NASHVILLE, Tenn., March — Zondervan Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is thrilled to announce that Dr. Timothy Keller has agreed to a four-book deal with the imprint. Keller was represented in the agreement by David McCormick of McCormick Literary. North American rights were acquired by Zondervan Books VP and Publisher Webster Younce.
The founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which under his leadership grew to weekly attendance of over 5,000 people, Keller is widely-regarded for thought provoking style of writing and exploration of the intersection of Christianity and contemporary life. His ability to engage skeptics and believers alike make him and his books approachable to all readers. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling titles The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over two million copies and been translated into 25 languages. Keller is considered one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century.
As part of this book deal, Zondervan Books will publish the next four titles from Keller. Publication dates have not been finalized but it is likely Keller’s first book with Zondervan Books will be released in 2024. “Few people in our time have been more influential than Tim in shaping Christian thought and applying it to all of life. His rigor of thought and breadth of writing, combined with his personal humility and heart for people, has had a profound impact on people across the world. We are delighted to be partnering with him in reaching both the church and the wider world with resources that equip readers to know God more deeply and live in service to others in light of that knowledge,” said Webster Younce.
The book deal with Timothy Keller reinforces Zondervan Books’ mission to inspire the world by meeting the needs of people with content that promotes biblical principles and honors Jesus Christ.
Zondervan is a HarperCollins Company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 14, 2023 — Zondervan Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, announces a book deal with The Purpose Driven Life bestselling author and pastor Rick Warren. Warren’s first trade book in a decade, Created to Dream: The 6 Phases God Uses to Grow Your Faith, will publish on April 11, 2023. World rights were acquired by Zondervan Books VP and Publisher, Webster Younce.
“We are thrilled that Rick Warren is returning to publishing with a message that will provide readers with much-needed hope as they develop a deeper understanding of God’s dream for their lives. In a time when many feel overwhelmed and over-burdened, the message of Created to Dream could not be more timely and important.”– Webster Younce, Zondervan Books VP and Publisher
In Created to Dream, Warren helps readers understand how God uses six phases of faith to grow their spiritual maturity while fulfilling the dreams he gives them. Each phase is a test of faith that allows readers to stop wondering if God has forgotten them and begin working with him toward all he has dreamed up for their future.
“When God wants to work in your life, he gives you a dream about what he wants you to do and the impact he wants you to have in the world.” – Rick Warren, Created to Dream
Through discussing Scripture and Warren’s lived experience, Created to Dream meets readers where they are in the process of seeing God’s dream for their lives come to fruition. From the dream to decision to delays to difficulties to dead ends and to deliverance, Warren guides readers through each pivotal stage by providing them with hope, guidance on how to pray, and more. It’s a book people will revisit over and over because dreams are not a one-time experience.
Zondervan is a HarperCollins company and part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Zondervan is a worldwide leading publisher and provider of Christian communications. The company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.
(Nashville, TN) December 20, 2022 —Zondervan today announced that on December 27, 2022, Paul J. Pastor will join the company as senior acquisitions editor for Zondervan Books, a nonfiction trade book imprint. Zondervan Books is the home to multiple award-winning books and bestselling authors including Rick Warren, Shauna Niequist, Craig Groeschel, Lee Strobel, and Rebekah Lyons. Pastor joins the company from WaterBrook & Multnomah where he was able to work with New York Times bestselling authors as well as emerging and influential voices in Christianity. Pastor has nearly 15 years of experience in working within the publishing industry, specifically editing, writing, and consulting with authors and clients such as The Bible Project, Christianity Today, Outreach, Fuller Seminary, and The Luis Palau Association.
As the new senior acquisitions editor for Zondervan Books, Pastor will help identify, acquire, and develop new captivating authors for the imprint’s portfolio. Pastor commented, “I could not be more thrilled to join Zondervan’s world-class team, and look forward to working hard and partnering with some of our day’s best Christian authors to publish well-crafted books of significant impact.”
Pastor holds an MA in Biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary, and is also the author of multiple books. His writing has won over a dozen Evangelical Press Association awards, a prestigious Maggie award, numerous awards from Christianity Today’s book awards, and other accolades.
“Paul’s unique combination of editorial vision, knowledge of craft, varied publishing experience, and heart for our mission will make a significant and immediate impact,” remarked Webster Younce, VP and publisher of Zondervan Books. “We are delighted to have him join the team.”
Zondervan
Zondervan, a worldwide leading Christian publisher of books and Bibles, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Its publications include a variety of Bible translations for all ages; books in different genres and subject areas for the general reader; curriculum for individual and group Bible study; books for children and young adults; academic resources including textbooks and reference books; ministry resources; and books on faith and culture. Zondervan is based in Grand Rapids, MI. For more information, visit www.zondervan.com.
(Grand Rapids, Mich.) May 13, 2021—Today, Zondervan announced Carly Kellerman as the new associate publisher for Zondervan Books.
In this role, Kellerman will assist in leading the editorial strategy for Zondervan Books and helping to oversee the editorial process. Kellerman will be responsible for shaping the acquisitions strategy for Zondervan Books and also discovering new, emerging Christian voices.
Kellerman has been with HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) for nearly ten years and has held a variety of roles, most recently in sales, where she formed critical industry relationships with ChristianBook.com, Hobby Lobby, and Mardel, among other retail accounts. Kellerman has also served as an acquisitions editor for the company’s Children’s and Gift publishing team where she acquired bestselling author Emily Ley for Thomas Nelson, conceptualized Annie F. Downs’s bestselling devotional 100 Days to Brave for Zondervan, and created the bestselling interactive journal The Weekly Prayer Project for Zondervan.
“Carly has a unique combination of broad experience at HCCP, deep knowledge of the marketplace, and proven ability to identify writers who resonate with readers,” said Webster Younce, VP and publisher, Zondervan Books. “We are delighted to add her set of gifts and abilities to the Zondervan Books team.”
For more information about Zondervan Books, please visit zondervan.com/zondervanbooks/, or follow @zondervanbooks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Webster Younce to be VP, Publisher and Paul Fisher to be VP, Marketing
(Nashville,
Tenn.) June 22, 2020—HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced today it will
be relocating the Zondervan Books and Zondervan Thrive imprints from Grand
Rapids, Mich. to be based in its corporate office in Nashville, Tenn. This will allow for sharing of best practices
across the company’s trade book publishing program for both Thomas Nelson and
Zondervan publishing groups. At this time, the company will continue to
maintain an office in Grand Rapids, Mich. where other Zondervan brands are based.
Those brands include Zondervan Academic, Zondervan Reflective, Zonderkidz, and
the Zondervan Bible Group.
“Creating a more cohesive structure for our trade book
publishing imprints allows for us to manage our non-fiction brands under Don
Jacobson’s leadership,” commented Mark Schoenwald, President and CEO of
HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus. “We believe that
having the Zondervan Books and Zondervan Thrive leadership in Nashville will
help the teams better manage author relationships and allow them to collaborate
on larger corporate initiatives.”
Leading the publishing strategy for Zondervan Books and
Zondervan Thrive will be newly named VP and publisher Webster Younce. Younce previously worked as the associate
publisher and executive editor of Nelson Books, a Thomas Nelson imprint, for
the past seven years with oversight on all editorial processes, and
responsibilities acquiring and editing a full list of projects. Younce also helped manage the imprint’s
publishing functions, including market development, sales relations, and
financial oversight. Throughout his time in this role he worked with New
York Times bestselling authors including Bob Goff, Eric Metaxas, and John
Eldredge; thought leaders William J. Bennett, R. Albert Mohler Jr., and Dallas
Willard; and public figures Gary Sinise, Randy Travis, and Jessi Colter. Younce
began his more than 20- year-publishing-career at Alfred A. Knopf and has held
editorial roles for publishing houses at Picador USA, Arcade Publishing, Random
House, Houghton Mifflin, Henry Holt and Company, and Simon & Schuster. He
also spent two years at Suhrkamp Verlag in Berlin, Germany where was the
editorial director for international and English-language literature.
Paul
Fisher, previously senior director of marketing for the Thomas Nelson and
Zondervan fiction programs will become VP of marketing for Zondervan Books and
Zondervan Thrive. With both an extensive financial and product marketing
background, Fisher has worked at HarperCollins Christian Publishing for four
years where he successfully overhauled the reader, retailer, and industry
engagement strategy across multiple channels. Fisher has developed and grown
author relationships, working to help educate the importance of author
platforms and audience segmentation. Throughout his tenure with the
organization, Fisher has worked with New York Times bestselling authors
Max Lucado, Charles Martin, Patti Callahan, Terri Blackstock and Lis Wiehl; and
Christian fiction icons Colleen Coble, Melanie Dickerson, Beth Wiseman, Rachel
Hauck, and Denise Hunter. Fisher’s diverse background includes various senior
leadership roles at ConAgra Foods, Inc., Information Resources, Inc., Catapult
Marketing, and Unilever. In the interim, Fisher will maintain his leadership
role within the fiction team, as they transition to find a new marketing
leader.
“As HCCP
looks ahead, we are implementing plans throughout the company to strengthen our
position in the marketplace as the leading Christian publisher across all
genres,” said Don Jacobson, senior VP, publisher for HarperCollins Christian
Publishing Trade Books. “We are thrilled to have Webb and Paul move into these
leadership roles and join the Zondervan team. Both have worked alongside their
Zondervan colleagues for a number of years and have a deep
appreciation for the significance of the Zondervan brand, especially
for the authors who have built its stellar reputation
in the marketplace.”
Zondervan
Books is the flagship non-fiction publishing imprint for the Zondervan
publishing group, publishing approximately 50 titles per year. Zondervan Thrive
officially launched in late 2019 as an imprint specifically focused on personal
development, health and wellness, self-care, marriage and family, abuse/trauma,
anxiety, and personality typologies.
About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: As the world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups, Olive Tree Bible Software, BibleGateway.com, FaithGateway.com and ChurchSource.com. The company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For more information please visit www.harpercollinschristian.com.
