Thomas Nelson bought by HarperCollins

(New York Times) - HarperCollins Publishers said on Monday that it would acquire Thomas Nelson, a publisher based in Nashville, bolstering the company’s strength in the market for inspirational and religious books.

Thomas Nelson, which was founded in Scotland in 1798, has published books by Billy Graham, Richard Stearns and Max Lucado, as well as “Heaven Is for Real,” the blockbuster story of a Nebraska boy’s near-death experience.

“Heaven Is for Real” has been on the New York Times paperback nonfiction best-seller list for 49 weeks and is now in the No. 1 position.

A statement from HarperCollins said the acquisition was expected to be complete by the end of the year. Financial terms were not disclosed.

HarperCollins gained considerable leverage in the religious books market in 1988 when it acquired Zondervan, a large religious publisher based in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Thomas Nelson adds further balance to our existing publishing programs,” Brian Murray, the president and chief executive of HarperCollins, said in a statement. “Its broad inspirational appeal is a good complement to Zondervan, which will continue to publish books consistent with its mission.”

Erin Crum, a spokeswoman for HarperCollins, said the company would publish books under both the Thomas Nelson and Zondervan programs. Thomas Nelson, she added in an e-mail, “will keep its presence in Nashville.” She declined to say whether staff reductions were expected.

Mark Schoenwald, the president and chief executive of Thomas Nelson, said the acquisition was an “attractive strategic fit” for the company. Mr. Schoenwald was promoted to chief executive this year.

According to BookStats, a survey conducted by two major trade groups that was released in August, net sales revenue for religious books and Bibles was virtually flat, growing 0.5 percent from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, overall sales in the religion market were $1.35 billion , the survey said.

Monthly sales reports from the Association of American Publishers have indicated growth in the religion category throughout 2011, said Andi Sporkin, a spokeswoman for the group.

Thomas Nelson has broadened its publishing program to include business books (“Money Secrets of the Amish,” by Lorilee Craker), gift books (“100 Favorite Bible Verses,” by Karla Dornacher) and children’s books (“The Crippled Lamb,”by Max Lucado and Liz Bonham).

In 2008, Thomas Nelson reduced its staff by 10 percent at a time when even the largest trade publishers were trimming costs and jobs.