A quest for righteous reading: with its focus on Christian-based books, Literally Speaking Publishing House aims to publish books that speak to the heart and spirit.

The opening session and luncheon of the African American Booksellers Association at BookExpo America 2004 was sponsored for the first time by an African American publisher--Literally Speaking Publishing House (LSPH).

Founded in 2000, LSPH's mission is to provide a perspective missing from contemporary fiction and nonfiction that examines the African American family and community: Its vision is to offer compelling, entertaining and inspirational books that have Christian-based solutions to worldly problems. Literally Speaking books address all aspects of life "from sin to Savior, lust to Lord, world to Word," says author and cofounder S. James Guitard, who was one of LSPH's 11 founding members--among whom are editors and reporters at major newspapers, a former venture capitalist, two lawyers and a former consultant for the Maryland Small Business Development Center.

Literally Speaking titles have collectively sold more than 160,000 copies, yielding three bestsellers: Blessed Assurance: Inspirational Short Stories Full of Hope and Strength for Life's Journey by Maurice Gray, James Guitard, Patricia Haley, Terrance Johnson, Victoria Christopher Murray, Jacquelin Thomas; plus Mocha Love and Chocolate Thoughts by S. James Guitard.

LSPH is expanding its mixture of first-time and veteran authors. "From its inception, LSPH has been a royalty-based publishing house, signing authors who already had contracts with major publishers, ranging from Time Warner, Simon & Schuster and BET Books," says Guitard, distinguishing LSPH from self-publishing operations. Getting distribution for all their titles in bookstores nationwide prior to their release was among their greatest challenges and the sweetest accomplishment.

"Building a publishing house that can produce best-seller after best-seller requires staying focused on the Christian vision, finding talented authors, maintaining integrity and building relationships," says Guitard. "You can't have a testimony about how good God has been unless you endure a test."

LSPH Forthcoming Titles

Fall 2004

Plum Crazzzy by Monique Anderson

Spring 2005

Forbidden Fruit by Angela Russell

Don't Mess With Me by Rebecca Simms

Illusions by J.M. Branch

Summer 2005

Speak to My Heart by Monique Anderson

Order My Steps (Christian Anthology)

Preachers' Row by S. James Guitard

Journey to the Light by Jason Harley