Recent News
Cindy Woodsmall was featured on the front page of the September 8, 2009 issue of the Wall Street Journal. Click here to see that article.
Congratulations Cindy! This is a wonderful piece for all lovers of Christian fiction.
Pamela Binnings Ewen was named the 2009 Literary Artist of the Year for St. Tammany Parish!
(St. Tammany Parish is a large population ‘county’ and is considered part of Metro New Orleans, located just north of Lake Pontchartrain. It’s Walker Percy country with a tremendous arts community.)
Cindy Woodsmall’s latest novel, Hope of Refuge, hit #24 on the extended New York Times Bestseller list for August 30, 2009. Congratulations Cindy!
We have 8 authors with 13 finalists in the ACFW Book of the Year Awards! Kudos for being a finalist to Julie Carobini, Sharon Hinck (with three separate books in the finals), Susan May Warren, Christine Lynxwiler (we were privileged to be her agent on the three titles she has in the finals), Robin Caroll, Pamela Tracy, Margaret Daley, and John Olson (2 books in the finals). Winners were announced on September 19th:
John Olson won Book of the Year for Fossil Hunter in Suspense (plus was given a separate award for Service within the organization)
Pamela Tracy won Book of the Year for Broken Lullaby in Short Contemporary Suspense
Sharon Hinck won two Book of the year awards! One for Symphony of Secrets in Long Contemporary and one for Restorer’s Journey in Speculative
Plus Steve Laube honored to be named Agent of the Year.
Finding Stefanie by Susan May Warren won the 2009 RITA Awards for best inspirational romance! That is SO cool.
Congratulations Susie.
Margaret Daley won the 2009 Holt Medallion Award for best “Short Inspirational” novel for her book Family Ever After (Steeple Hill). Congratulations are also in order to Pamela Tracy for being a finalist in the same category for her book Broken Lullaby (Steeple Hill). Congratulations to both Margaret and Pamela!
Tosca Lee has signed a pre-emptive three book offer from B&H Publishing. The first novel will be a first person exploration of the life of Judas Iscariot. Scheduled for release in Fall 2011. In addition B&H Publishing has acquired the rights to her first two novels Demon: A Memoir and Havah: The Story of Eve to repackage and re-release in May 2010.
We had two clients who won the 2009 Christy Awards for best fiction!
Marlo Schalesky – Beyond the Night (Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group)
Tracey Bateman – You Had Me at Goodbye (FaithWords)
And four other clients who were finalists:
Pamela Binnings Ewen – The Moon in the Mango Tree (B&H Publishing Group)
John Olson – Shade (B&H Publishing Group)
Susan May Warren – Finding Stephanie (Tyndale House Publishers)
Tracy Higley – Shadow of Colossus (B&H Publishing Group)
Caron Loveless was a finalist in the 2009 Christian Retailers Choice Awards for her book What If There Were No Moms?, (Howard Books) (A book by Beth Moore won the category…)
Ronie Kendig has signed a new four book deal with Barbour Publishing for her series called Discarded Heroes. Each story focuses on a returning war veteran and the challenges they face re-integrating into a society that rarely understands their battle scars.
Lisa Bergren has signed a new six book deal with David C. Cook! There will be a three book adult fiction series and a three book YA fiction series.
Deborah Raney’s novel Yesterday’s Embers reached #20 on the Christian fiction bestseller list in June 2009.
Foreword magazine named Tosca Lee’s novel Havah (NavPress) a Bronze winner in the category of Religious Fiction for the year 2009.
Stephen M. Miller has signed a new three book deal with Barbour Publishing. Each will be a popular Bible reference project combining text and significant photographs and graphics. To be printed in full color.
Michael Snyder has signed a new three book deal with Zondervan. The first novel will be A Stand Up Guy (about a stand-up comedian).
Rebecca Barlow Jordan has signed to write three new devotional books for Zondervan. All three will be released simultaneously in time for Mother’s Day 2010.
Traci DePree has signed to write her fifth novel in the Guideposts series The Mystery and the Minister’s Wife.
Margaret Daley has signed for two new books with Steeple Hill. The first will be book #3 in a new continuity series. The other is a Christmas novella.
Ronie Kendig has signed her first book deal! Abingdon Press will release her novel, Dead Reckoning in Spring 2010. Congratulations Ronie on a milestone!
Charles Stone has signed a new book deal with Bethany House Publishers. When Pastors Hate Going to Church, based on original polling data from a commissioned Barna report will release in Summer 2010.
Carolyn Williford has signed a new two book deal with David C. Cook. The first novel View a Distant Star will release in Spring 2010.
We have sold the Dutch language rights to Deborah Raney’s novella Playing by Heart (a Christy Award finalist) to Kok Voorhoeve in The Netherlands.
William Lane Craig has signed with David C. Cook for his next major work of Apologetics. The project will release in Spring 2010 and may include a DVD curriculum component.
Cindy Woodsmall’s When the Soul Mends (Waterbrook) hit #13 on the NY Times Bestseller list on October 5, 2008. It then moved to #20 on the list on October 12, 2008. Congratulations Cindy! This is incredible news.
Tracey Bateman has signed a new two book deal with Waterbrook. The first novel, Thirsty, will release in Fall 2009.
At the 2008 ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) awards banquet Deborah Raney was awarded not one, not two, but THREE book of the year awards! Congratulations Deb!
Click here to see a picture from the banquet.
Chad Meister and William Lane Craig have signed a new book deal with IVP. God is Great, God is Good: Facing New Challenges to Belief in God, is a collection of essays from many top scholars including John Polkinghorne, Michael Behe, J.P. Moreland, Alvin Platinga, and Alister McGrath, exploring the philosophical, theological, and ethical implications of atheism versus belief in God will.
Jared Wilson has signed his first book deal! Kregel Publications will release The Unvarnished Jesus in Spring 2010. Congratulations Jared on a milestone!
Susan May Warren has signed with Tyndale for The Great Christmas Bowl, a Christmas novella about high school football, church potlucks and other holiday games and a tale of one woman’s fight to help her family and her community cut through the clutter and find the true meaning of the season. For release Fall 2009.
H. Norman Wright has signed a new two book deal with Regal Books. Bringing Out the Best in Your Husband and Bringing Out the Best in Your Wife will release in Spring 2010.
Julie Carobini has signed a new three book fiction deal with B&H Publishing. The Otter Bay books will first be released in Summer 2009.
Deborah Raney has signed a new four book novel deal with Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster. The first will be released in 2010.
Sharon Gillenwater has signed a new three book contemporary Texas fiction series deal with Revell. The first will be released in Summer 2009.
Meredith Efken has signed a new novel called Lucky Baby with Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster. It is scheduled for release in Spring 2010.
Antony Flew’s There is a God: How the World’s Most Famous Atheist Changed His Mind (HarperOne), has been named the 2008 Christianity Today’s Book of the Year in the apologetics category. A major achievement!
For a complete list: click here
Foreign translation rights for the book have been sold by Harper in Korean, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian, and Dutch.
Judith Pella’s novel Sister’s Choice (Bethany House) hit #38 on the CBA Top 50 bestseller chart for April 2008.
Three of our clients have been named 2008 RITA award finalists in the Inspirational category! Congratulations to:
Pamela Tracy – Pursuit of Justice (Steeple Hill)
Susan May Warren – Taming Rafe (Tyndale)
Cindy Woodsmall – When the Morning Comes (Waterbrook)
For the complete list: click here
Lisa Bergren has signed a new three book historical novel deal with David C. Cook. The first will be released in Summer 2009.
German translation rights for David Gregory’s The Rest of the Gospel have been sold to Wohlkunde Verlag.
James Snyder has received the rights from the A.W. Tozer estate to produce five new books derived from over 400 audio tapes that have never before been produced. The books, and the definitive biography of Tozer, were sold in the U.S. to Regal Books. Commonwealth rights were sold to Lion Hudson. And Korean rights were sold to the Kyujang Publishing Company. The first will be released in Summer 2009.
Meredith Efken has signed to do a new SAHM (stay at home mom) novel with Steeple Hill. It will be released in Fall 2009.
The audio rights for the first six books in Chuck Black’s Kingdom series (Multnomah) have been sold to Oasis Audio. The set will be released in Spring and Summer 2008.
David Gregory has signed a new three book deal with Waterbrook Press. The first will be a full length novel to be released in Fall 2009.
Paul Robertson has signed a new three novel book deal with Bethany House Publisher. The first will be released in Fall 2009.
Chuck Black has signed a six book extension of his Kingdom Series books with Multnomah. The first of the new titles will release in Fall 2008. This brings his total series commitment to twelve novels!
Susan May Warren won two of the seven awards offered in the 2007 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards program, announced at the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference in Dallas. Expect the Sunrise received the award in the Suspense category for novels, while Reclaiming Nick was selected for the Contemporary category award.
Chuck Holton has signed on with B&H Publishers to co-author a non-fiction project with Oliver North. The material will be based on the columns that Col. North has written regarding the war in Iraq. Scheduled for release in late Summer 2008.
Allison Bottke has signed a three novel deal with David C. Cook Publishers to write the Va Va Va Boom series. Each book follow the fun adventures of a “boomer” woman who has started her own business. The first book will release in Winter 2009.
Bob Hostetler has signed a deal with Howard Publishers to write a contemporary archeological thriller titled The Bone Box. It will be released in Fall 2008.
T.L. Higley has signed a three book deal with B&H Publishers to write a historical series based on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The first is tentatively titled The Shadow of Colossus, and will come out in Fall 2008.
Vicki Caruana has signed a deal with Howard Books to create a 10th Anniversary edition of her bestselling book Apples and Chalkdust for release in Summer 2008. The original volume sold more than a half million copies. The new edition will have new material and a four-color interior design.
John Olson has signed a three book deal with B&H Publishers with the first novel titled Shade for release in Fall 2008.
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook/Random House) was a finalist for the 2007 Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association (ECPA) Christian Book Awards in the fiction category. Other finalists include Charles Martin, Angela Hunt and Karen Kingsbury. Cindy is one of the only debut novelists to ever be a finalist for this award. Charles Martin won the award.
Both Susan May Warren’s Everything’s Coming Up Josey and Lisa Bergren’s The Begotten were named as finalists for the 2007 Christy Awards. The Christy Award recognizes the year’s top Christian fiction titles.
Ellie Kay’s Half Price Living (Moody) was #28 and Tim Wesemann’s Jack Bauer Had a Very Bad Day (Cook) was #35 on the CBA bestseller list for March 2007.
Lisa Bergren has signed a three book extension of her God Gave Us… children’s picture book line with Waterbrook. The first of the new titles will debut in 2008.
Lisa Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas hit #16 on the CBA bestseller chart for January 2007.
Paul Robertson’s debut novel The Heir (Bethany House) has received a starred review from Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association. This is the highest recommendation that the magazine awards.
In addition it has been chosen as a Featured Alternate by The Crossings Book Club and will be released in an unabridged audio by Recorded Books.
Congratulations Paul!
John Rosemond has signed a major deal with Howard Books to write a book called Parenting by the Book for release in Fall 2007.
Michael Snyder has signed a deal with Zondervan to write a debut novel entitled My Name is Russell Fink for release in Fall 2007. A second unnamed book is also a part of the deal.
In early January 2007, Dave Meurer appeared on the 700 Club where his story was a special feature. The interview was conducted by Chuck Holton and filmed in the home of Lynn Thompson.
Karen Linamen has signed a three book deal with Waterbrook, a division of Random House, after a successful auction with five publishers involved. Her first title Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight will release in Fall 2008.
Film rights for Day with a Perfect Stranger have been licensed to Kelly’s Filmworks for theatrical release in 2007. This the same group that created the film “The Perfect Stranger” based on the book Dinner with a Perfect Stranger in 2005.
Cindy Woodsmall signed a new three book extension with Waterbrook which brings her total commitment to six novels. The first of which, When the Heart Cries, debuted in October 2006.
Virelle Kidder has signed a two book deal with Moody Publishing to write Meet Me At the Well (for release in Winter 2008) and a second untitled book in 2009.
Julie Carobini has signed a deal with Bethany House to write a novel entitled Truffles by the Sea, a part of her Ventura Beach series of novels.
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association announces gold book awards
Recognizing Christian literature sales achievement, ECPA announced their most recent Gold Book Awards. Gold awards (more than 500,000 sold) went to: The Tender Years, Janet Oke (Bethany House/Baker); The Bait of Satan, John Bevere (Charisma/Strang); Jerusalem Countdown, John Hagee (Frontline/Strang); Lord, Teach Me To Pray in 28 Days, Kay Arthur (Harvest House); Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller (Nelson Books/Nelson); The Maker’s Diet, John Rubin (Siloam/Strang), The Language of Love, Gary Smalley & John Trent (Tyndale/Focus on the Family); The Rising, Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins (Tyndale); A Voice in the Wind, Francine Rivers (Tyndale); and God Gave Us You, Lisa Tawn Bergren (WaterBrook).
Congratulations Lisa. That is truly a “Hall-of-Fame” achievement!
Pamela Tracy has been signed by Steeple Hill, a division of Harlequin, to write a new Love Inspired Suspense title called Broken Bones for release in 2008.
Antony Flew’s There is a God: How the World’s Most Famous Atheist Changed His Mind, with Roy Abraham Varghese, the story of the man who set the agenda for modern atheism in 1950 with his Theology and Falsification, presented at a meeting of the Oxford Socratic Club chaired by C.S. Lewis, and his evolution to a believer to Harper San Francisco for publication in Fall 2007.
Stage play rights for Dinner with a Perfect Stranger have been licensed to My3Sons Productions of Arkansas. This one hour, one act play can now be performed by either amateur or professional drama groups. Send us an inquiry if your group is interested, we will put you in touch with them.
John Olson has signed a deal with Tyndale House Publishers to write a thriller entitled Fossil Hunter. Released date will be Spring 2008. This book is being created in cooperation with a new film production company which will be releasing a non-fiction documentary on the issue of Intelligent Design at the same time of the release of the novel.
Tricia Rhodes has signed a deal with InterVarsity Press to write a book for their Formatio imprint entitled In Search of Sacred Space. Released date is tentatively scheduled for late 2007.
Cec Murphey has signed a deal with Barbour Publishing to write a second cozy mystery entitled Everybody Loves Room 623. Released date will be in 2008.
In an unprecedented event Karen Hancock won her fourth consecutive Christy Award at the annual banquet held in Denver during the 2006 ICRS convention. She won in the Visionary category for her novel Shadow Over Kiriath.
Congratulations Karen!!
2006 CHRISTIAN RETAILERS CHOICE AWARD WINNERS:
Christian Retailer’s Choice Awards (selected by Christian bookstore owners and employees around the country) honored two of our authors.
David Gregory – Dinner with a Perfect Stranger (Waterbrook) in the Christian Living category.
Stephen M. Miller – Who’s Who and Where’s Where in the Bible (Barbour) in the Non-fiction category.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU!!
Tracey Bateman has signed a major three book deal with Avon Inspirational to write a series of Western (Prairie) romances. The first trade book will release in Summer 2007. She will be one of two authors to launch this exciting new Avon imprint (a division of HarperCollins).
Sharon Hinck has signed a three book deal with NavPress to write a “fantasy” series tentatively titled The Restorer. All three books will release within 12 months with the first to come in mid 2007.
Susan May Warren has signed a new three book deal with Tyndale House to write a “chick-thrill” series tentatively titled P.J. Sugar. Each book combines Susan’s chick-lit talents with her suspense talents for a fun combination. The first book is schedule for release in Summer 2009.
Marlo Schalesky has signed a three book deal with Multnomah Publishers to write stand-alone suspense novels. The first is entitled Beyond the Night and is scheduled for 2008.
Clint Kelly has signed with Zondervan to add a third book to his new Sensations series. The first in the series is called Scent released in Fall 2006. The new second is called Echo (release 2007) and the third will be called Delicacy for release in 2008.
Brooke Boon has signed a deal with Warner Faith to write a book about a Christian way to practice Yoga without compromising the faith. It will be called Holy Yoga and will release in Fall 2007.
Lisa Bergren has signed a new five book deal with HarperCollins Children’s division. The first is titled How Big is God? and will be released in 2007.
German performance rights have been sold for Dinner with a Perfect Stranger to Brunnen Verlag headquartered in Giessen, Germany. They plan to create a radio drama for the Easter season.
Cec Murphey has signed a deal with Barbour Publishing to write a cozy mystery entitled Everybody Loves Roger Haden. Released date will be in early 2007.
Deborah Raney has signed a new three book deal with Howard Publishing. The first, titled Remember to Forget will be released in January 2007.
Chuck Black has signed a six book deal with Multnomah Publishers. The Kingdom series is a clever re-telling of the Biblical saga through the vehicle of solid fantasy intended for a YA audience. Originally self-published and successfully sold in the home-school market, the first three books in the series will be released in June 2006.
Tim Wesemann has signed deal with Multnomah Publishers for a book called Swashbuckling Faith, a look at the faith elements found in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. It will be released in June 2006.
Tim also signed a deal with Cook Communications to do a book called Jack Bauer is Having a Bad Day. This unauthorized look at the first season of the TV show 24 has great insight into the faith elements that can be found in today’s popular entertainment. Release date is set for October 2006.
Cindy Woodsmall has signed a three book deal with Waterbrook Publishers. This new “Amish” trilogy will start releasing in Fall 2006 with the first title being When the Heart Cries.
ROMANTIC TIMES
2005 REVIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARD NOMINEES:
Reviewers’ Choice Awards honor the best books of the year. The winners are selected by their staff of over 40 reviewers representing the readers’ voice in the women’s fiction industry.
In the Inspirational category two of our agency’s authors have been nominated.
Meredith Efken – Sahm I Am (Steeple Hill Cafe)
Deborah Raney – Over the Waters (Steeple Hill)
And in the category of Best Series Romance, in the Love Inspired Suspense line:
Shirlee McCoy – Die Before Nightfall (Steeple Hill)
Sharon Hinck has signed a new two book deal with Bethany House Publishers. Currently untitled, the first of these new novels will be released in 2007.
Don Brown has been signed by Zondervan to do three new Navy JAG novels. The first will be called Commander’s Appeal and is currently scheduled for release in Spring 2007.
Four of our authors have five of the Top 20 Fiction picks from Christian Book Distributors for 2005. Congratulations to Jack Cavanaugh (for having two in the top twenty), Karen Ball, Tracey Bateman, and Don Brown!
Click below for more information about the list:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1009838&sp=1001
Lori Copeland has been signed by Zondervan to write two new Christmas novellas. The first is scheduled for release in Fall 2006.
Stephen M. Miller’s The Bible: A History published by Lion Publishing has been awarded the Gold award in the Fred Grossmith Christian Writers Awards, part of the annual Christian Broadcasting Council Awards. The award was presented at a ceremony in Stoke-on-Trent, England on November 10, 2005. Many congratulations!
H. Norman Wright has signed a new book with Warner Center Street titled Speak Your Spouse’s Language. For decades this has been one of Dr. Wright’s most popular seminars. Projected for hardcover release in November 2006.
Clint Kelly will have the privilege of writing two great sports biographies for the publisher Positively for Kids. Intended for the kids market, the first biography will be of Carly Patterson, the Olympic gymnastics champion. The second will be of the world class weightlifter, Shane Hammon.
Dave Meurer has won the coveted “Charlie” award for Best Humor article. The award is given by the Florida Magazine Association. The article, “Everything I Know About Women” was originally published in New Man Magazine.
Allison Bottke is on the cover of the October 2005 issue of OH magazine.
OH stands for Obesity Help and this is the #1 magazine for WLS (weight loss surgery.) There are over 250,000 subscribers to the hard copy magazine and 310,000 registered members to their online version and e-zine. www.oh-magazine.com
At the summer Christian bookseller’s convention in Denver Stephen Miller had the opportunity to sign a new contract with Barbour Publishing to create a kids version of his runaway bestseller Who’s Who and Where’s Where in the Bible.
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, by David Gregory, hit #30 on the extended New York Times fiction bestseller list the second week of August 2005. Congratulations David!
The September 2005 issue of Publisher’s Weekly shows Dinner with a Perfect Stranger as the #7 bestselling hardcover Religious book in the country!
In related news, David Gregory has signed a two book deal with Waterbrook, a division of Random House, to write sequels to his bestselling Dinner with a Perfect Stranger.
Linda Shepherd, founder of Right to the Heart Ministries, has been signed by Cook Communications to a two book deal. Right to the Heart of Prayer and Right to the Heart of Worship will be released over the next couple of years.
Dr. Brendan Sweetman, chairman of the department of Philosophy at Rockhurst University, has been signed by InterVarsity Press for his book called Keeping Religion in its Place: Why Religious Arguments are Appropriate in Politics for release in Fall 2006.
Susan Duke has been signed by Warner Faith to write a Grieving Forward which is an insightful and poignant discussion of grief, for release in Fall 2006.
Deborah Raney has been signed by Steeple Hill, a division of Harlequin to a new two book deal. The first will be a sequel to her bestselling A Vow to Cherish. The second will be called Above All Things.
In addition, her book A Nest of Sparrows (Waterbrook) was a Holt Medallion winner! It was also a finalist for the RITA award, the International Reader’s Choice Award, and five other writing awards. Congratulations!
Patt Marr has been signed by Steeple Hill, a division of Harlequin to write a new Love Inspired title called Promise of Forever for release in 2006.
Jill Rigby, founder of Manners of the Heart, has been signed by Howard Publishing to write a Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World for release in Fall 2006 as part of Howard’s Motherhood Club.
Lisa Tawn Bergen has been signed by Waterbrook, a division of Random House to write a new Children’s book called God Gave Us Christmas for release in Fall 2006.
Marlo Schalesky has signed Veil of Fire, with RiverOak (a division of Cook Communications). This stand alone historical novel tells the story of September 1, 1894, when one of the worst fires in history ravaged east central Minnesota. It destroying six towns, including Hinckley, MN. Descending on the towns like a red demon, the fire consumed 400 square miles, killing 418 people in four hours.
Marlo’s husband’s great-great-grandmother was a seamstress in Hinckley during this time. Her recollections, handed down verbally from generation to generation were used, along with other well documented first person accounts, to make this a vivid story in a time when hope rose from the smoke of sacrifice, when trust hid behind a veil of fear, and when dreams were robed in a mantle of fire. . .
Sharon Hinck has signed a two book deal with Bethany House Publishers to produce two mom-lit novels in the new series entitled The Secret Life of Becky Miller. Humorous and full of life, the series is described as:
“Faster than a speeding minivan, able to leap piles of laundry in a single bound. It’s a bird, it’s a plane. It’s Supermom.
Becky Miller’s rich fantasy life helps her cope with the pressure to be a Wonderful Wife and Marvelous Mom. But she keeps hearing the tape play: “Your mission – should you choose to accept it – support your husband when he loses his job, nurture an eccentric circle of friends, raise perfect Christian children, life a life full of grand Purpose, all while standing on your head and whistling Dixie. Your fantasy will self-destruct in five seconds…”
Vicki Caruana has signed with Howard Publishing to write a new teacher devotional called Before the Bell. It will include 90 daily readings of thought provoking ideas and encouragement. Scheduled for release in Summer 2006.
Golden Books, a division of Random House has signed Christin Ditchfield to do a wonderful picture book called Cowlick. This preschool aged book is about a cow who appears during the night and gives “cowlicks” to the hair of sleeping little boys. Scheduled for release in Spring 2007.
Bob Hostetler has signed a new contract with Broadman & Holman Publishers for a new book called American Idols: How to Recognize and Overcome the Idols You Worship. It is a book that looks at many of the peculiar and dangerous idolatries to which people are prone, including many Christians. Idolatries that take us away from God like consumerism, individualism, celebrity worship, overly experiential religion, the success syndrome, and unhealthy concern for personal appearance. Scheduled for release in Summer 2006.
Karen Hancock’s book Shadow Within (Bethany House) was selected as Border’s Best of 2004 “Religion & Spirituality”! Others in the list include:
Wrestling With God, Rick Diamond, Relevant; Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way!, Pope John Paul II, Warner; Word on the Street, Zondervan; Epic, John Eldredge, Nelson; It’s Not About Me, Max Lucado, Integrity; King’s Ransom, Jan Beazely & Thom Lemmons, WaterBrook; Feeding Your Appetites, Stephen Arterburn & Debra Cherry, Integrity; He-Motions, T.D. Jakes, Penguin; Ain’t No Mountain, Sharon Ewell Foster, Bethany; Shadow Within, Karen Hancock, Bethany; In Pursuit of Peace, Joyce Meyer, Warner Faith.
In addition, The Romantic Times has named this book as a finalist in their Reviewer’s Choice awards for Best Inspirational Novel 2004. Other finalists include books byJudy Baer, Thom Lemmons, Robert Elmer, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Neta Jackson.
Congratulations Karen! That is pretty heady company you keep!
Tracey Bateman took part in a recent Chick-Lit Roundtable discussion on FaithfulReader.com. The editors at FaithfulReader interviewed eleven authors who write in the Christian Chick Lit genre – Judy Baer, Tracey Bateman, Kristin Billerbeck, Lori Copeland, Penny Culliford, Sharon Dunn, Robin Jones Gunn, Neta Jackson, Annie Jones, Allie Pleiter, and Laura Jensen Walker. These talented writers discuss the essential elements of a Chick Lit novel, the differences between Christian Chick Lit and its secular counterpart, the scenes or characters they are especially proud to have written, and the impact that this genre (and its subgenres) can have on female readers. Click here to read the discussion.
Jack Cavanaugh’s Kingdom Wars novel series was contracted with Howard Publishing. The first book Hideous Beauty is a story of man vs. angel. On the day that should have been the highlight of his literary career, Grant Austin discovers that his success has been no accident, but a carefully orchestrated plot by angels who have been inserted into history as sleeper agents to alter world history. Now, the historian/author must battle heavenly forces of evil to stop them from assassinating the subject of his prize winning biography, the President of the United States. Projected for release in mid-2006.
Tracey Bateman’s Claire series was contracted by Warner Books in a major preemptive deal. When single mom and writer Claire Everett is dragged away from her computer to heal after carpal tunnel surgery, she blinks against the startling daylight and discovers real life is harder than fiction. Scrambling to get her footing, she invents a six-steps-to-a-better-life program. Can she fix her family and herself—including her relationship with her ex-husband and his wife—with self-help lists? Or will she realize that sometimes the only way to truly grow is to surrender to God’s plan and let Him mend the broken pieces? These highly entertaining mom-lit books promise to be a huge hit! Release date in early 2006.
W. Terry Whalin was asked to be the collaborator on the book Running on Ice with Vonetta Flowers for New Hope Publishers.
On February 18, 2002, Vonetta Flowers made Olympic history, becoming the first African-American to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. Her fellow Olympians chose her to carry the U.S.A. flag in the closing ceremonies. But this historic feat took the faith of a conqueror. though trained as a track and field athlete since the age of 9, Vonetta did not make the cut for the summer Olympic track team. Her coach and husband, Johnny, later saw an ad for bobsled competitors and convinced Vonetta to go for this previously unconsidered sport. She made it. Her lifetime of track training placed her in the anchor position on the 2-woman bobsled team, and the rest is literally history. Vonetta’s story is one of intense faith in God, whom she freely credits for her victories.
Allison Bottke’s novel A Stitch in Time: Confessions of a Plastic Surgery Junkie was contracted with Bethany House Publishers. A fun romp into the world of Dee Decker who is on a mission. After ignoring her mental, physical, and spiritual health for well over two decades, she reaches a crossroad—and suddenly nothing is going to stop her from being the best she can be. A modern-day Cinderella, Dee’s focus on outer beauty and self-improvement leads her to discover a timeless truth— a truth that will bring inner beauty and change her life. Projected for release in Fall 2006.
Cook Communications Ministries signed the Bright Media Foundation to a 10-book series, The Joy of Knowing God, (October 2005) based on the late Dr. Bill Bright’s messages. The audio CD versions will be read by celebrities such as Naomi Judd and John Tesh.
Allison Bottke’s God Answers Prayers was contracted with Harvest House Publishers. The project will be a compilation of inspiring stories from a variety of sources on how God answers prayer. Projected for release in mid-2005.
H. Norman Wright has signed a new book with Multnomah Publishing titled One Marriage Under God. This is a tremendous exploration of the sanctity and strength of marriage as God designed it to be. Projected for release in early Fall 2005.
Lisa Tawn Bergen has been signed by the Berkley Books division of Penguin/Putnam to write a three book novel series based in the 12th century. Look for the first volume of The Gifted series in Summer 2006.