Thomas Nelson has brought out a gift book series whose author has already sold more than 700,000 copies on her own.

This month saw the release of the first three titles of the "Eat Your Peas" series—"3 minute forever books," quick reads by Cheryl Karpen that offer "a promise to be there for a loved one throughout life's hilarities and heartaches." An entrepreneur and president of Gently Spoken Communications, Karpen has produced 21 self-published titles since 2001, selling nearly a million copies in general market and specialty markets.

"We loved the books when we saw them," said Laura Minchew, Nelson's vice president and publisher of specialty books. "To sell 700,000 copies through independent bookstores means these little books really touched a desire by buyers. If this many people responded through the limited distribution of independent gift stores, we know these books will do well when offered through to the larger market."

Minchew told Christian Retailing that Karpen is a Christian and all of the books "come from that mindset." Following the first three titles, Nelson will release Eat Your Peas Faithfully, Love Mom; Eat Your Peas, Girlfriend; and Eat Your Peas, New Mom in July. Each 80-page hardcover book retails for $12.99.

• Prev
• Next