'Crunchy’ Mom Lands at Zonderkidz

Tom Dean of A Drop of Ink Literary sold world rights to Zonderkidz publisher Megan Dobson to Imagine If by Emily Morrow, known on TikTok as @ReallyVeryCrunchy for parodying a “crunchy” character— one who is focused on natural foods. The hardcover picture book for ages 4-8, slated for publication in summer 2024, demonstrates how children can transform ordinary, mundane moments into grand adventures through imaginary play.

Baker Takes a Tell-All

Patnacia Goodman, acquisitions editor at Baker Books, bought world rights from Mary DeMuth of her eponymous literary agency to Pastors’ Wives Tell All: The Raw, Unedited Version by Stephanie Gilbert, Jessica Taylor, and Jenna Allen, who host a podcast by the same name. The book, geared toward pastors’ wives and female church leaders, addresses the stresses of ministry life and offers coping mechanisms and encouragement. Publication is planned for spring/summer 2024.

Moody Examines Military Marriages

Judy Dunagan, acquisition editor at Moody Publishers, took world rights from Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency, to Bree Carroll’s tentatively titled The Joshua Strategy. Carroll is an event planner and the founder of Military Marriage Day, which is celebrated on August 14 each year. The book aims to help women experience victory in their lives, assume a leadership position, and embrace God's calling, based on the biblical military commander Joshua.

Broadleaf Seeks Harmony

Broadleaf’s Valerie Weaver-Zercher took world rights to The Eloheh Journey: How Indigenous Values Can Help Us Live the Harmony Way by Randy and Edith Woodley, who represented themselves in the negotiations. The book explores practices rooted in 10 values held in common across all Indigenous nations, aimed at achieving Eloheh—a Cherokee word meaning harmony and peace. Randy Woodley is the author of Becoming Rooted, among other titles, as well as an activist, scholar, teacher, and Cherokee descendant, recognized by the Keetoowah Band. Edith Woodley is an artist, activist farmer, and Eastern Shoshone tribal member. The book is scheduled for publication in 2024.

Smith, Wilt Reup at Brazos

Robert Hosack, executive editor for Brazos Press, bought world right to Abiding Wisdom by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt, who also co-authored Endless Grace (Jan. 2023) and Sheltering Mercy (2022), both subtitled Prayers Inspired by the Psalms and published by Brazos. The new book will help readers rediscover treasures of wisdom offered in the book of Proverbs through a free-verse rendering of beloved passages. The book is slated for publication in summer 2024. The authors represented themselves in the deal.

Children’s Book Explains It All

Lillian Miao, director of Paraclete Press, took world rights to Little Spark of Life by Courtney Siebring. The rhyming picture book helps children ages three to 10 learn about conception, pregnancy, and childbirth, through the interactions between a mother, a father and their young son—soon to be big brother. Camila Carrossine will illustrate. The author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at The Bright Agency represented the illustrator. Publication is slated for September 12, 2023.

IVP's Survival Guide

Jevon Bolden and Cynthia Crawford at Embolden Media Group sold world rights to Al Hsu at InterVarsity Press for author, speaker, and minister Dawn Sanders’s Living Through the End of the World as You Know It. The book introduces seven steps for creating a new life after hardships, including abandonment, betrayal, financial ruin, divorce, and the death of a loved one. Publication is slated for winter 2024.

NavPress ‘Unboxes’ Women

Jevon Bolden at Embolden Media Group sold world rights to Deborah Gonzalez, associate acquisitions editor at NavPress, for speaker, minister, and life coach Nicole O. Salmon's Woman Unboxed: Unleash the Courage to Choose Your Calling Over Your Comfort Zone. Slated for publication in winter 2024, the book encourages women to “evict themselves from their comfort zones of silence, compliance, and dumbing-down to stand confidently in their created identity,” according to the publisher.

Mother and Daughter Tackle Tween Friendships

Author/agent Blythe Daniel and her daughter Calyn Daniel, a middle schooler, sold world-rights to Kyle Hatfield, acquisitions editor at Harvest House, to their Let’s Be Friends: A Tween Devotional on Finding and Keeping Strong Friendships. Slated for publication in October 2023, the devotional is geared toward girls ages 8-12 and features journaling prompts, scripture, questions girls can ask new friends, and activities they can do together.

Bolsinger Brings a Bounty

Cindy Bunch, v-p editorial at IVP, acquired world rights to leadership coach Tod Bolsinger’s four-volume Practicing Change series, scheduled for publication in 2024. Published under IVP’s Praxis imprint, titles include How Not to Waste a Crisis, Mission Over Stakeholders, Leading Through Loss and Leading Change When Trust Is Low. Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience, also sold his next full-length leadership book titled Good Soil, Holy Ground, slated for publication by IVP in 2025. Kathryn Helmers of Helmers Literary Services brokered the deal.