Howard Books has hired Ami Webster McConnell as vice president, editor in chief.

“I am delighted to have Ami McConnell join our team” said Howard Books’ Vice President and Publisher Jonathan Merkh. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and best-selling success to the position and will help take Howard Books to new heights.”

McConnell has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Most recently she served as senior acquisitions editor for fiction at HarperCollins Christian Publishing and was instrumental in launching the fiction program for Thomas Nelson. Her editing credits include New York Times and USA Today best-sellers as well as RITA, Carol, Christy and Christianity Today Novel of the Year award winners. She has edited books by best-selling authors Colleen Coble, Ted Dekker, Homer Hickam, Lynne Hinton, Karen Kingsbury, Max Lucado and Frank Peretti, among others.

“I am passionate about providing the best editorial content and building the best author brands to further drive success at Howard Books,” McConnell said. “As a key member of the team, my goal will be to fortify Howard Books’ reputation as the foremost leader in inspirational publishing.”

McConnell was named American Christian Fiction Writers Editor of the Year in 2009 and won top honors in 2003 from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

“She is especially proficient in retaining existing authors and acquiring new authors and is a natural at fostering productive and positive relationships with agents, authors, artists and their organizations,” a Howard Books statement said.

McConnell also serves on the advisory board of Buechner Institute at King University in Bristol, Tennessee, and is active in the Women’s National Book Association.

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