testing page

Array
(
    [1693934349] => Array
        (
            [img] => 

While many people love fall to watch the leaves change colors, enjoy cooler temperatures and participate in exciting events, fall is also a wonderful time to read a good book.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner and Atheneum Books for the September 5th release of Maid For It.

From the acclaimed author of Roll with It comes a relatable and deeply moving middle grade novel about a girl who, in a desperate bid to keep her family afloat, takes over her mom’s cleaning jobs after an injury prevents her from working.

Now that Franny and her newly sober mom have moved to a cozy apartment above a laundromat, Franny’s looking forward to a life where her biggest excitement is getting top grades in math class. But when Franny’s mom gets injured in a car accident, their fragile life begins to crumble. There’s no way her mom can keep her job cleaning houses, which means she can’t pay the bills. Franny can’t forget what happened the last time her mom was hurt: the pills that were supposed to help became an addiction, until rehab brought them to Mimi’s laundromat and the support group she hosts.

Franny will not let addiction win again, even if she has to blackmail a school rival to help her clean houses. She’ll make the money and keep her mom sober—there’s no other choice. But what happens if this is one problem she can’t solve on her own?

Congratulations to Leslie Leyland Fields with Paul Willis and IV Press for the September 5th release of A Radiant Birth: Advent Readings for a Bright Season.

The first Christmas sermon preserved in church history was preached by St. John Chrysostom in AD 386, in which he declared, “Behold a new and wonderful mystery!” In this volume, the Christian literary writers of the Chrysostom Society reflect on Advent and Christmastide as a bright and meaningful season of anticipation and glory. Through forty-two readings from the first Sunday of Advent through Epiphany, contributors prepare us in watchful waiting for the coming of Jesus. We enter slowly so that the familiar can astonish us and become wondrous once again.

Jesus is born in Bethlehem. But not only there. He is also born in us, that we might bear his presence and impart his goodness to the world.

Congratulations to Jenn Schultz and Esther Press for September 5th release of She’s Not Your Enemy: Conquering Our Insecurities So We Can Build God’s Kingdom Together.

Find freedom from jealousy and insecurity as you rest in your true worth and identity in God. Complete with reflection questions, journaling space, and accompanying teaching videos, She’s Not Your Enemy helps you move beyond habits of self-protection and create a culture of community.

Sometimes the women in our lives feel like enemies: The colleague who threatens your position at work. The friend who talks behind your back. The woman who seems to have it all together—while you are barely hanging on.

But the real enemy is the one who is trying to defeat you with lies that lead to isolation, insecurity, and division. She’s Not Your Enemy equips us to battle Satan’s deception through the solid truth of God’s Word. Popular blogger and podcast host Jenn Schultz comes alongside us to explore:
 How we find true joy when we recognize our unique roles in God’s kingdom

  • What we lose when we see other women as competition
  • What to do about envy, jealousy, people-pleasing, and perfectionism
  • Why we will never be “enough” on our own—and why that’s great news
  • How our view of God affects our view of ourselves and others

 When we find our worth and identity in God, we can cultivate empathy and compassion for those we have labeled as the enemy—including the woman in the mirror—and live with greater joy.

Congratulations to Carolyn Leiloglou  and Waterbrook Publishing for the September 12th release of Beneath the Swirling Sky.

After an experience he’d rather forget, Vincent is determined to be done with art. So when he and his little sister, Lili, spend spring break with their art conservator great-uncle, Vincent’s plan is to stay glued to his phone.

That is, until Lili disappears into one of the world’s most famous paintings and Vincent learns his parents have been hiding something from him: Their family is the last of The Restorationists, a secret society with the power to travel through paintings—and a duty to protect them from evil forces.

With Lili’s safety on the line, leaving art behind is no longer an option. Vincent must team up with his know-it-all second-cousin Georgia, wrestle with why his parents lied to him, and confront both his past and a future he never wanted. Young readers are invited into a captivating universe where paintings become a portal—and adventure and danger lurk beyond every canvas.

Contracts

Meryl Ashley Cantley Herr signed with InterVarsity Press for the January 2025 release of When Work Hurts.

Jennifer Strickland signed with Regnery Publishing for the October 2024 release of I Am A Woman.

Robert Bruce Jameson III signed with Penguin Random House for the November 2024 release of Everything is Never Enough.

Michaela O’Donnell signed with Baker Publishing for the August 2024 release of Life in Flux.

Meryl Ashley Cantley Herr signed with InterVarsity Press for the January 2025 release of When Work Hurts.

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations Katie Powner! The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass  received  Starred Review from Library Journal

“Powner’s real-life experience as a seasoned foster mother shines through in this tale of finding treasure in the people and things that others have cast aside. Readers will be clamoring for more.”

[title] => WordServe August News 2023 [desc] => While many people love fall to watch the leaves change colors, enjoy cooler temperatures and participate in exciting events, fall is also a wonderful time to read a good book.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/09/05/wordserve-august-news-2023/ [date] => Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:19:09 +0000 [comments] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/09/05/wordserve-august-news-2023/#respond ) [1690903680] => Array ( [img] =>

Summer is here.  Are you ready to do some serious summer reading?  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Jennifer Rosner and IV Press for the May 24th release of Finding Messiah.

Jesus was Jewish, and his Jewish identity informed every aspect of his work, words, and witness. He came as the Messiah of Israel, God’s covenant people, and he spoke the language of God’s faithfulness to this people. So why does it seem that Judaism has little to do with our Christian discipleship today? Jennifer Rosner, a scholar of Jewish-Christian relations, takes us on a personal and corporate journey into the Jewish roots of Christian faith and practice. Understanding Judaism―and the way in which Judaism and Christianity became separate religions―is essential for a rich and holistic Christian identity. As a follower of Jesus who was raised in a Jewish home and who continues to live a Jewish life, Rosner has seen firsthand how a Christian faith can become impoverished when divorced from its Jewish roots. Finding Messiah follows Rosner’s own journey in rediscovering the role of Judaism and God’s covenant with Israel in Christian life and practice. When we begin to understand Christianity’s indelible relationship to Judaism, key aspects of the Christian faith come alive and the wonder of the gospel becomes clear in new and powerful ways. Jesus’ Judaism provides the foundation for the church that is built upon his name. Rediscover the Jewish Jesus, and in so doing, experience a deeper and richer faith than ever before.

Congratulations to Mindy Ferguson and AMG Publishing for June 27th release of Eyewitness to Redemption Ruth: Finding Refuge in God’s Redeeming Love .

The book of Ruth gives us a glimpse into the personal journey of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi.

 

Congratulations to Kim Kimberling, PhD with Nancy Kimberling and Core Media for the July 11th release of Love, Intimay & Sex in the Second Half.

No two marriages are the same. Each couple experiences their unique ups and downs and stages of life. When the second half of marriage begins, many things could be taking place—your final child has left home, one of you is making a career change or thinking about retiring, or you may be discovering new life goals. And your question may be: How do I avoid disconnecting with my spouse after entering this new season of our lives? In Love, Intimacy and Sex in the Second Half, Dr. Kim and Nancy Kimberling challenges couples to love better, grow in intimacy, and have the best sex life ever. Through a series of intimate discussions about their own journey, and sharing stories from other couples, they show that the right focus, intentionality, and work can make the next season of marriage something to be cherished and enjoyed.

Congratulations to Angie Ward and Zondervan Books  for the August 1st release of Uncharted Leadership.

Ministry is complicated, and every leadership challenge is unique. How can you lead effectively when there isn’t a clear path forward?

Real life ministry is complicated–far more complicated than is typically captured in leadership books. There are moving parts and people who require adept, agile, adaptive leadership. Unlike technical challenges with a clear or known solution, adaptive challenges are complex and dynamic, requiring creative leaderships. Adaptive leadership is art, not science. It is an exercise in wisdom, not just knowledge. It requires leaders to ascertain the issues, values, and stakes unique to a given situation, to consider the potential courses of action, and decide which courses are best.

The case study method is a proven and effective tool to help leaders chart their course by learning from complex, real-life situations. Leaders learn to integrate multiple leadership strategies and concepts by reading and reflecting on multiple case studies, helping them clarify their own unique context, values, challenges, opportunities, and potential actions. Like real ministry, case studies are complex. There is not always an easy solution, or even a fast understanding of the real problem(s). The case studies in Uncharted Leadership promote learning at the deepest level: helping leaders move beyond simple answers to deep individual and organizational understanding and transformation.

Uncharted Leadership applies the case study method to ministry leadership. Through a series of relevant, real-life case studies in ministry leadership, Angie Ward brings the classroom to the reader, using thought-provoking questions, commentary, and recommended resources to expand the leader’s empathy, understanding, awareness, and skill.

Congratulations to Katy McCown and EstherPress for the August 8th release of She Belongs: Finding Your Place in the Body of Christ .

Have you been… limiting yourself? Maybe getting in the way of what heaven has for you due to doubt, fear, or feeling you’re just too flawed?

Well, you are not alone. You were made to believe and live bigger, and this devotional journal can guide that discovery, drawing you confidently toward God’s one-of-a-kind dreams for you as His beloved daughter.

Join reinvention strategist and life coach, Marshawn Evans Daniels on a 100 day devotional, journaling, prayer adventure and discover your true identity. You’ll identify what is stopping you from living out your calling and enter into open dialogue with God about your ambitions, goals, and dreams. As you lean into God’s promises for you in scripture you will explore the truth about who you are, why you matter and what you are here to do.

Marshawn will walk you through 100 days divided into 10 sections covering:

  • Trust
  • Purpose
  • Identity
  • Disruption
  • Belief + Faith
  • Blessing Blocker
  • Stillness
  • Blessings + Obedience
  • Significance
  • Courage

Step out and take the next 100 days to pray, journal and spend time with God and uncover your true identity and unleash your faith like never before. A higher destiny, filled with possibility is calling you. God is awakening something magnificent within you!

Congratulations to Ryan Keats and Union Square for the August 15th release of The Land Before Time Management: ADHDinos.

After he received an adult ADHD diagnosis in early 2022, author and illustrator Ryan Keats made lemons into prehistoric lemonade: he began to use his lived experience to create hilarious comics featuring cute cartoon dinosaurs. The adorable brontosaurus main character, Dino, grapples with so many problematic tendencies we’ve all experienced, with or without a formal diagnosis of ADHD. And for the increasing number of people who have been diagnosed with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, these comics are a great way to feel seen and empathize with, not to mention normalize ADHD’s persistent symptoms. Find yourself drifting off during daily conversation? Struggling and losing the battle with multitasking? Maybe you should stop scrolling and do that thing? You know the one. If any of this resonates, you may or may not be a brontosaurus, but you’re probably dealing with ADHD in the best way you can: day by day. 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Felicetti and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing for the August 22nd release of Unexpected Abundance: The Fruitful Lives of Women without Children.

In many Christian communities today, women are expected to have children—to “be fruitful and multiply.” To be childless is to be less of a woman, less of a Christian, or so it can feel. Elizabeth Felicetti is deeply familiar with this pressure as an Episcopal priest who never had the children she imagined would be part of her life. But in the landscape of her childhood in Arizona Felicetti found fresh eyes. If she’s “barren,” so is the desert—and if you look closely, the desert teems with unexpected life. This is also true of women throughout history. Biblical women like Mary Magdalene, medieval mystics like Julian of Norwich, and modern activists like Rosa Parks did not have children, yet their lives bore fruit in their communities and in the church at large.  

In reflecting on her own experience alongside those of these remarkable women, Felicetti deepens our understanding of the many ways to be fruitful. Women without children—by choice or chance—who have felt frustrated or voiceless in the church will find solidarity and inspiration in the pages of Unexpected Abundance.

Congratulations to Michael Phillips and Fidelis Publishing for the August 23rd release of Endangered Virtues and the Coming Ideological War: A Challenge for Americans to Reclaim the Historic Virtues of the Nation’s Christian Roots.

In recent years it is with grave concern we have watched the rapid changes taking place in America and throughout the world. As a people we are increasingly engaged in an ideological tug of war that will determine our future, and that of generations to come. The objective of Endangered Virtues and the Coming Ideological War is to inquire what kind of people serious Christians are called to be. Hopefully we can give intelligent and prayerful thought to our responses to changes coming to the world with startling forcefulness, but that have been met with equally astonishing complacency. Silence, neutrality, and docile compliance will not be an option much longer.

Contracts

Brandon Young with Blayne Smith signed with BenBella Books for the February 2025 release of Perseverance > Endurance. 

Shemaiah Gonzalez signed with Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the March 2025 release of Undaunted Joy.

Jim Burns signed with Right Now Media for six of his video seminars to be included in the online streaming platform for churches.

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations Natalie Runion! Raised to Stay is a Publisher’s Weekly bestseller. You are #23 in trade paperback frontlist category.  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/nielsen/tradepaper.html

AND, is a USA TODAY National Bestseller! It was #21 in all books last week, #5 in non-fiction category, and #1 in the religion category. You can see the list here: https://www.usatoday.com/booklist/date/2023-07-12

 

Congratulations Bryan Clark!  God’s Not Like That is a USA TODAY National Bestseller! It was #37 in all books last week, #9 in non-fiction category, and #2 in the religion category. You can see the list here:  https://www.usatoday.com/booklist/date/2023-07-12 

[title] => WordServe July News 2023 [desc] => Summer is here.  Are you ready to do some serious summer reading?  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/08/01/wordserve-july-news-2023/ [date] => Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:28:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1688184540] => Array ( [img] =>

Summer is here.  Are you ready to do some serious summer reading?  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner and Atheneum Books for the May 30th release of The Summer of June.

From the acclaimed author of Tune It Out and Roll with It comes a “needed, hopeful” (Booklist) middle grade book about a young girl who sets out to overcome her anxiety over the course of one life-changing summer.

Twelve-year-old June Delancey is kicking summer off with a bang. She shaves her head and sets two goals: she will beat her anxiety and be the lion she knows she can be, instead of the mouse everyone sees. And she and her single mama will own their power as fierce, independent females.

With the help of Homer Juarez, the poetry-citing soccer star who believes in June even when she doesn’t believe in herself, she starts a secret library garden and hatches a plan to make her dreams come true. But when her anxiety becomes too much, everything begins to fall apart. It’s going to take more than a haircut and some flowers to set things right. It’s going to take courage and friends and watermelon pie. Forget second chances. This is the summer of new beginnings.

Congratulations to Israel”D T” Del Toro, Jr. and St. Martin’s Press for the July 4th release of A Patriot’s Promise: Protecting My Brothers, Fighting for My Life, and Keeping My Word.

An inspiring memoir of promises kept, overcoming obstacles, and what it means to sacrifice for others, written by a Special Warfare Operator with the US Air Force.

When Israel “DT” Del Toro, Jr.’s Humvee rolled over a roadside improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, he had one thought as he lost consciousness: I have to keep the promise I made to my dad. DT was orphaned at the age of fourteen, and on the night before his father died, he repeated the promise his dad had required of him: “Take care of your brothers and sisters.”

Throughout his childhood and into adulthood, DT indeed looked after his younger brother and sisters, even to his own detriment and sacrifice. When he enlisted in the Air Force, progressing in ranks as a skilled marksman calling airstrikes, his promise extended to his brothers and sisters in the Air Force―his fellow soldiers and brothers-in-arms.

When DT was injured in action, he lay in a coma for three months with third-degree burns on 80 percent of his body. He nearly died three times, and doctors predicted―if he survived―he would forever breathe with a respirator and never walk again. DT pushed through every limit to his full recovery, and he became the first 100 percent disabled veteran to reenlist in the Air Force.

DT’s promise to his dad extends now to his fellow wounded warriors throughout the world as he advocates for awareness and affecting change in public policy for wounded, injured, and ill soldiers. He is a patriot who has kept his promise and changed the world with the spirit of his heart, soul, body, and mind.

Congratulations to Natalie Runion and David C Cook  for the July 4th release of Raised to Stay.

An honest exploration of disappointment with the Church, Raised to Stay is for anyone weary of God’s people but longing to keep their faith in God.

God might seem silent right now. God’s people might seem not worth the wounds. But hold on as Natalie Runion embarks on a journey for all who are wandering, wondering, and wrestling. Together, we will move toward trusting God again, knowing that even though Christian community may fail us, the love of God never fails.

When we say yes to God, we don’t say yes to church politics, ladder climbing, or burnout. We say yes to Jesus. We say yes to hope. We say yes to much that we can still embrace. Through honest words and deeply personal story, Runion challenges us to be part of a generation known for the passionate pursuit of Christ. To be remembered for loving one another, forgiving one another, and persevering with one another in our hunger for God.

We aren’t quitters. We are the stayers.

Congratulations to Bryan Clark and David C Cook  for the July 4th release of God’s Not Like That.

Many of us long for the abundant life Jesus promised, but instead we feel stagnant and frustrated in our faith. More of us cultivate our view of God from our family of origin than from the pages of the Bible—and a faulty view of God will always be a barrier to a satisfying spiritual life.

In his unique and interactive book God Isn’t Like That, author Bryan Clark returns us to Scripture on a step-by-step journey to identify and then correct our misconceptions about God. This highly practical book helps us understand:

Specific ways our childhood influences our beliefs today

  • The difference between a grace-based value system and a performance-based value system
  • How to distinguish truth from fiction when it comes to personal beliefs
  • Why even a loving and faith-filled family can inadvertently pass on false representations of God
  • What the Bible says about how God intended Himself to be depicted in the home

Abundant life has nothing to do with money or prosperity or health. Abundant life has everything to do with a right view of God that sustains us, comforts us, and satisfies us through every season.

Congratulations to Bill Myers and Fidelis Publishing for the July 12th release of Commune: Rendezvous with God (3).

“Find out about prayer. Somebody must find out about prayer.” —Albert Einstein

With the life of his niece’s newborn baby hanging in the balance, our hero continues his off-the-record conversations with Yeshua—sometimes visiting him in Bible times, sometimes amidst the baffling events of his own world.

One way or another, through trial and error, and always with a touch of humor, he learns the life-changing truths about prayer:

-What works
-What doesn’t
-What is religious lip-service
-What is true communion with God

Join Will Thomas as he continues stumbling his way toward holiness and, through no fault of his own, an ever-deepening friendship with God.

Contracts

Angie Ward signed with InterVarsity Press for the 2024 release of The Whole Church for the Whole World.

Camden  Morgante signed with Baker Books for the 2024 release of Recovering from Purity Culture

New Clients

William Byrd and Robert Elmer recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

[title] => WordServe June News 2023 [desc] => Summer is here.  Are you ready to do some serious summer reading?  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to …

[link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/07/01/wordserve-june-news-2023/ [date] => Sat, 01 Jul 2023 04:09:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1685642630] => Array ( [img] =>

As you prepare your summer reading list, here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Roger Hutchison and Morehouse Publishing for the April 18th release of The Art of Calm.

A revelatory, pragmatic, and beautifully rendered companion for the millions suffering from mental health issues

An invaluable resource for anyone struggling with anxiety, fear, or depression, The Art of Calm is a lifesaving and inspiring guidebook that empowers us to break free from the emotional bondage of mental illness. Bursting with deep personal insight and uplifting practical guidance, this remarkable and therapeutic journey begins by charting the author’s own devastating psychological descent―which included panic attacks so severe they landed him in the emergency room. When the medical system proved unable to provide sustained help, however, a floundering Roger Hutchison turned to his faith for guidance. The healing path God led him on was nothing short of miraculous, offering not only authentic spiritual renewal but also a profound sense of belonging in a world where he once only felt like a stranger.

Weaving these personal stories with thoughtful questions, journaling prompts, and a wide range of inspirational practices, Hutchison creates a self-help tapestry of compassion, vulnerability, and action. At the end of each chapter, a colorful variety of reflections and creative exercises―from photography, music, and meditation to cooking, hiking, and art― encourage readers to get up and discover a more centered and peaceful life. The result is an essential tool for finding tranquility in the midst of both inner and outer turmoil.

Congratulations to Greg Munck and Core Media for the May 9th release of The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking.

Life with a drug-addicted father meant sleeping with one eye open, nervously anticipating but not knowing what chaotic event would happen next. Whether it was having a shotgun placed against his head or snorting cocaine at 13 with his dad, the unpredictable and unwanted were Greg Munck’s normal. But just when the anxiety and anger inside of him were starting to vent and rumble, the United States Marines and a long boat ride to Kuwait to fight in the Gulf War intervened to change the trajectory—and eternity—of a twenty-year-old warfighter gifted by God to lead men.

Simple, emotional, and visceral, this story is about earth’s brokenness, God’s presence, and the true significance that resonates deep in the soul of every man. To be great and to do great things are embedded in the heart of every man, but the process of becoming that man demands courage, perseverance, and faith. Fighting the good fight isn’t easy, but under the right leadership, we see that overwhelming odds can be overcome and that our truest purpose can be discovered. In The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking, Greg Munck invites you into his life so that you can discover the bravery to face and win your biggest emotional and spiritual battles.

Congratulations to Preston Ulmer and Nav Press for on the June 6th release of Deconstruct Faith, Discover Jesus: How Questioning Your Religion Can Lead You to a Healthy and Holy God.

What If Deconstructing Your Faith Isn’t a Phase but a Holy Process?

There’s probably a really good reason you picked up this book. Are you desperate to be in relationship with family or friends who are questioning their faith? Are you experiencing your own deconstruction of faith?

Here is your invitation to rethink everything you thought you knew.

In this process, you’ll . . .

  • learn why it’s important to deconstruct (and how we are wired to do it);
  • define deconstruction and deconversion―what they really mean;
  • consider WWJD (What Would Jesus Deconstruct?); and
  • apply the FUSE method to deconstruct for yourself.

Deconstruct Faith, Discover Jesus will help you to enter the mindset of a deconstructionist. A worldview with a high capacity for paradoxes. A mental space that outweighs your self-interest in being right. A tendency to see Christian beliefs as inseparable from Christian ethics.

In doing so, you will find the original deconstructionist, Jesus, right beside you.

Congratulations to Linda S. Clare with Sandy Silverthorne and Broadstreet Publshing for on the June 6th release of Thank God for Cats!

Celebrate the blessing of cats!
Life can get lonely, but cat lovers know cats are always ready to console them, make them laugh, and lead them to empty food dishes.
Even when your fuzzy friend falls asleep in your lap, your cat’s quirky antics can reveal God at work, reminding you to catnap in his presence. In Thank God for Cats!, you will find

  • heartwarming cat stories to encourage you,
  • spiritual truths cats can teach you about life and God,
  • playful illustrations of cats and those who feed them, and
  • practical ways to love the kitties (and humans) in your life.

Cuddle up with your furry felines and thank God for all the purrs, paws, and even hairballs he has given you.

Congratulations to Shellie Rushing Tomlinson and Salem Books for the June 13th release of Seizing the Good Life: Discover Peace and Joy through the Study of John’s Gospel.

Living on high alert drains your energy and steals your joy. There is a better way and Seizing the Good Life will help you find it as it takes you through the Gospel of John.

If our chaotic culture has left you drained of joy, here’s some good news: there is a way to get it back—and keep it.

Let’s face it. Joy is becoming as scarce in our culture as fresh eggs at the grocery store. Constant headlines about one catastrophe after another, along with living in a society bent on erasing God from our consciousness, can leave us stressed out and working hard just to get by—far from the good life of abundant joy Jesus promised us.

And yet, He did promise us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. So how do we go about seizing the good life from the jaws of depression and hopelessness that threaten us now?

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson has walked this path and knows the way. With the Gospel according to John as her roadmap—and plenty of personal stories, insights, and a healthy dollop of humor for good measure—she can help you not only rediscover the peace and joy found in friendship with Jesus, the Lover of your soul, but maintain it over the long haul.

God never intended for you to hold on to a dry faith with chewed-up fingernails. You really can know peace and joy in the middle of our anxious and angry culture. A deep dive into this study will help you seize the good life once again.

Contracts

 Nick Harrison signed with B&H Publishing for the 2024 release of Our Cry for Revival! A Guide to Prayer for An Outpouring of God’s Spirit.

 Sarah Sanderson signed with Penguin Random House for the 2024 release of The Place We Make.

 Linda Harris signed with AMG Publishing for the 2024 release of GRAND Moments: Devotions Inspired by Grandkids.

James Ramos signed with David C Cook for the 2024 release of Full-Capacity Man.

Nathaniel S. Crawford signed with David C Cook for the 2024 release of Is Christianity for Me?.

New Clients

Kevin Pike, Dorothy Greco, and Todd Korpi recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Amen for making the ECPA Best seller’s list. His book “Change Your Brain Every Day” is #5 on the Christian bestseller list.

[title] => WordServe May News 2023 [desc] => As you prepare your summer reading list, here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to Roger Hutchison and Morehouse Publishing … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/06/01/wordserve-may-news-2023/ [date] => Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:03:50 +0000 [comments] => ) [1682913600] => Array ( [img] =>

We are excited to announce the new Spring book releases .  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Jaime Sumner and Atheneum Books for on the April 4th release of Time to Roll.

In the eagerly anticipated sequel to Jamie Sumner’s acclaimed and beloved middle grade novel Roll with It, Ellie finds her own way to shine.

Ellie is so not the pageant type. They’re Coralee’s thing, and Ellie is happy to let her talented friend shine in the spotlight. But what’s she supposed to do when Coralee asks her to enter a beauty pageant, and their other best friend, Bert, volunteers to be their manager? Then again, how else is she going to get through this summer with her dad, who barely knows her, while her mom is off on her honeymoon with Ellie’s amazing gym teacher? Ellie decides she has nothing to lose.

There’s only one problem: the director of the pageant seems determined to put Ellie and her wheelchair front and center. So it’s up to Ellie to figure out a way to do it on her own terms and make sure her friendships don’t fall apart along the way. Through it all, from thrift store deep dives to disastrous dance routines, she begins to form her own definition of beauty and what it means to really be seen.

Congratulations to Marcus Brotherton with Tosca Lee and Fleming H. Revell Company for on the May 2nd release of The Long March Home.

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise–until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

Congratulations to Daniel G Amen, MD and Tyndale Publishing for on the May 9th release of Conquer Your Negative Thoughts: The Secret to Emotional Freedom and Happiness.

Don’t let negative thoughts steal your happiness. . . learn to take charge of your thoughts and rewire your brain.

Thoughts that we allow to circle again and again in our minds build ruts or roads in the brain, making those thoughts more likely to dominate and control our lives. But we aren’t doomed to feel down when life doesn’t go our way.

In Conquer Your Negative Thoughts, psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist Dr. Daniel G. Amen applies his knowledge of how the mind works to help you take back control of your thoughts, consistently generate positive feelings, and master your emotions no matter your age, income, or situation. By retraining your brain to focus on happiness and purpose, you’ll feel healthier, calmer, and more resilient and be fully prepared to face life’s ups and downs.

Conquer Your Negative Thoughts offers readers:

A great resource for those dealing with anxiety and depression
Key insights from an expert in his field
Tools to change your mental habits based on science
Real-life case studies
Bible verses to help conquer negative thoughts

Empower yourself to change your mind’s habits and improve your mental health, for good.

Congratulations to Linda MacKillop and B&H Kids for on the June 6th release of Hotel Oscar Mike Echo.

Home isn’t always what we dream it will be. 

Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.  

When they end up at a shelter for women and children, Sierra is even more aware of what her life is not. The kind couple who run the shelter, Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, attempt to show her parental love as she faces the uncertainties of her mom’s emotional health and the challenges of being the brand-new poor kid in middle school. The longer she stays at the shelter, the more Sierra realizes she may have to face an impossible choice as she redefines home.

This middle-grade novel offers a compassionate look at poverty, homelessness, and hope. Readers walk alongside brave Sierra as she holds on to a promise she believes God gave her: that one day she will have a real home. But what if that promise looks far different than she has ever dreamed? 

Contracts

 Zoe Shaw signed with Penquin Randon House for the 2024 release of Reckon With Her and Get Over Your Mother.

Bill Myers signed with Fidelis Publishing for the 2024 release of Rendezvous with God, Volumes Five and Six.

New Clients

Robert Bruce Jamieson III recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Amen for making the ECPA Best seller’s list. His book “Change Your Brain Every Day” is #5 on the Christian bestseller list.

 

[title] => WordServe April News 2023 [desc] => We are excited to announce the new Spring book releases .  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to Jaime … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/05/01/wordserve-april-news-2023/ [date] => Mon, 01 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1680337860] => Array ( [img] =>

To fight away the boredom  of late winter blues, check out this Month’s book releases .  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Kim Campbell  and Wiley Publishing for on the March 8th release of Flying in the Face of Fear.

Proven principles of leadership from a veteran fighter pilot and military leader

In Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage, former fighter pilot and retired Air Force Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell delivers an inspiring and practical discussion of leadership and decision-making. In the book, you’ll follow the author’s journey through the principles that got her through her 24-year career in the high-stakes and high-risk world of aerial combat.

You’ll discover lessons and stories that will serve as a resource for you as you lead your employees, students, and others through the challenges of life and work, learning to create a positive impact and make a big difference in the lives of the people who follow you. You’ll also find:

  • Specific strategies and techniques for leading in situations of extreme stress and risk
  • Methods for female leaders to overcome the challenges of working in male-dominated environments
  • Ways to act in critical moments by recognizing that being brave and afraid at the same time is both normal and necessary

An essential leadership blueprint for business and military professionals seeking to improve their ability to inspire others to greater achievements, Flying in the Face of Fear will also earn a place in the libraries of young and mid-career professionals looking for mentorship and sound, proven advice.

 

Congratulations to Joe Putting and Core Media on the March 14th release of We Said Yes.

Practically every church claims to be committed to the Great Commission, but for many it’s mostly lip service. In countless churches, world missions are low on the list of priorities. Tomoka Christian Church, in Ormond Beach, Florida, is one church that decided to make the Great Commission a top priority. Following Jesus’ command to go into all the world and make disciples, this small congregation of around 200 people committed to planting a church in every country on earth and every state in the United States.

 Thirteen years after making the commitment, the goal was reached. Little Tomoka Christian—now a megachurch—planted hundreds of churches all over the world, even in some of the toughest and most dangerous places on earth. In We Said Yes, Joe Putting, Tomoka’s lead pastor throughout this entire period, tells the incredible story of how it happened and shares the lessons learned along the way…lessons that would enable any church—yes, even yours—to do the same. 

 

Congratulations to John Meador and The Good Book Company on the April 1st release of God’s Not Done With You: Encouragement from the Bible’s Greatest Comeback Stories (Christian book that will help you to have faith in hard times, … failure, regrets, oppression, adversity.) 

Nine amazing stories of faith that give us hope for our own challenging setbacks.

We all experience setbacks and disappointments in life. Sometimes those setbacks become entire seasons of life. Businesses fail, relationships falter, discouragement and doubts set in, and circumstances overwhelm us.

This book uses nine amazing “comeback stories” from the Bible to show how God provides everything needed to get through challenging setbacks.

Rather than showing people overcoming hardship through simple grit, the stories of Moses, David, Abigail, Esther, Joseph, Jonah, Elijah, Hezekiah, and Peter tell of extraordinary changes of heart and how God works in all things for the good of those who love him. Readers will be given a new perspective on their struggles and will be encouraged to trust God in them.

Author John Meador uses his 35 years of Bible-teaching ministry, as well as his own experience of suffering permanent hearing loss, to write with faithfulness, compassion, and authenticity. He says:

“These stories are real-life events that often brought more drama, heartbreak, and tragedy, and had more at stake than most any other situations in history. They show us greater and more meaningful outcomes than we can possibly imagine.”

This is a great book for anyone looking for answers to life’s challenges. It is a useful ministry resource for pastors and church leaders searching for stories of faith to encourage others. Coming back from regrets, adversity, hopelessness, discouragement, anger, moral failure, disillusionment, physical crisis, grief, and oppression are some of the themes covered.

 

Congratulations to Angie Ward  and NavPress for on the April  4th release of The Least of These: Practicing a Faith without Margins (Kingdom Conversations).

Why is the world so unfair? Where is God in the midst of the brokenness? Is there anything we can do?
We know that in a fallen and broken world there will always be pain and poverty, sickness and sadness. Yet as followers of Christ, we are called to bring hope and healing to those who hurt. What, then, is our responsibility to alleviate human suffering this side of eternity? With so many needs everywhere we look, where do we start? One thing is certain: Our faith does not allow us to turn away. Our response to the least of these, Jesus tells us, impacts not just those in need but also our own hearts and potentially even our salvation.

The Least of These brings together a collection of respected Christian thought leaders to provide a multifaceted look at the body of Christ’s relationship and responsibility―both individual and corporate―to the marginalized of our society. Contributors include Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, David Hionides, Ben Virgo, Dennis Edwards, Brandon Washington, Jonathan Brooks, Daniel Aaron Harris, Danielle Strickland, Aubrey Sampson , and Christiana Rice.

The Least of These is the third in a series of Kingdom Conversations, books that bring together trusted Christian voices to address some of the most urgent and perplexing challenges of our time in timeless and redemptive ways.

 

Congratulations to Carole Engle Avriell  and Salem Books for on the April  11th release of Extravagant Love: Exploring God’s Passion for Us

Have you ever been loved with “skimpy love”? Or has your love for someone else seemed to shrivel? Enter the world of God’s extravagant love: It is beyond measure. Careful study of God’s Word, along with delving into ancient customs and symbols from Biblical times, helps us understand His passionate love for all He has created.

If we call someone extravagant, we’re usually thinking about his spending habits and luxurious way of life.

So to use that word for a homeless man who had only one change of clothes—an itinerant teacher who depended on others for food and shelter—seems a stretch. Yet Jesus was the most extravagant person who ever lived.

Carole Engle Avriett invites you to redefine your notion of “extravagant.” In this study of ancient customs and ways of life, you’ll gain an understanding of the cultural context of the Scriptures and of twelve key characteristics of God’s nature, giving you a new appreciation of God’s love in all its fullness.

You may think you know what love is, but not until you’ve experienced His extravagant love will you understand what it’s like to be loved by a King . . . the unrestrained and lavish God whose passion draws souls into eternity.

 

Congratulations to Stephen Arterburn  and Aspire Press for on the April  18th release of 100 Days to Freedom from Overeating: Daily Devotional (New Life Freedom).

Having an unhealthy relationship with food has become the norm in our culture. Ads for new diets, workout regimens, and medical procedures bombard us at every turn. The desire to make changes to our bodies is common. We want to feel comfortable and confident in our own skin, and God wants that for us as well. We are temples for the Holy Spirit, and God desires that we be healthy in mind, spirit, and body. In 100 Days to Freedom from Overeating, Stephen Arterburn of New Life Ministries helps readers identify the causes behind overeating and learn how to address them, restoring a healthy relationship between food, our bodies, and God. Each devotional is both challenging and encouraging and includes powerful Scripture verses, inspirational quotes, and a brief prayer. The journey to freedom begins here as you allow God to instruct and renew your mind, comfort your soul, and protect your body.

About the Series: Learn how to move beyond diminishing emotions that can keep us from all that God intends. Each of the 100 devotions highlights a key Scripture verse focusing on helpful insights that Stephen Arterburn, CEO of New Life Ministries, shares from his decades-long experience in counseling. 

 

Contracts

Russell Joyce signed with InterVarsity Press for the June 2024 release of His Face Like Mine.

New Clients

Andrea Hill Fitzgerald, George MacMasters and Stephen Feinstein  recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

 

Wordserve author Maqrcus Brotherton and his writing partner Tosca Lee release their first collaborative novel “The Long March Home” and received a Starred review from Booklist. Read the review.

 

 

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Amen on his book Change Your Brain Every Day making the  bestseller ranking in both the Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly.

[title] => WordServe News March 2023 [desc] => To fight away the boredom  of late winter blues, check out this Month’s book releases .  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/04/01/wordserve-news-march-2023/ [date] => Sat, 01 Apr 2023 08:31:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1677650700] => Array ( [img] =>

February is the moth of love.  Who doesn’t LOVE a good book!  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Sandy Silverthorne  and Revel Publishing for on the February 28th release of Kids’ Big Questions for God: 101 Things You Want to Know.

How old is God? Who created God? Why does bad stuff happen? Will there be animals in heaven? Why did God create mosquitoes? (They won’t be in heaven, will they?)

Nobody asks more honest questions than kids. But parents don’t always have ready answers, especially about the BIG things (and let’s face it, to a kid, there are a lot of BIG things). Cartoonist, author, illustrator, and comedian Sandy Silverthorne is here to help! In this winsome book, he tackles 101 questions kids ask about God and the world, offering honest, biblically based answers. His quirky cartoons and interactive fill-in-the-blank pages will keep kids engaged, and the information he provides will open up conversations with your kids that will help them explore their faith, consider God’s plans for their lives, and understand just how much God loves and cares for them.

Perfect for kids ages 6-8, this fun book is great for sparking conversation over breakfast, reading before bed, and all those in-between times when kids’ minds are coming up with more questions to ask!

Congratulations to Lyndsey Medford and Broadleaf Books on the March 7th release of My Body and Other Crumbling Empires: Lessons for Healing in a World That Is Sick. 

We are living in a world that is sick. Both literally sick, with 60 percent of adults in the US living with a chronic illness and rising rates of autoimmune diseases in particular, including long COVID, and figuratively sick, facing ever increasing rates of burnout, anxiety, and disconnection.

As a writer, activist, and theology student, Lyndsey Medford was used to critiquing unsustainable medical, environmental, economic, and social systems from a theoretical perspective. But when her autoimmune disorder roared out of remission, she discovered that her own body’s systems lived at the very real vortex of all those systems’ dysfunction.

Learning to cooperate with her body would require her to change every aspect of her life–and in the process, to seek a radical reimagining of the world, from a place where sickness is an individual affliction to an interdependent ecosystem where sustainability is a community way of life. In this beautiful and inspiring book, Medford draws on her experiences with a rare autoimmune disease to illuminate the broader lessons we need to learn, in order to heal what ails us individually and communally. Whether our burnout stems from illness, systemic racism, poverty, or simply sin’s separation, we’re all in need of hope, and we are called to heal together.

My Body and Other Crumbling Empires points out the beauty and ubiquity of our limitations; the importance of accessibility, broadly construed; the interconnected nature of individual and public health; and the badly needed wisdom we have gained from living with our particular bodies.

Congratulations to Shannon K. Evans and Brazos Press on the March 21st release of Feminist Prayers for My Daughter: Powerful Petitions for Every Stage of Her Life.

This book of prayers for mothers to pray for their daughters covers every age and stage of a woman’s life from birth to death, imagining God in ways that most deeply connect with the feminine experience.

 

Congratulations to Jessica Hooten Wilson and Brazos Press on the March 28th release of Reading for theLove of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice.

What if we viewed reading as not just a personal hobby or a pleasurable indulgence but a spiritual practice that deepens our faith?

In Reading for the Love of God, award-winning author Jessica Hooten Wilson does just that–and then shows readers how to reap the spiritual benefits of reading. She argues that the simple act of reading can help us learn to pray well, love our neighbor, be contemplative, practice humility, and disentangle ourselves from contemporary idols.

Accessible and engaging, this guide outlines several ways Christian thinkers–including Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Frederick Douglass, and Dorothy L. Sayers–approached the act of reading. It also includes useful special features such as suggested reading lists, guided practices to approaching texts, and tips for meditating on specific texts or Bible passages. By learning to read for the love of God, readers will discover not only a renewed love of reading but also a new, vital spiritual practice to deepen their walk with God.

 

Contracts

Christy Bauman signed with Penguin Random House for the March 2024 release of Her Rites.

Monica DiCristina signed with Worthy Publishing for the October 2024 release of A Therapist’s Invitation to Owning Your Story.

Jared Frederick and John Homan signed with Regnery Publishing for the February 2024 release of Into the Cold Blue.

Caroline Faussel signed with Tyndale House for the November 2024 release of The Intentionalist.

Natalie Ryan Runion signed with David C Cook for the September 2024 release of Whispers and Roars 

New Clients

Meryl Herr, Eric Clayton and Mario Madera-Rodriguez  recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

 

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner.  Her sequel to “Roll With It”, Time To Roll, is featured in Motherly’s Best Kids Books for 2023.  Read about all of the suggested books at Motherly.

 

Congratulations to Marcus Brotherton. His upcoming release of The Long March Home receive a great blog review and also received a starred review from PW.  Read the entire review at PW.

[title] => WordServe News February 2023 [desc] => February is the moth of love.  Who doesn’t LOVE a good book!  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/03/01/wordserve-news-february-2023/ [date] => Wed, 01 Mar 2023 06:05:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1675322220] => Array ( [img] =>

It’s January!  Winter break is over, but the season has just begun.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Laurie Polich Short and Bethany House Publishing on the January 31st release of Faith, Doubt, and God’s Mysterious Timing: 30 Biblical Insights about the Way God Works.

When God’s Plan Is Unclear

What in the world is God doing? It’s easy to wonder this. We are living in an unfolding story, and it’s hard to hold on when difficult circumstances linger, or your deepest prayer hangs in the air, seemingly unanswered. Thankfully the Bible is filled with people who experienced the same thing. They had to learn to trust God’s way and timing–and their stories give us insights to live that way too.
Mining often-overlooked passages of Scripture, Laurie Polich Short has unearthed 30 practical, encouraging gems of wisdom found in the faith and lives of biblical heroes to help you

  • see more of God’s work as it unfolds in your life
  • have hope in circumstances that previously felt hopeless
  • be more comfortable–and possibly even excited–to lean into the unknown

Here is your compass to living your story well when the way forward is unclear.

“Why, God? What are you doing, God? Questions at the crossroads of faith and doubt can lead us to dead ends or to new vistas. Laurie’s brilliant, biblical insights will help you see the map from God’s mysterious perspective.”–JOHN BURKE, New York Times bestselling author of Imagine Heaven.

 

Congratulations to Patricia Raybon and Tyndale House Publishing on the February 7th release of Double the Lies (An Annalee Spain Mystery): An Amateur Sleuth Historical Fiction Mystery Set in 1920s Denver.
 

In the cold and dangerous spring of 1924, amateur detective Annalee Spain races the clock to solve the murder of a handsome barnstorming pilot before the clever Black theologian―a target of the ruthless Colorado Klan―is framed for the crime, and before she is lured by the risky flirtations of the victim’s dashing twin brother.

As this second installment of Patricia Raybon’s critically acclaimed mystery series opens, Annalee Spain offers her fancy lace handkerchief―a gift from her complicated pastor boyfriend, Jack Blake―to a young woman crying in a Denver public library. But later that night, when police find the handkerchief next to the body of the young woman’s murdered husband, Annalee becomes the number one suspect, and her panic doubles when she learns that Jack has gone missing.

With just days to solve the murder before the city’s Klan-run police frame her for the crime, Annalee finds herself hunting for clues in the Colorado mountain town of Estes Park. She questions the victim’s wife and her uncle, a wealthy Denver banker, at their mountain lodge, desperate for leads. Instead, she finds a household full of suspects and even more burning questions. Who keeps threatening her, why can’t she find Jack, and will a dangerous flirtation be her undoing? Her answers plumb the depths of the human heart, including her own, exploring long-buried secrets, family lies, even city politics―all of which could cost the young detective her fledgling love . . . and perhaps even her life.

Congratulations to Jennifer L Fitzpatrick and Post Hill Press on the February 28th release of Reimagining Customer Service in Healthcare: Boost Loyalty, Profits, and Outcomes.

This book helps you transform patients, clients, and family caregivers from hateful to grateful.

Do you look forward to your next hospitalization or medical procedure? If not, you are far from alone! Very few people enjoy needing a doctor, physical therapist, or other healthcare provider. Even fewer look forward to needing a hospital, assisted living, home health, or hospice services for themselves or their loved ones.

Dread of interacting with the healthcare system has skyrocketed because of the pandemic. Distrust in public health officials and agencies is at an all-time high. Patients have died alone in the hospital because of ongoing COVID-19 policies. Some outpatient health and mental health providers still refuse to see patients in person. Prior to March 2020, patients dreaded the thought of needing healthcare services. Now, several years after waiting for things to get better, they hate the thought of needing these services even more.

Reimagining Customer Service in Healthcare helps leaders and clinicians transform their organizations with simple, creative strategies. The results? Previously reluctant, uneasy, and resistant patients, clients, and family caregivers become less stressed and more trusting.

Contracts

Kelsey Scism signed with Bethany House for the July 2024 release of One Year With Jeus.

Dr. Amen with Dr. Frey signed with Tyndale House for the March 2024 release of Parenting Shouldn’t Be This Difficult.

New Clients

Paul Gopo, Erinn Karpovck, and Russell Joyce  recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

 

Congratulations to Jamie Sumner.  Her sequel to “Roll With It”, Time To Roll, is featured in Motherly’s Best Kids Books for 2023.  Read about all of the suggested books at Motherly.

[title] => WordServe News January 2023 [desc] => It’s January!  Winter break is over, but the season has just begun.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/02/02/wordserve-news-january-2023/ [date] => Thu, 02 Feb 2023 07:17:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1672821240] => Array ( [img] =>

Reading is the perfect antidote during these busy weeks.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

EveryCongratulations to Steve Arterburn with M.N. Brotherton and Salem Books on the January 10th release of Every Believer’s Thought Life: Defeating Destructive Mental Patterns to Gain Victory Over Temptation.

We live in a sex-saturated world. How can you live a life of integrity in the midst of a sexual onslaught? From the author of the Every Man series (more than 4 million copies sold), Every Believer’s Thought Life helps all Christians—men and women alike—understand how to live a life of sexual integrity by taking every thought captive.

Jesus made it clear that while sexual integrity is expressed through the body, it’s rooted in the mind. But aligning our thoughts with God’s thoughts isn’t always easy.

Illicit sexual thoughts don’t need to have free rein in your mind. The Bible provides an arsenal of weapons to win the battle. Jesus invites you to live with full sexual integrity—in your behavior, heart, and mind. Instead of succumbing to the despair and darkness of sin, you can take every thought captive and replace it with thoughts that align with God’s truth, allowing Him to bring about His best for your life.

This book will teach you:

  • How to “reframe your brain” for optimum sexual integrity.
  • Why logic and willpower are not enough to win this battle. Fortunately, there’s a better strategy.
  • Why one of the big missing weapons in the war for your mind is not something you do but the realization of who you are.
  • How to live out the biblical mandate to take every thought captive and set your mind on things above.
  • How to be fully present in every moment God has for you, so you can live with confidence, calm, self-respect, and victory.

Congratulations to Kim Dolan Leto and Salem Books on the release of January 17th release of Fit God’s Way: Your Bible-Based Guide to Food, Fitness, and Wholeness.

An ESPN Fitness America Champion provides a step-by-step, God’s Word-based guide to equip Christian women with solutions to gain control of over food, find lasting motivation to workout, confidently seem themselves through God’s eyes, and live their best life.

If you’re tired of starting your diet over every Monday, if getting dressed stresses you out, if scrolling through your social media feed makes you feel insecure, this is not of God!

The way the world portrays health, fitness, and body confidence causes us to live in a thought cycle of “not good enough” and defeat, but in Christ we are free to live boldly as the best version of ourselves.

If you’re a Christian woman who loves Jesus and fitness, but you haven’t been able to get fit or find confidence, this Word-based solution is your answer.

An empowering Christ-centered system that exchanges the lies of the world for the truth of God is the answer you will find in this book.

It’s time to trade relying on weak willpower for the Holy Spirit gift of self-control, lasting motivation found in your purpose, and confidence found seeing yourself through His eyes!

Yes, you can cross the finish line of your goals. You just need your secret recipe!

Fit God’s Way provides the necessary tools you need to create your personalized daily system of success through the 5 Pillars of Christ-Centered Fitness.

If you know in your heart that you were made for more than failed diets and feeling less than… and you are ready to dare to believe with boldness you can become God’s best version of yourself, it’s time to live Strong. Confident. His.

Congratulations to Sarah Varland and Harlequin Books on the January 24th release of Alaskan Mountain Search (K-9 Search and Rescue Book 8).

A missing teen, a killer on the prowl…

This K-9’s on the case.

In the Alaskan wilderness, there’s only one way to track a serial killer: a K-9. For police captain Bre Dayton, that means working with her ex, search and rescue worker Griffin Knight. With her niece missing and possibly kidnapped, Bre has to find the murderer known as the Echo Pass Hunter—fast. Even if it means trusting the man who broke her heart…and putting herself in the killer’s crosshairs.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Amen and Tyndale Publishing on the March 21st release of Change Your Brain Every Day: Simple Daily Practices to Strengthen Your Mind, Memory, Moods, Focus, Energy, Habits, and Relationships.

In Change Your Brain Every Day psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist Daniel Amen, MD, draws on over 40 years’ clinical practice with tens of thousands of patients to give you the most effective daily habits he has seen that can help you improve your brain, master your mind, boost your memory, and make you feel happier, healthier, and more connected to those you love.

Incorporating Dr. Amen’s tiny habits and practices over the course of a year will help you:
Manage your mind to support your happiness, inner peace, and success
Develop lifelong strategies for dealing with whatever stresses come your way
Create an ongoing sense of purpose in a way that informs your daily actions
Learn major life lessons Dr. Amen has gleaned from studying hundreds of thousands of brain scans

Imagine what you could learn by spending every day for a year on a psychiatrist’s couch. In the pages of Change Your Brain Every Day, you’ll get a year’s worth of life-changing daily wisdom from Dr. Amen, one of the world’s most prominent psychiatrists.

Today is the day to start changing the trajectory of your life, one tiny step at a time.

Contracts

Leslie Leyland Fields (The Chrysostom Society) signed with InterVarsity Press for the November 2023 release of A Radiant Birth.

David Sunde signed with NavPress for the January 2024 release of
Hand-Crafting Disciples and the January 2025 release of Parent-Raising.

Kathryn Ariana Molloy Yeh signed with InterVarsity Press for the September 2024 release of The Blueprint of a Healthy Calling.

New Clients

Nat Craword, and Shemaiah Gonzalez recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Christianity Today announced their 2023 Book Awards. We are honored to announce that under the category “Culture & the Arts”, Jessica Hooten Wilson received the Award of Merit for her book “The Scandal of Holiness”. Under the category “Politics & Public Life”, Bonnie Kristan received the Award of Merit for her book “Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community”. Be sure and read about all of the books awarded at Christianity Today.

The Scandal of HolinessUntrustworthy

[title] => WordServe News December 2022 [desc] => Reading is the perfect antidote during these busy weeks.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents. New Releases Congratulations to Steve Arterburn with … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2023/01/04/wordserve-news-december-2022/ [date] => Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:34:00 +0000 [comments] => ) [1669874040] => Array ( [img] =>

It’s a holiday month, but instead of the hurried rush (not to mention shopping for all those presents!) of Christmas, you get to spend time choosing the perfect book to give or keep yourself.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable reviews and PR events, new authors to the agency and other news of note by clients and agents.

New Releases

Congratulations to Joan & Jeff Schultz and Core Media on the November  release of Shattered Dreams.

Most people dream of living a normal life— with normal children, a normal job, not a lot of drama, and a bright and promising future. But what do you do when your dreams shatter and darkness comes to rob you of hope and joy? 

In 1991, six years into marriage, Joan Schultz’s dreams shattered…for the first time. She and her husband, Jeff, learned that their four-month-old daughter had an intractable seizure disorder due to a malformed brain at conception. As the years progressed, all four members of her family faced life-altering situations and traumas. 

With all the strain of living life with twists and bends hurled at her, she realized that her marriage was also ailing. She wondered why God, who has power to change circumstances, could allow life to come with such heartache, loss and pain. Joan reached for books of people’s personal stories of how they faced devastating difficulties. This helped Joan glean insight and inspiration, which gave her hope in God, and which she then applied to her own difficult situations. Other people’s stories inspired Joan. They helped her see not only their struggles and pain, but how they press on towrd God through it. 

The story of Joan and Jeff Schultz and their two beautiful children, Ben and Hannah, will take you into their world of four separate, life-altering tragedies—intractable seizures, a life-and-death plane crash in the Alaska wilds, breast cancer, and a traumatic brain injury. You’ll travel along with them on their unique and gripping journey with each turn of the page. Together you will live through the sometimes heart-wrenching twists and turns that took surprising and unexpected paths. And all the while you will get to experience a beautiful faith dance—one that will change your life forever.

Congratulations to Ace Collins and Core Media on the November 1st release of The Last Imprint.

The Last Imprint is the story of an amazing gift that becomes a devastating curse. Dr. Maxine Factor is an imprint, a person who can view the past through the eyes of her ancestors. So, she can actually see history in the first person as it happened. That means Factor could learn the unvarnished truth about the past and know how much of our culture is based on fact and how much is tethered to myth. Because of that ability, she is being hunted by those who fear what she learns might shake the foundations of governments and religions. Set in locales across the globe, with a cast of characters that possess unchecked ambitions, unbounded fears, questionable motives, and deep flaws, this rapidly paced novel takes readers on a frantic life and death ride that doesn’t let up until the last page. The Last Imprint is more than an adventure novel, it’s a book that will leave readers wondering if the memories of past ancestors really are locked into their DNA waiting to be awakened. And if that’s true, could they or anyone else hold onto their sanity when the experiences of hundreds of others are haunting their every waking hour. Simply put, The Last Imprint is like nothing you’ve ever read. 

Congratulations to Mike Acker and Wiley Publishing on the December 1st release of Speak with Confidence: Overcome Self-Doubt, Communicate Clearly, and Inspire Your Audience.

Build your communication confidence and master the ability to inspire your audience

In Speak with Confidence: Overcome Self-Doubt, Communicate Clearly, and Inspire Your Audience, keynote speaker, author, and executive communication coach Mike Acker delivers a practical and hands-on playbook to building the confidence you need to nail your next presentation, speech, virtual talk, or social media post. In this proven pathway to becoming a capable and confident speaker, you’ll discover how to combine your identity, message, and skills into one persuasive package.

The author explains how to uncover your identity, define your message, and develop your skills and techniques to become a master communicator. From overcoming imposter syndrome to eliminating a victim mentality, you’ll explore concrete methods for improving your presence and ability to take command of a room. You’ll also find:

  • The elements of a confident message, including a personal investment in the topic you’re discussing
  • Strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs that hold you back and artificially reduce your ability to lead
  • Ways to understand your audience and learn to hone in on the place where your purpose intersects with your audience’s needs

An essential new strategy guide for anyone seeking to improve their ability to speak to a group, Speak with Confidence is the public speaking blueprint you’ve been waiting for.

Congratulations to Kara Powell with Kristel Acevedo and Brad M. Griffin and Wiley Publishing on the December 6th release of 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future: A 60-Day Exploration of Who You Were Made to Be.

Sometimes life gives you way more questions than answers. And yet it seems like everyone expects you to just figure it all out! Whether you’re looking toward your future or wrestling to get through today, it doesn’t have to be so stressful. Just three big questions will help you find clarity about all the rest:

· Who am I?
· Where do I fit?
· What difference can I make?

This 60-day exploration breaks down those big questions into manageable pieces and helps you embrace God’s best answers for you. Backed by Scripture and informed by years of research with teens just like you, this book does more than help you figure out what to do with your life; it will help you understand what your life means to the world–no matter who your friends are, what career you end up with, what kind of family you come from or will have in the future, what obstacles you may face, or what doubts trouble you along the way.

YOU are one-of-a-kind, and you can find faithful answers to life’s biggest questions.
 
PERFECT FOR: Christmas gifts, teen birthday gifts, graduation gifts, promotion gifts, Confirmation gifts, Baptism gifts, teens exploring faith, teen small groups, mentoring teens, youth groups, small group Bible studies.

Contracts

Michael & Judy Phillips signed with Fidelis Publishing for the July 2024 release of Endangered Virtues and the Coming Ideological War.

Jessica Hooten-Wilson signed with Brazos for the January 2023 release of
The Making of Flannery O’Connor’s Why Do The Heathens Rage.

Gregory Royal Pratt signed with Chicago Review Press for the January 2024 release of The City is Up for Grabs.

Jamie Sumner signed with Simon & Schuster for the January 2024 release of A Fish Like Me.

New Clients

Twyla Franz, Anjanette Young, and Laura Hays Hoover recently signed with WordServe.  Welcome!

What We’re Celebrating

Congratulations to Taylor Schumann. Her book When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough won a best cover award from the ECPA. Covers are judged by top designers in the industry for their merits in appropriateness for the market, level of conceptual thinking, and quality of execution.

 

Congratulations to Patricia Raybon.  She received The Christy Award for first novel for her book All That is Secret. The Christy Award® was established in 1999 to acknowledge the value and impact of the novel of faith in contemporary culture.  

.

[title] => WordServe News November 2022 [desc] => It’s a holiday month, but instead of the hurried rush (not to mention shopping for all those presents!) of Christmas, you get to spend time choosing the perfect book to give or keep yourself.  Here are our in new books, authors and news . . . our highlights below include new releases, contracts signed, notable … [link] => https://wordservewatercooler.com/2022/12/01/wordserve-news-november-2022/ [date] => Thu, 01 Dec 2022 05:54:00 +0000 [comments] => ) )