AMG Publishers/Living Ink Books

Chattanooga, Tennessee
represented by Rick Steele, editor, director of electronic media

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs

(see also listing on page 143 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

AMG Publishers/Living Ink Books is the publishing arm of AMG International. The profits from AMG Publishers help meet the overhead for the mission division that supports missions in 50 countries. Every book published and sold has a twofold effect — blessing the reader and helping missions throughout the world. AMG is best known for Dr. Zodhiates' Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, the Complete Word Study products, and the youth fantasy series, Dragons in our Midst, by Bryan Davis.

AMG Publishers' focus is on books that:

• Help the reader get into the Bible, directly or indirectly.
• Facilitate confrontation and interaction with Scripture toward a positive change in thought or action.
• Give a hunger to studying, understanding, and applying Scripture.
• Encourage and facilitate one's personal growth in such areas as personal devotion and a skillful use of the Bible.

We have a broad interest in biblically oriented books including the following categories: biblical reference, applied theology and apologetics, Christian ministry,
Bible study books that fit our various series formats, Christian living, women/men/family issues, single/divorce issues, God and country issues, contemporary issues, devotionals with a unique angle or hook, inspirational, prayer, and subjects and content that lend themselves to gift books.

We have also introduced lines of young adult and youth fantasy fiction.

Our current interests do not include general fiction, poetry, childrens books,
personal-experience stories, and autobiographical stories.

BMH Books
Winona Lake, Indiana
represented by Terry White, publisher

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(see also listing on page 149 of the 2008 Christian Writers Market Guide)

BMH Books is a conservative, biblically based publishing house based in Winona Lake, Indiana. Although the house was founded in 1940, it ceased publishing new material in the mid-1980s and has just revived vigorous publishing activity since November 2004.

Traditionally, BMH books have been biblically based, predisposed toward a theology that is premillennial, pre-trib rapture in flavor, and often aimed at an academic market that includes textbook usage in Bible colleges, Bible institutes, and seminaries.

Recently the line has been expanded to include general titles on such subjects as personal discipleship (Called by Kary Oberbrunner), coping with prodigal children (Parents With Broken Hearts by Bill Coleman), finding one's identity in Christ after having been widowed (Widow For a Season by Kristine Pappas), and more.

The complete line of titles may be viewed at www.bmhbooks.com, and most BMH books are available online at Amazon.com, CBD.com, and other major distributors.

Focus on the Family Book Publishing
Colorado Springs, Colorado
represented by Marianne Hering, editor/writer (Friday appointments)
                      Brandy Bruce, writer/editor     (Saturday appointments)

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(see also listing on page 163 of the 2007 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

Who we are:

Focus on the Family creates books with authors who partner with our ministry goals.
We are a nonprofit evangelical Christian organization advocating a traditional, biblical view of marriage, parenting, and family relationships. In our books, we strive to inform and inspire families through friendly encouragement and biblically sound support.

What we are looking for:

Nonfiction: We are currently publishing only family advice topics. This includes resources about specific elements of marriage and parenting, encouragement for women, and topics for seniors.

Fiction: We are currently publishing a limited number of adult fiction titles that deal specifically with family issues and promote traditional family values. Novels must be set during the time period of 1900 to the present day. No prairie/old west stories. No science fiction or fantasy.
All fiction queries or proposals must have agent representation.

We do not publish poetry, juvenile/teen fiction, or childrens books (except for products we commission for our Adventures in Odyssey program), Bible studies, textbooks, or theological treatises.

Hallmark Gift Books
Kansas City, Missouri
represented by Todd Hafer, senior editorial director

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs

Hallmark Gift Books welcomes innovative, well-crafted proposals. See our guidelines (available at the Hallmark table) to help you determine if your book idea is a good fit.

As you think about books you'd like to create for us, keep in mind that our focus is gift books ― titles that one person can give to another to strengthen a relationship, celebrate a significant life milestone, bring comfort at a difficult time, or just say, "I care."

We publish books under the following categories:

Words to Live By (practical advice for everyday living)

Comfort and Encouragement (books designed for life's challenging
or difficult times)

Family and Friends (books to give to members of one's family,
or to close friends, spouse, etc.)

Just for Fun (humor, trivia, sports ― books about the lighter side of life)

Hallmark is not looking for poetry, fiction, or memoirs/autobiographies.

Harvest House Publishers                                                                                   
Eugene, Oregon
represented by Rod Morris, senior editor

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(see also listing on page 175 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

At Harvest House we look for both quality fiction and non-fiction. For the latter, we prefer authors with some sort of platform from which to promote their book. There are exceptions — specifically authors who write well on a popular topic addressing the "felt need" of a large segment of the book buying public.

Our books sell well in what's called the "rack market." These are usually books that can be found in places like the local grocery store, drug store, airports, and at mass merchandising outlets.

For fiction, we prefer character-driven novels as opposed to plot- or message-driven fiction.

We currently do not publish to the youth market.

Gift books are primarily art-driven, not text-driven and are acquired by our full time gift book editor, not by our editors who attend writers conferences.

For more information on the books we publish, we suggest a visit to our website: www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Kregel Publications
Grand Rapids, Michigan
represented by Stephen Barclift, managing editor

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(see also listing on page 183 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

Kregel Publications seeks works that address a popular audience by relating the Bible to everyday life. Prominent on this list are works for moms and women (an area of particular emphasis at the moment); Bible studies or other books that relate truth to life; fiction; and books for young readers. We're also looking for books that will help twenty-something Christians and "seekers" relate to the culture.

Regarding fiction, we are looking for novels that aren't merely a rehash of the familiar story lines. No formula romance (although romance can be an important component of the story). No need for orphan young women sailing to the New World seeking love or middle-age widowers finding new love with the local schoolmarm. Fiction should be fresh, have a believable story line, and feature characters who engage life realistically and biblically. We also are looking for strong fiction for teens and young adults.

Kidzone publications are fun, offbeat, zany books that kids love. Right now we are closed to receiving picture-book proposals for Kidzone unless the author also illustrates his/her books or is part of an author-illustrator team.

For our Academic & Professional line, we are looking for works that facilitate the study and teaching of the Bible. These books should reflect the needs and interests of the broad evangelical audience.

Multnomah Books
Colorado Springs, Colorado
         represented by Alice Crider, editorial coordinator

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(see also listing on page 195 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

We believe that Jesus Christ transforms lives in extraordinary and astonishing ways; our opportunity is to find the words and language that people will see as real and authentic so they might open themselves to the personal and spiritual change found in Him.

Our desire is to meet the needs of generations, people who desire life change, and those who are seeking to make their faith vibrant and relevant and significant in the world.

Multnomah defines itself around six product areas (see below). Our rich legacy holds core values of biblical truth and integrity, which we carry into the future. We also seek to address the challenges of our time and culture with fresh vision, language, and focus.

Transformed Relationships: Breaking through to life change — for persons, families, communities: books on dating, marriage, and family relationships; gender issues; enhancing current relationships; transforming help for those who suffer.

Mysteries of God: The God you never knew, invading your life today: books that include
reading experiences that reveal God in astonishing ways; memorable explorations of broad-appeal spiritual subjects.

Leading Edge: Paradigm shifts for leaders of all kinds: big-idea books for leaders in business, church, and emerging faith communities; for early adapters, influencers, and creatives.

Daily Feed: God sightings: Changing the face and quickening the pulse of "devotional" books, breaking through old assumptions about how a "devotional" is used and when… and even what
it's called.

Connections & Encounters: Authentic experience, transforming truth: faith-in-action personal narrative; stories that play at the edges of isolation or disenchantment with church and religion, others that seek to connect people and groups.

Hearts and Minds: Changing lives through the power of story: entertaining novels in popular genres, brimming with life and truth and leading readers into spiritual growth and a closer connection to God.

We are not contracting childrens or teen books at this time.

New Hope Publishers
Birmingham, Alabama
represented by Joyce M. Dinkins, managing editor

New Hope Publishers challenges Christians to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God through the books we publish. We offer books that seek to meet readers where they are, take readers to where God is at work in their lives, and also take them to where God is at work in the world. New Hope's intention is that our books will equip, encourage, and challenge readers in areas that add value to God's kingdom concerns and that are relevant to daily life.  

New Hope publishes books in three categories.
● The Arise line is for women and families. The Arise line includes books for teens, with an emphasis on teen girls.

● The Grow line is Bible studies and other teaching resources.

● The Impact line addresses social, missiological, leadership, and personal growth topics.

We are looking for books that encourage readers to frame their way of thinking, acting, and living within the context of God's heart for the world.

Along with the three lines of books is a commitment to publish books in Spanish, focusing on a simultaneous release of certain books in both English and Spanish.

Tyndale House Publishers (fiction)
Carol Stream, Illinois
represented by Karen Watson, director of fiction
                       Jan Stob, senior fiction acquisitions editor

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(See also listing on page 217 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

Unique in the religious publishing community, Tyndale House is a privately held company that seeks to be creative and visionary while remaining true to its founder's desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Our corporate purpose states it simply: To minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles.

Fiction: Our fiction line portrays characters of faith who rely on Christ's strength as they face life's challenges and triumphs. The dual purpose of Tyndale fiction is to entertain readers and to encourage them in their faith journey.

Tyndale fiction is mainstream, popular, not literary. We are currently looking for mainly contemporary stories, women's fiction, romance, suspense/mystery/thrillers as well as a limited number of late 19th- to early 20th-century historicals.  We are looking for engaging, well-written stories with a strong, marketable hook.   
We are not interested in: fantasy/science fiction, Western, Biblical, chick lit, and End Times fiction.

Tyndale House Publishers (nonfiction)
Carol Stream, Illinois
represented by Carol Traver, Senior Acquisitions Editor for nonfiction

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(See also listing on page 217 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

Unique in the religious publishing community, Tyndale House is a privately held company that seeks to be creative and visionary while remaining true to its founder's desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Our corporate purpose states it simply: To minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles.

Nonfiction: Tyndale publishes a wide variety of nonfiction titles every year.
Current needs:
● Devotional products for 365 days (One Year line).
● Experiential (memoir/biography/nonfiction with strong narrative content).
● Commentary on social justice/missional church/cultural assimilation and education (making the church real to the culture around us).
● As always, we are looking for authentic, vulnerable voices — talking honestly about the Christian faith and the spiritual journey.

Tyndale does not publish poetry, curriculum, sermons, plays, essay collections, academic titles, or gift books.

WaterBrook Press
Colorado Springs, Colorado
            represented by Mick Silva,editor

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs
(see also listing on page 219 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide)

A division of Random House, Inc., WaterBrook Press is committed to creating products that both intensify and satisfy the elemental thirst for a deeper relationship with God. By communicating spiritual truth through books and ancillary products of the highest quality and creativity, we hope to provide a deep well of spiritual refreshment that will give readers a taste of the Living Water.

We are interested in books that illuminate Christian life in real, refreshing, and/or provocative ways. We like stories (fiction or non) that make us want to keep turning the pages. We long for books that quickly and clearly capture the imagination. Books that address and deliver help or next steps regarding clear and wide-reaching felt needs always draw our attention. We also like inspirational stories (true and as works of fiction) that are both timely and possess enduring truths.

We are not looking for or contracting:
● childrens books and youth books
● anything derivative of best-selling work in the market now, e.g.: Blue Like Jazz or Your Best Life Now or Captivating. Those books have already been done.
● nonfiction on sexual purity and healthy sexuality. (We have a large stable of work on this with our best-selling Every Man's Battle / EveryWoman's Battle series.)

Zondervan

Grand Rapids , Michigan

Publishing House Description, Editorial Needs

(see also listing on pages 222-223 of the 2008 Christian Writers' Market Guide )

Zondervan's mission is to be the leading Christian communications company meeting the needs of people with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote biblical principles.

Andy Meisenheimer's editorial role includes both fiction and nonfiction.

In fiction, he is willing to look at many genres (such as science-fiction, mystery/detective, horror, legal, literary, medical, political) but is at a loss with most inspirational, contemporary womens, and any form of romance.

In nonfiction, he is looking for journalism, nonfiction narrative or commentary, pop postmodern memoir, issues, and other books of interest to a general market from a Christian worldview.

We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. However, o ne of the greatest values of attending writers conferences is that they provide you the opportunity to meet with editors from houses that no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts.

If you meet with the Zondervan editor at this conference and he requests a proposal from you, that proposal will then be considered solicited. Please follow his instructions as you submit your proposal for review.