Guideposts Officially Launches New Inspirational Line

by Jana Reiss, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 2/1/2006

On the Wednesday of the CBA show, Guideposts hosted an intimate luncheon where key executives fleshed out previously announced plans for the company's expansion into the inspirational trade book market.

Publisher and editor-in-chief Marilyn Moore expects that the company will produce up to 20 titles a year, focusing on inspirational fiction, memoirs, story collections, devotionals, and faith-based true stories. The fall season lineup includes award-winning novelist Sue Monk Kidd, who got her start as a writer when she submitted a personal story for Guideposts magazine in the late 1970s, when she was a nurse and young mother. "As we were starting to develop our list, I just remembered her and thought of her, and I gave her a call," said Moore. "She was touched; this is a kind of a reunion, a coming back." Kidd's Firstlight (Sept.) will be culled from these early stories, essays and personal meditations.

Other popular writers tapped for the debut list include Christian chick lit maven Judy Baer (The Whitney Chronicles) and prolific novelist Melody Carlson, a RITA and Gold Medallion winner who has written more than 150 books.

Guideposts, best known as a magazine publisher, boasts a combined paid circulation of 4.3 million for its magazines, including Guideposts, Angels on Earth, and Positive Thinking. But the estimated number of readers is up to ten million per month, since many people are exposed to issues in doctors' offices or churches. Through the magazines, Moore said, the company has developed "a very rich heritage" and a respected name. "It's a brand that has already been established. It's a brand you can trust," she said.

The imprint's distribution will be handled by Ideals Publications, which the Guideposts company acquired in 2000. "Our acquisition of Ideals five years ago really made this move possible," said Rocco Martino, senior v-p of Guideposts. The imprints will have very different identities, with Ideals continuing to produce illustrated full-color seasonal and gift books and GuidepostsBooks offering text-driven books for adults. Both lines will be presented to the trade by Ideals reps.

The Guideposts announcement of its entry into the inspirational trade market comes hard on the heels of the news that Meredith Books will create a new Christian imprint, Jordan House. "I was surprised about Meredith, and glad for them," said Moore. "I think it certainly reflects the broad-based interest in spiritual issues and spiritual life."

Moore said that GuidepostsBooks will be part of a new, super-sized booth at BEA this year, featuring all of the company's different publications. "We will double the size of our stand to visibly represent us. We have all these wonderful imprints to showcase."