May is recognized as Get Caught Reading Month, a time to encourage reading for all ages and to celebrate the joy of literacy.
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 K Evans with Eric Clayton and Paulist Press for the May 5th release of Our Mother Too: Mary Embraces the World.
“Be brave. Be curious. God is with you.”
Love and delight characterize this special book on Mary, the mother of Jesus. Eight appearances of Mary in different countries range from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, to Our Lady of La Vang in Vietnam, to our Lady of Lourdes in France. This book shows that no matter where or how Mary appears, she is always the same mother who delights in all of God’s children and who reaches out in love to draw them to her Son.
The Catholic tradition asserts that Mary has appeared to those in need around the world, even long after her time on earth had ended. In these apparitions, not only does Mary accompany the vulnerable, but she appears as part of the local community in her dress, her skin color, the language she speaks. What does this tell children about the nature of God?
Children who read this book will see Mary appear all over the world in different guises, coming in looks and language that is familiar to local cultures and communities. Ultimately, children will come to understand that God, too, is present in their lives and can be encountered through the customs and traditions of their own families, communities, and countries.
In this story, Mary’s pilgrimage of faith begins in Nazareth, but it doesn’t end there. Readers will see her appear to people all over the world, ultimately coming into their own lives–and sharing God’s love.
Congratulations to Gregory Pratt and Chicago Review Press for the May 6th release of The City Is Up for Grabs: How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis.
Chicago is a world-class city, but it is also a city in crisis.
Crime is up, schools have repeatedly shut down due to conflict between City Hall and the powerful teachers’ union, and COVID-19 only deepened the entrenched poverty, institutional racism, and endless tug of war between the city’s haves and have nots.
For four years, the person at the center of this storm was Lori Lightfoot. A groundbreaking figure—the first Black, gay woman to be elected mayor of a major city and only the second female mayor of Chicago—she knew the city was at a critical turning point when she took office in 2019. But the once-in-a-lifetime challenges she ended up facing were beyond anything she or anyone else saw coming.
Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Royal Pratt offers the first comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the tumultuous single term of Mayor Lightfoot and the chaos that roiled the city and City Hall as she fought to live up to her promises to change the city’s culture of corruption and villainy, reform its long-troubled police department, and make Chicago the safest big city in America.
Some of Chicago’s problems can be explained by forces greater than the mayor: national polarization, long-standing cultural and racial tensions, our plague years. But some are the result of Lightfoot’s poor leadership at City Hall, a story that hasn’t been told in full—until now.
Congratulations to Melissa K. Norris and Ten Peaks Press for the May 6th release of Home and Hand Made: A Homesteader’s Recipes to Help You Cook, Clean, and Care for Your Family.
Fifth-generation homesteader Melissa K. Norris offers over 100 time-tested, budget-friendly recipes for cooking, cleaning, and caring for your family.
As the cost of food, cleaning supplies, and personal care items continue to skyrocket, are you looking for new ways to cut costs and seek healthier solutions for your family?
Melissa K. Norris, host of the popular Pioneering Today podcast, shows you how you can make many of the meals and products you’re currently paying for at a fraction of the price.
Melissa shares easy-to-follow recipes, ideas, and tips for…
baking a variety of delicious pastries, pies, pizzas, and more
cooking hearty soups, stews, and sauces
creating scrumptious sourdough treats and other fermented foods
growing your own herbs for seasonings, salves, and tinctures
simplifying your life in every room of your home
celebrating the holidays with homemade charm
Home and Hand Made helps you do more with less and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing all the ingredients that go into what your family eats and uses each day.
Congratulations to Eric Clayton and Brazo Press for the May 6th release of Finding Peace Here and Now: How Ignatian Spirituality Leads Us to Healing and Wholeness (Timeless Wisdom for Finding Inner Peace).
A road map for finding inner peace and bringing peace to others
These days, everyone is looking for peace. But too often we look in all the wrong places.
In Finding Peace Here and Now, award-winning Catholic author Eric A. Clayton shows you that peace starts from within. By looking inside yourself, you can discover and embrace who you are meant to be in God. Using Saint Ignatius of Loyola as a guide, Clayton offers:
● stories from the Ignatian tradition
● meditations on God’s unique dream for you
● spiritual reflections to help you experience peace
● practical tools for becoming who you want to be
These resources will lead you along a path of inner peace, which you can then extend outward to bring peace to others and challenging situations.
This book will resonate with those who are familiar with the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises as well as those learning about them for the first time. In the end, you’ll learn how to navigate your own journey to inner peace and a love of self while discovering how this journey is tied to better loving and serving neighbors and working for global justice–all for the greater glory of God.
Congratulations to Monica DiCristina and Worthy Books for the May 13th release of Your Pain Has A Name.
Therapist Monica DiCristina brings proven psychology techniques to readers looking to understand and embrace their pain so they can begin to heal and move forward with a full life ahead of them.
Monica DiCristina struggled for years to describe the pain she was experiencing inside. Without knowing what was behind her anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and fears, she created other names for them: “not good enough,” “unworthy,” “messed up,” and “wrong.” Through the slow process of understanding her own story, she discovered a glorious path to healing, as well as a calling to become a therapist to help others in the same way.
Now, Monica has created a guide to help you identify the patterns and barriers that are keeping you from being your authentic self. While not every wound may fully heal, each one can be understood, and that understanding starts when you confront the pain—not just recognizing the hurt, but naming and honoring it.
In Your Pain Has a Name, Monica offers a compassionate, open space for you to give voice to your pain. With the nurturing curiosity often found in a therapist’s office, she will help you:
·Uncover your hurts: Pinpoint and define the hidden pain that’s holding you back.
·Name your pain: Accurately describe and validate your feelings.
·Reclaim your identity: Distinguish yourself from the false stories your pain has created.
·Embrace your healing: Release the pain that no longer serves you and step into your truth.
In finding the language to describe your hurts, you gain the space and courage to become your fullest self—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Join Monica on a journey to release the pain that isn’t yours to carry.
Congratulations to Angie Ward and IV Press for the May 13th release of Beyond Church and Parachurch: From Competition to Missional Extension.
Discovering New Dimensions in Faith-Based Community Work
“A welcome and needed book addressing the current tensions and opportunities. . . . Dr. Ward’s foundational book points us to a way forward. I am enthused at what this book can do to lead us as church leaders and agency leaders to a new synergy.” – Jerry E. White, international president emeritus of The Navigators, a Christian parachurch organization
In a world where the church’s relevance is often questioned, Angie Ward offers a compelling blueprint for a unified ecclesial future in Beyond Church and Parachurch. Beyond Church and Parachurch is not just a historical and theological exploration; it’s a roadmap for rethinking the very essence of Christian ministry. Whether you’re a pastor, mission leader, or nonprofit executive, you will be challenged to transcend conventional boundaries and discover the full spectrum of the church’s potential.
Holistic Understanding: Develops a comprehensive view that integrates both traditional and emerging forms of ministry.
Innovative Strategies: Beyond Church and Parachurch presents forward-thinking approaches to facilitate collaboration between churches and parachurch organizations.
Inclusive Leadership: Emphasizes the importance of diverse leadership in fostering a more inclusive community.
Practical Applications: Offers actionable insights and case studies to apply the concepts in real-world contexts.
Future-Oriented: Focuses on long-term vision and sustainable practices for impactful ministry work.
Dive into a fresh understanding of the church in all its forms—be it campus ministries, mission agencies, or church-planting networks. Ward’s vision dismantles the silos that fragment evangelical efforts, urging us to view the church as an interconnected ecosystem of apostolic networks. This paradigm shift empowers leaders to maximize kingdom impact, fostering cooperation and collaboration across organizations. With practical insights and visionary guidance, Beyond Church and Parachurch equips Christian leaders to serve a world in need with renewed purpose and unity. Transform your ministry approach and join a movement that redefines what it means to be the church.
Contracts
Jim Ramos signed with David C Cook for the July 2026 release of Guardrails (Book One) and Bring It (Book Two).
Maria Olsen signed with Bloomsbury Publishing for the May 2026 release of Before and After the DNA Test.
Kelsey Kramer McGinnis signed with Brazos Press for the June 2027 release of Clean and Holy.
Adam Boggs signed with B&H Publishing for the July 2026 and May 2027 release of The Fallen Kingdom and The King of God’s Kingdom.
Jonathan McKee signed with Focus On The Family for the December 2026 release of Until She Left Me.
New Clients
Mark Filidei, Crystal Johnson, Timothy Kelly, Brad East, Brian Cosby, Dan White, and Myles Werntz recently signed with WordServe. Welcome,
From the Desk of Emma Fulenwider
I’m going to make you a bet, and then I’m going to make you a promise.
First, I bet I can make you say “ugh” out loud in the next five seconds. 5…4…3…
How’s your platform going?
…1
Yep, platform. The hamster wheel that the internet rudely added to the author journey. We used to be able to sit in our attics with our writing hats and think the things and write them beautifully and that was enough for the people who had the power to make us famous. Now, we have to become minor celebrities on our own power, capitulating to the soul-less algorithm for attention.
Once upon a time, our work vouched for us. Now, nobody gets past the front door unless the Machine vouches for them. It’s all too much, and so unfair.
At least, that’s what it feels like.
Here’s the promise. I promise that by the end of this article, you will feel so excited about platform that you would do it even if you knew with absolute certainty that you will never publish a book.
The Purpose of a Book Deal
Let’s start with why you want a book deal. Here are the reasons I hear most as an agent that only represents adult non-fiction:
- “I have something to say that other people need to hear.”
Wonderful! I’m glad that you’re an expert in parenting a special needs child. Or improving mental health. Or getting a business off the ground. Please tell us what you know.
- “My story is important to history or current national conversations.”
Fantastic! As a society, we can learn a lot about our justice system from the story of a falsely accused citizen who served 20 years before being exonerated. We absolutely need to hear an economist’s solutions for the current housing crisis. Do share.
- “I want to add another stream of income to my current business.”
Super! You recognize that not everyone can come to your workshops, or hire you as a consultant, and you want to package your solutions in a way that reaches more people. Makes total sense.
Now, let me ask you this.
What makes publishers so special that you only trust them to 1) connect you with your readers, 2) handle your legacy, and 3) manage your new income stream?
Publishing Before There Was Platform
When platform is the thing standing between us and a book deal, it’s natural to think “If not for platform, I would be published.” The truth is quite the opposite. Platform is what made publishing more democratic and more merit-based than it was before.
Before platform, you couldn’t just think the things and write the words either. You had to shoot your shot just right to get a seat at the table, and it was a much smaller table.
Between 1966 and 1996, book titles published per year doubled from 30K to 60K. By 2010, that number quadrupled to 240K.[1] Book sales, on the other hand, have stayed at about $25.5 billion annually for the past 25 years.[2]
Publishers are diversifying their lists, taking a chance on four times the number of authors than they were at the turn of the millennia. Why are they doing that? Why would the gatekeepers go to all the trouble of finding four of the best proposals when they could pick one good one and make it an overnight success and bring in the same amount of money? Platform.
The term “gatekeeper” is almost laughable when you think about how publishing has changed over the last 50 years. The Publishing Gate was once the only way to reach readers. If they didn’t publish your book, forget about anyone finding it.
But then blogging happened, and Youtube, and podcasting, and social media. Publishers today stand guard in front of a gate that has a million bypasses around it. They can no longer risk putting all their golden eggs into 25K random baskets. They are spreading their eggs out over 250K baskets, and they’re looking to readers to help them decide which baskets are their best bet.
The existence of “platform” has increased your odds and your control over whether you get a book deal.
Fun Fact: The Point of Platform is NOT to Land a Book Deal
Let’s say you write a newsletter, start a podcast, become a speaker, build an online community around your online course – let’s say you do all the platform stuff and never get a book deal. In doing so, you have shared your solutions, told your story, and added an income stream to your business. Platform is about accomplishing the mission you thought was only possible with a book deal.
The secret that publishers are afraid you’ll realize is that they can’t predictably lay golden eggs anymore. You have the levers now. You have the ability to connect with your readers and contribute to the national conversation and get paid for your intellectual property.
So. You want to say the thing? Say the thing! No one is stopping you.
That’s what platform is—the freedom to reach people with your message without needing permission or validation from the gatekeepers. And if you still want a book deal, platform is how you prove to publishers that you’re about to lay a golden egg.
“Okay, so if platform is how I bypass the gatekeepers to reach my goals, then what’s the point of working with a publisher?” I’m so glad you asked. We’ll talk about that next month.
[1] https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/us-book-production
[2] https://ideas.bkconnection.com/10-awful-truths-about-publishing
WordServe Water Cooler 
Emma! I’m so glad I paused to read your article. It is hands-down the best thoughts I’ve read on platform, ever! Well done!!