Best-selling author Jerusha Clark has written on a variety of topics, but her latest NavPress release tackles a difficult subject that all too many families are familiar with: postpartum depression (PPD).

Many books on PPD recently have entered the marketplace, but Jerusha's Living Beyond Postpartum Depression: Help and Hope for the Hurting Mom and Those Around Her is unique because it also is written for the friends and family of someone with a PPD condition.

“I decided to address not just the mother struggling with PPD, but also those surrounding her for two primary and interconnected reasons,” Jerusha explains. “First, it’s nearly impossible for a woman in the throes of a postpartum depression to read about her condition. Frankly, I couldn’t read anything during my battle, even Scripture, which heaped a painful weight of guilt on me.

“Secondly, the family, friends, pastors, and clinicians surrounding moms fighting against PPD are often every bit as impacted as the strugglers, though in unique and sometimes confusing ways. That’s why various chapters within the book explore how postpartum conditions—not just PPD, but all of the various manifestations of postnatal disorders—effect individuals walking alongside those who suffer.”

Jerusha is the guest on Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast June 22-23, speaking on “Wedded Bliss: Fact or Fiction?” Her 2009 NavPress release, When I Get Married…, addresses common misconceptions about marriage.

NavPress, the publishing arm of the U.S.-based Navigators, announces that it has filled an important position in its marketing department with the hiring of Tom Lathrop. In his new role as marketing manager, Tom will develop marketing plans to promote key titles to the trade and direct markets as well as be involved with project management.

Tom comes to NavPress from Word Distribution where he served for 11 years. He also has more than 19 years of experience working in and with the Christian retail industry.

"We are thrilled to have Tom join NavPress,” says Julie Langmade, NavPress director of marketing. “His background in retail sales and his attention to detail will be a great enhancement to our current marketing team."

NavPress, the publishing arm of the Colorado Springs-based U.S. Navigators, is pleased to announce that Eric Helus has been promoted to Sales Director. He will be leading the sales department in planning and setting sales direction, directing the sales efforts of the organization's products and services, and monitoring market changes with retail accounts.

Helus came to NavPress in September 2002 as a CBA/international sales rep and was a key part in developing and implementing the ABA channel strategy over the next four years. In 2006 he became the Trade Sales Manager, managing both the CBA and ABA trade business.

“We are excited to welcome Eric in his new role as sales director. He is an exceptional sales professional with a proven track record in the retail book market. With Eric’s help, we hope to boost the growth of our business, with specific focus in the area of discipleship. Eric brings a wealth of talent and expertise that will serve our customers well,” says Michael Visentine, COO of NavPress.

According to recent data, nearly half of all 15 to 19 year olds in the United States have had sex. And as a result, 750,000 teen girls get pregnant each year.

Burdened by these statistics, author Laura L. Smith wants her latest novel, Hot (May 2010), to encourage teenagers to remain abstinent.

"After they read Hot, I hope teens will look at sex through a different lens than the one the media bombards them with," she explains. "The truth is, outside of marriage, sex can be scary, harmful, and disruptive. It can lower your self-esteem, ruin your reputation, and confuse the daylights out of anyone. My prayer is that teens can find many reasons in Hot why they should wait. I also pray that it gives people who have regrets the hope that God loves them no matter what."

Both staying pure and God's grace are topics close to Laura's heart.

"The idea for Hot came from inside my greatest nightmares," she says. "As a teenager, I made some poor choices. I've had a very difficult time letting go of some of the things I did. I've struggled with forgiving myself, even though God already has.

"In the midst of a period of deep concern over this issue, I heard a sermon on intimacy. Mixed with the guilt I had been carrying around, this sermon tugged at my heart. If I was suffering with my past, then others had to be affected by theirs, too. I felt if I could help one girl remain pure or help one person who made a mistake find peace with God, then it would be worth it to write Lindsey’s story."

In Hot, Lindsey's tumultuous family situation leaves her craving attention and appreciation, so she turns to her new boyfriend. What does Laura think teens like Lindsey can do to resist the pressures to have sex?

"As Christians, we know in our hearts that God created us to stay pure until marriage. We know He designed marriage as a holy matrimony, but TV shows, magazines, movies, and songs sensationalize steamy hook ups. So, my advice for teens and their parents is to stay as close to Christ as possible. By filling ourselves with His Word, hanging out with other Christians, reading Christian novels, and attending prayer and worship services, God helps us to see Him and His path for us more clearly."

To encourage young adults to think through the important issues raised in Hot, NavPress is offering a free discussion guide available for download.

Laura's other books are also centered on real-life issues teens regularly face: Angry (releasing September 2010) is about a teenager whose parents are divorcing; Skinny deals with body image and eating disorders.

Senior Editor Rebekah Guzman will serve as NavPress Editorial Director effective immediately. In her new role, Guzman will oversee the editorial team as well as continue to manage the TH1NK student line.

Guzman has been at NavPress for three years and has worked as an editor for almost 10 years, specializing in student and women’s resources, including Bible studies, young adult fiction, and curriculum.

Guzman will work directly with the trade and direct publishers on diversifying NavPress’ trade and direct lists, and determining which titles to acquire and develop. “NavPress is looking for content that is biblical, relevant, and practical,” Guzman said. “Our mission is to help people connect relationally with Jesus and live as His followers in their spheres of influence. We look forward to publishing more life-changing resources in the future.”

A month after its release, The Message//REMIX: Solo [Pink Edition] is having a positive impact on those dealing with breast cancer. NavPress has received numerous accounts of how the devotional Bible is a source of hope not only for those facing breast cancer, but also for their families and friends. A recent report from the Munce Group drives this point home.

“The Munce Group and our new initiative ChristianContest.com had an enter-to-win contest featuring Solo [Pink Edition] in early October," explained Graham Munce. "One of the five winners was Kristie, who sent an email telling us how encouraged she was to be receiving Solo [Pink Edition].”

According to Munce, Kristie wrote: “Thank you so much. This is perfect timing as my aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has already had surgery but has chemo yet to come. It will give both of us much needed guidance in this difficult time.”

“We're glad to hear how Solo [Pink Edition] is helping people at a time when they need support and God’s Word,” said Mike Miller, president of NavPress.

NavPress has developed a website to share people’s stories about dealing with cancer. Visitors to www.solopinkedition.com also can send ecards and view videos.

The Message REMIX//Solo [Pink Edition] by Eugene H. Peterson retails for $17.99. NavPress is donating a portion of the proceeds from every sale of the devotional Bible to breast cancer research.

NavPress is pleased to announce that two of its fiction books captured Book of the Year awards from the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Sharon Hinck won in the Speculative category for The Restorer’s Journey and Jenny B. Jones took home the award in the Young Adult category for The Big Picture.

“At NavPress/TH1NK, we’ve been honored to work with some of the industry’s best fiction authors and look forward to publishing more life-changing resources in the future,” says Rebekah Guzman, senior editor for NavPress.

The mission of ACFW is to promote Christian fiction through developing the skills of its authors, educating them in the market, and serving as an advocate in the industry. The group offers a variety of services and benefits to members in an effort to fulfill its mission to encourage writers of Christian fiction, develop their skills, educate them in the market, and provide fellowship for writers of like interests.