Atria Nabs RG3 Memoir
Amar Deol, editor at Atria Books, acquired U.S., Canadian, and open market first serial rights, as well as audio rights, from Susan Canavan of the Waxman Literary Agency, to a memoir by Robert Griffin III. Known as “RG3” Griffin was the Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback for the Washington Football Team. Surviving Washington delves into the “infamous NFL playoff game that changed his career forever,” according to the publisher, including medical mismanagement, a toxic environment that fostered sexual harassment, and power struggles. RG3, who is a Christian, also writes openly about his faith in the book, which is slated for publication on August 9, 2022.
Debut Author Henny Doubles Up
Senior editor Stephanie Duncan Smith at Baker took world rights from Trinity McFadden at The Bindery to two books by Ally Henny, v-p of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective and a writer and speaker on race, cultural identity, and faith. In her debut, tentatively titled I Won’t Shut Up, Henny details her experience as a self-described “loud Black woman,” and explores what it means to fight for one’s true identity amid “cultural pressures to stay small, silent, and in line,” according to the publisher. It's slated for publication in summer 2023. The release of the second book is to be determined.
Center Street Signs Book on Bushes
Alex Pappas, editorial director at Hachette Nashville’s Center Street imprint, took world rights from Tom Dean at A Drop of Ink to Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush by Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr.—priest, pastor and friend of Bushes. The former president and First Lady were active members of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, where Levenson serves as rector. Levenson also participated in both of their funerals. The book, which is slated for publication in November 2022, collects Levenson’s perspective of the Bushes’ character, service, faith, and dignity.
Zondervan Reflective Heads Into ‘Uncharted Territory’
Kyle Rohane, acquisitions editor at Zondervan Reflective, acquired world rights from Keely Boeving of Wordserve Literary to Uncharted Territory by Angie Ward, assistant director of the doctor of ministry program at Denver Seminary. The book applies the case study method to ministry leadership and aims to equip leaders with the understanding, skills, and integration needed to lead effectively through adaptive challenges, according to the publisher. The book is slated for publication in fall 2023.
Broadleaf Highlights an Overlooked Prophet
Broadleaf senior editor Adrienne Ingrum took world rights directly from author Michael Walrond to The Agabus Alternative. Walrond, the pastor of Harlem’s mega congregation First Corinthian Baptist Church, examines an often-overlooked prophet in the Bible in order to provide a countercultural approach to what he calls our narcissistic culture. The book is slated for publication in spring 2023.
