WordServe Water Cooler

One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Kelly Edmiston and NavPress for the July 7th release of Shame-Free Sex Talks: Guiding Kids to Live Out Their Faith, Love Their Bodies, and Understand the Goodness of Sex.

Let’s change the conversation about sex for the next generation.

When it comes to talking with your kids about sex, it’s easy to feel stuck. The world around us is hyper-sexualized and confusing―and the shame-heavy messages of purity culture aren’t the answer either. You know what you don’t want to say. But what do you actually want to teach?

If you want to raise kids who love God, love their bodies, and understand sex as good, pastor and mom Dr. Kelly Edmiston has good news: you can. Shame-Free Sex Talks doesn’t shy away from hard topics, while being grounded in Scripture and full of real-life insight and giving you the tools to talk about sex with calm, clarity, and confidence―from toddlerhood through the teenage years. This book won’t provide parents with a set of quick and easy answers for their kids, and it’s not a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all list of “dos” and “don’ts.” Rather, Shame-Free Sex Talks encourages a parenting approach that provides space for the sexual questions and behaviors kids are grappling with to serve a developmental, discipleship purpose and help facilitate a Jesus-centered conversation. In this thoughtful guide, you’ll find:

A threefold vision for biblical sexuality―Covenant, Community, and Consent―to help you speak clearly and faithfully about sex and God’s design.
Five core values of spiritual sexuality to anchor your child’s identity in God―not the shifting messages of culture.
25 age-based practices (for ages 2–5, 6–10, 11–14, and 15–18) to build habits, conversations, and confidence over time.
A timely appendix on parenting LGBTQIA+ kids

You don’t have to choose between biblical truth and emotional health. You can raise kids with a faith that integrates their whole selves―bodies, questions, and all.

Congratulations to Paul Anleitner and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the July 14th release of Based on a True Story: Vibe Shifts, the End of Deconstruction, and the Reboot of Meaning.

You’ll Laugh. You’ll Cry. You’ll Kiss Despair Goodbye.

Religious renaissances. Meaning crises. Movie reboots. Metamodernism. You listening to Creed again. It’s all connected. Cynicism is out, sincerity is back, and there’s a new generation looking for hope in unexpected places. We’re beginning to find ourselves moving from despair to meaning. As a burned-out culture begins to reject the emptiness of endless deconstruction, people are searching for guidance to rebuild meaning, identity, and community. And, believe it or not, your life story and the narrative of our culture are all wrapped up together.

In Based on a True Story, cultural theologian and podcaster Paul Anleitner traces the societal shifts that brought us to this moment and points to the emerging longing in culture to find a better story that can solve our meaning crisis and save us, quite literally, from civilization going completely Mad Max on us all. Combining humor and cutting-edge insights from science, Christian theology, and philosophy with a keen cultural eye, Anleitner offers a roadmap for rebuilding our lives and culture around a true story. Based on a True Story is a book for skeptics, seekers, and Christian believers alike—a timely invitation to rediscover what it means to truly live.

Congratulations to Katie Powner and Alcove Press for the July 21st release of The Second Chance Trailer Park: A Novel.

This charming and heartfelt story is perfect for readers who loved Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame.

Fifty-two-year-old Meredith McGillicutty is not having a midlife crisis. She’s just ready for a change of pace, that’s all. The fact that she lied to get into a retirement community has nothing to do with being passed over for a promotion at work or her recent breakup with the only man she’s ever loved.

Nothing.

Meredith only wants some peace and quiet. To sit on a porch in elastic-waist pants and mingle with other mature individuals who value a life of serenity. But the residents of the Peaceful Pines retirement community have other plans for her. These quirky and endearing neighbors seem to know her better than she knows herself, and they decide Meredith’s life is only just beginning.

Blending humor and tenderness, The Second Chance Trailer Park will appeal to fans of Fredrik Backman and Lenora Worth.

Congratulations to Sean Castle and Whitaker House for the July 28th release of Investing with Peace of Mind: Biblical Wisdom for Your Financial Future.

This book is a practical, faith-driven guide to investing and financial planning for everyday people. Written by veteran advisor Sean Castle, this book strips away Wall Street jargon and media panic to reveal simple, time-tested principles anyone can follow. With relatable stories, biblical insights, and clear explanations, Castle teaches readers how to start investing, manage risk, diversify portfolios, and prepare for retirement. More than just financial advice, the book emphasizes stewardship―honoring God with your resources, giving generously, and planning wisely for the future. Readers will learn why starting early matters, how to avoid emotional mistakes, and how to let money work for them instead of against them. Whether you’re a young professional, a midlife saver, or nearing retirement, this book provides the tools and encouragement to build wealth with wisdom, faith, and peace of mind.

Contracts

Stephen G Adubato signed with Penguin Random for the February 2028 release of Power Without A Face.

Courtney Ellis signed with Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the May 2028 release of Old Growth.

Rick Lawrence signed with Whitaker House for the release of Snakes and Stones.

Bill Myers signed with Fidelis Publishing for the October 2027 release of The Jesus Experience — Journey Deeper into the Heart of God-Revised Edition

Matthew Daniels signed with Morgan James Publishing for the 2027 release of Elevate People Not Just Profits.

New Clients

Liz Wolfe and Rebecca Bratten recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner. On behalf of the Alabama School Library Association, Jamie won the Middle Grade 2026 Yellowhammer Honor Book Award for Please Pay Attention. The Yellowhammer Book Awards were created to highlight literature titles that have literary merit, instructional application, and student appeal. The award winners were selected by a committee of librarians from across the state of Alabama.

One benefit of Summer was that each day we had more light to read by

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to David Bobb with Tony Williams and Diversion Books for the June 9th release of Divided Over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America.

On America’s 250th anniversary comes the story of our nation’s fiercest ideological struggle—over the Declaration’s true meaning— fought by the Founders, enslaved people, suffragists, civil rights leaders, and more, an enduring battle that has tested and reaffirmed the unifying principles of our democracy.

As America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the nation remains divided over the true meaning of its most resonant words—equality, liberty, and unalienable rights. Alongside the historical figures who forged the most powerful interpretations of the Declaration’s ideals, readers enter the rooms, streets, battlefields, churches, and courtrooms where these meanings were questioned, defended, and redefined. They encounter Thomas Jefferson drafting the Declaration under impossible pressure, Abigail Adams urging the nation to “remember the ladies,” Frederick Douglass insisting that America honor the universal promise of equality, and more.

From the nation’s founding through abolition, suffrage, anti-imperialism, civil rights, and beyond, here is the story of an evolving document that has inspired movements, fueled resistance, and sparked conflict from 1776 to today. Yet it is also the story of the Declaration’s greatest strength: the power to unite.

Contracts

Eric Clayton signed Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing with for the November 2027 release of Dad’s Book of Delights: 40 Reflections for Fathers of All Ages

Samantha Stephenson signed with Ignatius Press for the 2027 release of Motherhood Incarnate: 52 Devotions for the Domestic Church.

Samantha Stephenson signed with Ignatius Press for the 2027 release of Choosing Human: Theology of the Body for the Biotech Era.

Michael Willburn signed with Blackstone Publishing for the June 2027 release of Hacking the FBI.

New Clients

Cole Douglas Claybourn, Alex DiPrima, and Laura Boggess recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

The month of May is the gateway to summer and a great time to read.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Shannon Evans with Eric Clayton and Paraclete Press for the April 7th release of The Seagull on the Chapel.

Maggie, a young seagull, longs to be a graceful dove―believing that only doves are worthy of representing the Holy Spirit. What must it be like to be so important to God! But every time she tries to change herself, it goes poorly; and when she confides her secret wish to her friends, they only tease her and point out her flaws.

Maggie flies to a rooftop to nurse her pride and have a good cry, only to find herself right in the middle of God’s great plan! When white smoke emerges from the chimney beside her, a new pope greets the world. He has a special message for Maggie – and everyone like her, who needs a little reminder that they too are chosen and loved by God.

Perfect for children ages 4–8, this heartwarming book:

helps young readers understand their unique place in God’s story.
provides a thoughtful resource for Catholic schools, parishes, and families seeking to instill Christian values
encourages children to embrace their true selves and trust in God’s love.

With a nod to Pope Leo XIV, the Authors’ Note provides a kid-friendly description of the papal conclave as well as a brief history and explanation.

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”―Saint Augustine of Hippo

Ideal for First Communion, Easter, baptism, or birthday gifts, this book invites kids to celebrate their God-given worth.

Congratulations to Katie Powner and Kregel Publications for the April21st release of Birds on a Wire.

A deeply moving contemporary story about family and foster care from a two-time Christy Award-winning author

When her newborn son, Providence, is taken by CPS, eighteen-year-old Bri Marshall is determined to do whatever’s necessary to get him back—with or without Providence’s father. But hurdles like no job, car, or family support complicate the process. Bri never expected to sink this low. What will it take to hold her baby in her arms again?

Thirty-nine-year-old Laura Gambler, facing the big 4-0, is managing new challenges with her own children when she’s asked to take in baby Providence. She could never have imagined the chain of events that agreeing to foster would set in motion—or the carefully buried pain from her past it would drag back to the surface.

Both women wrestle with doubts about the future and their ability to parent Providence, even as their love for him grows stronger every day. As their lives become irrevocably intertwined, the two very different women face the same impossible question: Who is the best mother for Providence?

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner and Atheneum Books for April 28th release of A Fish Like Me.

In the spirit of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and I Talk Like a River, this lyrical picture book from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner tells the story of a child in swim therapy and celebrates the ways differently abled bodies can move in the water.

Under here, there is
no top or bottom,
no left or right—
only fields of water to wander in
as topsy-turvy as I like.

Underwater, everything looks different—and every body moves differently, too. During swim therapy, a child discovers he can be anything: a catfish, a seahorse, a starfish cartwheeling across the universe. He finds the magic of moving in wholly new ways, just like he does on land in his trusty wheelchair.

Congratulations to Timothy Kelly with Kathie Lee Gifford and Sarah Young and Whitaker House for the May 26th release of Sarah Young’s Journey to Jesus: A Brother’s Personal Remembrances.

Sarah Young’s Journey to Jesus relates the captivating backstory of author Sarah Kelly Young―the phenomenally successful writer of Jesus Calling, Jesus Listens, and many other devotional titles. Sarah’s brother, Timothy Kelly, explores and celebrates the love of Christ that transformed Sarah and the entire Kelly family―a love that is available for all.
Timothy had the rare privilege of walking closely with his sister Sarah across every era of her life, and his spiritual journey often paralleled hers. In this book, he draws on his own experiences, as well as the memories of others who knew Sarah.

As you read this absorbing story, you will discover the breadth and depth of the monumental burdens Sarah suffered, as well as the enduring peace and freedom she found in Jesus, even in the midst of life’s worst storms. In many cases, Sarah’s struggles reflect the challenges we all face, which is one reason her writings have touched so many people so deeply.

This book includes a moving account of how Sarah was inspired to write Jesus Calling―a story that was ten years in the making, culminating in an unexpected offer just when it seemed that publication was not to be. A story that would go on to change the lives of multitudes.

Contracts

Maria Cassano signed with Post Hill Press for the May 2027 release of Numb: Party of One.

Marty Mosher signed with Core Media Group for the 2027 release of When Life Bucks You Off.

Jamie Sumner signed with Simon & Schuster for the June 2027 release of Roll With It- Graphic Novel Edition.

Richard Ingleby signed with Pegasus Books for the 2027 release of GIANTS AMONG KINGS: The Odyssey of K Company, the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines into the Heart of the Rising Sun

New Clients

Todd Shy recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

Who We Are Remembering

WordServe author Diane Carlson Evans has passed away at the age of 79. She was a Vietnam-era nurse who served our country well, and was the main person to spearhead a Vietnam memorial to women nurses on the Mall in Washington D.C. It took her more than a decade to do so!

Diane was one of just a few women featured in the runaway bestselling book, The Women. She was an extraordinary person who wrote her story with WordServe collaborator, Bob Welch. Her book Healing Wounds continues to sell thousands of copies each year. Bob wrote this piece about her on his Substack when he heard of her passing. A great tribute…

https://bobwelchwriter.substack.com/p/c15f9f96-9ff2-466d-acd4-81f4250e3332

No matter how long winter is, spring is sure to follow.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Arnie Cole with Rick Lawrence for the April 5th release of The Over-50 Advantage: Because What You Do Today Still Matters.

Back to the Bible CEO Arnie Cole, once a fabulously successful entrepreneur whose affluence fueled a me-first lifestyle, learned a profound truth the hard way—people who serve people experience blessing upon blessing. Facing imminent death as his small ship was in danger of sinking during an ocean storm, Cole made a “foxhole” promise to God—“If you will save me, I will live my life for others, not myself, from this point on.”

He made good on his promise after his life was spared. And as he pivoted his life to serving others, he experienced what research has proven, over and over—life satisfaction for those over 50 is directly tied to an outward-focused, spiritually driven purpose in life.

When older adults pivot from their pursuit of self-serving comforts to other-centered adventures, they experience a life filled with impact, purpose, and deep, deep satisfaction. A Chinese proverb captures the power of this pivot: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

Using new research, theological exploration, and real-life examples, Cole and co-author Rick Lawrence explore the life-changing possibilities and practicalities of an other-centered life.

Congratulations to Alan Cohen and Post Hill Press for the May 5th release of Comfort Always: Healing in the Age of Technology.

A pediatric neurosurgeon’s affecting memoir about celebrating life, postponing death, and resurrecting the forgotten art of healing.

Advance Praise for Comfort Always

“An inspirational medical memoir about the forgotten art of healing. Comfort Always will make you laugh, cry and marvel at the resilience of families facing the crisis of their lives.” —Sanjay Gupta, MD, CNN chief medical correspondent

“Extraordinary stories about one of the most demanding fields of medicine—and much wisdom.” —Dr. Henry Marsh, CBE, FRCS British neurosurgeon and bestselling author of Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery

“A marvelous picture of the life of a pediatric neurosurgeon, his patients, and their families.” —Jerome Groopman, MD, Recanati professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and bestselling author of How Doctors Think

“Cohen’s stories describing both medical miracles and tragedies are so engaging, and his humanity shines through each one of them.” —David Sandberg, MD, emeritus professor and chief of pediatric neurosurgery at McGovern Medical School and bestselling author of Brain and Heart: The Triumphs and Struggles of a Pediatric Neurosurgeon

“With authenticity and humility, one of the country’s most prominent surgeons opens a world that few have the fortitude to tread.” —Allan H. Ropper, MD, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and bestselling author of Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole and How the Brain Lost Its Mind

“Sprinkling each story with humor, history, and a deep reverence for his patients and their parents, Big Al allows us a glimpse into a lifetime of lifesaving, and the massive heart of a man who is a treasure in our field.” —Jay Wellons, MD, professor of neurological surgery at Vanderbilt University and author of All That Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, and Their Stories of Grace and Resilience

Congratulations to Jim Burns and Zondervan for the May 6th release of When Your Adult Child Strays.

No matter what comes between you and your adult child, you can still foster a strong relationship.

In his 2019 bestseller Doing Life with Your Adult Children, author, speaker, and podcaster Jim Burns gave hopeful encouragement on how to navigate the tough yet rewarding transition to parenting adult children. Now in When Your Adult Child Strays, Jim takes it one step further, giving practical advice on key areas of conflict and ways to foster a strong relationship with your adult child.

Parents are often stunned when their children reach adulthood and disregard the values, practices, and faith commitments they were raised with. Whether these differences are over church, politics, sexuality and gender, addiction, or another issue, parents struggle to know what went wrong.

But there’s good news: In the midst of uncertainty, you can trade heartache for hope. As a trusted expert on family, parenting, and marriage, Jim will help you:

Rebuild trust with an adult child who has rejected your traditions
Lower your emotional reactivity in heated conversations
Learn how to validate your adult child’s feelings without trying to be right
Move from advice giver to mentor
Understand the differences between Nomads, Prodigals, and Exiles
Avoid being defined by your adult child’s choices
Maintaining a healthy relationship with your adult child is hard. But with God’s help, hope and healing are within reach.

Contracts

Arnie Cole signed with Whitaker Corporation for the April 2027 release of What’s Become of The Harvest?

Russell W. Joyce signed with InterVarsity Press for the January 2028 release of This is How the Kingdom Comes.

Sandy Silverthorne signed with Calla Press for the August 2027 release of Back Lot Mysteries Book 1.

Edward LaRow signed with Encounter Books for the 2027 release of After Progress.

Parker Settecase signed with Baker Books for the March 2028 release of The Productive Mind.

Emma Waters signed with Crossway for the July 2028 release of Rethinking Fertility.

New Clients

James Byron Huggins, Hannah Anderson, and MarkWhitlock recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

What We’re Celebrating

WordServe Literary is delighted to welcome Ellen Scott as an Associate Literary Agent. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Ellen started her publishing career at Encounter Books after graduating from The King’s College in New York City, then moved to her first agent desk at David Black Literary Agency. Ellen is primarily interested in religious nonfiction, particularly Biblical analysis, art criticism, essays, and faith & culture; and select fiction. She lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband. Please join us in welcoming Ellen to the team!

Congratulations to Maria Olsen. She had a successful TEDx talk and she wants to share it with our clients. https://youtu.be/LDl3B-TKSgA?si=X5u2Pe30oDhsflXA

Congratulations to Clare Morell. The book The Tech Exit is a winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for 2026..

Congratulations to Tucker Hamilton. The book Unlocking the Last 20% made USA Today bestseller list.

Congratulations to Brady Crytzer. The book The National Road has been selected as an Editors’ Pick for Best History Book.

March is recognized as National Reading Month in the U.S.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Laurie Polich Short and Bethany House Publishers for the February 10th release of Tracking God in Your Life: How to See God’s Work in Your Past, Experience His Presence, and Trust Him with Your Future (Workbook Journal).

In this interactive book, Laurie Polich Short guides you through eight ways to see God’s presence in your life by recording evidence of His love and care for you. She shows you how to understand the doors that have opened and closed, how you ended up in different places than you planned, the difficulties you’ve endured and how those difficulties were used, and the unexpected people who were brought into your path. Through personal stories, Bible passages, and reflective questions, you will be invited to look more closely at your experiences so you can

· see the thread of God’s movement in your life
· track God’s presence in what’s happening now
· face confusing circumstances with more confidence
· encourage other people’s faith through sharing your story

Laurie has spent a lifetime encouraging people with her record of God’s faithfulness. Now, with the tools she has learned, she invites you to find and tell your God story–and touch others with what you’ve discovered.

Congratulations to Jim Ramos and David C Cook for the April 7th release of Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage.

In this marriage-saving handbook, USA Today–bestselling author Jim Ramos gives couples 10 time-tested ways to protect their relationship from infidelity―one simple choice at a time.

Most affairs don’t start with alarm bells. They start more subtly with a friendly email to an ex. A joke that borders on flirty. A growing connection with a coworker. Becoming aware of how infidelity sneaks into a relationship is key to keeping your marriage healthy and growing.

In Guardrails, Jim Ramos draws on observations from nearly forty years of marriage and full-time ministry to help you recognize those red flags early, establish mutual boundaries that work, and build the long-lasting marriage you want. Including insights from Jim’s wife, this biblically based, real-life guide helps you and your spouse:

-learn practical, daily ways to protect your marriage
-recognize and avoid the small, unwise decisions that can lead to divorce
-find freedom in taking compromising options off the table
-feel secure in the empowerment of setting boundaries together

Nothing should keep your marriage from thriving. Whether you just walked down the aisle or are adjusting to an empty nest, Guardrails will help you stay faithful in heart, mind, and body to enjoy and protect what matters most.

Congratulations to Haylee Graham and Revell for the April 7th release of Take the Horse and Run.

How far would you go for your best friend?

When her parents’ devastating divorce uprooted her life, Haylee Graham plunged into a downward spiral. Heartbroken and afraid, the young girl turned to her beloved horse, Cartier, as a lifeline. The only place she felt safe was hiding with him in his stall; the only time she felt like herself was when the two jumped fences together.

So when a corrupt lawyer threatened to seize ownership of Cartier and sell him to a slaughterhouse to repay their debts, Haylee knew she would do anything to save him. Her mom said ‘Take the horse and run!”—and she did. Their late-night escape set off a relentless pursuit with a shady private investigator terrorizing Haylee and Cartier every step of the way as they tried to outrun the forces that threatened to tear them apart.

But God had other plans.

Perfect for horse lovers and fans of inspirational memoirs, Take the Horse and Run is

-a dramatic true story brimming with danger, adventure, and hope
-filled with an unforgettable cast of human and equine characters
-an uplifting tale about the power of friendship and love
-accompanied by a photo gallery included in the book
Haylee’s heart-wrenching journey to save her beloved horse is a harrowing narrative filled with unforgettable characters and treacherous escapades all culminating in a shocking ending that testifies to the power of faith and proves that the bond between a girl and her horse is even more valuable than gold.

Congratulations to Alisha Roth and Revell for the April 24th release of Courageous Divorce.

How to Pursue Wholeness After Divorce
· Practical, inspiring, and nuanced resource for Christian women
· Learn to heal, rebuild, and embrace the abundant life God has for you
· From a writer who has walked the road before you

After being raised in an evangelical home, graduating from a Christian college, spending three years in training to be a missionary, and giving birth to four daughters, the last thing Alisha Roth expected for her life was a divorce. Yet, in 2020, she found herself signing papers. She felt shattered, shamed, and very, very alone.

Despite the high rate of divorce among Christians, many women experiencing it find little support or even sympathy in the church. As a result, a process that is already disorienting, scary, and isolating can feel even more so. In this compassionate book filled with practical help, Alisha walks you through

· making the decision to leave
· navigating the aftermath of divorce
· rebuilding a beautiful, abundant life after everything has changed

We were made to thrive, and while divorce is incredibly painful, it is not the end of your life. In fact, divorce can be a chance to find yourself, deepen your faith, and start living a more fulfilling and vibrant life. Let this book guide you on your own journey of doing just that.

Contracts

Jamie Sumner signed with Simon and Shuster for the September 2027 release of The Listening House.

David Murrow signed with The Moody Bible Institute for the October 2027 release of Why Men Love Going to Church.

Andrew Bauman signed with Broadleaf Books for the September 27, 2027 release of Man Land.

Eliza Monts signed with Penguin Random House for the April 2027 release of Just Because You Exist.

New Clients

Kirsten Sanders, Jim Kuypers, Carrie Stibora, and Emma Waters recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Kara Powell. The Outreach Resources of the Year honors the past year’s best books that emphasize outreach-oriented ideas that churches and organizations of all sizes can use.

RESOURCES OF THE YEAR

Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation and Building a More Diverse Tomorrow by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Raymond Chang (Baker Books)

In an era when many churches know they must change but lack clarity on how to do so, Future-Focused Church stands out as one of the most practical, accessible and hopeful church resources available. The authors shine in their clear-eyed focus on the decisive role culture plays in shaping outcomes—often more than strategy or vision alone.

The 23rd Annual Outreach Resources of the Year

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” — Ernest Hemingway.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Kevin Nye and Herald Press for the February 17th release of Hope for the Mission: Getting It Right in the Call to End Homelessness.

To end homelessness, we don’t have to choose between faith and facts. For over a century, the primary Christian ministry model for the un­housed in North America has been gospel rescue missions that offer shelter and food but prioritize evangelism over proven solutions. This approach often perpetuates homelessness rather than ending it.

In this inspiring and clarifying book, Kevin Nye highlights faith-based models that align with best practices, showing how churches and ministries can truly help end homelessness. Alongside critical evaluation of what groups have tended to get wrong, Nye shares hope­ful stories about what’s going right. These exemplar organizations and churches illustrate how groups of all sizes can embody effective, evidence-based practices.

Hope for the Mission offers values to emulate and methods to em­body as we follow Jesus toward solidarity with the unhoused. This book invites us to imagine a world where everyone has a home and equips us for the real mission before us: loving our unhoused neigh­bors in ways that lead to fullness and flourishing.

Congratulations to Courtney Ellis and IV Press for the February 17th release of Weathering Change: Seeking Peace Amid Life’s Tough Transitions.

If one thing is constant, it’s change.

You may know it’s coming, or it may be unexpected. It may be a change you anticipate with joy, like a new job, a wedding, or the birth of a baby. Or it may be a shift you fear or even grieve: moving to a new city, changes that come with aging, or a lost or broken relationship. No matter what kind of transition you are facing, change is difficult. How can you find peace and hope even when everything around you is shifting sand? How can your faith help you weather change?

Pastor Courtney Ellis has walked alongside countless people facing changes big and small, welcome and dreaded. She’s found that the same two questions come up again and again: Why is change so hard? And where is God amid these changes?

Weathering Change invites you to discover how God equips us to navigate life’s inevitable changes. Ellis offers rich spiritual reflections from God’s created world and from Scripture that help you prepare for change and show you how to journey through it with curiosity, adaptability, and resilience.

In Weathering Change you’ll

-Discover how you can navigate life’s disruptive changes, big or small, with grace and courage,
-Learn deep lessons from God’s creation about preparing for and adapting to change,
-Learn how to find hope and peace amid the challenges and hurts of change, and
-Use the included discussion questions to explore how these principles can be applied to your life in meaningful ways.

Ellis brings a unique perspective, blending theology, biblical narratives, personal insights, and stories from nature to illuminate how God remains present through times of transition. God’s “Second Book” of nature provides deep and abiding lessons to sustain us during tough transitions―lessons we can learn from nesting bald eagles, metamorphosing monarch caterpillars, migrating Mobula rays, microscopic aeroplankton floating along with the breeze, and more.

Though change is often painful, it is also ripe with possibilities for newness, growth, and transformation. Get your copy of Weathering Change today and begin to face change with grace and courage, finding strength in God’s ever-present guidance.

Congratulations to Patrice Gopo and University Press of Kentucky for the February 24th release of We Deserve to Heal: Black Women on the Perils and Promises of Friendship with White Women.

Can Black women have thriving friendships with white women in a society steeped in the realities of racism? Can such friendships experience the presence of genuine mutuality?

We Deserve to Heal: Black Women on the Perils and Promises of Friendship with White Women features essays from ten intergenerational Black women who consider these questions through themes such as identity, belonging, rupture, and freedom. This powerful and perceptive anthology speaks honestly of the beauty and the struggles, the welcome and the wounds. Each piece pairs with a response from another contributor, fostering an innovative conversation throughout the entirety of the book. While patterns emerge, the stories revealed by each writer are vast and dynamic.

By centering Black women’s voices, We Deserve to Heal actively cultivates authenticity, truth-telling, liberation, and healing. This collection offers validation for Black women and other women of color and also encourages greater compassion within any reader hoping to discover more. Patrice Gopo has edited a book, rooted in relationships, that empowers those who take time with these words to challenge and expand their understanding of friendship.

Contracts

Camden Morgante signed with Brazos Press for the August 2027 release of The Sacred Work of Reparenting.

Parker Settecase signed with Post Hill Press for the August 2027 release of Dune’s Philosopher King.

New Clients

Richard Gould and Jessica Ruttenber recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Future-Focused Church. It was named one of the Resources of the Year in the Church category by Outreach Magazine! Check it out! https://outreachmagazine.com/resources/outreach-resources-year/85423-christian-books-resources-of-the-year-2026.html

The best way to avoid cold weather is to stay in and read a good book.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Amen and Tyndale for the January 6th release of Conquer Your Bad Habits: Secrets to Long-Lasting Change.

Habits, whether good or bad, run our lives. What if there’s a simple, practical way to get rid of the bad ones and replace them with healthy ones?

If you find yourself habitually overeating, overspending, procrastinating, getting distracted, interrupting, people-pleasing, wasting time, automatically saying no, or drinking too much alcohol, neuropsychiatrist and best-selling author Daniel Amen, MD, has encouraging news for you: Your brain does what you train it to do. So even if you’ve trained your brain to normalize unhealthy behavior, you can also train it to turn bad habits into good ones in order to experience more joy and contentment.

In Conquer Your Bad Habits, Dr. Amen combines approachable neuroscience and years of clinical research as he reveals:
the six most important brain systems that run your life
the five basic steps to conquering your unhealthy habits and setting new goals
how to overcome ten common bad habits
what to do when bad habits become addictions
There’s no better time than now to let Dr. Amen show you how to retrain your brain and eliminate your negative behaviors once and for all—so you can live a happier, healthier life.

Congratulations to Stephen Day and Revel Press for the January 13th release of Teach a Kid to Save: A Fun, Hands-On Approach to Building Smart Money Habits.

Prepare Your Child to Earn, Save, and Spend Wisely
· A fun, game-like approach to start children on a path to solid values and healthy habits surrounding money
· Proven, research-based practice for establishing a household mini-economy
· Makes financial education engaging and effective

Some of the toughest choices we make in adult life are about money, and so often we feel uninformed, unsure, and ill-prepared. We want better for our kids, but how do we teach them the things we never quite learned?

Teach a Kid to Save is your go-to, hands-on, research-based guide to teaching your kids about the wise use of money and the value of work through an innovative, interactive mini-economy. In the mini-economy, kids have jobs, earn a play-money income, make a plan for their money, shop at the household store, and even create their own businesses. The mini-economy gives kids a chance to practice making meaningful choices about money and work, helping them build healthy lifelong habits.

With chapters on work, rest, generosity, saving, spending, and entrepreneurship, as well as a quick-start guide, templates, visual aids, conversation starters, and a special appendix for homeschools, Teach a Kid to Save is the all-in-one resource you’ve been waiting for.

Congratulations to Anjanette Young with Brianna Parker and Lawrence Hill Books for the February3rd release of Past the Pain: How to Emerge from Trauma with Purpose.

Forty minutes on February 21, 2019, changed Anjanette Young’s life forever. Her story made national news for months after it broke: A forty-eight-year-old social worker was winding down at home after a long day of work when police broke into her apartment with a faulty warrant and incorrect information. With guns drawn and flashlights shining, twelve cops converged in her home, demanding that Anjanette put her hands up, despite the fact that she was in the middle of changing her clothes. Naked and terrified, she watched as men in tactical gear ransacked her home.

The trauma from that night was devastating, but somehow Anjanette emerged a different person with a new purpose—to serve as voice for the voiceless, particularly those facing injustices by the very people meant to protect them.

In Past the Pain, Anjanette tells her story—of what happened that night, what came next, and most important, how others who experience trauma can draw on these lessons to move forward in their own stories. She shares advice from her beloved and respected therapist, Alicia Troff-Meade, designed to bridge the gap between simply reading about healing and actively engaging in it. And Anjanette details how, through the support of her church and her community, and by reconnecting with her legacy as the granddaughter of a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. King, she realized that God was truly with her, and she began to forge a future that is not dictated by trauma but empowered by resilience.

As a social worker and advocate, Anjanette shares practical insights for others to push past their trauma to find purpose and avoid burnout, engage in self-care, and protect their emotional and physical energy when working in social justice and advocacy support.

Congratulations to Kris Tarantino and Waterbrook Children’s Books for the February 3rd release of Bedslime Blues.

Bedtime routines get a jolt of silliness and some sweetness as four monster friends try to resist bedtime in this wonderful bedtime tale.

It’s time for bed… except monsters DON’T DO bedtime!

Iggy doesn’t want to take a bath. Zee-Zee’s jammies are icky. Fleck whines and stomps when it’s story time. The bedslime blues are impossible to escape—even for the usually cheerful and enthusiastic Snoodle!

With all their stomping and clomping, how on earth will these gruffy, grumpy monsters lie down for a peaceful night of ZZZ’s?

Author Kris Tarantino and New York Times bestselling illustrator Cori Doerrfeld partner once again with this fun and funny bedtime read-aloud for any “little monster” that won’t go to sleep!

Congratulations to Roger Hutchison and Beaming Books for the February 14th release of Sparrow’s Prayer (Sparrow Stories, 1).

When words are hard to find, prayer blooms in unexpected ways.

Sparrow wakes each morning, ready to sing a prayer of thanksgiving. But not today. Today his words get tangled and knotted in his beak like old yarn and straw. He feels sad and gray, and he’s not sure why. So Sparrow decides to ask his friends Turtle, Mousie, and Buck for advice on how to pray. Each friend shows Sparrow a different way to pray without words, through generosity, art, and movement. As the day ends, Sparrow meditates on a rose aglow in the evening light and has an epiphany: Every living thing does what God created them to do. Each life is, itself, a prayer of thanksgiving. Often, the most powerful prayers do not include words. Lyrical and unique, Sparrow’s Prayer is a tale about an unexpected and life-changing encounter with the holy.

Backmatter includes an author’s note with a reflection and suggestions for using different senses to pray.

Congratulations to Tucker Hamilton and Matt Holt Books for the March 24th release of Unlocking the Last 20%: Rising to Greatness Through Discipline, Balance, and Resiliency.

For all those standing at the 80% threshold of their capabilities and who suspect their full potential is within reach, a guide to the oft-hidden paths to reaching one’s utmost capacity and finally breaking through the barriers that hold you back from extraordinary achievement.

In Unlocking the Last 20%, celebrated fighter test pilot and AI innovation leader Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton shares the framework that propelled him from high school dropout to commander of the military’s largest flight test organization. Drawing from his myriad experiences flying aircraft, leading combat missions, and pioneering autonomous aircraft systems, Hamilton unveils the crucial mindsets and actions that separate those who merely achieve from those who truly excel.

This essential resource delivers actionable strategies for professionals at all career stages seeking to transcend their current performance plateau. Whether you’re an established professional looking to break through career stagnation, or a young graduate building the foundation for future success, gain precise, actionable strategies to:
Develop visualization techniques that program your mind for breakthrough performance
Reflect on and help codify your purpose, laying the foundation of what success looks like
Identify and eliminate the hidden distractions preventing your final push to excellence
Apply the proven resilience framework that transforms setbacks into catalysts for unprecedented growth
Leverage collective wisdom and cutting-edge innovation to amplify your individual capabilities
Strike the precise balance between ambition and well-being that sustains long-term exceptional performance

This comprehensive guide doesn’t just inspire—it equips you with the practical tools to push beyond perceived limitations, establish meaningful success metrics aligned with your values, and catalyze breakthroughs in every aspect of your life. Through compelling personal narratives and practical insights, Unlocking the Last 20% is a mentor in book form, illustrating how visualization, purpose, preparation, balance, and resilience work in concert to unlock dormant capabilities.

Contracts

David J Bobb with Tony Williams signed with Diversion Books for the January 2027 release of Divided Over the Declaration: The Enduring Debate Over the Meaning of America.

Ryan Kell signed with Post Hill Press for the March 2027 release ofGulf Warrior: The Purpose and Danger, the Truth and Consequences of Serving My Country In Four Wars.

Carolyn Leiloglou signed with Penguin Random for the January 2028 release of The Restorationists Prequel.

Robert Bruce Jamieson signed with Penguin Random for the January 2027 release of The Death You Need.

New Clients

Simon Leyland recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

The lights are twinkling. The snow is flying. It’s time to say hello to a good book.

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Craig Evans with Ginny Evans and Dayspring for the October 21, 2025 release of Wow! I Didn’t Know!: Things You Never Knew About the Stories of Jesus.

When you think of popular Bible stories, like the Christmas story, you might imagine particular things — that Mary and Joseph were poor, that they traveled through the desert to get to Bethlehem, or even that Jesus was born in a dirty barn. But are those things really true? Sometimes we approach Scripture with Western eyes and English translations that don’t give us a complete picture of the historical and cultural reality of these stories. Wow! I Didn’t Know! dives deeper into the Scripture to shine a light on common misconceptions and reveal the more likely facts that can not only deepen our understanding, but change the way we view the stories that many of us know by heart.

Congratulations to Chuck Blakeman and Entrepreneur Press for the March 2025 release of Sell Less, Earn More: Double Your Income in 90 Days with People You Already Know.

Never sell to a stranger again, and double your income in ninety days… by simply serving people you already know.

Are you tired of cold calls and the constant pressure of chasing new leads? In Sell Less, Earn More discover a revolutionary approach to sales that transforms how you do business. Instead of transactional encounters with strangers, learn how to double your income by deepening relationships with people you already know.

This book is your cure for the common cold call. Imagine never having to pitch to a stranger again. Instead, what if you could naturally attract more business and boost your income by focusing on genuine connections with your existing network?

Key Takeaways:

Intuitive Approach: Replace stressful cold calls with nurturing existing relationships.

Effortless Growth: Learn how serving, not selling, leads to increased income and faster business growth.

Authentic Connections: Stop being transactional and start creating meaningful relationships that benefit both parties.

Time Efficiency: Make more money in less time by focusing on people you already know and trust.

Say goodbye to the exhausting cycle of selling to strangers. Embrace a new way of doing business where serving your current network not only feels better but also pays off significantly. Transform your sales strategy and watch your income soar in just ninety days with Sell Less, Earn More.

Congratulations to Natalie Runion and David C Cook for the January 6, 2026 release of Raised to Stay Devotional: A 40-Day Journey from Hurt to Holy.

This full-color devotional based on the USA Today bestselling book takes us on a journey through the hurt, the hard, the hope, and the holy of following Jesus and loving his people.

Natalie Runion’s first book, Raised to Stay, brought challenging but healing conversations to churches around the world. Now in this inspiring devotional, Natalie draws from forty of the social media messages that have most deeply resonated with her Raised to Stay community of 200,000 followers. Highly relevant for our times, the Raised to Stay Devotional shows us the way back into spiritual and community life, offering:

• Biblical hope for anyone who wants to follow God but is weary of his people
• Acknowledgment of disappointment and encouragement to forgive 
• Exquisite photography and a contemplative design
• Powerful takeaway statements for moving forward in specific areas of pain
• Thoughtful prompts to invite engagement and further healing 

A gentle but motivating companion, Natalie guides us toward a Jesus who welcomes our wrestling as we discover that what looks like a crucifixion might just be the start of a resurrection. Because when your soul aches and your faith falters … there is still a way home.

New Clients

Darla Kernell, Meredith Carder. and William Fleeson recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

What We’re Celebrating

2025 In Review

November is the month to remind us to be thankful for the many positive things that are happening in our lives

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Marc Cameron and Worthy Books for the December 2nd release of Understanding Your Attachment Style.

From a licensed marriage and family therapist, this empathetic book is the key to achieving secure relationships with your loved ones and breaking away from painful patterns.

Our individual attachment style plays a crucial role in the quality of our relationships and is often the strongest predictor of how secure and connected we feel with others. Yet, many people remain unaware of their own attachment style—let alone how to shift from an unhealthy style to one that fosters safer, healthier, and more fulfilling relationships. Fortunately, awareness around attachment theory has grown significantly in the past decade. As this framework becomes increasingly central to modern mental health discussions, Marc Cameron is emerging as a leading voice in bringing this awareness.

Marc and his wife, Amy, have taken up the mantle of leading the How We Love brand, the organization founded by renowned attachment experts Milan and Kay Yerkovich. Building on the foundation of their groundbreaking book How We Love (with over 400,000 copies sold), Marc helps readers uncover and understand the attachment style they developed in childhood.

In this book, Cameron thoroughly explains each attachment style and provides easy methods for readers to self-identify with theirs. He offers clear, practical steps for moving toward a secure attachment style, providing the insight and direction so many are seeking to improve both their inner lives and relationships.

Understanding Your Attachment Style will not only help you understand your attachment style but also guide you in overcoming barriers associated with each style so that you can enjoy the healthy, loving connections you were designed for.

Contracts

Sarah Sanderson signed with MennoMedia for the April 2027 release of On Earth.

Kasey Shuler signed with Whitaker Corp for the December 2027 release of Move for Joy.

Diane Faulkner signed with Bloomsbury Academic for the November 2026 release of Don’t Get Sued, Get Smart: A Small Business Guide to Avoiding Employment Law Landmines.

Roger Hutchison signed with Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing for the January 2027 release of Into the Woulds: A Field Guide to the Inner Life for Tender Souls.

Kris Tarantino signed with Harper Collins for the December 2026 release of Grandma’s Little Sunshine.

Jerry Jamison signed with Bloomsbury Publishing for the December 2026 release of Dusty Springfield: The Unforgettable Story.

Colin Cahoon Signed with Post Hill Press for the February 2027 release of Vietnam 1965: America Goes to War.

New Clients

Parker Settecase, Rich Ingleby, Edward LaRow III, Stephen Adubato and Michael Wilburn recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Patrice Gopo. 2025 North Carolina Book Award Recipients announced, NC AAUW Young People’s Literature Awards: Carol Baldwin for “Half Truths” in YA literature and Patrice Gopo for “Ripening Time” in Children’s Literature.

Additionally, Patrice Gopo is pleased to share that her book, Ripening Time, is a finalist for the Southern Book Prize in the category of literature for young readers! Finalists are selected by indie booksellers and represent, “the most beloved “handsells” of the year in fiction, nonfiction, and literature for young readers.” Voting is now open to the public to select the winners. Please cast a ballot!

https://thesouthernbooksellerreview.org/southern-book-prize/

Congratulations to Janie Sumner. The New York Public Library is proud to present our Best Books of 2025. Our annual recommendations of the best books for adults, kids, and teens—curated by our expert staff and librarians—encompass fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, poetry, kids’ books in Spanish, and much more.

The New York Public Library has chosen Please Pay Attention as one of their best kids’ books of the year! Congratulations!

October often highlights the crisp air, changing leaves, and cozy atmosphere, creating a perfect reading environment

Our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

Releases

Congratulations to Kelsey Kramer McGinnis with Marissa Franks Burt and Christian Audio for the October 14th release of The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families.

Christian parents want to raise their kids in a godly way. But what if we’ve been sold a promise that “biblical parenting” can never deliver?

In The Myth of Good Christian Parenting, Marissa Franks Burt and Kelsey Kramer McGinnis explore how the Christian parenting book industry has shaped, and often strained, families over the past five decades, continuing into the present day. Drawing on history, sociology, theology, and survey responses from adult children and parents, they trace the rise of Christian parenting empires that idealize obedient kids and perfect households—but often leave parents and children feeling like they’ll never measure up.

The authors also analyze popular Christian parenting teachings. They argue that these teachings on authority, compliance, corporal punishment, and control have had lasting effects on family dynamics and spiritual identity—including loss of faith, estrangement, religious trauma, and deep regret for many older parents. This book equips Christian parents, adults thinking critically about their upbringing, and church leaders to pursue a new path of freedom and mutual respect within their families.

Congratulations to Angela Herrington with Shannon Harris and Broadleaf Books for the October 14th release of Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminine Wisdom from Christian Patriarchy.

Christian patriarchy teaches that women are dangerous, manipulative, and untrustworthy. Whether painting women as the archetypal old witch in the woods or the biblical temptress, toxic religion vilifies their wisdom and uses fear to maintain male power. And these harmful stereotypes aren’t just historical; they persist in modern religious, societal, and political rhetoric, where confident women are called “nasty” or “radical.”

But there’s something they don’t want you to know about that old witch in the woods: She deeply trusts her sacred gifts and hard-earned wisdom. Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is an invitation to reconnect with feminine wisdom that has been dismissed, maligned, and even persecuted over the centuries. When women lean into this wisdom, they learn how to trust their intuition, draw on their creativity, and lead with empathy.

Christian patriarchy separates us from ourselves, each other, and our Creator as well as from the traditions, practices, and stories that should have been passed down through generations. Angela J. Herrington draws on more than a decade of experience as a faith deconstruction coach and seminary-trained online pastor to offer practical strategies and practices for readers to rediscover and tap into deep ancestral knowledge that once defined and empowered women.

Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is a road map for readers to challenge limiting beliefs, confront systemic injustices, and reclaim their inherent worth and wisdom. When we reclaim feminine wisdom, we liberate ourselves, our communities, and our souls, gaining strength and resilience through our connection to ourselves and to each other.

Congratulations to Dorothy Lettell Greco with Beth Allison Barr and Zondervan for the October 14th release of For the Love of Women: Uprooting and Healing Misogyny in America.

Despite the undeniable progress for women and girls in the 20th and 21st centuries, misogyny is still alive and well in today’s culture—often in ways that are more subtle and more insidious than the outright sexism of the past, and in spaces that we overlook or excuse as normative.

Misogyny has shape-shifted through the generations while maintaining a consistent through-line: it blinds individuals and cultures from seeing women as equal image-bearers, fosters hierarchies rather than partnerships, disdains vulnerability, and prevents all of us—women and men alike—from fully thriving.

In For the Love of Women Dorothy Littell Greco draws on in-depth research, interviews, biblical concepts, and vulnerable personal experience to explore how misogyny continues to impact six spheres of contemporary culture:

Healthcare
Government
The workplace
Media and entertainment
The church
Intimate relationships
While recent movements succeeded in raising consciousness and initiating important changes connected to misogynistic practices, alarming trends and rhetoric are on the rise in America today. We still have a lot of work to do—and the battle is more urgent than ever.

Like other deeply rooted, systemic injustices, misogyny is neither morally neutral nor random. It’s pernicious and calculated. For the Love of Women is for anyone who wants to educate, inspire, and empower themselves and women collectively to affect real change for everyone’s benefit.

Contracts

Brady Crytzer signed with Diversion Books for the June 2027 release of Commander-in-Chief: How George Washington Saved a Young Nation in Crisis,

Jim Burns with signed with HarperCollins Publishing for the April 2027 release of Parent’s Guide to Conversations About Sex.

Matthew John Milliner signed with IV Press for the October 2027 release of Mere Iconography.

Bryan Clark signed with Whitaker Corp for the April 2027 release of Tethered.

Walt Larimore signed with WWL Inc for the March 2027 release of Understanding the Nicene Creed.

New Clients

Samantha Stephenson, Katya Ungerman, Rachel Roth Aldhizer and Jeff Scott recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome,