Books from Thomas Nelson and Howard Books to provide ‘a Christian voice’ to the marketplace

Christian publishers are rolling out several 9/11-themed titles in time for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. They say the new books—focusing on the historic tragedy—will provide “a Christian voice” in a time of national remembrance. 

To be released in August by Thomas Nelson, Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson will “offer readers a fresh and meaningful way to look back at the events of 9/11 and reflect on the power of trust and courage,” said Brian Hampton, Nelson’s senior vice president and publisher.

 The book tells the story of how Hingson—a blind man who worked in one of the twin towers—and Rozelle, his guide dog, made it down 78 floors before the tower collapsed and led others to safety. 

“The importance of any books tied to 9/11 is less tied to projected sales than it is to the need to have a Christian voice represented in the marketplace,” Matt Baugher, vice president and publisher at Nelson, told Christian Retailing. “The world needs to hear from those who offer real hope and perspective.”

Meanwhile, also in August, Howard Books is releasing Angel in the Rubble by Genelle Guzman-McMillan, the last survivor to be found at Ground Zero—27 hours after the twin towers collapse.

Though she was not a believer, while trapped she remembered a relative in Trinidad who had prayed for healing and seen an answer, so she prayed, too. A man who said his name was Paul held  Guzman-McMillan’s hand through a gap in the rubble. 

“When she was eventually pulled free by the rescue workers, she asked for Paul, and they told her that there was no one there (by that name),” said Jonathan Merkh, Howard Books vice president and publisher. “She is convinced it was an angel that saved her. As a result, she came to realize that God had saved her for a reason.” 

Escaping with only minor injuries, Guzman-McMillan then committed herself to Christ, became a member of Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, N.Y., and married her longtime boyfriend.

Merkh said that he expected strong media interest in the story, which has so far been little told. Angel in the Rubble will have an initial print run between 75,000 and 100,000 copies.

“There was almost 9/11 fatigue after the first books about the events came out,” he said. “It was a tragedy, and I think that a lot of people were tired of hearing about the sad stuff and wanted to move on, but this is a beautiful story in itself and the backdrop just happens to be the setting of 9/11. We think it’s an incredible story of faith and are launching it at a time that makes sense. People are fascinated by accounts of the angelic world.”

The original title of the account, The Last Survivor, was changed to extend the life of the book after the 9/11 anniversary, Merkh added. 

In September, Howard is also publishing Letters from War—a novel by Mark Schultz with Travis Thrasher—based on the singer-songwriter’s hit song, which became part of the U.S. military’s Bring Them Home campaign and promotion after 9/11.

 Zondervan is re-releasing One Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday Morning—the first two titles in Karen Kingsbury’s best-selling “September 11” trilogy series—as one book.

To be released in August, One Tuesday Morning/Beyond Tuesday Morning Compilation Limited Edition will have a redesigned cover featuring the twin towers and a firefighter “to honor those who lost their lives,” Don Gates, vice president of marketing for trade books at Zondervan, told Christian Retailing. 

The third book in the series, Every Now and Then—which reached the New York Times Paperback Trade Fiction list in 2008—will also be re-released in August with the new title Remember Tuesday Morning. 

The series’ centers on policeman Alex Brady, who is still struggling with losing his father from the terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York City, fighting crime during wildfires in the Los Angeles suburbs.

“The 9/11 series sold very well with nearly a million books in print,” Gates said. “We expect Karen’s fans to embrace the new editions as a way to pay tribute to those who have fallen and share this incredible story with their friends and family.

“It’s very important to help people as they continue to process the events of 9/11,” Gates added. “We serve a God who cares and wants to comfort in times of need.”

Meanwhile, Charisma House is releasing the e-book version of The Harbinger on Sept. 11, with the paperback edition to follow Jan. 3, 2012. The book was written by Jonathan Cahn, president of Hope of the World ministries and senior pastor and Messianic rabbi of the Jerusalem Center/Beth Israel in Wayne, N.J. Set in New York City, the book links an Old Testament passage to the 9/11 attacks.

“It’s a prophetic message, an alarm, a wake-up call concerning America, the world and the future,” said Woodley Auguste, director of marketing and publicity for Charisma House. “An ancient mystery—two and a half thousand years old bearing a series of prophetic signs, harbingers, once given to an ancient nation on the verge of destruction—now reappears in modern times.”

This is the first time a CBA publisher has released a title in a digital format first, then as a traditional book, he added. “Also, in light of the recent death of Osama Bin Laden, we felt a sense of urgency to release The Harbinger to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.”

Elsewhere, Tyndale House Publishers does not plan to release new products or backlist books tied to the 9/11 anniversary. Released in 2002, Let’s Roll! by Lisa Beamer with Ken Abraham is “a strong backlist title,” with more than a million copies in print, according to Mavis Sanders, corporate publicist for Tyndale. Another 9/11-themed title, 2004’s Refined by Fire by Brian and Mel Birdwell, has more than 50,000 copies in print.

“We hope there will be ongoing and/or renewed interest in each of these historical accounts,” Sanders told Christian Retailing. 

Nelson also has no plans to publish new editions of previously released 9/11-focused titles, including Attack on America by John Hagee and First Strike: TWA Flight 800 and the Attack on America by Jack Cashill and James Sanders.

 “The tragedy of 9/11 has found its way into countless books over the last 10 years,” Baugher said. “If an increase (in sales) is experienced, I believe it will be modest, and will be tied to the spiritual analysis that all of us go through when contemplating such a tragedy.”

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