COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, March 2013—Internationally known apologist, educator, and bestselling author, Dr. Alister McGrath, released his definitive biography of C.S. Lewis with Tyndale House this March to mark the 50^th anniversary of Lewis’s death.

“We are honored to be representing Dr. McGrath,” said Alive agent Andrea Heinecke. “C.S. Lewis: A Life, has received early acclaim including glowing reviews in Washington Post, The Daily Beast, Publishers Weekly and Booklist.”

McGrath’s biography has been praised for humanizing Lewis rather than canonizing him. A starred review in Publishers Weekly stated: “To the question of whether the world really needs another biography of C.S. Lewis, McGrath’s lucid and unsentimental portrait of the Christian champion responds with a resounding ‘yes.’ McGrath offers a new and at times shocking look into the complicated life of this complex figure. The author takes us headlong into the heart of a Lewis we’ve known little about: his unconventional affair with Mrs. Jane Moore; his hostile and deceptive relationship with his father; his curiosity about the sensuality of cruelty. McGrath navigates the reader through these messy themes, ultimately landing us onto the solid ground of Lewis’s post-conversion legacy. He shows with skill, sympathy, dispassion, and engaging prose that Lewis, like the rest of us, did the best he could with the hand he was dealt. But he got over it, as must all those who would prefer a Lewis without shadows.”

Dr. McGrath also challenges some of the previously held beliefs about the exact timing of Lewis’s shift from atheism to theism and then to Christianity, after thoroughly examining recently published correspondence by Lewis. McGrath is the only scholar to have conducted a complete, chronological analysis of the entire collection of Lewis’s written documentation.

Alister McGrath, a former atheist who grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, studied at Oxford University, where he became a Christian. McGrath subsequently served as Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University until 2008, before taking up the newly established Chair of Theology, Religion, and Culture at King’s College London.

Dr. McGrath has a special interest in Christian apologetics. He has debated leading atheists, including Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. He is the author of numerous notable books, including The Twilight of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief in the Modern World. -AH

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, April 15, 2013

Manning was most renowned for his contemporary classic, The Ragamuffin Gospel (Multnomah). In addition, he also wrote Ruthless Trust (HarperOne), The Furious Longing of God (David C Cook) and Abba’s Child (NavPress) and most recently penned his memoir; All is Grace (David C Cook). This fall, Zondervan will publish The Ragamuffin Bible, with study and devotional notes from Manning’s collected works.

In the past year, Manning kept busy with two new projects. He completed his first novel with writer and novelist Greg Garrett titled The Prodigal. It is presently being shopped by Alive Communications and will be published posthumously. The novel follows the fall, rescue and redemption of Jack Chisholm, a mega-church pastor who preached the bad news gospel that we are worthless and unworthy of God’s love until he himself falls from grace. One of the characters in the book, Father Frank, is loosely based on Brennan’s life. And just prior to his passing, Manning completed a new eBook, Dear Abba: Morning and Evening Prayer, in collaboration with John Blase, for Bondfire Books.
For details on Brennan Manning’s funeral, please see below:

The viewing will be held at:

Ely Funeral Home

Rte 33

Neptune, NJ

Wednesday 4/17/13 from 4 to 8 P.M.

The funeral mass will be held at:

St. Rose Church

7th. Ave.

Belmar, NJ 07719

Thursday 4/18/13

10:00 A. M.

Following the burial, a repast will be held at:

The Spring Lake Manor

Rt. 71

Spring Lake Heights, NJ

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send any memorial gifts to:

St. Rose Church

St. Vincent DePaul Society

603 7th. Ave

Belmar, NJ 07719

MEMO Brennan Manning

If you plan to attend, his family asks that you notify his caregiver, Art Rubino at: artger0743@yahoo.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, January 2013–-Critically-acclaimed new duo for KING & COUNTRY, who recently wrapped up their first headlining tour, made their late night debut on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on January 10, 2013. They performed their hit single “The Proof of Your Love” from their debut album, Crave.

“For KING & COUNTRY received a standing ovation after a wonderful performance,” said Alive agent Andrea Heinecke, who recently inked a book deal for them with Thomas Nelson. “It was great exposure for the group and really spiked music sales.”

Amazon.com recently announced their Best Music of 2012 list and named “The Proof of Your Love,” as Christian Music’s Song of the Year. Radio has also been extremely supportive as for KING & COUNTRY was listed as the most played artist at Christian AC Indicator in 2012 according to Nielsen BDS.

2012 kicked off with the breakout artists being named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch in 2012. In February, for KING & COUNTRY released their album, Crave, launching them as CCM’s bestselling new artist of 2012. “The Proof of Your Love,” is the second single from Crave, and the video was the first-ever Christian music video to officially premiere in partnership with YouTube Music. For KING & COUNTRY was named as one of Billboard’s 17 acts to watch in 2012 and New Release Tuesday noted that Crave was “One of the Best Debut Projects in Years!” Their music has also piqued the interest of music fans outside the Christian genre. ET’s “The Insider” said the duo, “make music that speaks directly to your heart” and have been “gaining popularity in the alt-rock genre.” American Songwriter commented that “for KING & COUNTRY may just be Australia’s answer to Coldplay.”

For more information please visit www.forKINGandCOUNTRY.com
www.facebook.com/forkingandcountry
Follow: @4kingandcountry

—AH

The Rudy Dream Big Bus Tour will make stops at key locations across the nation’s midsection, spreading Rudy’s encouraging message of never giving up. Appearances include major events like throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game, speaking at top-ranked colleges like Oberlin, Indiana, Temple and returning to his alma mater Notre Dame University for the big game against Michigan. Rudy will then travel on to Chicago for a ceremonial first pitch at a White Sox game and return to Joliet for a home-town hero’s welcome.

His publisher, Thomas Nelson, is supporting the tour with numerous media interviews along the way. The tour bus—a full size, luxury Star coach—is provided by All Access Coach Leasing of Gallatin, TN, with the artistic help of Jamie Mullican, a.k.a. “The Wrap Artist.”

Other stops on the tour include St. Louis, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Bowling Green and Nashville. ~JK

The story is running nationally in trade journals like Variety.

Earlier this month, the Burpos traveled to Los Angeles to meet with Mr. Wallace on the Sony/Columbia Pictures lot to celebrate the new partnership. Also in attendance were Alive agent Joel Kneedler, New York Times bestselling writer Lynn Vincent and key member of the Thomas Nelson team. Pictured above, L to R: Todd Burpo, Colton Burpo, Randall Wallace, Sonja Burpo, Joel Kneedler, Lynn Vincent.

“We are thrilled to have Randall Wallace at the helm of the film,”  said Kneedler. “He brings a wealth of experience as a writer and director and we are fortunate to have someone of his caliber overseeing the film.”

The film will be produced by Hollywood veteran Joe Roth of Joe Roth Films, whose most recent credits include Oz: The Great and Powerful, Knight and Day and Alice in Wonderland. Other executive producers include Bishop T.D. Jakes (Sparkle, Jump the Broom) and Columbia’s Senior Vice President of Production DeVon Franklin (Karate Kid, Pursuit of Happyness).

Adapted for the screen by Christopher Parker, Heaven is for Real (Thomas Nelson, 2010) continues its remarkable run on the New York Times paperback nonfiction list, now with 92 weeks under its belt. The book has now sold over seven million copies worldwide. ~JK

Cron’s memoir describes a childhood filled with remarkable stories and colorful characters that includes a nearly blind English nanny who teaches him what love means, a simple carpenter who leads him to faith, an irreverent New York radio personality who saves his life, a father who takes his family on a wild ride from the pinnacle of glamour and wealth to the depths of emotional and financial hardship, a beautiful and courageous mother who holds them together, and the hard won peace that comes when we surrender to the “unfinished business of grace.”

In addition to Amazon’s showcase recognition, Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me was also selected as a featured title in the Barnes & Noble (B&N) “Discover Great New Writers” program. Pastor and bestselling author, Mark Batterson writes, “Ian Morgan Cron is a brilliant writer. This is the kind of book that you don’t just read. It reads you.” – LH

“We worked quietly toward the soft launch in May of our first ebooks, including original titles from #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Karen Kingsbury and The Message Bible translator Eugene H. Peterson,” said Christian, noting that burgeoning sales and opportunity enabled him to make this critical hire.

“We’re thankfully past the quiet stage and can now blow our trumpet boldly from atop Pikes Peak,” he said of his Colorado Springs-based firm, a sister company to Alive Communications, the nation’s largest literary agency for faith-based and inspirational authors, internationally known for its stable of New York Times bestselling authors.

“Bondfire Books’ distinctive of paying a 50% net royalty for ebooks instead of the industry norm 25%, while offering a grant of five-year renewable terms rather than for life of copyright, proved to be huge magnets for authors, and it’s a great coup to now have such a respected digital innovator at our editorial helm to guide and nurture them as we grow,” he added.

In his new post, Dodd said he plans to build “a diverse library of fiction and non-fiction ebooks that elevate authors and sell well in the digital space,” and also “to experiment with the future of reading through hyper-local niche books, serialized stories, socially-sourced books, multi-media enhancements, and news-driven content.”

“The exciting thing about epublishing today is that it’s a wet lump of clay. We’re going to try to shape it in a way that’s fruitful for everyone, attractive for authors, and exciting for readers,” Dodd said.

Dodd has been an integral part of the faith-based electronic media for years. His writing on faith and culture has appeared in a broad range of publications, from The Wall Street Journal and CNN.com to Christianity Today, Books & Culture, and The Shambhala Sun. Most recently, he served as Executive Editor at Patheos.com, the world’s largest independent website on religion, where he launched the Patheos Press ebook initiative. He earned a Ph.D. in Religion and Literature from Boston University, was also a senior editor at Beliefnet.com and an English instructor at the United States Air Force Academy.

Dodd is the author of My Faith So Far: A Story of Confusion and Conversion (Jossey-Bass, 2004) and last fall he wrote his first ebook, The Tebow Mystique: The Faith and Fans of Football’s Most Polarizing Player (Patheos Press, 2011). He and his ebook were featured on FOX News, ESPN Radio, and The Laura Ingraham Show, and he also covered the Tebow story for a number of national media outlets.

“I know from firsthand experience how powerful ebooks can be for writers and audiences,” he said.
–RC

July 27, 2012 – A familiar face will be amid the crowd of waving athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies tonight. This is Lopez Lomong’s second trip to the Olympic Games – he was a competitor and the USA national flag bearer in the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Alive Communications author Mark Tabb captured Lopez’s amazing journey from kidnap victim of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army to Olympic runner in Running for My Life, which released on July 17, 2012 (Thomas Nelson). Lopez will compete in the Men’s 5000-metre race.

Lopez uses his running as a platform, partnering with World Vision on “4 South Sudan,” a ministry that raises money for clean water in South Sudan.–LH/lk

Joe Loconte, who recently appeared on MSNBC, was called upon by Glenn Beck’s program The Blaze. Paul Asay, most notable for his newest release about the Batman trilogy God on The Streets of Gotham, wrote three separate articles for The Washington Post over the weekend. Wallace Henley, a pastor of the 50,000 member Second Baptist Church in Houston, TX, and former White House aide, shared his comments with The Christian Post. And editor and writer John Blase posted his reflection on his blog at The Beautiful Due.–JK