LifeWay's decision to close its bricks-and-mortar stores comes two years after Family Christian closed all 240 of its outlets, and the new retail landscape could lead to potential sales for surrounding independent bookstores. more Religious publishers explore diversity and social justice in new books that encourage readers to form relationships with people who don’t look, act, or believe the same way they do. more LifeWay Christian Resources will close two-thirds of its 170 bricks-and-mortar stores this summer, with the rest following by the year’s end. more A crop of new books about the therapeutic benefits of forest bathing, or simply spending time in nature, are coming from religion and spirituality publishers this year. more The Iowa farmers behind the blog The Gingham Apron landed a book deal with Revell, Brazos signs an unconventional biography of a retiring clergyman, and more. more Memoirs from reality TV star Ty Pennington and Fox News host Shannon Bream are among the books coming from religion and spirituality publishers in May. more
“This may be the most important Christian book of the year! Let this book coach you in equipping and encouraging the Christian leaders of tomorrow. The obstacles are great, but the opportunities are greater still!” – Lee Strobel, bestselling author of 'The Case for Christ' (Sponsored) Watch Now!
In his enthralling memoir, novelist and Zen Buddhist Lawrence Shainberg (Ambivalent Zen) explores questions about writing, spiritual practice, and brain damage through his personal relationships with Norman Mailer, Samuel Beckett, and Kyudo Nakagawa. more Amanda Anderson, founder of Heart in Training ministry, provides Christian women a guide for forming and maintaining biblically healthy friendships in her impassioned debut. more Darren Dochuk (From Bible Belt to Sun Belt), associate professor of history at University of Notre Dame, traces the dense web of interconnections between Christianity and the oil industry in America from the Civil War to the early 21st century in this excellent history. more Comedian Anthony Griffith and his wife Brigitte Travis-Griffin give readers a glimpse of the difficulties they endured after the death of their two-year-old daughter, Brittany, in this poignant memoir. more
Call for Information: Life Issues
Needed: Info on forthcoming adult nonfiction titles publishing from May 2019 to Jan. 2020 (new titles only please, no reprints) about the intersection of religion/spirituality with death and dying, grief, aging, life-threatening illnesses, and care giving. more
Gerard O'Connell (l.), Vatican correspondent and the author of The Election of Pope Francis (Orbis, Apr.), poses with Fr. Matt Malone, SJ, president of America Media (c.), and Robert Ellsberg, publisher of Orbis Books (r.), at his book's launch party earlier this month at the America Media office in New York City. Courtesy Orbis Books |
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As the bookseller winds down, religion publishers and retailers make contingency plans. more New books for, by, and about millennials are challenging the status quo when it comes to American religion. more Four forthcoming titles from religion publishers combine faith with activism against homelessness, poverty, and hunger. more Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, a psychotherapist, explores how Jews, and others, can use the inherited memories of horrors to heal themselves and the world in ‘Wounds Into Wisdom.’ more Kathi Lipp moves to Zondervan with a new book; HarperOne takes blogger and activist Amy Elizabeth Bishop's debut, and more. more Franciscan priest Richard Rohr breaks the top five in religion nonfiction with his reflections on the nature of God in ‘The Universal Christ,’ while the trade paperback edition of Francine Rivers’ ‘The Masterpiece’ is #1 for its second consecutive month in fiction. more
John Barton (The Bible: The Basics), editor-in-chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion, provides a clear, comprehensive look at “the story of the Bible from its remote beginnings in folklore and myth to its reception and interpretation in the present day.” more Pam Tebow, mother of former professional football player Tim Tebow, recounts stories from her life and missionary work and encourages women to serve others in the name of God in this uplifting but scattered debut. more Ajahn Brahm, a Theravada Buddhist monk, and Guojun, a teacher in the Chan tradition, share in this informative volume of teachings on how they have faced adversity as public authority figures of Buddhism. more Randy Travis, country music Hall of Fame inductee, candidly traces his ascent to the heights of country music fame, his alcohol abuse, and his brush with death after a stroke in this down-to-earth debut. more
Christopher Award Winners Announced
The 2019 Christopher Awards recognized 11 books for adults and young people including Kate Bowler, David W. Blight, Anna Kang, and more.
2019 Christian Book Award Finalists Announced
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced 64 finalists in 12 categories, including a new section for audiobooks, for the 2019 Christian Book Awards. more
Call for Information: Masculinity
Needed: Information about forthcoming adult nonfiction and fiction titles publishing from April 2019 to Jan. 2020 that explore masculinity in an era of #MeToo and increased female leadership roles.
![]() “An extraordinary book.” – Patricia Raybon, author, My First White Friend White Picket Fences invites you to consider the benefits and wounds that come from privilege, and to consider how to respond with generosity, humility, and hope. Award-winning author Amy Julia Becker leads us toward a path of redemption in this thoughtful confessional. (Sponsored) Watch Now!
Victor Begg (second from r.), author of Our Muslim Neighbors: An Immigrant’s Memoir (Front Edge Publishing, Feb.), discussed the book at Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield, Mich. on Sunday. Pictured (from l. to r.): David Shapiro, Sharona Shapiro, Shahina Begg, Begg, and founding editor of Front Edge David Crumm. |
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New books offer answers to the big questions for those leery of traditional religions. more Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin are on a 37-city book tour to discuss their book 'Beating Guns: Hope for People who are Weary of Violence' while demonstrating how guns can be melted down and remade into gardening tools. more Acting president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources Brad Waggoner announced the “difficult” decision to close all 170 bricks-and-mortar stores this year, opting instead for a “greater focus on digital channels.” more The 2019 Templeton Prize Laureate is Marcelo Gleiser, a theoretical physicist, professor at Dartmouth, and author. more Zondervan signs a pastor’s take on people skills; Brazos agrees on ‘Why Science and Faith Need Each Other,’ and more. more A book by ‘Little People, Big World’ reality TV stars, Karen Kingsbury’s new installment to the Baxter Family series, and more titles are coming from religion and spirituality publishers in April. more
In her impressive debut, Amber Scorah recounts her years as a Jehovah’s Witness in China, her decision to leave the faith, and her ongoing spiritual questioning. more Anthony Thompson, pastor of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., gives a stirring and powerful account of the 2015 massacre of nine people at Charleston’s Emmanuel Church, including his wife, Myra. more Kate Merrick (And Still She Laughs), cofounder of the Reality church group in California, speaks with passion and depth about “practicing presence” by disconnecting from unfulfilling activities to find God in everyday life. more Sarah Bowen (Void Is Detached), a multifaith educator, borrows from many different religions, cultures, and entertainment franchises in this lighthearted program for connecting to the spiritual in everyday life. more
Call for Information: Diversity Feature
Needed: Info on forthcoming adult nonfiction titles publishing from April 2019 to Jan. 2020 (new titles only please, no reprints) that deal with the intersection of religion with racism, reconciliation, social justice, violence, and other issues related to inclusion. Books must have a solid religion/spirituality angle. more
Elisabeth Hasselbeck, author of Point of View (WaterBrook, Mar.), appeared on The View on Tuesday, six years after being fired from the show—an experience she writes about in the book. Pictured (from l-r): Whoopi Goldberg, Abby Huntsman, Joy Behar, Hasselbeck, Meghan McCain, and Sunny Hostin. Courtesy ABC |
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Self publishing in the Christian market is a viable option for authors seeking control and profits, and the books are gaining ground with readers. more In September, Tyndale House will publish ‘What is a Girl Worth?’ by Rachael Denhollander, the first person to publicly accuse U.S.A. Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. The publisher is also releasing a children’s book by Denhollander. more The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation’s board of directors named David Dobson to succeed Mark Lewis as the new president and publisher, effective July 1. more Three people take a flight that will change their lives forever in a modern-day parable about the burdens that weigh us down. In a similar vein to 'The Traveler’s Gift 'by Andy Andrews or 'Dinner with a Perfect Stranger' by David Gregory, 'The Baggage Handler' is a contemporary story that explores one question: What baggage are you carrying? (Sponsored) more After 20 years of teaching Religion 101, Episcopal priest and acclaimed author Barbara Brown Taylor is reflecting on the lessons she learned from other religions, and why it’s important to do so, in her latest book. more The trailer for a new children’s book by Matthew Paul Turner featuring singer Amy Grant attracted over one million viewers in less than a month, landing the title on our bestsellers list in its first week. more The Nashville-based publisher acquired B&H’s Fidelis Books imprint and appointed Gary Terashita as its associate publisher. more Sounds True signs a yoga teacher’s guide to better sleep, a health and fitness title lands at Zondervan, and more. more ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson's call to action in ‘The Theft of America’s Soul' debuts at #3 in Religion Nonfiction, while Colleen Coble's latest romance broke the top five in Religion Fiction. more
In his gritty debut, inspirational speaker Ron Archer shares the story of his hardscrabble childhood and how it brought him to God’s grace. more Greg Matthews, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Anti-terrorism Officer and founder of Chase What Matters ministry, recounts his early life in this fine debut, building up to the harrowing experience of barely surviving an attack by a grizzly bear in the Alaskan wilderness. more Beverly Lanzetta (Nine Jewels of Night), former professor of theology at Villanova University, delivers a stimulating and encouraging vision for new monastic movements in this fine book. more Belden Lane (Backpacking with the Saints), a former professor of theology at St. Louis University, makes a strong argument for connection between the natural and spiritual realms in this multidisciplinary travelogue-cum-memoir. more
Zondervan Launches New Imprints
Zondervan Reflective focuses on books by ministry leaders, with the first title slated for publication this fall, while Zondervan Academic will include textbooks, monographs, and reference books.
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This season, many books from religion and spirituality publishers deal with trauma—particularly relating to gun violence, as the nation continues to grapple with issues surrounding gun control. Also on the list are titles that exhibit reality TV’s ever-increasing influence on religious publishing. more In ‘Consider the Women,’ Debbie Blue is challenging traditional male interpretations of the biblical stories of Hagar, the mother of Islam, Esther, the heroine of Judaism, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. more PW subscriber exclusive: Books that approach home design from a faith perspective make an explicit connection between habitat and spiritual well-being. more Religion columnist Riess explores how changing behaviors and a ‘crisis of belief’ among millennials is impacting the LDS Church in her new book, ‘The Next Mormons.’ more Zondervan takes a unique story of friendship amid the tragedy of the Oklahoma City bombing; Worthy Kids nabs a picture book about Christmas excitement, and more. more A call to action from Benedictine nun Joan Chittister, the story of an interracial friendship, and two books geared toward LGBTQ Christians and their families are hitting shelves this March. more
Robert W. Lee (Stained-Glass Millennials), pastor and “nephew, generations removed” of Robert E. Lee, shares his path to fighting for racial justice in this revealing memoir. more Audrey and Jeremy Roloff, from the Little People, Big World TV show, share the story of their relationship and marriage, and provide advice for couples in their welcoming debut. more Steven Waldman (Founding Faith), founder of multifaith website Beliefnet, offers a fine overview of the growth of religious freedom in the United States. more Zen monk and garden designer Shunmyo Masuno (Zen and Art of Minimalism) does for mental clutter what Marie Kondo has done for household clutter: pare down and simplify. more
Call for Info: Books for the Next Generation
Needed for RBL: Religion nonfiction books geared toward millennials and Generation Z being published from March 2019-Jan. 2020. These may address age-specific issues relating to church attendance, unemployment, debt, mental health, parenting, and more. New titles only please, no reprints. Include a description of each title and an author bio, pub month, BISACs, marketing/promo plans, and company contacts for interview. Email pitches to religionfeatures@publishersweekly.com by March 8. Please put “Call for Info: Next Generation” in the subject line.
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