About Mike Nappa

“Mike Nappa is an old friend and a very talented writer. I recommend him highly.”
— Scott Derrickson
Director of Marvel Studios’ Dr. Strange

Mike Nappa is founder and Chief Agent at Nappaland Literary Agency. He’s also author of the groundbreaking publishing manual (book and blog), 77 Reasons Why Your Book Was Rejected [And How to Be Sure It Won’t Happen Again]. Mike’s a bestselling author, a writing instructor, and an award-winning creator of many works that have cumulatively sold millions of copies worldwide.

Mikey’s highlight reel includes several VeggieTales comics, popular suspense novels, and narrative design/scriptwriting for “Run to My Heart” from Talofa Games in association with Niantic (“Pokémon Go”).

A practical theologian, Mike is known for his “coffee-shop theology” and inspirational books, as well as his award-winning suspense novels, and lots of articles on random topics such as data intelligence, biblical studies, pop culture, the publishing industry, and pretty much anything he finds interesting at the moment. He’s proud to be an Arab-American (POC) active in the publishing industry.

Learn more about Mikey by Googling his name or checking him out on Wikipedia.

Mike Nappa Career Highlights

Bestsellers

Reflections for the Grieving Soul

#1 Amazon bestseller, “New Release Christian Devotional” category
#1 Amazon bestseller, “Christian Pastoral Counseling” category
#3 Amazon bestseller, “Christian Death and Grief” category
#7 Amazon bestseller, “Grief and Bereavement” category
#23 ECPA trade bestseller

Annabel Lee

#1 Amazon Kindle bestseller, “Christian Mystery and Suspense” category
#1 Amazon Kindle bestseller, “Genre Fiction/Religious & Inspirational” category
#4 CBA trade bestseller (fiction)

Lunch Box Trivia

#2 Amazon bestseller, “School-Age Children” category
#7 Amazon bestseller, “Parenting and Families” category
#12 Amazon bestseller, “Humor/Religion” category

Instant Family Devotions

#3 Amazon Kindle bestseller, “Devotional” category

Lunch Box Laughs

#5 Amazon bestseller, “Humor/Religion” category

Sinner

#5 Amazon bestseller, “Urban Legends” category

The Raven

#6 CBA trade bestseller (fiction)

A Heart Like His

#7 CBA trade bestseller

Lunch Box Promises

#6 Amazon bestseller, “Religion/Inspirational” category
#7 Amazon bestseller, “School Age Children” category

The Prayer of Jesus

#13 CBA trade bestseller

An Introduction to Family Nights

#20 CBA trade bestseller

52 Fun Family Devotions

#15 Amazon bestseller, “Inspirational” category

Who Moved My Church?

#35 Amazon bestseller, “Christian Living/Stewardship” category

The Jesus Survey

#39 Amazon bestseller, “Youth Ministry” category

77 Reasons Why Your Book Was Rejected

#78 Amazon bestseller, “Writing/Writing Skills” category

“Mike Nappa’s Annabel Lee is a fast-paced thriller … From the first chapter on, I found it impossible to put down.”
— Lois Duncan
New York Times bestselling author of I Know What You Did Last Summer

Writing and Editorial Awards + Notable Achievements

Nonfiction Awards

2024 ECPA Christian Book Award: Devotion and Gift Category

Reflections for the Grieving Soul
Christian Book Award Finalist, for writing

2024 Illumination Award: Inspirational Category

Hard Way Home (memoir)
Bronze Award Winner, for writing

2024 Illumination Award: Theology Category

Bible-Smart: Matthew (commentary)
Bronze Award Winner, for writing

2024 ECPA Christian Book Award: Bible Study Category

A Walking Tour of the Gospels by John A. Beck
Christian Book Award Finalist, for editorial

2013 Outreach Magazine Award

The Jesus Survey (nonfiction)
“Resource of the Year” Award Winner, for writing

2009 Campbell Award of Excellence

Group’s Hands-on Bible Curriculum (educational)
Award of Excellence Winner, for editorial

2002 Angel Award (Hollywood’s Excellence in Media)

The Courage to be Christian (nonfiction)
Silver Angel Award Winner, for writing

1994 ECPA Gold Medallion Award

Group’s Hands-on Bible Curriculum (educational)
Gold Medallion Award Winner, for editorial

Fiction Awards

2024 Illumination Award: Fiction Category

Annabel Lee
Gold Award Winner, for writing

2024 Foreword Reviews Award

The Limits of My World by Gregory Coles
INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award Finalist, for editorial

2023 Bookfest Award: Fiction Category

A Dream within a Dream
Bronze Award Winner, for writing

2022 Writer’s Guild Foundation Recognition

“Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program” Semi-Finalist, for writing

2022 Crosswalk.com Top 10 Award

Named to Top 10 “Exciting Christian Suspense Authors” List, for writing

2017 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Award

For career achievement
Colorado Gold Author Award Winner, for writing

2016 Library Journal Recognition

Annabel Lee
Library Journal Starred Review, for writing

2016 Fresh Fiction Subscription Box Recognition

Annabel Lee
Book Box Featured Selection, for writing

2016 Fresh Fiction Subscription Box Recognition

The Raven
Book Box Featured Selection, for writing

2016 RT Reviews Recognition

Annabel Lee
RT Reviews “Top Pick” for 2016 Winner, for writing
RT Reviews “Choice Award” Finalist, for writing

2015 Foreword Reviews Award

Mercy’s Rain by Cindy K. Sproles
INDIEFAB Book of the Year Gold Award, for editorial

2011 Page International Screenwriting Awards

Jessie’s Den (sitcom)
Best TV Pilot Finalist, for writing

2010 International Book Award: Religious Fiction

Drift: A Novel
International Book Award Winner, for writing

2007 National Best Books Award: Mystery/Suspense Category

Sinner: A Novel
Best Books Award Finalist, for writing.

2003 Christy Award: Suspense Category

Time Lottery by Nancy Moser
Christy Award Winner, for editorial

Children and Family Awards

2024 Heirloom Book Club Award

Johnny Grav & The Visioneer, Vol. 1 (graphic novel)
Gold Award Winner, for writing
Silver Award Winner, for creative team

2024 Illumination Award: Education Category

Welcome to Bible World (picture book)
Bronze Award Winner, for writing

2007 Faith and Values Screenwriting Award

Twilight Rising (animation screenplay)
Best TV Pilot Award Winner, for writing

2003 Evangelical Press Association Award

Johnny Grav & The Visioneer (serialized comic)
Best Cartoon Award Finalist, for writing

2002 Evangelical Press Association Award

Johnny Grav & The Visioneer (serialized comic)
Best Cartoon Award Finalist, for writing

2002 ECPA Gold Medallion Award

Family Nights Tool Chest series (nonfiction)
Gold Medallion Award Finalist, for writing

2001 Evangelical Press Association Award

Johnny Grav & The Visioneer (serialized comic)
Best Cartoon Award Winner, for writing

2000 Christian Parenting Today Award

Lunch Box Trivia
Lunch Box Promises
Year’s Best Resources Award Winners, for writing

2000 Studyweb.com Award

Nappaland.com E-Magazine
Educational Excellence Award Winner, for writing and editorial

Marketing Copywriting Awards

2009 Group Publishing Award

Marketing copywriting
Moose Award for Copywriting Excellence Winner

Other Notable Achievements

Mike’s work has been translated into many languages worldwide, including Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish.

In 2000, a contest for Mike Nappa’s serialized comic, Johnny Grav & The Visioneer, in Clubhouse Magazine set the “Highest Reader Response Record” in that periodical’s history. As of 2024, that record still stands.

Mike has been the supervising and/or acquisitions editor for a number of bestselling and award-winning authors within the CBA industry, including Alton Ganksy, Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, Dr. Gregory Coles, Glenys Nellist, Crystal Bowman, Tim Ladwig, Sharon Carter Rogers, Dr. John A. Beck, Nancy Moser, Tim Wesemann, and others.

Books with Significant Sales

A partial listing of Mike Nappa’s top-selling books is as follows:

An Introduction to Family Nights (ChariotVictor/ David C. Cook) 137,000 units sold
52 Fun Family Devotions (Augsburg Books) 115,000 units sold
Hometown Nazareth: iGrow Chart (Group VBS) 83,000 units sold
Family Nights: Basic Christian Beliefs (ChariotVictor/ David C. Cook) 67,000 units sold
Lunch Box… children’s book series (Bean Sprouts/Standard) (three books) 62,000 units sold
A Heart Like His (Barbour Publishing) 58,000 units sold
The Prayer of Jesus (Barbour) 45,000 units sold
Family Nights: Christian Character Qualities (ChariotVictor/ David C. Cook) 41,000 units sold
1995–1996 Student Plan-It Devotional Calendar (Group Publishing) 40,000 units sold
Zachary’s Zoo (Zonderkidz) (children’s book) 38,000 units sold
1992–1993 Student Plan-It Devotional Calendar (Group Publishing) 36,000 units sold
Who Moved My Church? (RiverOak/ David C. Cook) (novella) 35,000 units sold
The Heart of a Father (Barbour) 25,000 units sold
Instant Family Devotions (Baker Books) 22,000 units sold
Heartwarming Christmas Stories (RiverOak/ David C. Cook) 21,000 units sold
Bore No More (Group) 20,000 units sold
Bibleman Bible Storybook (B&H Kids) 18,000 units sold
Get Real: Making Core Christian Beliefs Relevant to Teens (Group) 18,000 units sold
Instant Family Devotions (Baker Books) 17,000 units sold
What I Wish My Youth Leader Knew About Youth Ministry: A National Survey (Standard) 17,000 units sold
Tuesdays with Matthew (RiverOak/David C. Cook) (novel) 16,000 units sold
Legacy of Joy: A Devotional for Dads (Barbour) 16,000 units sold
A Mind Like His (Barbour) 14,000 units sold
Instant Small Group (Baker Books) 12,000 units sold
Annabel Lee (Revell) 11,000 units sold
Sinner (David C. Cook) 8,500 units sold
Hard Way Home (Harvest House) 7,600 units sold

Significant Positions within the Publishing Industry

President, Nappaland Communications Inc.
Chief Agent, Nappaland Literary Agency (a division of Nappaland Communications Inc.)
Publisher, NerdFans.com E-Magazine (a publication of Nappaland Communications Inc.)
Features writer, Beliefnet.com, Christianity.com, and Crosswalk.com
Editor in Chief, Ultimate Escapes DESTINATION Magazine
Senior Creative Specialist in Marketing Copywriting, Group Publishing
Acquisitions & Editorial Director of Suspense Fiction, Barbour Publishing
Acquisitions Editor, David C. Cook
Acquisitions Editor, Group Publishing
Contributing Editor, CBA Frontline magazine
Judge, Christy Awards (for excellence in Christian fiction)
Movie Critic/Radio Personality (weekly), KPXQ Radio Station (Phoenix, AZ)
Columnist/Cultural Commentator, HomeLife magazine
Columnist/Parenting Expert, Focus on the Family magazine (Growing Years Edition)
Columnist/Music Critic, FaithWorks magazine
Columnist, ParentLife magazine, Living with Teenagers magazine, Christian Single magazine, Youth 97, 98 magazine, CBN.com
Regular Contributor (Celebrity Features), Crosswalk.com
Regular Contributor (Feature Articles & Reviews), CBA Marketplace magazine
Regular Contributor (children’s fiction and comics), Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine
Music critic, CCM magazine
Contributor, Writer’s Digest magazine

Significant Media Coverage for Mike Nappa

The following is a partial list of places that have covered Mike Nappa and/or his work in their publications or broadcasts:

People magazine
US News & World Report
Publisher’s Weekly
Marriage Partnership (cover story)
Guide to Literary Agents
The Pat Williams Show
AnnVoskamp.com
CBA Marketplace
Christian Retailing
CBA Frontline
The 700 Club television show (twice)
CBN News
Decision Today syndicated radio program
Jesus Calling Podcast
Moody Radio
Faith Radio Network
Foreword Reviews magazine
The Writer magazine
MOPS Momsense and First Edition syndicated radio programs
Focus on the Family syndicated radio program

Learn more about Mikey by Googling his name or checking him out on Wikipedia.

What People Are Saying About Mike Nappa

“Mike Nappa is an old friend and a very talented writer. I recommend him highly!”
—Scott Derrickson, Director of Marvel Studios Dr. Strange

“Mike Nappa’s Annabel Lee is a fast-paced thriller, filled with unexpected twists and peopled by unique and memorable characters. From the first chapter on, I found it impossible to put down.”
—Lois Duncan, Mystery Writers of America Grand Master and New York Times bestselling author (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

“If you are taking the hard way home, you will find encouragement here. If you are a friend of one who is walking that road, it will remind you that there is no greater gift than friendship.”
—Gary Chapman, PhD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Five Love Languages

“[Mike Nappa’s] Drift is brooding, ghostly, romantic and utterly sexy—something to read on cold nights under warm blankets!”
—Ethan Van Sciver, award-winning comic book artist (Green Lantern and Superman/Batman)

“[Mike Nappa] leaves you bound and helpless against the need to turn the page. Great stuff!”
—Gail Simone, award-winning comic book writer (Wonder Woman; Action Comics)

“Mike Nappa [knows] every conceivable reason why a publisher would reject your book as well as sage advice on what to do about it. Invaluable for both novice and experienced authors alike.”
—Robert Bly, “America’s Top Copywriter,” and author of The Copywriter’s Handbook

“During the time I’ve known Mike, I’ve seen him develop some of the most creative and progressive children’s content in the marketplace.”
—Jesse Florea, Editorial Director of Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. kids’ magazines

“Mike Nappa: Your agenting and mentoring have transformed my writing life … so worth the perspiration.”
—Dr. Gregory Coles, bestselling author of Single, Gay, Christian