Jon M. Sweeney named
as Ave Maria Press’s new Executive Editor, Trade
Contact: Tom Grady, publisher and CEO, tgrady@nd.edu, 800‐282‐1865, ext. 212
NOTRE DAME, Ind.—Jon M. Sweeney has been named executive editor, trade, at Ave Maria Press.
In his new position—which he will begin in late June—Sweeney will acquire twenty to twenty‐five new books a year in all trade categories for Ave.
“I have deep respect for the publishing team and the tradition of excellence at Ave Maria Press. I’m honored to join them,” Sweeney said.
He has been involved in all aspects of publishing during his twenty‐seven‐ year career—sales, marketing, editing, acquisition, and writing. He has acquired and edited more than four hundred spirituality and religion books from inspirational theology to poetry and from fiction to children’s books.
“I’ve known and admired Jon for many years, back to his days as a bookseller,” said Tom Grady, publisher and CEO of Ave Maria Press. “It’s a real delight to welcome someone with his breadth of knowledge and experience to our organization. Jon will be a real asset to Ave Maria Press.”
Sweeney also is the bestselling author of The Pope Who Quit and a number of books on popular religious history, spirituality, and St. Francis, including the Ave Maria Press titles When Saint Francis Saved the Church and the newly released The Enthusiast.
Sweeney served as purchasing manager at Covenant Bookstore in Chicago from 1989 to 1991. He was the manager of two bookstores for the Massachusetts Bible Society in Boston from 1991 to 1993. He was employed as a trade sales representative, then manager, at Augsburg Fortress Publishers from 1993 to 1997.
Sweeney worked for Jewish Lights Publishing and SkyLight Paths Publishing from 1997 to 2004. He was vice president of marketing and sales for Jewish Lights and then cofounded and served as associate publisher and later editor‐in‐chief of SkyLight Paths, a new imprint. Sweeney also was executive vice president of Jewish Lights from 2003 to 2004.
He joined Paraclete Press as associate publisher and editor‐in‐chief in 2004 and became publisher in 2013. He was hired as editorial director at Franciscan Media in 2015. Sweeney continues to write articles for America magazine, The Tablet (UK), The Huffington Post, and other religious publications. He speaks throughout the United States.
Sweeney has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and medieval studies from Wheaton College. He attended North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. He is an officer of the Phyllis Tickle Literary Trust. On the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi in 2009, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church.
Sweeney lives in Vermont with his wife, Michal Woll, and their daughter, Sima.
Ave continues the search for an editorial director to succeed Robert Hamma, who is retiring in early July.
Ave Maria Press, an apostolate of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, is a leader in publishing Catholic high school religion textbooks, parish resources, and books on prayer and spirituality. Its imprints include Ave Maria Press, Sorin Books, Christian Classics, and Forest of Peace.