Life Principle, which some former members charge is a cult. A Well Trained Wife is scheduled for publication in winter 2024.
IVP Kids ‘Sees’ a Picture Book
IVP Kids’ acquiring editor Elissa Schauer took world rights from Tawny Johnson of Illuminate Literary to Zion Loves to See by father-daughter team Terence and Zion Lester, with illustrations by Subi Bosa. Slated for publication in spring 2024, the picture book is aimed at ages 4-8 and follows a young girl who joins her father at a local rescue shelter, which brings a growing awareness of people in marginalized communities and how faith can lead to action. Robbin Brosterman of Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Zondervan Signs Therapist’s Debut
Andy Rogers, acquiring editor at Zondervan Books, bought world rights from Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink Literary for Jason VanRuler’s Get Back Up Again: How Facing Your Past Can Transform Your Future, slated for publication in October 2023. VanRuler, founder of a therapy practice specializing in relationships, trauma, and addiction, uses humor, faith, and empathy to in an effort to connect with readers and help them find healing after trauma, addiction, or hurt.
Children’s Theater Expert ‘Plays the Bible’ with Behrman
David Behrman, owner and editor at Behrman House, took world rights to the tentatively titled Playing the Bible by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman. Chapman, who represented himself in the deal, created a Bible-based book for families and educators of children 4-7 that brings weekly Bible texts to life through imaginative exploration and creative play. Founder of The K’ilu Company and on the faculty of Northwestern University School of Theatre, Chapman has served as executive director Theater for Young Audiences and Jewish Education. He has created works for the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Seattle Children’s Theatre.
