WordServe Water Cooler

As this month begins, so does the release of many books this month at WordServe Literary . . . 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.

New Releases

Congratulations to Kevin Keating and Core Media Group  on the June 7, 2022 release of Waiting for a Sign Volume 2: Highlights & Inside Stories from a Lifetime of Collecting Baseball Autographs.

If you were a baseball fan in the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s-or if your passion for the game and its history is more recent-Waiting for a Sign will be a page-turner you can’t put down. Kevin Keating spent his youth collecting autographs from some of the biggest stars baseball has ever produced. Along the way he befriended many of the most familiar names in the history of sports. Through those friendships, Keating collected not just autographs, but behind-the-scenes stories that are must-reads for any baseball fan. In this collection of narratives, Keating builds on the success of his first volume as he introduces you to Roberto Clemente, Chuck Connors, Casey Stengel, Warren Spahn, George Brett, Bob Feller, Buck O’Neil, George Sisler, Paul Gleason, Mark McGwire, and many others. Here are the stories behind the autographs that reveal the person inside the player.

Congratulations to Elishaba Doerksen and Core Media Group  on the January 2022 release of Out of the Wilderness,

Elishaba Doerksen was the oldest of fifteen children born to ex-hippies Robert and Kurina Hale—also known as Papa Pilgrim and Country Rose. Elishaba grew up in a dilapidated 342-square-foot log cabin in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of New Mexico, isolated from civilization by a fundamentalist father intent on keeping his large family cloistered from a godless world. When she was nineteen, Papa Pilgrim began taking liberties with Elishaba in unimaginable ways and beating her—and her siblings—when he judged them to be “rebellious.”

The horrific sexual and physical abuse continued after the family moved to a remote valley in the Alaska wilderness. After ten years of terrifying mistreatment, Elishaba gathered her courage to make a run for it on a snowmobile. What happens next is the basis for a powerful, dramatic story about perseverance, faith, and redemption, as well as forgiveness.

This is the first time that Elishaba has told her side of a story that garnered national attention with major articles in the Washington Post, NPR, and Outside magazine as well as a significant buzz on social media. She needed time to heal, but now she’s ready to tell the world what it was like living with Papa Pilgrim—and how she overcame some of the worst trauma a daughter can experience at the hands of a father.

Congratulations to Sarah Varland and Love Inspired Publications  on the August 23,  2022 release of Tracking the Truth (Love Inspired Suspense: K-9 Unit). 2 Thrilling Stories

A dangerous search for justice.  Alaskan Showdown by Sarah Varland

After finding the body of a missing hiker in her small Alaska town, search-and-rescue dog handler Adriana Steele becomes the target of a serial killer thought to have been inactive for decades. Now Adriana’s determined to help Officer Levi Wicks catch the murderer. But with the cold case heating up, the jaded officer is all that stands between her and death.

Cold Case Trail by Sharee Stover

Temporarily working in the cold case division was supposed to mean less danger for state trooper Trey Jackson and his injured K-9 partner, Magnum—until they thwart an abduction. Now he must protect profiler Justine Stark, even as she blames him for her friend’s death ten years ago. Can he right past wrongs by finally solving the murder…and making sure Justine lives to find closure?

Congratulations to Sarah Varland and Love Inspired Publications  on the August 23,  2022 release of Secrets at the Summit (Love Inspired Suspense). 2 Thrilling Stories

Seeking the truth could be deadly.  Alaska Secrets by Sarah Varland

When her first love, Seth Connors, is attacked in the Alaskan wilderness, former police officer Ellie Hardison knows the crime is linked to his sister’s unsolved murder. This time, she won’t stop until she finds the culprits—even if it means joining Seth undercover. With one last chance to find justice, success could bring Ellie and Seth back together…and failure could prove fatal.

Covert Cover-Up by Elizabeth Goddard

Private investigator Katelyn Bradley rushes to help when she suspects a burglary at her neighbor Beck Goodwin’s house—and arrives just in time to save him. The widowed dad is convinced the attack is linked to his wife’s mysterious death, and now Katelyn is a target, too. Trapped in someone’s crosshairs, can Beck and Katelyn uncover his late wife’s lethal secrets…and keep each other alive?

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Elizabeth Goddard

Contracts

Jennifer Strickland signed with Faith Happenings for the 2023 re-release of Girl Perfect.

New Clients

 Rinnah Shaw, Arianna Molloy Yeh, Brady Crytzer, Craig Von Buseck, David Sunde, and Mike Acker recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Candace Camling.  Pray and Think Imaginative Rosary Book won FIRST PLACE in the Association of Catholic Publishers’ Excellence in Publishing Awards in the Children’s Books: Picture Book category! Read the article at:  https://www.catholicpublishers.org/2022-publishing-award-winners. 

Congratulations to Sara Davison.  The Carol Awards has announced that Sara is a finalist in two different categories, Romantic Suspense and Novella)

Romantic Suspense

Driven by Sara Davison
Mountain Brook Ink
Editors: Miralee Ferrell and Alyssa Roat

Novella

Star Light (part of The Heart of Christmas Anthology) by Sara Davison

Editor: Deb Elkink

The Carol Awards are ACFW’s recognition for the best Christian fiction published by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.

For more information about the Carol Awards: https://acfw.com/acfw-contests/carol-awards

As this month begins, so does the release of many books this month at WordServe Literary . . . 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.

New Releases

Congratulations to Stephen Arterburn and Aspire Publishing  on the April 5, 2022 release of 100 Days to Freedom from Anger: Daily Devotional.

Anger creates difficulties in relationships, feeds bitterness, and allows shame to dominate lives. Readers of this devotional need help with anger—their own or that of someone they care about.

Stephen Arterburn and the counselors at New Life Ministries want to help readers understand and learn to control what drives the powerful emotion of anger as well as its effects. Targeted daily devotions help readers explore sources of anger; surrender attitudes, temper, and emotions to God; and begin to experience life where peace rules. 100 Days to Freedom from Anger is designed to help the reader journey to freedom from anger and the control it has over life, making lasting changes to better reflect the nature of God, who is slow to anger, filled with unfailing love, and forgiving.

Congratulations to Candy Marballi and Ellie Claire Gifts on the May 3rd release of He Hears Her Voice: Growing Closer to God Through Prayer.

Discover a simple approach to prayer with this useful guide and see how it gives you the power to transform your life.

Candy Marballi discovered that declaring the promises of God through prayer led to untold blessings and opportunities. One prayer comprised of ten themes (grace, love, compassion, repentance, worship, commitment, dependence, influence, discipleship, and authority) will refresh your prayer-life. He Hears Her Voice is a prayer strategy that offers proven steps to guide you to a richer relationship with God.  Filled with vivid personal stories, meditative scripture, beautiful hymns, and meaningful prayers, this devotional provides a grounding worship experience. He Hears Her Voice will change the way we pray—and equip a generation of women to live boldly in their faith.

Congratulations to Shelley Kinder and Kregel Publishing  on the May 17th release of God and Me at the Sea.

“I feel God’s love. So strong. So deep.

I whirl! I twirl! I skip! I leap!”

Have you ever felt God’s love so deeply that you wanted to sing and dance? That’s just how this little girl feels! In a sunny beach setting, she praises God with her whole heart–and her whole body! Singing, dancing, and drumming on her sand bucket, she has the most joy-filled time playing . . . a natural time to worship that we often forget.

In God and Me at the Sea, Shelley Kinder uses language natural to children and draws on rhythm and movement to show how all-encompassing the experience of praise can be. There’s no heavy, preachy tone here, just a light-hearted girl who shows kids 3 to 8 how to love and worship God.

Accompanied by vivid, expressive illustrations, God and Me at the Sea opens children’s eyes to the glory of God’s creation, and how powerful and rewarding worship can be.

Congratulations to Sandy Silberthorne on the May 17, 2022 release of The Best Worst Dad Jokes.

When a man becomes a dad, he takes on certain responsi-bilities: providing for his family, raising up his children to be good citizens–and telling the absolute worst jokes he can come up with. But dad jokes don’t always come naturally, which is why Sandy Silverthorne created The Best Worst Dad Jokes. Filled with more than 500 groan worthy jokes to torment your kids, this collection makes it possible for dads to fill any moment of dead air with a joke that will have everyone within hearing distance rolling their eyes and edging away to avoid association with you. Jokes like . .

Congratulations to Dianne Derby  and NavPress  on the May 17, 2022 release of  Two Hundred Tuesdays: What a Pearl Harbor Survivor Taught Me about Life, Love, and Faith.

This is the story of how casual Tuesday meetings about friendship, leadership, mentoring, parenting, and marriage―and the sacred thread through it all―led to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

When Dianne Derby arrived as a news anchor in Colorado Springs, she was hungry for approval, affirmation, and connections. She raced from one event to the next, capturing stories and sound bites. Everything changed when she met centenarian Jim Downing at a luncheon for World War II veterans. At the time, Jim was the second-oldest living survivor of Pearl Harbor. Jim asked Dianne an important question: “Would you like to meet the most fulfilled person you’ll ever know? You’re looking at him.”

Dianne and Jim began meeting on Tuesdays, where eventually she invited her followers into their dialogues with dozens of videos on Facebook Live, where viewers could learn from Jim just as she had. With thousands of views, the chats struck a chord with people who were hungry for a meaningful life. Over the course of five years, Jim Downing taught Dianne Derby to slow down; to embrace only what is true, real, and good; and to live a life of significance. She delivered a eulogy at his funeral, a memorial service that was broadcast for the world. His lessons live on in her stories, her friendships, and the significance of her work as a journalist, a mother, a wife, and a follower of Christ.

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner and Simon & Schuster Publishing on the May 31st release of The Summer of June.

Twelve-year-old June Delancey is kicking summer off with a bang. She shaves her head and sets two goals: she will beat her anxiety and be the lion she knows she can be, instead of the mouse everyone sees. And she and her single mama will own their power as fierce, independent females.

With the help of Homer Juarez, the poetry-citing soccer star who believes in June even when she doesn’t believe in herself, she starts a secret library garden and hatches a plan to make her dreams come true. But when her anxiety becomes too much, everything begins to fall apart. It’s going to take more than a haircut and some flowers to set things right. It’s going to take courage and friends and watermelon pie. Forget second chances. This is the summer of new beginnings.

Congratulations to Ace Collins and Tyndale Publishers on the June 17th release of Geared-Up Faith for Classic Car Buffs: Devotions to Help You Reflect, Recharge, and Restore.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!
Classic car aficionado Ace Collins cruises through automotive history with engaging stories that spotlight some of America’s most admired vintage vehicles. Along with the interesting anecdotes, you’ll find fascinating facts about sought-after cars, starting with the 1901 Oldsmobile Curved Dash and accelerating through the decades to the premiere of the Ford Mustang in 1964. Each featured model has an accompanying photograph showcasing cars such as the Ford Model T, Cord L-29, Cadillac Sixteen, Corvette, Thunderbird, and more. With high-octane biblical wisdom injected into each entry, your faith will be ignited, and your connection to God will grow. This is the perfect gift for the avid car collector, restorer, or hobbyist, or the vintage car fan who is seeking encouragement from God’s Word.

Congratulations to Mark Atteberry and Henderickson Publishers on the June 29th release of Troublemakers in the Church: Dealing with the Difficult, the Dangerous, and the Deadly.

Most people would agree that the church is an amazing concept―the idea that people who share faith in Christ can worship and serve together and enjoy sweet fellowship that has love, forgiveness, and mutual support as its hallmarks. But the reality is often quite different.

When people who are part of the church behave in ways that are thoughtless, selfish, and even vicious, then that shining ideal dims drastically and people get wounded, sometimes never to recover. Suddenly, the one place in the community that should symbolize hope and light becomes a house of horror. Why does this happen?

The easy answer is to point an accusing finger at Satan, but what about our own culpability? Troublemakers in the Church: Dealing with the Difficult, the Dangerous, and the Deadly identifies twenty-five types of troublesome church members and offers insights on how to deal with them, while also offering a specific plan for how to build a church culture that manages and minimizes trouble.

Contracts

KC Campbell signed with John Wiley & Sons for the August 2023 release of  Flying in the Face of Fear.

Jamie Sumner signed with Simon &Schuster for the January 2024 release of Deep Water.

Sean Castle signed with WordServe Literary for the release of Turn off the Noise and Get Started.

Jessica Cruickshank signed with NavPress for the May 2023 release of Extraordinary Discipleship.

Bill Myers signed with Fidelis Publishing for the December 2023 release of Rendezvous with God, Volumes 3 and 4.

New Clients

 Darren Manley, Sandra Bretting, and Ruth Goring recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Daniel Bowman, Jr. His book, “On the Spectrum” has been named,  Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy. 

Read the entire article at https://rushtopress.org/on-the-spectrum-by-daniel-bowman-jr-named-book-of-the-year-by-the-academy-of-parish-clergy/

Congratulations to Jamie Erickson.  Her book Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence has hit 25,000 in sales!

As this month begins, so does the release of many books this month at WordServe Literary . . . 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.

New Releases

Congratulations to Rick Johnson and Salem Books  on the April 5, 2022 release of When Grandparents Become Parents: How to Succeed at Raising Your Children’s Children

There’s a quiet epidemic in our culture: The fastest-growing type of family unit is grandparents charged with the task of raising their children’s children.

Though there are myriad reasons for this—the death of one’s adult child, parental drug addiction, abusive living situations, or incarceration, to name a few—the effects tend to be the same: Senior citizens who expected to spend their golden years relaxing or traveling are now seeing their dreams dashed. Those on limited incomes are feeling the strain and are frightened about their futures. And the mental, spiritual, and physical exhaustion of parenting and disciplining children many decades their junior, exacerbated by a technology gap, is overwhelmingly real.

And yet, through their sacrificial service, these seniors are acting as kinsman-redeemers for their grandchildren—keeping them out of the foster care system and giving them the best shot possible for a successful life.

In When Grandparents Become Parents, experienced author Rick Johnson details both the challenges and solutions these heroic seniors face, offering strategies and resources (including real advice from other grandparents) to deal with major areas of stress—incorporating humor, common sense, and practical advice along the way.

Congratulations to Dr. David Olshiine and Core Media Group  on the April 27, 2022 release of The Mystery of Silence: Making Sense of Life When God Seems Absent.

Most of us have wrestled with doubt, fear, stress, and wonder what to do when life gets difficult. How do we handle adversity? What do we do when God seems passive, quiet or absent?

The Mystery of Silence will take you not only into the author’s world, but also look into examples which will help you discover what silence means in your world, and how to handle the noises all around us.

Congratulations to Jessica Hooten Wilson with Jacob Stratman  and Zondervan Publishing  on the May 3, 2022 release of Learning the Good Life: Wisdom from the Great Hearts and Minds That Came Before.

Discover the Good Life as You Learn from the Wise Voices of the Past

We’ve lost ourselves. Disconnected from the past and uncertain about the future, we are anxious about what our lives will be and troubled by a nagging sense of meaninglessness. Adrift in the world, many Christians have their identity completely wrapped up in work and their definition of the “good life” is financial success. Fewer of are staying committed to the Christian faith, finding it difficult to reconcile their experience with their longings and desires. With so much uncertainty, where can we find a true vision of “the Good Life”?

Learning the Good Life speaks to this malaise with trusted and assured voices from the past, inviting Christians into an age-old conversation with some of history’s wisest hearts and minds as their dialogue companions. Featuring classic writings from a diverse lineup of over 35 writers and thinkers including Confucius, Augustine, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, W.E.B. DuBois, Flannery O’Connor, and Wendell Berry. Together these sages of the past address important issues such as:

• Vocation
• Calling
• Meaning
• Suffering
• Beauty
• Virtue
• Learning
• Wisdom
• Critical Thinking
• Community
• Wonder
• Reflection
• And more

Each of these texts are introduced by experts who are teachers, from a variety of Christian colleges and universities, to help providing a broader, richer, and more cohesive narrative in which Christians may participate. In addition to a substantive introduction, each text is accompanied by discussion questions to provoke further thought and contemplation and also to facilitate discussion when used in groups. Ideal for any Christian seeking a deeper connection to the wisdom of the past and wanting a more cohesive and beautiful vision of the good life. All the writers have a message for you. All of them are calling you to die to yourself, to your habits of indulgence, to your pride and ambition, and instead, dedicate your time to learning, thinking, and loving.

Congratulations to Jared Frederick with Erik Dorr and Regnery Publishing  on the May 10, 2022 release of Fierce Valor: The True Story of Ronald Speirs and his Band of Brothers.

Fans of Stephen E. Ambrose’s Band of Brothers will be drawn to this complex portrait of the controversial Ronald Speirs, an iconic commander of Easy Company during World War II, whose ferocious courage in three foreign conflicts was matched by his devotion to duty and the bittersweet passions of wartime romance. 

Fight Like You Mean to Win

His comrades called him “Killer.” Of the elite paratroopers who served in the venerated “Band of Brothers” during the Second World War, none were more enigmatic than Ronald Speirs. Rumored to have gunned down enemy prisoners and even one of his own disobedient sergeants, Speirs became a foxhole legend among his troops. But who was the real Lieutenant Speirs? 

In Fierce Valor, historians Jared Frederick and Erik Dorr unveil the fuller story of Easy Company’s longest-serving commander. Tested by trials of extreme training, military rivalry, and lost love, Speirs’s international odyssey begins as an immigrant child in Prohibition-era Boston and continues through the bloody campaigns of France, Holland, and Germany. But 1945 did not mark an end to Speirs’s military adventures. Uncovered by sharp scholarship, his lesser-known exploits in Korea, the Cold War, and embattled Laos also come to light for the first time.

Packed with groundbreaking research, Fierce Valor unveils a compelling portrait of an officer defined by boldness on the battlefield and the inherent costs of war. His story serves as a telling reminder that few soldiers escape the power of their own pasts

Congratulations to Cara Whitney and Thomas Nelson Publishing  on the May 17, 2022 release of Country Soul: Inspiring Stories of Heartache Turned into Hope.

This book is filled with heartwarming stories–30 compelling journeys of faith about men and women from all walks of life who have turned heartaches into hope and setbacks into victory.  

Most of the stories are drawn from ordinary everyday folks just like you: 

• A Nebraska rancher who survived cancer and heart disease . . . and is now telling others how to break free from a far worse disease: sin
• A wounded warrior who found healing in Christ . . . not to mention a brand-new life! 
• A coal miner’s daughter who met Jesus in a West Virginia holler . . . and is committed to following Him to the ends of the earth 

With full-color color photos, a presentation page, and a ribbon marker, Country Soul is a thoughtful gift for:

• Horse loversThe Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon
• Believers who need a little faith lift
• Birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day
• Friends and loved ones going through difficult times

Refresh your soul as you rediscover that no matter how hard life gets, you can trust God.

Readers of Country Soul will also enjoy Cara Whitney’s previous books, Unbridled Faith and Fields of Grace.

Congratulations to Linda MacKillop and Kregel Publishing  on the May 17, 2022 release of The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon.

Failing memory has forced Eva Gordon to move in with her granddaughter, Breezy. But Eva hates the bustle of Boston. All she wants to do is move back to her quiet, cozy Cape Cod home and be left alone.

Then Breezy announces she’s getting married, and they’ll be moving to her new husband’s rundown family farm, where he lives with an elderly uncle. They’ll be one big family–but only Breezy and Brent think it’ll be a happy one.

It’s all too much for Eva. Too much change, too much togetherness, too much of an over-crowded life she never wanted. But as her desire for privacy collides with her worsening memory, Eva may find herself in a pickle she can’t get out of. Can an unlikely cast of misfit characters step in to woo Eva from her self-imposed isolation?

Fans of A Man Called Ove will appreciate Eva’s predicament, and enjoy the poignant, hilarious, and intergenerational rescue effort to save her from herself.

Congratulations to Jennifer M. Rosner and IVP  on the May 24, 2022 release of Finding Messiah: A Journey into the Jewishness of the Gospel.

Jesus was Jewish, and his Jewish identity informed every aspect of his work, words, and witness. He came as the Messiah of Israel, God’s covenant people, and he spoke the language of God’s faithfulness to this people. So why does it seem that Judaism has little to do with our Christian discipleship today? Jennifer Rosner, a scholar of Jewish-Christian relations, takes us on a personal and corporate journey into the Jewish roots of Christian faith and practice. Understanding Judaism―and the way in which Judaism and Christianity became separate religions―is essential for a rich and holistic Christian identity. As a follower of Jesus who was raised in a Jewish home and who continues to live a Jewish life, Rosner has seen firsthand how a Christian faith can become impoverished when divorced from its Jewish roots. Finding Messiah follows Rosner’s own journey in rediscovering the role of Judaism and God’s covenant with Israel in Christian life and practice. When we begin to understand Christianity’s indelible relationship to Judaism, key aspects of the Christian faith come alive and the wonder of the gospel becomes clear in new and powerful ways. Jesus’ Judaism provides the foundation for the church that is built upon his name. Rediscover the Jewish Jesus, and in so doing, experience a deeper and richer faith than ever before.

Congratulations to Amanda Martinez Beck and Broadleaf Books on the May 24, 2022 release of More of You: The Fat Girl’s Field Guide to the Modern World.

Too often, fatness has been viewed as a moral failing. Fat Christian women in particular are shamed and marginalized by the message that they are failing God because they can’t change their bodies. More of You will challenge that status quo, teaching readers to resist the shame and guilt that is pressed onto them by the world and instead to embrace their bodies, take up space, and learn to navigate the world in ways that allow them to flourish.

With wit and candor, Amanda Martinez Beck, a fat woman herself, compiles her hard-won wisdom to give the skinny on thriving in a fat body to others who have been pushed to the margins of acceptance. Offering helpful tools like The Fat Girl’s Bill of Rights and a script for a weight-neutral doctor’s visit, this book addresses real needs in the fat acceptance community, from how to find self-love in a thin-obsessed world, to navigating a world built for butts smaller than yours, to advocating for equality and justice for fat women’s medical care.

Congratulations to Joshua Kimbell and Graphic Mundi  on the June 7, 2022 release of Jacob’s Apartment.

Some questions can shake even the strongest faith.

At first glance, college roommates Jacob and Sarah seem like polar opposites. Jacob is a Christian; Sarah is an atheist. Sarah is a drinker, and Jacob, a teetotaler. But they have been friends for years, finding commonality in their shared dream to create art.

Jacob’s world is turned upside down when his father dies, causing him to question his faith. Meanwhile, Sarah wrestles with her own demons, searching for solace in one-night stands after her boyfriend (and professor) leaves her for a job in New York.

A coming-of-age graphic novel in the vein of Ghost World and Fun Home, Jacob’s Apartment weaves together the threads of spiritual faith, identity, purpose, love, and loss to create an engrossing world in which waking and sleeping dreams collide

Contracts

Candace Camling signed with One Ingram for the April 2024 release of  Woodward Whittles A Tune.

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson signed with Salem Communications for the August 2023 release of Don’t Let Satan Blow It Out.

John Dailey signed with Post Hill Press for the April 2024 release of Tough, Rugged Bastards.

Thomas Sileo signed with St. Martin’s for the January 2024 release of I Have Your Back.

Candace Camling signed with Kregel Publications as Illustrator for the release of Amon’s Secret.

New Clients

 Ryan Keats and Jessie Cruickshank recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Daniel Bowman, Jr. His book, “On the Spectrum” has been named,  Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy. 

Read the entire article at https://rushtopress.org/on-the-spectrum-by-daniel-bowman-jr-named-book-of-the-year-by-the-academy-of-parish-clergy/

As this month begins, so does the release of many books this month at WordServe Literary . . . 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.

New Releases

Congratulations to R. Ruddell Weatherwax  and Skyhorse Publishing  on the Jan. 4, 2022 release of Training Your Dog the Weatherwax Way.

A training manual for any dog owner using the tried, true, and trusted Weatherwax methods.

The name “Weatherwax” is widely known in the dog world. The author is a third-generation professional dog trainer and owner of Weatherwax Dog Training. The family has trained the original “Lassie” (actually a male named “Pal”), Toto for “The Wizard of Oz,” and also “Old Yeller.” These theories and tactics are applicable to any dog lover and owner, not just those on the big screen!

This is a complete guide to dog ownership and basic training manual using the Weatherwax method, which hasn’t changed in almost a century; though Robert has added a few enhancements over the years from his exposure to other great trainers.

Congratulations to Mike Ashcraft  and B&H Books  on the March 15, 2022 release of To Be Concluded: How to Prevent Your Past from Piling Up and Find Hope for Your Future.

“To be continued…”
The words build anticipation for what’s coming . . . which is great for a Netflix binge, but not a healthy pattern for our lives. In real life, constant continuation causes our lives to pile up, episode upon episode, with no space for reflection or rest, contentment or closure.
This book is for the too-busy, driven person who’s moving on to the next win, without ever processing how one season of life affects the next. It’s for the person stuck and held back because she’s never done the hard work of getting real closure on a season. When we fail to finish well, we live with a pile of unfinished beginnings. But finished things become usable things because they are a part of the story of God’s grace and faithfulness.

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel G. Amen  and Tyndale Publishing  on the March 22, 2022 release of You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type.

Happiness is a brain function. With a healthier brain always comes a happier life.

After studying more than 200,000 brain scans of people from 155 countries, Dr. Amen has discovered five primary brain types and seven neuroscience secrets that influence happiness. In You, Happier, he explains them and offers practical, science-based strategies for optimizing your happiness. Dr. Amen will teach you how to

• discover your brain type based on your personality and create happiness strategies best suited to you;
• improve your overall brain health to consistently enhance your mood;
• protect your happiness by distancing yourself from the “noise” in your head; and
• make seven simple decisions and ask seven daily questions to enhance your happiness.

Creating consistent happiness is a daily journey. In You, Happier, Dr. Amen walks you through neuroscience-based habits, rituals, and choices that will boost your mood and help you live each day with clearly defined values, purpose, and goals.

Congratulations to Kate Crocco  and Baker Books  on the March 29, 2022 release of Drawing the Line: How to Achieve More Peace and Less Burnout in Your Life.

In order to live a full and abundant life in alignment with our dreams and callings, we first need to become crystal clear on where we draw our boundary lines. But where and how do we draw the line? And how do we communicate clearly and lovingly to those around us where the line is and why it’s important?

With plenty of relatable stories from her life juggling multiple businesses and a full house, therapist and mindset coach Kate Crocco offers eight principles that will help you understand, create, and maintain healthy boundaries in order to find more peace, greater fulfillment, and less burnout. She shows you how to take back control from the whims of other people’s opinions about what you should be doing so that you can align your time and priorities with God’s highest calling for your life.

Stop selling yourself short, waiting for permission, and looking to others for approval to begin living a life of purpose, passion, and personal peace.

Congratulations to Jesse Nelson  and Kregel Ministries  on the April 12, 2022 release of Preaching Life-Changing Sermons: Six Steps to Developing and Delivering Biblical Messages.

A how-to guide for preparing and delivering Spiritfilled, biblical messages that make an impact

Being called to preach is a tremendous commission. In Preaching Life-Changing Sermons, Jesse L. Nelson shares a simple process for effective expository sermon preparation and delivery, flavored with insights from his life in ministry and academic work. Those with teaching and preaching responsibilities with little to no seminary training will learn practical steps they can use today in their ministry.

Contracts

Jennifer Fitzpatrick signed with Salem Publishing for the May 2023 release of  The Patient-Centric Culture.

Catherine Ricketts signed with Broadleaf Books for the April 2024 release of Mother & Makers.

Kevin Ford and James Singleton, Jr. signed with InterVarsity Press for the November 2023 release of The Attentive Church.

Sarah Frazer signed with B&H Publishing for the summer/fall 2023 release of When Your Story Shifts.

Leslie Leyland Field signed with NavPress for the Jan 2024 release of Nearing a Far God.

New Clients

 Joe Muccia and Kimberly Shumate recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

Much has been happening this month at WordServe Literary . . . 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.

New Releases

Congratulations to Tracie Miles  and David C Cook Publishing  on the March 1, 2022 release of Living Unbroken: A Divorce Recovery Workbook.

With discussion questions, journal prompts, prayers, Scripture verses, real-life stories, teaching videos, and a downloadable leader’s guide, the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Workbook is uniquely geared for women-only small groups. This interactive book creates a safe place for women to come together and process their heartbreak and questions. It empowers them to glean encouragement, build companionship, and find spiritual strength to reclaim their lives and happiness after divorce.

Women who know the pain of separation or divorce often feel alone, even in the church. This small group companion to Tracie Miles’s honest and groundbreaking book Living Unbroken invites women to take an important step on their journey to healing together.

Specifically created for groups of women only, The Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Workbook offers:

• Access to 7 videos hosted by the author plus a downloadable leader’s guide
• Journal prompts, discussion questions, prayers, Scripture verses, and real-life inspirational stories to help hurting women find optimism
• Action steps such as “Happiness Prompters” and “Caring-for-You Reminders”

Written for the tens of thousands of Christian women who have experienced divorce and feel unseen, this powerful workbook reminds readers that their identity comes from Christ, not their marital status. Although it’s hard to imagine while overcome by pain, they can indeed discover joy, hope, and self-confidence again. 

Congratulations to Stephen Blandino  and The Core Media Group  on the March, 2022 release of Stop Chasing Easy.

Are you tired of chasing the empty promises of ease, comfort, and security? Are you ready to make your life count today…and for eternity? 

Everywhere you look, there is a constant enticement to pursue a life of ease. In fact, for many people, “Easy Street” has become their primary ambition in life. There’s only one problem: the apostle Paul warns us that, “Easy street is a dead-end street.” In the end, it leaves you feeling empty, and it deceives you into believing that the purpose of life is to avoid anything difficult. 

In Stop Chasing Easy, Stephen Blandino inspires us with a bigger vision beyond the edges of ease. He unpacks the apostle Paul’s wisdom in the book of Philippians and shares four powerful trade-offs that will help you make your life count. 

No matter where you find yourself, Stop Chasing Easy will inspire you to think differently, grow to your full potential, and pursue a mission worth your life. Rather than chasing easy, you’ll learn how to make your life count today…and for eternity. 

Congratulations to Andrew Farley  and Salem Book Publishing  on the March 8 , 2022 release of The Grace Message.

What Is God’s Grace—and What Does It Mean for You?

Grace. It’s a word we’ve heard since the very first step in our faith journey—but do we really believe in God’s grace?

Grace raises eyebrows. It begs questions. Grace turns everything upside down. The Grace Message invites you to discover the best flavor of Christianity and celebrate the good news of the Gospel to the fullest. Here, you’ll learn:

• how to abandon rule-based living and stop trying to measure up

• why your new identity in Jesus matters more than you can imagine

• how you can now enjoy God’s New Covenant way of grace

Bestselling author and radio host Andrew Farley’s no-nonsense straight talk will awaken you to a revolutionary perspective every healthy Christian should have.

Life is too short to miss out on God’s best—and what you don’t know can hinder you from experiencing Jesus in every area of your life. So if you’ve been weighed down by ruthless religion, or you’ve been searching for that high-octane version of the Gospel that you know must be out there somewhere, here it is. This thought-provoking book will challenge you to dismiss the lies you’ve believed and to make up your own mind about how big God’s grace really is.

“Andrew Farley shows why the good news is actually great news. This extraordinary, battle-tested message of hope and freedom has a proven track record of transforming lives. The Grace Message is bursting with truth. The love of God practically drips from its pages. Read it and see for yourself!” —Bart Millard, singer/songwriter for MercyMe

Congratulations to Jim Burns  and Zondervan Publishing  on the May 10 , 2022 release of Finding Joy in the Empty Nest.

When the kids are gone, you can discover a richer, deeper, and more fulfilling life than you ever imagined!

Whether you’ve been looking forward to it or dreading it, the experience of coming home to an empty nest brings with it a well of emotions, realizations, and one gigantic, all-consuming thought: Now what? As an empty nester, the options before you are practically limitless–a fact that can be as exciting as it is terrifying.

In this book, Jim Burns combines his personal experiences with extensive research, interviews with other empty nesters, and his professional work as a family educator to help you navigate your new life as an empty nester and find joy in the opportunities for life-change before you.

Rather than offering shallow suggestions of hobbies you should take up, Burns encourages you to actively pursue a fresh start, reinvent yourself, and thrive beyond this new stage. To help you do this, he equips you with practical advice and timeless principles, including how to:

• Change the relationship you once had with your children–for the better
• Face big issues (like aging parents, finances, and kids returning home) with confidence
• And rekindle your fire and purpose to live with passion day by day

Amid his wealth of know-how, you’ll uncover what may be the most important takeaway of all: hope that the best is yet to come.

Contracts

Kris Tarantino signed with Waterbrook Publishing for the March 2023 release of Be My Valentine.

Carolyn Leiloglou signed with Waterbrook Publishing for the January 2023 release of Beneath the Swirling Sky.

Grace Hamman signed with Zondervan for the  September 2023 release of The Many Faces of Jesus.

Melissa K. Norris signed with Harvest House Pubishers for the January 2024 release of Made-from-Scrath Life.

Sarah Frazer signed with B&H Publishing Group for the Summer/Fall 2023 release of When Your Story Shifts.

New Clients

 Alicia Kazsuk, Lisa Colon DeLay, Greg Munck, and Gregory Pratt recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

Who We’re Recognizing

  .It’s with a heavy heart that we announce what many have already heard. Steve Farrar, one of my clients since 1995, has passed away at the young age of 73 after compli-cations from a heart procedure.  I’ve been privileged to work with many wonderful men’s ministry leaders the last 30 years, but Steve was that rare combination of a great heart, incredible speaking gifts (humor and depth), a deep thinker, a great writer . . . and most importantly, a kind and compassionate man. He was the kind of man I always wanted to be. He was quick with a laugh, a prayer, an insight and a big bear hug. He was a giant of a man in things that mattered most. Finally, he was a good friend who will be profoundly missed not only by his wife Mary and his children and grandchildren, but also by the Kingdom.

Congratulations to Patricia Raybon for being selected for Stephen Curry’s Book Club which was announced in the Rush to Press recent weekly news.   Read the interesting article at  https://rushtopress.org/10150-2/

  “Tyndale is pleased to announce that Stephen Curry’s Literati book club, Underrated, which is committed to championing often overlooked authors and stories, has selected All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon as its March 2022 pick for readers. “

Why Socialize when You Can Read!

As usual, some great things have been happening this month at WordServe Literary!

New Releases

Congratulations to Anne Barbour and FaithHappenings Publishers on the December 5, 2021 release of Jesus Love to the End: A Devotional to Prepare Your Heart fo Easter.

Is your experience leading up to Easter one filled with anticipation? It can be!

Jesus Love to the End will help you saturate yourself in the story of Jesus’ final weeks up and through His death and resurrection. As you do that, you will find yourself deeply appreciating Jesus and His radical display of love. Whatever traditions and practices make up your preparation for Easter each year, the focus—the point of it all—is Jesus.”

Congratulations to Ed Norwood and Freiling Publishing on the August, 2021 release of Be A Giant Killer – Overcoming Your Everyday Goliaths.

SINCE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN, there have been giants in your life. Tyrants of immense size who try to exert negative influence over your destiny. Giants try to intimidate you into inaction and apathy. They want to convince you that your past mistakes, family tree, size, and shame will always hold you back. I, too, was born with giants. When I was eight years old, twenty-seven of my relatives were massacred by cult leader Jim Jones in the Jonestown Guyana Tragedy. The shame of my own family history shadowed my life until I discovered the lessons revealed in this book, a searing expose of how our history can influence our legacy.

We were made to break the cycle and, just like men and women in the Bible, fiercely face the giants in our lives before they get passed to the next generation.

Be A Giant Killer is a knockout punch to what’s holding you back from your wildest dreams and best life!

“Powerful and impactful! Ed is an incredible man and friend with a very unique personal story. His passion is contagious! He identifies God’s dreams for His children and the giants in the way of fulfilling these dreams. This is a must-read for anyone excited to use biblical weapons to help defeat these giants in life and chase their dreams! Get reading and let’s go!” -BRUCE TOLLNER, Co-Author of Sidelined with Indianapolis Colts Coach Chuck Pagano/NFL Agent/ Owner Rep 1 which represents Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota, Ben Roethlisberger and many others.

“In Be A Giant Killer, Ed Norwood equips the reader to be able to readily identify the enemies that hinder us, and then conquer them. Defining the problem well is half the battle. This is gold to those who are ready to be victorious warriors.” -BISHOP DALE C. BRONNER, D. MIN., Founder/Senior Pastor, Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, Atlanta, GA

Congratulations to Charles Person with Richard Rooker and St. Martin’s Publishing on the January, 2022 Paperback release of Buses are a Comin’ Memoir of a Freedom Rider.

A firsthand exploration of the cost of boarding the bus of change to move America forward―written by one of the Civil Rights Movement’s pioneers.

At 18, Charles Person was the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, key figures in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement who left Washington, D.C. by bus in 1961, headed for New Orleans. This purposeful mix of black and white, male and female activists―including future Congressman John Lewis, Congress of Racial Equality Director James Farmer, Reverend Benjamin Elton Cox, journalist and pacifist James Peck, and CORE field secretary Genevieve Hughes―set out to discover whether America would abide by a Supreme Court decision that ruled segregation unconstitutional in bus depots, waiting areas, restaurants, and restrooms nationwide.

Two buses proceeded through Virginia, North and South Carolina, to Georgia where they were greeted by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and finally to Alabama. There, the Freedom Riders found their answer: No. Southern states would continue to disregard federal law and use violence to enforce racial segregation. One bus was burned to a shell, its riders narrowly escaping; the second, which Charles rode, was set upon by a mob that beat several riders nearly to death.

Buses Are a Comin’ provides a front-row view of the struggle to belong in America, as Charles Person accompanies his colleagues off the bus, into the station, into the mob, and into history to help defeat segregation’s violent grip on African American lives. It is also a challenge from a teenager of a previous era to the young people of today: become agents of transformation. Stand firm. Create a more just and moral country where students have a voice, youth can make a difference, and everyone belongs.

Congratulations to Mary Davis and Barbour Publishing on the January 31, 2022 release of Mrs. Witherspoon Goes To War (Heroines of WWII).

A WASP Goes Above the Call of Duty to Free Captive American Soldiers

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes; the heroines of WWII. Peggy Witherspoon, a widow, mother, and pilot flying for the Women’s Airforce Service in 1944 clashes with her new reporting officer. Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg was injured in combat and is now stationed at Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Most of Peggy’s jobs are safe, predictable, and she can be home each night with her three daughters; until a cargo run to Cuba alerts her to American soldiers being held captive there, despite Cuba being an ally

Will Peggy go against orders to help the men? Even risk her own life? Don’t miss this and other stories about Heroines of WWII.

Contracts

Sarah Varland signed with Harlequin Enterprises for Sarah Varland K-9. to be released May 2023.

Dr. Cindy McGovern signed with McGraw Hill for Sell Your Brand-Sell YOU to be released March 2023.

New Clients

 K.C. Campbell recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Jessica Hooten Wilson for the Review of her book”The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints” in Publisher’s Weekly Magazine. 

Read the entire review at:  https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-58743-524-9. 

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