(Nashville, Tenn.) – Four-year-old Colton Burpo’s journey to heaven and back has reached over six million people in his story’s various formats. In addition to top rankings on several bestseller lists, the children’s book depicting Colton’s trip, Heaven Is for Real for Kids, has hit a new benchmark: #1 on the children’s picture books list of the New York Times Best Seller List.

“It is a simple and pure message from the experience of a four year old child: ‘Jesus really loves children. And He loves You!’ ” says Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President of Specialty Publishing at Thomas Nelson. “What a delight to see this message resonating with so many families.”

While the original trade book Heaven Is for Real was narrated by Colton’s father Todd, Heaven Is for Real for Kids (Tommy Nelson, ISBN 9781400318704, $14.99, November 2011) shows children what heaven is like through the eyes of young Colton Burpo. When he was nearly four years old, Colton experienced a burst appendix; it was during his emergency surgery that Colton visited heaven.  Aided by illustrator Wilson Ong, Colton vividly shows children what he saw in heaven and shares an important message: Jesus really, really loves children. The book features a letter to parents and a Q&A section that answers questions kids frequently have when they finish Colton’s story. In December 2011, the app Heaven Is for Real for Kids released on all Apple platforms.

The Burpo family is represented by Joel Kneedler of Alive Communications.

Heaven Is for Real for Kids is one of a trio of new products by the Burpo family released by Thomas Nelson. Heaven Is for Real deluxe edition is also available to provide a hardcover, gift-able version of the best-selling trade book. A Heaven is for Real DVD-based Conversation Kit features footage of the Burpo family talking about their experiences while offering discussion questions and suggestions for participants.

About the Authors:

Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan, a volunteer fireman, and works with a garage door company. His wife, Sonja, is a children’s minister, busy pastor’s wife, and mom. Colton, an active 12-year-old, has an older sister, Cassie, and a younger brother, Colby.

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Tommy Nelson, the children’s division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishes a wide variety of high quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while pointing them to a personal relationship with God. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

Contact: Amy Kerr

Publicist

615-902-1722

akerr@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, TN)  How does an acclaimed Christian romance author top a major release, Smitten, co-authored with three best-selling authors and best friends?  She sets a new first by releasing a new solo work, “Bittersweet Surrender, “as Thomas Nelson Fiction’s first e-only novel.

After a holiday season in which sales of e-reading devices reached an all-time high, Thomas Nelson is pleased to be offering something special to e-readers. “The digital market allows for novels to be released sooner to readers in e-only or e-first editions. As readers experiment with different formats to read their novels in, we are doing so as well,” says Allen Arnold, Sr. VP and Publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction.  “We’re excited to bring this novel to Diann’s readers and to introduce her to new readers through the various digital channels.”

Hunt also joined  Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, and Kristin Billerbeck, to write “Smitten,” also now on sale in print and digital editions.  Representing a ground-breaking first-time collaboration for these four seasoned authors and friends, Smitten is the perfect Valentine’s Day read and is the focus of several retail promotions for the season.

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Thomas Nelson, Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher.  The Company provides multiple formats of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is the nation’s leading producer of Christian live events.   Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com

New York Times Best-Selling Book Engages Children in a Whole New Way

(Nashville, Tenn.) – Four-year-old Colton Burpo’s trip to heaven and back has been read by more than six million people through the New York Times best-seller Heaven Is for Real. Now, his incredible journey is available in an entirely new format: an interactive children’s app. Available on Apple platforms, the $6.99 Heaven Is for Real for Kids app allows children to engage more deeply with Colton’s message: “heaven is for real, and you’re going to like it!”

Created by developer Author Mobile™, the Heaven Is for Real for Kids app is an interactive storybook experience that allows children ages four to eight to read, play and share the messages from Colton’s journey. The app features:

·       Colton Burpo narrating the story

·       Voice recording capability, where multiple voices can be saved reading the book

·       Beautiful artwork crafted by the book’s illustrator, Wilson Ong

·       Whimsical sound elements that bring story pages to life

·       An FAQ section for kids’ most common questions after finishing the book

·       An activity section, featuring coloring pages and jigsaw puzzles

·       Ability to gift the app to others

“This delightful app, with strong messages of faith, comfort and hope, makes a perfect gift for kids,” said Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President of Specialty Publishing at Thomas Nelson. “Parents and grandparents will enjoy the ability to record their own voice reading the story.  How cool it will be for kids to share postcards, coloring sheets and puzzles via email or Facebook.”

“We are honored to partner with Thomas Nelson to produce the Heaven is for Real for Kids application,” remarked Jake Press, founder of Author Mobile™.  “Along with other children’s books and devotional apps, fans will enjoy the collection of applications we have coming in the future.”

Heaven Is for Real for Kids is one of a trio of new products by the Burpo family released by Thomas Nelson. Heaven Is for Real deluxe edition is also available to provide a hardcover, gift-able version of the best-selling trade book. A Heaven is for Real DVD-based Conversation Kit features footage of the Burpo family talking about their experiences while offering discussion questions and suggestions for participants.

LAURA MINCHEW FOR THOMAS NELSON AND JAKE PRESS FOR AUTHOR MOBILE

ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

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Author Mobile™, a brand that provides electronic mobile platforms for the world’s leading book publishers, develops for many categories of books including children’s books and devotional applications. The brand is owned and operated by Jake Press Agency, Inc.

Thomas Nelson, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., is one of the leading trade publishers in the United States. The Company is the world’s leading provider of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with product distribution in over 100 countries. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is a national leading producer of live events. For more information, please visit http://www.thomasnelson.com.

For more information, please contact:

Amy Kerr

Publicist, Thomas Nelson

615-902-1722

akerr@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.)- This week, Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced the promotion of Laura Minchew to Senior Vice President of Specialty Publishing.

Minchew served as publisher of the Children’s Book and Education division, where she held a very successful record for growth and innovation. In 2009, Thomas Nelson’s Gift division was absorbed within her role and in 2010 she was asked to lead the Family Entertainment division.

Minchew and her team have consistently led the Company with the highest returns on invested capital, efficiently using its resources to obtain these results. Her team’s strong performance continues with the current #2 NY Times bestseller “Heaven Is For Real for Kids” and PubTrack’s consistently top five Christian seller “Jesus Calling”.

“Laura has demonstrated leadership by building a top notch team, creating outstanding product, and delivering superior results,” stated Tod Shuttleworth, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for Global & Specialty Publishing. “Laura’s hard work and dedication have made the Specialty publishing division a very successful entity for Thomas Nelson.”

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Thomas Nelson, Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is the nation’s leading producer of Christian live events. The Company provides multiple forms of “inspirational” content including: Bibles, books, eBooks, journals, audio, video, curriculum and digital applications for “smart” electronic devices, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Nashville, Tenn. – Thomas Nelson Inc., one of the word’s oldest and largest Bible publishers, has another milestone in its yearlong celebration of the King James Version Bible’s 400th anniversary.
The company’s Bible Group Marketing Team has won the prestigious platinum MarCom award for its creative KJV400 marketing strategy. The global competition, touted as the largest of its kind in the world, recognizes “outstanding achievement by marketing and communication professionals.”

“What an honor to have this talented and dedicated group as part of the Thomas Nelson family,” says Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “Through this campaign, our Bible Marketing Team continues to carry out the company’s mission, to inspire the world. The King James Bible is an integral part of Thomas Nelson’s foundation and this team has done a great job to educate consumers about its history and cultural influence.”

Competition entrants include media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies. The entries are judged by the international organization Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

“Our marketing team well deserves having this spotlight shone on them,” says Gary Davidson, Thomas Nelson Senior Vice President and Bible Group Publisher. “Their exceptional creative programs are some of the best I’ve ever seen. I’m very proud of the work they do to spread God’s Word.”

It was 407 years ago that King James of England gathered 54 of the best biblical scholars and linguists of the day to create a new translation of the Bible. Thomas Nelson’s campaign to share the anniversary included the Bible Legacy Event at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, a worldwide satellite media tour, partnerships with the History Channel and Salem Media Group, and recently a promotion on the CBS Times Square Jumbo Screen. A web site dedicated to the celebration – www.KJV400celebration.com – launched an online version of the Bible Legacy showcase, encouraging millions of people to view ancient biblical relics.

“It was a lot of hours and a lot of work, but it was worth it,” says Blake Aldridge, Senior Marketing Director of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. “The King James Version changed how the world viewed the Bible, and its legacy of language lives on today. We wanted everyone to understand how important that Bible translation is to their everyday lives, whether they realize it or not. It was a huge challenge, but this group likes challenges.”

The group’s efforts reached close to 63 million viewers through paid promotions, and countless more through publicity efforts in print, online, radio and television. Innovative design work by Thomas Nelson’s design team brought the past and present together in beautiful products that will be kept for generations. This award recognizes the dedicated perseverance of all those who worked for months to keep this version of God’s Word in the hearts of the world.

“It has been a privilege to be a part of a campaign that celebrates such a time-honored translation as the King James Version,” says Lindsay Williams, Bible Group Marketing Specialist. “This has been the largest campaign I’ve been a part of during my time at Thomas Nelson, and it’s been exciting to work on something with such a phenomenal reach! It’s been neat to see people’s reactions as they begin to understand how this translation has stood the test of time and influenced history for 400 years.”

Thomas Nelson Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher, with a mission to “inspire the world.” The company provides multiple formats of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. Visit www.ThomasNelsonBibles.com for more information.

For image files, interview opportunities and more information, contact Julie Belschner, publicist, at jbelschner@thomasnelson.com or at 615.902.2244.