Prolific writer’s ‘straightforward writing on grace’ will continue to resonate with generations for years to come

Brennan Manning, author, Franciscan priest, speaker and theologian best known for his book The Ragamuffin Gospel (Multnomah Books), died April 12 following several years of declining health. He was 78.

Manning’s sister and brother-in-law, Gerry and Art Rubino, announced his passing on Manning’s website and Facebook page, adding that, “While he will be greatly missed we should all take comfort in the fact that he is resting in the loving arms of his Abba.”

A prolific writer who once released nine books in a two-year stretch, Manning was known as a fierce advocate for the marginalized, poor and church-abused. His Ragamuffin Gospel, released in 1990, was billed as “good news for the bedraggled, beat-up and burnt-out,” and heralded Jesus’ gospel of grace over a works-based salvation. The book became an oft-quoted classic for many well-known authors, artists and musicians, including Michael W. Smith, Michael Card and the late Rich Mullins, whose Ragamuffin Band was named after Manning’s book.

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle,” Manning wrote. “That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

After graduating from Saint Francis College in Loretto, Pa., Manning was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1963 and spent years as a theology professor at the University of Steubenville in Ohio and the spiritual director of Saint Francis Seminary. He later joined a European order called the Little Brothers of Jesus of Charles de Foucald, spending time in France, Spain and Switzerland (where he was voluntarily imprisoned).

Upon returning stateside, Manning began writing more, especially following a brief relapse into his struggle with alcohol. With a renewed sense of God’s grace and love, he wrote with raw vulnerability and brokenness—a trait that became appreciated by readers worldwide and ran through such books as All Is Grace (David C Cook), The Journey of the Prodigal (The Crossroad Publishing Co.), Ruthless Trust (HarperOne), Abba’s Child (NavPress) and The Signature of Jesus (Multnomah Books).

Besides All Is Grace, Manning’s last book and memoir, Cook also published the author’s Patched Together and The Furious Longing of God. 

“Brennan had a bit of a twinkle in his eye, capturing his impish spirit” said Don Pape, vice president of trade publishing at David C Cook. “I hope that now his eyesight is restored, his shoulders fully healed, and he’ll be prancing about in his patchwork jeans, fully knowing grace,” said Don Pape, vice president of trade publishing at David C  Cook. 

Stephen W. Cobb, president of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, added: “We were blessed to work with Brennan since the release of Ragamuffin Gospel. I have no doubt that his straightforward writing on grace will continue to resonate with upcoming generations for years to come.”

Writing with John Blase, Dear Abba: Morning and Evening Prayer, an e-book for Alive Communications’ Bondfire Books, was recently completed. 

In the past year, Manning also completed his first novel, The Prodigal. Co-written by Greg Garrett, the novel follows “the fall, rescue and redemption of Jack Chisholm, a megachurch pastor who preached the bad-news gospel that we are worthless and unworthy of God’s love—until he himself falls from grace.” One of the characters in the book, Father Frank, is loosely based on Manning’s life.  Alive Communications is shopping The Prodigal, which is expected to be published posthumously.

Zondervan has also announced that this fall it will publish The Ragamuffin Bible.

Manning is survived by his sister; two stepdaughters; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Seattle-based labels Tooth & Nail Records and Solid State Records have signed a new distribution deal with Sony Music Entertainment’s Red Distribution. Red will now handle distribution of Tooth & Nail and Solid State releases, formerly distributed by EMI CMG Distribution. 

The first release through Red will be the third studio album from The Almost, Fear Inside Our Bones, set to come out June 11 from Tooth & Nail.

“We are thrilled to sign with Red and its remarkable team, including President Bob Morelli and Senior Vice President Alan Becker, both of whom I’ve known and admired for more than 20 years,” said Brandon Ebel, president of Tooth & Nail and Solid State.

Red President Bob Morelli added: “The addition of the Tooth & Nail/Solid State family further strengthens Red’s already storied hard rock music business, and provides us with an even stronger foothold for achievement moving forward.” 

Tooth & Nail and Solid State, which are both celebrating 20 years in 2013, recently relaunched as independent label groups. Additional releases slated for this year include Solid State’s Emery and Tooth & Nail albums from August Burns Red, The Letter Black and Icon For Hire. 

Video release follows program’s run in March as the highest-rated cable show of the year

Following its run in March as the highest-rated cable show of the year, The Bible miniseries, has become the fastest pre-selling, faith-based title in 60 years, according to CBA.  

Released on DVD and Blu-ray April 2 by Twentieth Century Fox (Provident Distribution), The Bible has sold 525,000 units in its first week of release, becoming the top-selling TV program on DVD in the last five years and the best-selling miniseries ever on Blu-ray, digital HD and DVD. 

Survivor creator Mark Burnett and his actress wife, Roma Downey, of Touched by an Angel fame, produced the miniseries of major Bible stories. It aired Sundays in March on the History Channel—culminating on Easter, March 31. 

“We are humbled by the overwhelming response from audiences to The Bible miniseries,” Downey and Burnett said. “First, the show was No. 1 on History, now it is No. 1 on Blu-ray and DVD, and has been No. 1 in every country in which it aired. … It is our hope that folks everywhere will continue to be touched by the message of the Bible and cherish these stories at home with their families and friends for years to come.”

Watched by 95 million cumulative viewers on the History Channel, The Bible also ranked No. 1 across digital stores, including iTunes, Amazon, VUDU, Xbox, PlayStation, CinemaNow and GooglePlay.

Industry veteran Dan Balow to take lead for the Ohio-based publisher to ‘make one of Barbour’s strengths even stronger’

Barbour Publishing has formed a dedicated in-house fiction team. Fiction is one of strongest categories for the Uhrichsville, Ohio-based company, known for its value-priced books. 

The newly established team consists of Publisher and Vice President of Business Development Dan Balow; Editorial Director Kelly McIntosh; Senior Fiction Editor Rebecca Germany; and Annie Tipton—recently promoted from managing editor to fiction acquisitions editor. In Tipton’s new role, she will be responsible for developing and implementing Barbour’s fiction strategy and acquiring new titles. 

“Fiction is very important to Barbour,” Balow said. “In fact, it accounts for over a third of our annual sales. Creating this fiction team and promoting Annie Tipton to the role of acquisitions editor will give us the vision and resources to make one of Barbour’s strengths even stronger. Rebecca Germany guided fiction to where we are today. This team will work together to make it even more successful.”

Barbour’s fiction authors include Wanda E. Brunstetter, Mary Connealy, Olivia Newport, Cathy Weinke and Yvonne Lehman. Sales of Brunstetter’s Amish-fiction titles with Barbour have topped 4 million copies.