Date: Thursday, July 30, 2009

Abingdon Press fiction launch exceeds expectations

Abingdon Press is pleased to announce that interest and sales for the first seven fall titles of the new Christian fiction line has exceeded initial expectations. Abingdon Press launched their new Christian fiction line this summer at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, Book Expo America in New York, and American Library Association convention in Chicago.

“Our company is energized by the great buzz created around Abingdon’s new fiction line,” Mark Yeh, Director of Abingdon Sales explains. “I am pleased that so many book clubs, retailers, libraries, and distributors are interested in our books. They have been very excited about the breadth and diversity in our first seven novels.”

Due to the high level of interest and sales commitments, the first four novels have already gone into a second printing and first print runs of the other three titles have been increased. In addition, all seven novels have received accolades. Gone to Green, book one in the Green Series from debut fiction novelist Judy Christie was selected as a Crossings Book Club selection and received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Veteran author Kay Marshall Strom’s Call of Zulina, book one in the Grace in Africa series, received a starred review in Library Journal. The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow from debut novelist Joyce Magnin received a Seal of Approval and Bonus Selection from Pulpwood Queens, one of the largest “meeting and discussing” book clubs in the world. Linda S. Clare’s The Fence My Father Built will be a Buyer’s Choice in LifeWay Christian Stores fall fiction catalog. Ariel Allison’s eye of the god is the first book selection for the new fiction book club of Proverbs 31 Ministries, a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ. Myra Johnson’s One Imperfect Christmas has been selected as a featured title at Cokesbury Christian bookstores. Rita Gerlach’s Surrender the Wind has received several rave reviews from veteran authors such as Julie Lessman, Golden Keyes Parsons, and Sharlene MacLauren.

As industry veteran Barbara Scott, Senior Acquisitions editor explains, “The Abingdon line expands in the spring with 10 new titles and a total of 20 new novels for the year. We will be adding new genres and storylines, all to inspire a deeper sense of faith in God’s love and grace.”

As the line expands, Abingdon will focus on interaction with readers and retailers by providing social networks for engagement with the authors and their novels. Retailers and readers can access video book trailers, study guides, author features, discussions, and other features through Facebook and Abingdonpress.com.

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Abingdon Press fiction includes stories of faith, hope, and love which explore the gray areas of life—situations that seemingly have no clear-cut solutions. These stories strive to illuminate the human condition and express God’s enduring love and grace for all. Abingdon Press also publishes resources for church leaders, scholars, and students engaged in leading congregations and theological education, and inspirational books and study materials that reach a broad audience. Abingdon resources are available in Christian and general bookstores and from many online book sellers. 

Wholesale customers can purchase direct from Abingdon Press or through most wholesale distributors.


Praise for Abingdon Press Fiction

Gone to Green, by Judy Christie
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0024-8
When a journalist trades in her corporate life to helm a rural Louisiana newspaper, her life unwittingly becomes filled with challenges, lessons, and blessings.

“…Refreshingly realistic religious fiction, this novel is unafraid to address the injustices of sexism, racism and corruption as well as the spiritual devastation that often accompanies the loss of loved ones. Yet these darker narrative tones beautifully highlight the novel’s message of friendship, community and God’s reassuring and transformative love."
--Publishers Weekly starred review

The Call of Zulina, by Kay Marshall Strom
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0069-9
Leaning on her faith, Grace Winslow, the daughter of slave traders, fights to conquer the brutality of slavery as she leads a revolt in eighteenth-century West Africa.
“This compelling drama will challenge readers to remember slavery’s brutal history, and its heroic characters will inspire them. Highly recommended.”
‑‑Library Journal starred review

Surrender the Wind, by Rita Gerlach
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0072-9
In this sweeping historical romance, Seth Braxton, an American Revolutionary patriot, and his beloved wife Juleah uncover a sinister plot of murder, abduction, and betrayal.
“I am purely a romance reader, and yet you hooked me in with a war scene, of all things!!! I would have never believed it. You set the mood beautifully and have a clean, strong, lyrical way with words. You have done your research well enough to transport me back to the war-torn period of Colonial times.”
­­‑‑Julie Lessman, author of The Daughters of Boston series

One Imperfect Christmas, by Myra Johnson
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0070-5
Christmas is the season of miracles, but when blame and guilt keep Natalie Pearce and her mother apart, sometimes a miracle needs a helping hand.
“Debut novelist Myra Johnson ushers us into the Christmas season with a fresh and exciting story that will give you a chuckle and a special warmth.”
­­‑‑DiAnn Mills, author of Awaken My Heart and Breach of Trust

The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, by Joyce Magnin
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0164-1
When quirky, homebound Agnes Sparrow prays, miracles happen. When a stranger shows up asking for his miracle, however, Agnes’s feet of clay are exposed.
“Beware of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow. Just when you have become fully enchanted by its marvelous quirky zaniness, you will suddenly be taken to your knees by its poignant truth-telling about what it means to be divinely human. I’m convinced that ‘on our knees’ is exactly where Joyce Magnin planned for us to land all along.”
‑‑Nancy Rue, co-author of Healing Waters: Sullivan Crisp Series, 2009 Novel of the Year

The Fence My Father Built, by Linda S. Clare
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0073-6
Upon inheriting property in Oregon, Muri Pond, a citified librarian, runs into trouble and ends up rediscovering the faith her Native American father never abandoned.
“…Linda Clare reminds us with her writing that is wise, funny, and heartbreaking, that what matters most in life are the people we love and the One who gave them to us.”
‑‑Gina Ochsner, Dark Horse Literary, winner of the Oregon Book Award and the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction

eye of the god, by Ariel Allison
ISBN. 978-1-4267-0068-2
When thieves attempt to steal the Hope diamond, only Abigail Mitchell stands in the way. An intriguing tale of faith, betrayal, and danger.
“The story drew me in from the first page and never let me go. Ariel Allison has done a great job weaving an exciting and engaging story around one of the most well-known jewels in history.”
‑‑Richard Mabry, M.D., author of Code Blue

Related Links:
  • The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow
  • Gone to Green
  • The Call of Zulina
  • The Fence My Father Built
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