Publishers Weekly | Religion Book Deals: January 2017

HarperOne Goes to Hollywood

In a world rights deal, Nena Madonia Oshman at Dupree Miller & Associates sold The Hollywood Commandments by film producer and preacher DeVon Franklin to KathrynRenz Hamilton at Harper One. The book, slated to publish in October, encourages readers to pursue their passion in every area of life, including career, relationships, and faith.

Zondervan Nabs the ‘Chewbacca Mom’

Zondervan acquisitions editor Stephanie Smith bought world rights to two books by Candace Payne, also known as the “Chewbacca Mom” who shared a Facebook Live video of herself wearing a Chewbacca mask and laughing. The video entitled “the simple joys in life” went viral, garnering over 165 million views. Payne’s first book—a memoir on poverty, shame, and depression—will release on November 7 with a national media and multi-city book signing tour. Following in fall 2018, Zondervan will release a gift book illustrated by Payne that explores joy and how to find it. Payne is represented by the Icon Management Group and Jana Burson of the Christopher Ferebee Agency.

Faithwords Signs Up for a Miracle

Nena Madonia Oshman sold world rights to Rolf Zettersten at FaithWords for The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection by Joyce Smith with ghostwriter Ginger Kolbaba. Scheduled to publish in fall 2017, the book claims to tell the story of how a drowned child was brought back to life by his mother’s prayers.

Tyndale Takes ‘The Martyrs Oath’

Sealy Yates of the Yates and Yates Agency sold world rights to Tyndale Momentum’s acquisitions editor Jon Farrar to The Martyr’s Oath: Living For the Jesus They’re Willing to Die For by author of Defying ISIS Johnnie Moore. Slated to publish on October 17, the new book sheds light on Christian persecution around the world.

Grant Sells Children’s Debut to Sparkhouse

Jennifer Grant, author of five books including Love You More and Wholehearted Living, sold world rights to her first children’s book, Maybe God is Like That Too, to Sparkhouse editor Naomi Krueger. The book, illustrated by Benjamin Schipper, follows a child through a day in his busy city life, including encounters with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It will be published in March.

Read more at Religion Book Deals: January 2017.