Former Thomas Nelson/Word President Launches New Christian Publishing Company

Byron Williamson, a veteran of the Christian publishing world, has announced the launch of a new Christian publishing company--Worthy Publishing, a division of Nashville, TN-based Worthy Media Inc. Williamson, who will serve as CEO and publisher of the new company, previously served as president of Word Publishing, the Thomas Nelson/Word Publishing Group, and founded Integrity Publishers.

"Worthy is a privately-held, independent voice in Christian book publishing, not tied to a New York-based parent," says Williamson, who has signed and published several best-sellers, including Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" and Max Lucado's "It's Not About Me." "This responsive team will be hands-on in all phases of the publishing process--editorial, marketing, publicity, sales and distribution."

According to Worthy, which is headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., it 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."

Worthy's first books will be released this fall in both digital e-book and print editions. Among those initial titles, reports Williamson, will be Charles Colson's "The Sky Is Not Falling," Stephen Arterburn's "Walking Into Walls" and Gloria Gaither's "A Homecoming Christmas, Making Memories of Comfort and Joy."

In addition to Williamson, Worthy's launch executive team includes: Rob Birkhead, senior vice president of marketing, who was a lead marketing executive at Word Publishing, Thomas Nelson and Integrity Publishers; Dale Wilstermann, senior vice president of sales, who served as a sales and marketing executive at both Integrity Publishers and Thomas Nelson; Jeana Ledbetter, vice president of planning and author relations, who worked as a literary representative with Yates & Yates; and David Howell, vice president of finance and operations, who served as senior vice president of finance and operations at Integrity Publishers and Word Entertainment, and vice president of finance at Thomas Nelson.