Broadleaf Buys Story of El Salvador, Archbishop Romero
Writer, producer, and actor Jasmine Romero sold world rights to What the Archbishop Knew: Lessons from El Salvador on Staying Human in Inhumane Times to senior acquisitions editor Valerie Weaver-Zercher at Broadleaf Books. Romero, who was unagented in the deal, tells the story of the intertwined fortunes of El Salvador and the United States through the lens of the life and work of Archbishop Oscar Romero (no relation), who was assassinated in 1980 amid civil war in El Salvador. Through oral histories, personal interviews, eyewitness accounts, congressional testimony, and declassified CIA files, the author narrates the stories of ordinary people who told the truth about what they saw no matter the cost, according to the publisher. Publication is planned for spring 2028.
Annie Downs to WaterBrook for Four Books
Lisa Jackson of Alive Literary Agency has negotiated world rights with WaterBrook VP and executive editor Susan Tjaden for a four-book deal with bestselling author and podcaster Annie Downs. Don’t Let That Hold You Back—which challenges readers to release guilt, fear, and pressure and take bold action in life—and an accompanying 40-day devotional, as yet untitled, are scheduled for fall 2026. The deal also includes a second trade book on an undecided topic as well as the Let’s Read the Gospels Bible, which pairs the complete books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts with prompts to help readers engage with Scripture and grow in relationship with Jesus. Release dates for the last two titles are TBD.
Behrman Takes Interviews with Faith Leaders
David Behrman at Behrman House has bought world rights to American Revival: Portraits of Today's Spiritual Builders by rabbis Benjamin Spratt and Joshua Stanton, who were unagented in the deal. The book features interviews with leaders of a variety of North American faith communities about the challenges and opportunities facing organized religious movements today. The book features a preface is by Chelsea Clinton, cofounder of the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership, and foreword by Paul O’Donnell, editor-in-chief of Religion News Service. The book is scheduled for fall 2026.
NavPress Helps Readers Rise Above Doubt
Caitlin Carlson, acquiring editor at NavPress, has taken world rights to Bethny Ricks’s tentatively titled Unwritten: The Bold Path to Rise Above Self-Doubt and Rewrite Your Story with Confidence. Ricks is a speaker, executive coach, author, and businessperson who shares her own story and offers faith-driven encouragement and practical tools, per the publisher. Trinity McFadden of the Bindery brokered the deal for the 2028 release.
Comics-style Bible Story Series to First Second
Calista Brill, editorial director at First Second Books, has acquired, in a five-book deal, world rights to a new series titled Bible Comics, written by Wes Molebash with art by Louie Chin, Alison Acton, and Kendall Goode. The early-reader series introduces readers to the most important stories in the New Testament in graphic novel format with gentle humor and heart, according to the publisher. The first book is scheduled for fall 2027. Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency represented Molebash and Acton, and Charlie Olsen at InkWell represented Goode. Chin represented himself.
WaterBrook Signs Podcast Host
Susan Tjaden, VP and executive editor at WaterBrook, took world rights to Love That Lasts: Finding Purpose in the One Who Never Fails by Ally Yost, a lifestyle and faith-based digital creator and podcast host of Christ with Coffee on Ice. She challenges readers to discover childlike faith and the transformative power of God’s love, according to the publisher. The fall 2026 release was agented by Dan Milaschewski and Kelly Karczewski at UTA.
Paraclete Signs Picture Book Teaching Potential
Director of Paraclete Press Lillian Miao negotiated a world-rights deal for Tiny the Mustard Seed: Celebrating Potential, Based on Jesus' Parable from Matthew 13:31-32. The author, Dee Leone, was represented by Jen Babakhan of Books & Such Literary Management. Illustrator Anna Jones was represented by Robbin Brosterman of Bright Agency. The picture book encourages children ages 3-8 to consider their unique talents, traits, and potential, said the publisher.
Skyhorse Takes Elness's New Devotional
Mary DeMuth of Mary DeMuth Literary has negotiated world rights with senior editor Kathryn Riggs of Skyhorse, an imprint of Regnery Faith, for Talking with Jesus: A 365-Day Devotional by Tera Elness. The devotional, a follow-up to her Sitting with Jesus, encourages readers to “nestle in and spill it all out before the God who created them,” according to the publisher. Elness is a writer, speaker, and director of children, youth, and family ministries at her home church.
