“We knew Max Lucado would be the perfect author to launch our first enhanced e-book,” says David Moberg, Sr. Vice President and Group Publisher, Thomas Nelson.

The enhanced e-book features all editorial content from the trade book, Max on Life, as well as a personal video introduction from Lucado for each of seven core sections: hope, hurt, help, him/her, home, haves/have-nots, hereafter. Sprinkled throughout the book are embedded one-minute audio segments.

The enhanced e-book released in the Apple iBooks Store and Barnes and Noble Nook Store on August 25 with an Amazon Kindle Store version following.

Written with candor, humor and a pastor’s heart, Max on Life reads like an advice column from one of the most respected voices in inspirational writing. Lucado’s answers draw from the wisdom and experience of more than 30 years of preaching and are graced with his trademark conversational writing style and practical application. More than 60 percent of Max on Life content is never-before published material from Lucado’s sermons, emails, letters and conversations. Products in the Max on Life line include the hardcover book, the enhanced e-book, standard e-book and the recently-released Max on Life DVD-Based Small Group Kit (Thomas Nelson, $39.99).

With a publishing career spanning 25 years, Max Lucado has more than 100 million products in print. Many of his titles have been on national bestsellers lists like The New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly and ECPA. Lucado has been featured on many national media outlets including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Huckabee and Fox & Friends in the last year. Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Preaching at Oak Hills Church. http://www.maxlucado.com

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Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes.  For more information, visit our websitewww.thomasnelson.com.

Max Lucado’s Bestselling Brand to Have Fresh Design, Packaging and New DVD Pricing

(Nashville, Tenn.) – With more than 5.5 million units sold in the Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ line, Max Lucado’s beloved book and DVD brand is planning to refresh and re-launch in the fall of 2011. The re-launch that includes board books, a hardcover level two reader, and DVD’s, will release on October 4th, 2011 with the new everyday value DVD pricing starting in September. A second new hardcover level two reader is set to release in spring of 2012.

The new Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ will include a fresh design with bright, colorful new art, and will feature a mix of classic and new stories for kids of all ages. The hardcover Level Two Readers have been designed for kids starting to read on their own. They will feature basic vocabulary words and simple sentences. The Little Hermie board books will include sweet, soft art and simple rhyming text that explains basic Christian concepts for toddlers. New design, packaging, brand new books, and lower DVD pricing all help busy families bring faith into their daily lives affordably.

The beloved DVD line, produced by GlueWorks Animation, will have a new lower retail price and a larger emphasis on felt needs for children. The new DVD pricing for the Hermie brand will include $12.99 for a two-episode classic DVD pack and $9.99 for a classic single episode package, adding more value for the consumers than the previous $15 single episode packages. The two-episode DVD packs will include two classic Hermie episodes based on a Christian felt-need message.

“The Hermie brand is very special to me”, says author Max Lucado about Hermie & Friends™. “We’ve all come to love this little caterpillar and consider him our friend in helping us give parents tools for teaching the importance of prayer and for learning how to live as Jesus would. The relaunch is the beginning of a new era for Hermie—the illustrations are warmer, more inviting and childlike. I think Hermie lovers and new fans of Hermie will be as happy as I am with the latest design.”

The Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ relaunch will include upcoming releases of DVD and book titles including:

DVDs
• I Won’t Be Afraid, God Is Always With Me (DVD)
• A Fruitcake Christmas (DVD)
• I am Special, God Loves Me (DVD)

BOOKS
• Thank You, God, For Loving Me (brand new board book introducing Little Hermie)
• Thank You, God, For Blessing Me (Little Hermie board book #2)
• Hermie, a Common Caterpillar (level 2 reader)

“Hermie has helped so many children come to know the love of God”, says Laura Minchew, Vice President & Publisher Children and Gift Books. “How exciting that Max can share these faith messages so that kids can read for themselves the Level 2 Reader and through the precious Little Hermie board books.”

About Max Lucado:
Max Lucado’s works have appeared on every major national bestseller list including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, The New York Times, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and Christian Booksellers Association. He has been featured in countless media outlets and national broadcasts. Max’s writings have been published in a wide array of formats including adult books, gift books, children’s titles, Bibles, commentaries, calendars and devotionals. Max Lucado is the Minister of Preaching at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, where he has served since 1988. He has been married to Denalyn Lucado since 1981, and they have three grown daughters—Jenna, Andrea and Sara—and one son-in-law, Brett. More on Max Lucado can be found at http://www.MaxLucado.com.

About GlueWorks Animation:
GlueWorks Animation has been a leader in all aspects of animation since 1999 including entertainment production, corporate branding, intellectual property development and feature film special effects. Its management team has worked with the leaders in the entertainment field including NBC, Twentieth Century Fox, universal and Disney as well as major Fortune 500 companies such as Bank of America, General Electric and Microsoft. GlueWorks Animation has Co-Executive Produced each Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends™ DVD title to date. More on GlueWorks Animation can be found at http://www.glueworksanimation.com/.

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Tommy Nelson, the children’s division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., was created to place into the hands of children a wide variety of high quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. For more information, visit our website www.tommynelson.com.

For more on Tommy Nelson – find us online at
Facebook.com/TommyNelsonKids
Twitter.com/TommyNelson

For More information please contact:

Julie Solomon Backman
Publicist, Thomas Nelson
615-902-1722
jbackman@thomasnelson.com

Rick Eldridge
GlueWorks Animation
704-375-4321
rick@reelworks.net

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today that LeeEric Fesko is joining the Nelson team as the Lucado Trade Marketing Director. In this role, Fesko will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of marketing, promotion, and publicity for all Max Lucado trade titles.

With over 10 years of sales, marketing, and web development experience with some of the most popular Christian brands, Fesko began his career at Word Entertainment in 1999. For the last five years, he has worked as the Director of Web Development at Big Idea Entertainment in Franklin, Tennessee, where he has been responsible for the development and execution of web initiatives for VeggieTales® and 3-2-1 Penguins® brands. Also, he has directed the company’s online store and maximized the brand’s reach through promotions and online positioning.

“LeeEric brings a wealth of experience, energy, and a fresh perspective to the Lucado marketing team,” said David Moberg, Senior Vice President and Nonfiction Group Publisher. “He joins an energetic and savvy marketing team including 20-year publishing veteran Susan Ligon and marketing specialist Liz Johnson. Thomas Nelson remains committed to hiring the top marketers and publicists in the industry to continue the tradition of excellence for which the Lucado brand is known.”

Fesko was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Music Industry and Entertainment Marketing and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters in Music Theory and Education. He and his wife, Tracy, live in Franklin, with their sons Jack and Logan.

“Joining Thomas Nelson not only gives me the opportunity of joining the most respected name in publishing, but it also affords me the privilege of working with arguably the most influential author of this generation,” said Fesko.

Max Lucado is the first author to appear on the Christian Book Award finalist list three times in the same year, all in different categories (Bibles, Inspiration and Non-Fiction). Since 1978, Lucado has earned 12 wins and 32 finalist placements in the Christian Book Award program.

The winner in each category will be announced at the ECPA Executive Leadership Summit (ELS) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition, one title will be selected from the finalist to receive the top honor, Christian Book of the Year. This award is based on editorial excellence and sales achievement.

The Thomas Nelson finalists are:

• The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV (Bibles)
• The Story of the Bible by Larry Stone (Bible Reference)
• You Changed My Life by Max Lucado (Inspiration)
• Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Non-Fiction)
• Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado (Non-Fiction)

About the Finalists:

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV
Discover the life-enriching biblical application you’re searching for in The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible. With more than 1,000 “Life Lessons” offering insights straight from Max, the message of God’s Word will be more meaningful and impactful than ever. This beautifully designed Bible contains practical application drawn from Max Lucado’s entire career—from his first book to his latest release, Outlive Your Life. For the first time, all the devotional material in this fully-revised edition of The Inspirational Study Bible is from Max Lucado and uses the popular and reliable New King James Version^® (NKJV) translation!

The Story of the Bible by Larry Stone
A beautifully illustrated, hands-on history of the world’s best-selling book. With a highly readable and colorful narrative, The Story of the Bible covers in a sweeping panorama the writing and transmission of the Bible through the ages. The writing of the Old and New Testaments, the canonization of the Scriptures, and stories of those who gave their lives to make the Bible available in common language—all are reported clearly and reverently with the power of anecdotal illustrations. Readers encounter page after page of engaging illustrations set in a highly designed journey chock-full of removable documents.

You Changed My Life by Max Lucado
Oftentimes true heroes of faith don’t stand out in the world, but they have made a lasting difference in someone’s life—they’re a hero to someone. This gift book celebrates their story by first providing a dedication beginning with “You changed my life by___” to be written in detail by the giver to the recipient. To follow are stories told by Max about others who have answered the call of their convictions and took steps of faith (both big and small) resulting in lasting change in the lives around them. It’s a message that honors the person who receives the book, and inspires us all to see that real people with remarkable hearts can change lives.

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
From the New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace, a groundbreaking biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the greatest heroes of the twentieth century, the man who stood up to Hitler. A definitive, deeply moving narrative, Bonhoeffer is a story of moral courage in the face of the monstrous evil that was Nazism.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
These are difficult days in our world’s history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God’s love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let’s live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

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Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes.  For more information, visit our website www.thomasnelson.com.

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today the launch of a multi-faceted social media campaign to coincide with the release of Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear. The company is utilizing the influence of its online “friends” and “followers” to help spread the world about this important release.

On Monday, August 10 at 10 a.m., Michael Hyatt kicked off the campaign on his blog, http://michaelhyatt.com/, with a video book review and a unique offer. He offered the first chapter of Fearless for anyone to download or share. He gave the first hundred commenters a free copy of the book with no strings attached. Lastly, he made available a thousand copies for bloggers through Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers program.

As people shared with their online networks news of this offer, thousands of people rushed to michaelhyatt.com to try to claim their copy of Fearless before the offer expired. The surge of traffic crashed the site’s server three times and by noon two hundred copies were given away to readers. Over five hundred copies were given away to bloggers. By nightfall, Thomas Nelson had given away more than twelve hundred copies of Fearless in total.

“Since the initial development of Fearless, both retailers and customers have noticed an exciting buzz around the book because it’s message is both timely and relevant. I don’t know anyone who is immune to fear and its debilitating effects,” commented Hyatt. “When we decided to giveaway copies, I assumed we would get a lot of interest. But even I was caught off-guard by the surge of traffic that overwhelmed my blog’s server. The response was tremendous. And I hope this only a sign of things to come for Fearless.”

On Friday, August 14, exclusive video of Max Lucado’s “Fearless Town Hall” will be available at the website for the Fearless campaign, www.TheFearlessTimes.com and www.MaxLucado.com/TownHall.  Lucado answered profound questions from live audience members, questions related to fear of job loss, fear of losing God’s love, fear for loved ones, and other relatable issues. Excerpts from the video town hall, plus chapter excerpts from Fearless, are available for download at www.TheFearlessTimes.com and can be linked to Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The Fearless Times website also allows people to submit questions about their fears to Lucado directly.  Questions will be answered randomly from all submissions received via the web, Twitter, Facebook, and other social marketing sites.

Max Lucado has more than 65 million books in print and a publishing career that has spanned nearly 25 years.  His books have been on many national bestseller lists including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today.  Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church.

Contact:    Jana Muntsinger
tel:    (281) 251-0480
email: jana@mmupublicrelations.com
web:    www.thomasnelson.com

Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author spoke at more than 22 events during a nine-day trip to Brazil (July 19 – 28, 2009), reaching more than 50,000 people with a message of hope from his forthcoming book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear (Thomas Nelson, U.S. $24.99, September 2009).  The book releases internationally next month, but the Portuguese edition of Fearless released early to accommodate Lucado’s Brazil trip.  The Portugese edition has appeared within the top ten spots of every major Brazilian bestseller list to date.

Lucado’s inspirational books have enjoyed international popularity for decades, but the author’s international ministry truly began in Brazil.  Max and Denalyn Lucado served as church planting missionaries in Rio de Janeiro during the early 1980s, and two of their daughters were born in Brazil.  Lucado was thrilled to be back in Brazil once more, visiting old friends and meeting new acquaintances: “This is like a homecoming to me, seeing church friends and encouraging the precious Brazilian people.”  He specifically encouraged Brazilian audiences to fear less in regard to violence (chapter 18 of Fearless addresses this topic).  Violence is a significant concern for Brazilians due to ongoing rioting in Sao Paolo and other parts of the country. 

Sponsored by Thomas Nelson Brasil and Lidere, the goal of this trip was to bring Lucado’s ministry full circle.  Says Larry Downs, Vice President and Publisher of Grupo, Thomas Nelson, “Max Lucado made a powerful impact during this visit.  He asked Brazilians to dare to imagine their life without fear, and thousands walked away with hope and a renewed commitment to rest in the goodness of God.”  During his Brazilian visit, Lucado was interviewed almost daily via radio and TV extending his audience well beyond the 50,000 who attended public events.  Local leaders also promoted his appearances via twitter, facebook, and other social networking groups.  Photos from the trip are posted online: http://carrenho.typepad.com/blogdoseditores/

International publicity for Fearless continues when the book launches worldwide in September.  Lucado begins a North American PR tour with an interview on “The Dave Ramsey Show” via radio and television (airs September 9), a cover story for Outreach Magazine (Nov. issue), an appearance on “The Hour of Power” (airs December 20), plus other nationally broadcast interviews.  Lucado launches a Fearless PR tour in Mexico for Fearless in late September, sponsored by Grupo Nelson, the Spanish division of Thomas Nelson and Maranatha Distributors. For more information on the Fearless tour in Mexico, visit www.sintemor.com

Max Lucado has more than 65 million books in print and a publishing career that has spanned nearly 25 years.  His books have been on many national bestseller lists including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today.  Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church.

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CONTACT:
Jana Muntsinger, McClure Muntsinger PR
281-251-0480, jana@mmpublcirelations.com

Before he even left the United States, Lucado made it his goal to help World Vision sponsor 25,000 more children. Interested sponsors can go to the website link: http://maxlucado.com/ethiopia/.

“Ethiopia may measure a bit smaller since I’m bringing a lot of it home in my heart,” said Max Lucado via Twitter upon his return. “I never expected such poverty coupled with such joy. There are more honest smiles among the poor of Ethiopia than the shopping malls of America. What a remarkable, life-changing trip.”

World Vision, which provides aid to children and families in nearly 100 countries, has been working in Ethiopia since 1971, with more than 187,000 children benefiting from World Vision sponsorships. The agency also supports 65 Ethiopian development programs to assist with medical needs, clean water, nourishment, education and rehabilitation.

Highlights of Lucado’s trip to Ethiopia included visiting with an HIV/AIDS program in Boset, tours of irrigation and farming innovations in Adama, and school visits with local children. Lucado also preached to a standing-room-only crowd of Ethiopians on Sunday, May 10, at the Full Gospel Church near Adama. Max and Denalyn Lucado were also able to meet their sponsored child, Mimi and her family, during the trip.

Max believes his writing and speaking ministry has been permanently impacted by this trip. “God is up to something big in Ethiopia, in America, and around the world,” says Lucado. “I believe we can all make a difference if we jump into the middle of what He is doing.”

Thomas Nelson CEO Hyatt was deeply moved by what he saw on the trip: “We came to minister to the poor and needy. But it is they who have ministered to us, exposing our own poverty and need.”

“It was a great privilege to accompany Max and his family on his first-ever trip to Africa,” said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision. “As expected, Max was a quick study and immediately embraced and understood World Vision’s strategies for empowering the poor and tackling the causes of poverty. We appreciate that he has graciously agreed to use his influence in helping 25,000 more children through World Vision’s sponsorship programs.”

In late April 2009, Max Lucado returned from another mission trip to Honduras with Mike Silva International, speaking to more than 160,000 in attendance at the multi-day event. He also spent several years in Brazil as a missionary church planter.

Max Lucado has more than 65 million books in print and a publishing career that has spanned nearly 25 years. His books have been on many national bestseller lists including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today. Max and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio, Texas, where he is Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

Contact: Dave Schroeder
Director of Marketing
Tel: (615) 902-2127
Fax: (615) 902-2219
Email: dschroeder@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, TN) — Pastor and author Max Lucado has sold more than four million units worldwide branded with 3:16—The Numbers of Hope, including one million units of the cornerstone book of the same title (released in September 2007).  Thomas Nelson and an unprecedented group of licensed partners have created and distributed a wide variety of 3:16 branded products, including booklets, greeting cards, wearable items, video resources, church musicals, and evangelistic products to name a few.  The unprecedented rate of sales for the 3:16 brand makes it the fastest-selling product in the history of Lucado’s 23-year publishing career.

“3:16 is more than a book,” explains Lucado’s long-time publisher and Senior Vice President of Non-Fiction Trade Books at Thomas Nelson, David Moberg.  “It is a mission of global proportions that invites Christians around the world to unite around the central message of our faith – embodied in the words of John 3:16.”  Worldwide product and ministry partners for the 3:16 brand include Dayspring/Hallmark, Bob Siemon Designs, SermonCentral.com, Indelible Creative Group, LifeWay Church Resources, Outreach, Lionsgate, Kerusso, LifeWay Worship, UpWords, and Ambassador Advertising.

3:16 has been featured by many prominent media outlets in 2007 and 2008.  It will be promoted heavily this fall and for Easter 2009 both in stores and via key media interviews by Max Lucado.  An Easter television special is planned for 2009 and the paperback version of 3:16 will be available in stores June 2009.

Max Lucado has more than 65 million books in print and a publishing career that has spanned nearly 25 years.  His books have been on many national bestseller lists including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today.  He and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio where he serves as Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church.

Contact:     Dave Schroeder
Director of Marketing
Tel: (615) 902-2127
Fax: (615) 902-2219
E-mail: dschroeder@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc. was awarded nine of Christian Retailing’s 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards. The awards were announced on Monday, July 14th at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Florida. Thomas Nelson received more than twice the wins of any other publishing house and walked away with almost a third of the cumulative awards.

“There are two things about Retailer’s Choice Awards that make them among the highest honors in this industry,” said Michael S. Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “First, the awards are selected by Christian retailers, who work on the front lines to help Christians strengthen their spiritual journey. Second, the awards are judged on a product’s ability to inspire, encourage, and affirm Godly living. I am so proud of the entire Thomas Nelson team.”
The Thomas Nelson winners are:

• The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible (Books/Bibles)
• Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible by Jerome Smith (Bible Reference/Bible Studies)
• The Message- NKJV Parallel Bible (Bibles – General)
• 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado (Christian Living)
• Get Out of That Pit: A 40-Day Devotional Journal by Beth Moore (Personal Growth/Prayer)
• A New Kind of Normal by Carol Kent (Women’s Non-Fiction)
• Chosen by Ted Dekker (Youth/Teen)
• This Christmas Night by Billy and Ruth Graham (Gift Books)
• The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (Vacation Bible School)

Products nominated for the 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards must have been published or released in 2007 and include clear Christian content, message or worldview. Retailers judged the 245 nominations in 31 categories on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christ-like living. For more a complete listing of the 2008 Retailer’s Choice Awards, visit www.retailerschoiceawards.com.

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
cell: (615) 476-5984
e-mail: lnobles@thomasnelson.com

Max Lucado is pleased to continue partnering with his long-time publisher: “Teaming up with Thomas Nelson brings me such joy and excitement,” said Lucado. “It is an honor to partner with such an outstanding publishing house.” When asked what he specifically values about Nelson, Max added, “They epitomize integrity, quality, and creativity. I’m thrilled about our future together.”

Thomas Nelson is equally enthusiastic about the ongoing relationship. “Month after month, Max continues to be a publishing phenomenon with a consistent track record of bestsellers in multiple product categories,” stated Michael S. Hyatt, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “We are honored to, once again, extend our publishing partnership with a multi-book publishing agreement. Max’s love of words and his love for God are evident in every book he writes.”

Max Lucado’s latest trade book release, 3:16 – The Numbers of Hope, which debuted in September 2007 has now sold 3.7 million brand units. Thomas Nelson and an unprecedented group of licensed partners have created and distributed a wide variety of 3:16 branded products. Product and ministry partners include UpWords, Ambassador Advertising, Dayspring/Hallmark, Bob Siemon Design, Indelible Creative Group, Outreach, SermonCentral.com, Lionsgate, Kerusso, LifeWay Church Resources, and LifeWay Worship.

“3:16 is more than a book,” explains Lucado’s long-time publisher and Senior Vice President of Non-Fiction Trade Books at Thomas Nelson, David Moberg. “It is a mission of global proportions that invites Christians around the world to unite around the central message of our faith – embodied in the words of John 3:16.”

Max Lucado has more than 50 million books in print and a publishing career that has spanned nearly 25 years. His books have been on many national bestseller lists including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today. He and his wife Denalyn live in San Antonio where he serves as Minister of Writing and Preaching at Oak Hills Church.

Contact: Dave Schroeder
Director of Marketing
Tel: (615) 902-2127
Fax: (615) 902-2219
E-mail: dschroeder@thomasnelson.com