Contact:
Tara Powers, Brian Burch
(616) 233-0500
tpowers@lambert-edwards.com
bburch@lambert-edwards.com
Titles from Leading Authors Bryan Davis, Melody Carlson and Bill Myers
"While revenue in other sectors of the book industry remains flat, YA is booming."—Los Angeles Times*
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., January 30, 2008 – Teens are reading like never before with books like Eragon and the Harry Potter series fueling the Young Adult market. The growing rate of teenage readers, who want entertaining books that meet their spiritual needs, can now look to Zondervan. In May 2008, Zondervan will launch its Young Adult line with fiction titles by three of the top five selling Christian YA authors: Melody Carlson, Bryan Davis, and Bill Myers.
"Book sales to teenagers are booming in the secular market. But there is very little out there for Christian teenagers," explains Alicia Mey, vice president of marketing, Zondervan. "We're excited to be able to fill this gap with the best authors in the business: Bryan Davis, Melody Carlson, Bill Myers, Robert Elmer, Brandilyn Collins, and DJ Reynolds."
To meet the interests and spiritual needs of a growing youth market, Zondervan will publish in a variety of genres, including chick lit, supernatural, adventure and fantasy for teenagers 12 to 15 years old. Readers can look forward to books by bestselling fiction author Brandilyn Collins. Collins will make her debut in 2009 bringing her trademark "Seatbelt Suspense" to the YA market. Author DJ Reynolds, the author of Scarlet Moon and Midnight Pearls, which was recognized as an ALA 2005 Popular Paperback for Young Adults, will debut in 2008.
By entering this market, Zondervan will bring its family-friendly, Christian values to a group that is searching for the influence of Christ-centered books. In a recent study by the Barna Group, two-thirds of all born-again Christians make a profession of faith before age 18. Zondervan intends to publish ten titles a year to help provide the resources necessary for teenagers making this profession and commitment.
* "In their own words; why let adults tell them how their life is? Teen authors are writing it as they live it." -- Los Angeles Times, April 5, 2006 (Home Edition). Author: Josh Getlin.
Zondervan is the world's leading Christian publisher of books whose authors are noted for their excellence in the craft of writing as well as their worthy contribution to the ongoing global evangelical conversation. The works published by Zondervan not only confirm readers' faith and understanding, they also challenge and stretch readers' thinking. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general, ministry, and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan publishes bestselling books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products in such categories as biblical languages and studies, biography, business, contemporary issues, counseling, cultural, devotional, evangelism, family, fiction, history, inspiration, leadership, ministry, pastoral, personal development, prayer, philosophy, reference, relationships, textbooks, theology, youth and more. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan Books on the Internet at www.zondervan.com/books.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).