(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) January 22, 2016 – Worthy Publishing is pleased to announce the signing of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone of the GRAMMY Award-winning band for KING & COUNTRY. The brothers will release a novelization of their upcoming movie Priceless: She’s Worth Fighting For, to be published in August 2016.

Priceless will tell the story of James Stevenson, an unlikely hero who is thrown into the dark world of human sex trafficking. He risks it all to shut down a trafficking ring and save the girl he loves. 

“Both the novel and movie tell a powerful story that will shine a light on how ugly sex trafficking is and how we can eradicate it,” says Joel Smallbone. “At the same time, it helps us further spread a message we’re really passionate about – promoting respect and honor in relationships, and helping women realize that, no matter what the world says, they’re priceless.” 

The novel will be written with best-selling author Nancy Rue (winner of two Christy Awards as well as the Women of Faith Novel of the Year distinction). The movie, scheduled to be released in theaters nationwide via Radiate Films in 2016, will star Joel Smallbone, Bianca Santos (The Duff), Jim Parrack (True Blood), and David Koechner (Anchorman). 

“It’s an honor to get to know and to work with both Joel and Luke, who have such an important message to share with the world,” says Byron Williamson, President and Publisher, Worthy Publishing. “I’m thrilled that they’ve chosen Worthy to partner with them on this project.” 

The publishing agreement was negotiated by Worthy Publishing’s Executive Editor, Kyle Olund, and Andrea Heinecke, agent at Alive Literary Agency in Colorado Springs. 

Joel and Luke Smallbone founded the band for KING & COUNTRY. In 2012 they released their first full-length album, Crave, and won New Artist of the Year at the 2013 GMA Dove Awards. Their sophomore album, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong., met and even exceeded expectations with notable sales, sold-out shows, GRAMMY Awards, multiple K-LOVE fan awards, and appearances on major television shows such as Today, Fox & Friends, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Huckabee, and others. 

Worthy Publishing Group (www.worthypublishing.com) is a privately held, independent voice in inspirational publishing, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Worthy has four imprints: Worthy Books publishes a broad spectrum of genres, including current events, pop culture, biography, fiction, spiritual growth, and specialized Bibles; WorthyKids and its Ideals imprint create colorful, interactive children’s books, including VeggieTales and Berenstain Bears, for ages 2 to 8; Ellie Claire produces beautifully crafted journals, gifts and paper expressions; and Worthy Inspired publishes inspirational felt-need, personal growth, and devotional books.               

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