Christian Retailing

Abingdon re-evaluates publishing programs beyond 2015 Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Friday, 01 August 2014 09:20 AM America/New_York

PamelaClements-webAbingdon Press, an imprint of The United Methodist Publishing House, announced Thursday that it is reassessing and realigning its Christian Living and Abingdon Fiction programs as a result of shifts in the industry. The new strategy results in the departure of Associate Publisher Pamela Clements.

“Pamela Clements’ leadership and passion have been tremendous contributions,” said Neil M. Alexander, president and publisher. “She set the highest standard of excellence, and her efforts drew the admiring attention of religion publishers, agents, packagers and authors across the publishing world.”

Alexander explained the reasons for the program changes.

“Over the last five years, the Abingdon Fiction program has received numerous awards and accolades from trade organizations, writers’ guilds, reviewers and publications,” he said. “Similar recognition has come to our Christian Living titles from throughout the publishing industry, especially in 2014. But the rate of change and shifting structure in our industry and the resulting challenges faced by all religion publishers have caused us to pause to re-evaluate our acquisitions plans beyond 2015.”

All fiction and Christian Living titles that already have been acquired will be published and actively marketed as planned. Ramona Richards, senior acquisitions editor of fiction, and Lil Copan, senior acquisitions editor of Christian Living, remain on staff, and Cat Hoort will serve as marketing manager for both lines.

Abingdon publishes authors including Adam Hamilton, Babbie Mason, Cynthia Ruchti and Barbara Cameron. It is also known for the fiction series “Quilts of Love.”