WaterBrook picked up self-published best-seller earlier this year

To Heaven and Back by Dr. Mary C. Neal, a book recently acquired by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group that has become a national word-of-mouth phenomenon since it was self-published in November 2011. At press time, it has spent 12 weeks on the New York Times Advice & Miscellaneous Paperback best-seller list, including nine weeks on the top spot.

The book is a firsthand account of the orthopedic spinal surgeon's death after a kayak accident in South America, visit to heaven and return to life.

On May 29, imprint WaterBrook Press released the e-book and the softcover edition with a first printing of 200,000 copies—based on initial orders from booksellers for more than 185,000 copies. To date, there are 440,000 copies in print.

“We are thrilled to see To Heaven and Back climb up the New York Times best-seller list,” said Steve Cobb, president and publisher of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. “When this book first came on our radar, we were confident that it would find an audience, and we’re happy that within a few weeks of releasing our edition, more than 250,000 copies are in print.”

Consumer demand for the book was spurred by strong national media interest in Dr. Neal’s story. She has appeared on NBC’s Today show, FOX News Channel’s Fox and Friends and America Live with Megyn Kelly. She was also a subject in Jay Leno’s monologue on The Tonight Show, when he made a reference to Neal’s book and the possibility of life after death for NBC.

The book has also received high rankings on the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-seller lists.

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