New York Times #1 Best Seller Hits Canadian Best Seller List

Since its release in early November 2010, sales momentum for Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent has continued to surpass every expectation. For the week of April 16, Heaven Is for Real is listed at #3 on the Canadian Globe & Mail best seller list.

Heaven Is for Real also is listed currently at #1 by New York Times (paperback nonfiction), #2 (all books) by USA Today, #1 (nonfiction paperback) by Publisher’s Weekly, #1 (nonfiction paperback) by National Public Radio, and #1 (all books) by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

In addition to being ranked near the top on numerous best seller lists, the three millionth copy of the acclaimed title has recently been printed. READ MORE »

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that Mark Schoenwald, its current President and Chief Operating Officer, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer.  He assumes the Chief Executive Officer position from Michael Hyatt, who is stepping out of active management of the company but will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board.

Hyatt stated, “Thomas Nelson just finished a successful year with several books on the bestseller lists, including Heaven Is for Real, which has been #1 on the NYT list for 13 straight weeks.  Now is the perfect time to turn the reins of the company over to Mark.”  In his new role, Hyatt will serve as an advisor to company leadership and represent the company by positively influencing authors, the media, and consumers while more actively pursuing his outside interests such as speaking and writing.

Hyatt went on to say, “Mark Schoenwald is esteemed by employees, authors, and customers.  He is direct and willing to make the tough decisions, but at the same time humble and committed to our Christian mission.  He has proven time and again that he can succeed in a tough environment.  He is the right CEO to take Nelson into a new era.”

Prior to joining Thomas Nelson in 2005, Schoenwald served as President of several prestigious home décor, garden and gift companies including New Creative Enterprises, One Coast Network, and Kennedy Group.  Earlier in his career, he served in multiple roles with Lenox Brands.

“Thomas Nelson is focused on growth,” stated Schoenwald, “and we strive to be the leading producer of Christian content and inspirational live events.  We will continue to transform the company as we leverage the strengths of our traditional print business while implementing new digital publishing strategies.  Through focus on innovation and execution, we will develop our content in any format and delivery method our customers desire.  The company will embrace change, and we will move quickly to scale new ideas and opportunities that will be available in this rapidly changing business environment.”

Schoenwald also said, “As Thomas Nelson enters its 214^th year of business, we have never been more excited about our future.  We must maximize our growth opportunities in markets around the world, many of which already contribute to our results.”

(Nashville, TN) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that twenty-five of their products or campaigns have been chosen to be finalists for Christian Retailing’s Retailer’s Choice Awards. Retailers judge nominees based on the impact they have had on the staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people’s  hearts and evoke emotion, open minds to new ways of thinking and encourage and affirm Christ-like living.

The winner in each category will be announced April 26-28^th at Christian Retailing’s Retailing ReBoot 2011 event in Orlando, Florida. The Thomas Nelson finalists are: READ MORE »

(Nashville, TN) A newly published book, The Band That Played On: The Extraordinary Story of the 8 Musicians Who Went Down with the Titanic by Steve Turner, claims that the violin which band leader Wallace Hartley played as the Titanic sank in April 1912 survived, and may be offered for sale at the time of the sinking’s centenary next year. Those close to the project claim that if scientific and historical tests yield a positive result, it will be the most expensive Titanic artifact ever to come onto the market. Tentative plans have been made to send the violin on a world tour ahead of the proposed auction.

The fate of Hartley’s violin has long been a mystery. All eight members of the band perished in the disaster, but the bodies of Hartley and two others were found by a search crew and taken to Nova Scotia, Canada. READ MORE »