Leading Publisher Holds Five Out of Top 10 Bible Titles

(Nashville, Tenn.) Thomas Nelson, Inc.’s Bible Group has claimed half of the November 2009 ECPA Bible Bestsellers List’s Top 10 slots. The leading Christian publisher is holding five of the top positions with titles that include: the NKJV Text Bible (otherwise known as Nelson’s Million Bible Challenge Bible), the NKJV Gift and Award Bible in black Leatherflex, the hardcover edition of The American Patriot’s Bible, and the KJV Gift and Award Bible’s blue and black Leatherflex offerings. In fact, Thomas Nelson currently holds more slots than any other publisher on the Bible list overall. These results continue to identify Thomas Nelson, who has been publishing Bibles for 200-plus years, as a strong leader in the Bible publishing industry.

“I’m encouraged by the continued support our product has from consumers and our retail partners,” notes Senior Vice President and Group Publisher of Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group Wayne Hastings. “I believe this type of success along with our solid line of new releases positions us well for a strong Christmas season with the ultimate goal of getting more Bibles in the hands of people who need them.”

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Bestseller Lists are compiled using adult book sales data from Christian retail stores across the U.S. A book must have sales in at least 20% of reporting stores during at least one week of the represented reporting cycle to be placed on the list. Only Trade Paper, Cloth and Mass Market Paper books are reported, tracts, mini-books or booklets are not included on this list. Only books which are offered to Christian stores at a trade discount from a publisher or wholesaler are featured on the list. Seasonal/holiday books are omitted from this list.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information on the company and titles, visit http://www.thomasnelson.com or http://www.nelsonbibles.com.

Contact:

Brenda Smotherman

Publicist

tel: (615) 902-2231

fax: (615) 902-1132

web: www.thomasnelson.com

Max Lucado holds the number one spot on the hardcover list with his timely primer on living fearlessly, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear and Sarah Young’s beautiful and inspirational devotional Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence holds number two. Also rounding out the top ten are David Jeremiah’s Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World and What in the World is Going On?, Donald Miller’s A Million in a Thousand Years, Andy Andrew’s The Noticer, Emerson Eggerich’s Love & Respect, and Ted Dekker’s Green.

“I believe Thomas Nelson has one of the best fall lists that I have seen,” said Michael Hyatt, chief executive officer of Thomas Nelson, “and it is wonderful to see the strength of our new releases reflected in the bestseller lists. This type of domination on the Christian Marketplace list is a very positive indicator as we begin the holiday selling season.”

# # #

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.

Contact:    Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
email: lnobles@thomasnelson.com
web: www.thomasnelson.com

Ricardo Montaner is one of the most celebrated artists in the Spanish-speaking world thanks to his endless search for new styles and, at the same time, his firm roots in the romantic ballad tradition. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Ricardo has traveled a road that has taken him to the most prestigious arenas in the continent, from Luna Park in Buenos Aires to Madison Square Garden in New York, from the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City to Teresa Carreño in Caracas.

Although not strictly an autobiography, Lo Que No Digo Cantando focuses on the most transcendent moments and events in the life of its author. Inviting the reader to witness the intimacy of his world tours and concerts, Ricardo concentrates on the experiences that helped shape his personality. He pays particular attention to an incident that took place in a hospital in Montevideo, Uruguay, where an encounter with a little boy made a deep impact on how he sees the world.

For more information please visit: www.loquenodigocantando.com

Contact:    Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel:    (615) 902-1109
fax:    (615) 902-1110
email: lnobles@thomasnelson.com
web:    www.thomasnelson.com

In FIVE CITIES THAT RULED THE WORLD (Thomas Nelson. November 2009) theologian Douglas Wilson fuses together, in compelling detail, the critical moments birthed in history’s most influential cities—Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and New York.

Each of these cities emerged in their respective times of influence to dominate the world stage, directing wealth and power, influencing faith and belief, commanding fear and allegiance, provoking wars and conquests, and shaping the world we live in today.

Wilson uncovers the significance of:

•  Jerusalem’s complex history and its deep-rooted character as the city of freedom, where people found their spiritual liberty.
•  Athens’ intellectual influence as the city of reason and birthplace of democracy.
• Rome’s evolution as the city of law and justice and the freedoms and limitations that come with liberty.
• London’s place in the world’s history as the city of literature where man’s literary imagination found its wings.
•  New York’s rise to global fame as the city of commerce and how it triggered unmatched wealth, industry, and trade throughout the world.

In this provocative, discussion-starting book, Wilson dives into these five historic cities, profiling their leaders, exploring their philosophies, following their armies into war, riding their merchant ships to ports of commerce, and watching as one eclipses the others.  Through his superb historical writing, Wilson broadens our understanding and appreciation of these cities with piercing insights, curious details, and entertaining stories.

Each city is being included in large part because of what was done and accomplished during its time of greatness, but in larger part because of how that greatness has lingered and continued. Wilson discusses these five cities—their past glories, their present influences, and their future.

In FIVE CITIES THAT RULED THE WORLD, Wilson issues a challenge to our collective understanding of history with the juxtapositions of freedom and its intrinsic failures; liberty and its deep-seated liabilities. Each revelation beckons us deeper into a city’s story, its political systems, and how it flourished and floundered. Ultimately encouraging readers to honor our shared history, contribute to the present, and look to the future with unmistakable hope.

About the Author
Douglas Wilson is a senior fellow of theology at New Saint Andrews College. He has taught both ethics and logic elsewhere at the college level. Editor of Credenda/Agenda, a small cultural journal known for its humorous and satirical flavor, Wilson is also the author of numerous books on education, theology, and culture, including: The Case for Classical Christian Education, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, Mother Kirk, and Angels in the Architecture, as well as biographies on both Anne Bradstreet and John Knox.

DOUGLAS WILSON IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW.  

Contact:    Curt Harding
Senior Publicist
(615) 902-2246
charding@thomasnelson.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 13, 2009) – Thomas Nelson, the world’s leading Christian publisher, announced Tuesday it is partnering with the world’s leading self-publishing company, Author Solutions, Inc. (ASI), to launch WestBow Press—a Christian self-publishing imprint. The alliance will allow authors to benefit from the market leadership of Thomas Nelson, while taking advantage of ASI’s technology and services that make publishing easy, affordable, and available to anyone.

Long regarded as an industry innovator, Nelson’s creation of WestBow Press provides new and emerging authors the opportunity to publish with the global leader in Christian publishing. Thomas Nelson will monitor WestBow Press titles for the purpose of entering into a traditional publishing contracts for those that perform well.

“At Thomas Nelson, our purpose is to ‘Inspire the World,’” said Michael Hyatt, Thomas Nelson chief executive officer. “With the creation of WestBow Press, we will be able to help more authors realize their dream of being a published author while discovering more diamonds in the rough to add to our roster.”

Through this strategic partnership, ASI will manage WestBow Press on behalf of Thomas Nelson, and be responsible for selling and delivering a rich array of publishing, marketing, and book-selling services, unique to WestBow Press. Kevin Weiss, ASI president and chief executive officer, believes the WestBow Press partnership will serve as a blueprint for other similar alliances.

“We are very excited to join forces with Thomas Nelson in this partnership, We believe the tradition and extensive segment leadership that Thomas Nelson brings, along with ASI’s cutting-edge sales, marketing, and production capabilities will help to revolutionize the publishing industry,” said Weiss.

ASI, the parent company of industry-leading self-publishing imprints AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, and Xlibris, brought to market more than 21,000 new titles in 2008. Since 1997, ASI imprints have published more than 120,000 titles by 85,000 authors worldwide.

To learn more about the publishing packages available through WestBow Press, visit www.westbowpress.com.

About WestBow Press
WestBow Press is a strategic self-publishing alliance of Thomas Nelson, the world’s premier Christian publisher, and Author Solutions, Inc. (ASI)—the world leader in the fastest-growing segment of publishing. Through this partnership, authors benefit from the rich publishing heritage of Thomas Nelson and the speed-to-market advantages of the ASI self-publishing model. Titles published through WestBow Press will be evaluated for sales potential and considered for publication under the Thomas Nelson imprint. For more information, visit www.westbowpress.com.

Together with acclaimed Christian fiction novelist Kathryn Cushman, Walsh has developed a fictional trilogy about one woman’s growing awareness of the presence of angels. The romantic series will highlight the protagonist’s transforming encounter with God’s truth and grace.

Recently named the #1 Christian Fiction Publisher for the first half of 2009,* Thomas Nelson is focusing its efforts on continuing to grow its fiction roster and publish books that appeal to readers through a fresh approach to spirituality and how Scripture impacts human lives.

“Given the current climate of interest in stories featuring interaction between human beings and the supernatural, we believe the time is right for a fiction series about encounters with angels—a series grounded in Scripture and co-authored by two incredibly talented authors,” said Allen Arnold, Sr. Vice President and Publisher of Fiction.

The first novel in the series is slated for publication in August 2010.

“I find myself at the beginning of a whole new adventure as I take my first step into the world of fiction,” said Walsh. “God placed a desire in my heart some time ago to study the ministry of angels in the lives of believers and in God’s plan of redemption. It has been a life-changing quest. I am very excited to be working with the award-winning fiction team at Thomas Nelson whose passion and clear vision have given wings to this dream.”

Walsh is the author of bestselling and award-winning titles like The Heartache No One Sees, Get off Your Knees & Pray, the Gigi, God’s Little Princess series, and her latest, Let Go: Live Free of the Burdens All Women Know.  The 2009 Women of Faith tour will bring her exposure in 30 cities. She co-hosted television’s “The 700 Club” and her own talk show “Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh” on the Family Channel. Walsh is currently earning her Masters in Theology.

Cushman’s novels—A Promise to Remember and Waiting for Daybreak (Bethany House, 2007 and 2008)—are commercial successes that have been described as “writing in the style of Karen Kingsbury and Jodi Picoult.” Her third novel, Leaving Yesterday, will release in October 2009.

Contact: Katie Bond, Publicist

*According to PubTrack Quarterly Category Analysis Reports for January – June, 2009, published by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

(Nashville, Tenn.) Some girls get their Daddy’s curly hair, his love for the golf course, or his cravings for peanut butter ice cream. Jenna Lucado inherited something a little different from her father—the ability to communicate well and simply in a way that moves people. Jenna’s dad, Max Lucado, instilled in Jenna very early a love for storytelling and inspiring others. Now she speaks to thousands of teenage girls every weekend on the Revolve Tour. Along the way she’s picked up on what really matters in the lives of these girls. In her new book, Redefining Beautiful (9781400314287, $12.99, September 2009), Jenna tackles an issue that is important to her, and, with the help of her Dad, unpacks it for the audience she loves.

Jenna creates a conversational “girl-time” atmosphere to bring a fresh perspective on what girls need to live a life of peace, joy, and confidence—to feel truly beautiful. She unpacks the struggle all girls have to look and feel put together and to create a signature style everyone will admire. Underneath all of the accessories and make up, however, teenage girls are wearing layers of insecurity, fear, and misperception of themselves. Jenna tackles these issues and takes readers on a cleaning spree of their emotional closets:“Let’s get rid of all the bad stuff that is preventing us from having a fresh look—a look that radiates joy, a look that speaks confidence and a look that says, ‘I am beautifully and wonderfully made,’” she says.

Jenna reveals life accessories that are essential, and which single accessory is a real must-have to give teens a look they love—a look that says they are comfortable with who they are and secure and confident. What is this crucial, often-overlooked accessory? Love from a father. But what happens when there is no loving father in sight, no daddy to tell them they are beautiful?

“When your earthly father fails you,” Jenna says, “your heavenly father finds you.” She reveals that when we look to God as our Father, He can change our focus, our look, and our lives. With affirmation from Max, Redefining Beautiful will change the way girls look at God, themselves, and the people around them.

Daughter of best-selling author Max Lucado, Jenna Lucado has realized that she has a passion for writing and speaking just like her dad. She is currently a part of the Revolve Tour, an event for teen girls that includes a Christian artists like Natalie Grant, Chad Eastham and many more. Max Lucado, Minister of Writing and Preaching for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, is the husband of Denalyn and father of Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. On a good week he reads a good book, has a few dinners with his wife, and breaks 90 on the golf course. He usually settles for the first two.

Contact: Jacklyn Johnston
Publicist
Tel: (615) 902-1722
Email: jjohnston@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) – It’s a classic scene: Boy meets Girl. Boy wonders what in the world Girl is talking about and how he will ever keep up. Girl wonders what is wrong with Boy and whether they are even of the same species. Both Boy and Girl struggle through their teenage years helplessly lost as to how the other operates. All seems lost. In a pivotal time of their development and social lives, teens are left to try and understand one another without much guidance.

Enter, Guys Are Waffles, Girls Are Spaghetti (ISBN: 9781400315161, $12.99, Sept. 2009)—every teen’s guide to figuring out the opposite sex while understanding and delighting in our unique differences. The purpose of this book is to help better understand themselves as well those from the “alien gender”. Author Chad Eastham is a popular speaker on the annual Revolve Tour which reaches 125,000 girls a year. Chad brings his on-stage humor and personality to life on the page with the help of popular authors Bill and Pam Farrel. Together they use principles from the Farrels’ best-selling book on marriage, Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti, and translate them to teen relationships from friendships to dating.

The message is simple. It is possible to have healthy relationships with the opposite sex if you let gender differences work for, and not against, you. The biggest difference is in the way guys and girls think. A guy’s brain is segmented into compartments, like the trademark grid of a waffle: they keep their lives compartmentalized in boxes. Girls’ brains, on the other hand, are more like the jumbled, tangled noodles of a handful of spaghetti: everything in their life is connected to everything else.

Waffles and Spaghetti makes sense of everything about how guys and girls relate. Subjects include brain development, conflict, body language, social habits, differences in emotions, and relationship building skills.  Loaded with humor and fun examples, this is a great way for teens to learn about healthy relationships with the opposite sex. Chad is also releasing a DVD in September, Chad Eastham: Live (978-1-4003-1554-3, $14.99), that will include footage of his “Waffles and Spaghetti” message while on the Revolve Tour.

Popular teen speaker Chad Eastham reaches about 125,000 teenage girls each year on the Revolve Tour. Former drug and alcohol dependency counselor, Chad is now Assistant Director at Healthy Visions, a research and education agency for teens. Chad has also already written an award-winning health curriculum and two books for teens.

Best-selling authors of over 25 books including Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti, Bill and Pam Farrel are co-founders and directors of Farrel Communications, an organization that brings practical insights to personal relationships.

Contact: Jacklyn Johnston
Publicist
Tel: (615) 902-1722
Email: jjohnston@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) “It’s a miracle.” Georg Taubman gratefully declared to the world after he and seven other aid workers were liberated from their three-month imprisonment in Afghanistan in 2001. The Western hostages had been accused by the Taliban of preaching Christianity, a serious offense punishable by death.

Now the story of their desperate plight is being told in the new book Kabul24 (Thomas Nelson, September 2009) by Henry Arnold and Ben Pearson. Recounting their 105 days in captivity, Kabul24 revisits the hostages’ grueling interrogations, their sham trials before the Taliban Supreme Court, their peril during the bombing of Kabul, and the crushing sense that the world had abandoned them.

The eight members of the group Shelter Now International were taken more than a month before the September 11 attacks on America. Also held were 16 Muslim co-workers who were beaten and tortured, having been accused of converting to Christianity.

The book’s release precedes a feature-length documentary being produced by world-renowned recording artist Michael W. Smith and is narrated by Jim Caviezel star of The Passion of the Christ.The film is scheduled for release later this year.

About The Authors
Ben Pearson is an acclaimed filmmaker and photographer with numerous awards, honors, and gallery shows to his credit.  He lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and their three children. He is making his directorial debut with the feature-length documentary Kabul24 due for release in November.

Henry Arnold is an award-winning writer and producer.  His credits include “The Word Made Flesh” trilogy, “The Second Chance,” and the first authorized film documentary on Billy Graham, “God’s Ambassador.”  He lives on a farm in Tennessee with his wife Kay.

Contact: Curt Harding at 615.902.2246 or email charding@thomasnelson.com

Cara Lynn James will release Love on a Dime, her finalist entry for the coveted Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award for Unpublished Authors. Love on a Dime is first in a series of historical romance novels set in Newport, Rhode Island, during the Gilded Age of the 1890s, slated for a June 2010 release. A native New Englander, James now lives in northwest Florida near the Gulf Coast. A member of Romance Writers of America, the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of RWA, and the Gulf Coast Chapter of RWA, James is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Kelly Long’s Amish romance series, Designed by Love, features novels each inspired by popular Amish quilting patterns. The series is set among the Old Order Amish of rural north-central Pennsylvania, whose adage “there is no beauty without function” is exemplified by their superb handmade quilts.  The first novel in her series, Sarah’s Garden, is slated for July 2010 release.
Making Long’s Amish series particularly distinctive, the author grew up, as an Englisher, in a community with a high population of Amish residents.  Long is an alumnus of Pennsylvania State University and the University of New Hampshire where she received numerous writing scholarships. She is a high school humanities teacher in Marietta, Georgia.

Caroline Friday’s first novel, a Southern historical romance titled The River Flows, is set in 1920s North Carolina and slated for release in April 2011. Friday is the award-winning writer of eleven screenplays, one of which inspired The River Flows. Friday is also a founder and Executive Vice President of Sixth Day Media, LLC, a family and faith-based film finance and production company headquartered in the Atlanta area.

* PubTrack Quarterly Category Analysis Reports for January – June, 2009, published by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.