Byron Williamson, CEO and publisher, affirms “Worthy’s vision to partner with remarkable authors, investing our resources, creativity, and passion into their compelling ideas.” Williamson served as president of Word Publishing, the Thomas Nelson/Word Publishing Group, and founded Integrity Publishers.

Williamson has signed and published a striking number of New York Times and CBA bestsellers, including Sarah Young’s top selling Christian book of 2010, Jesus Calling, as well as Beth Moore’s Get Out of That Pit, Max Lucado’s It’s Not About Me, Newt Gingrich’s Searching for God in America and Emerson Eggerichs’ Love & Respect. Other celebrated authors previously published include David Jeremiah, Frank Peretti, John Townsend, Henry Cloud, Michael W. Smith and Steve Arterburn.

“Worthy is a privately-held, independent voice in Christian book publishing, not tied to a New York-based parent,” says Williamson. “This responsive team will be hands-on in all phases of the publishing process – editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, and distribution.”

Worthy will focus on a boutique list of new books each year, crossing a broad spectrum of genres: inspirational, fiction, Bible study, current events, devotion, biography, leadership, specialized Bibles, spiritual and personal growth, as well as select children’s titles.

UPCOMING BOOKS
First books will be released in the fall of 2011 in both digital eBook and print editions. Product will be distributed through such retailers as Barnes & Noble, LifeWay, Books-A-Million, Family Christian Stores, Amazon, Walmart, major eBook platforms and thousands of independent Christian and general booksellers in North American and worldwide.

Among Worthy’s first books, reports Williamson, will be bestseller Charles Colson’s The Sky Is Not Falling (September 2011). Colson delivers an insightful and optimistic vision for the future of culture, despite the trend toward overwhelming secularization of America.

Stephen Arterburn, author of the multi-million copy selling book, Every Man’s Battle, pens a compelling new work, Walking Into Walls (September 2011). Arterburn addresses five enormous blind spots that block God’s work in almost every one causing great pain.

Renowned songwriter and author Gloria Gaither writes A Homecoming Christmas, Making Memories of Comfort and Joy (October 2011). Gaither has created a beautiful 4-color book that will add spice to everyone’s holiday season.

WORTHY’S MANAGEMENT TEAM
The launch executive team includes Rob Birkhead as Sr. Vice President of Marketing, who was a lead marketing executive at Word Publishing, Thomas Nelson and Integrity Publishers, working with such bestsellers as John Maxwell, John Eldredge and Max Lucado. Dale Wilstermann, Sr. Vice President of Sales, served as a sales and marketing executive at both Integrity Publishers and Thomas Nelson, working with such accounts as Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble, LifeWay and Family Christian Stores. Jeana Ledbetter, Vice President of Planning and Author Relations, worked as a literary representative with a leading agency, Yates & Yates, representing such authors as Beth Moore. David Howell, Vice President of Finance and Operations, served as Sr. Vice President of Finance and Operations at Integrity Publishers. Prior to Integrity, he was the Sr. Vice President of Finance and Operations for Word Entertainment. At Thomas Nelson, he became the Vice President of Finance with a focus on strategic planning, operations and acquisitions.

Worthy Publishing is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee. Connect with Worthy Publishing on Twitter @WorthyPub.

For more information, including new title images, please visit: http://worthypublishing.com/marketing/worthypublishingpressrelease.pdf.