WordServe News April 2026

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