Skip to content Skip to footer

ABOUT KHARIS PUBLISHING

Kharis Media LLC, doing business as Kharis Publishing, is a leading Christian and inspirational book publisher based in Aurora, Illinois. Founded in Bentonville, Arkansas in 2015, Kharis Publishing moved to its current headquarters in Aurora, within Chicago metropolitan area, in 2018.

Mission

At Kharis Publishing, our mission is “to publish the good news of Jesus Christ and provide resources that deepen lives within and outside the local church.” For the past ten years, we have remained committed to this mission of sharing the good news in stories and contents that glorify God and inspire human hearts.

Vision

Our vision is a fresh and deeper revelation of Christ to the hearts and minds of people in and outside the local church. We do this by taking seriously the message of the Apocalyptic angel, “’Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches …” (Revelation 1:11, NLT). We believe that the unveiling of God’s heart comes in complementary measures to different authors and writers. Therefore, by giving voice to different authors, writers, and ministers to share in a book everything they have seen, we better capture the heart of God for his people and the world.

For us, this means intentionally giving voice to experienced authors as well as underrepresented writers, including women and first-time authors.

Acquisition

The acquisition of books, discipleship materials, bible resources, and inspirational content is shaped by our vision. Our nonfiction books focus on materials and resources that proclaim the gospel and deepen relationship with Christ (discipleship books, bible studies, prayer books, bibles etc.) and include inspirational as well as health and wellness books that glorify God and deepen people’s lives wherever they may be. Our fiction prioritizes creative, God-shaped imaginations that thrill the mind and draws hearts closer to God. Through our children’s books and bible resources we engage young minds with the rich wonders of God’s grace.

 

For a very limited time, Kharis Publishing is accepting unsolicited submissions for nonfiction, especially Bible Resources, Children’s Bible Story Books, Bible Study Resources, Discipleship Materials, Prayer and Spiritual Warfare Books etc.

 

Commitment to Orphan Literacy

Our commitment to Orphan Literacy in poorer countries flows from our vision of a good and generous God and compels us to make room for orphans in poorer countries to share in the gospel and enrich their minds. We do this by providing mini libraries (resource centers) equipped with books, bibles, and computers so that these kids may learn to read, dream, and grow into the full purpose of God for their lives.

Values

Icon

Glorify God

We seek first to know Christ for ourselves, and glorify him in word, action, and publications.
Icon

Faith-based Mission

We ensure that content reflects balanced and accurate Christian teachings that inspire spiritual growth.
Icon

Integrity and Honesty

We maintain the highest ethical standards in publishing and communication.
Icon

Evangelism & Discipleship

We use books and media to spread the gospel and strengthen believers.
Icon

Respect & Fairness

We treat authors, employees, partners, and readers with dignity, respect, and equality.
Icon

Faithful Stewardship

We manage resources responsibly, recognizing them as gifts from God.
Icon

Excellence

We strive for the highest standards in all that we do, including writing, editing, and production.

History

Our history has been shaped by God’s grace indeed. In fact, our name, Kharis, came from the Greek word χάρις (transliterated as charis or kharis) which means grace, favor, kindness, or blessing. Kharis Publishing opened its doors to the public on May 5, 2015, while the founder and publisher was still a professor at John Brown University. In fact, from day one, we have experienced tremendous favor from various people and media outlets, especially from the president, faculty, and members of John Brown University community who rallied around us in the early days of our humble beginning and helped in organizing our first ever library initiative for Raco Orphanage in Nigeria. We are also grateful to the state and local media outlets who profiled our story and documented our small beginnings.

MEET OUR AUTHORS

Timothy Russell: author of “The Good Steward: Biblical Principles of Wealth Management”

Tim Russell is a Christian Financial Advisor, podcast host, and author. Helping Christians become even better stewards of all their assets is the mission of his work. He holds the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and CKA® (Certified Kingdom Advisor) designations. Tim and his wife, Christine, have two adult sons. Tim enjoys hunting, hiking, and traveling with his family.

Founder’s Story

Our founder’s story shows an improbable story of God using an organic medicinal chemist to launch a thriving Christian publishing house. Before joining the faculty of Wheaton College in 2018, Francis E. Umesiri served as a professor at John Brown University for eight years. However, as it is often the case, there is more to the story. Since he gave his life to Christ in 1987, Francis has served God and the local church in various roles both as a lay person and as a full-time ordained pastor for 38 years, from youth ministry, campus ministry, associate pastor, to lead pastor over congregations. Although his doctoral degree is in organic chemistry, his literary journey has been shaped by his deep love for books, a bachelor’s degree in education, postdoctoral diploma in pastoral theology, and a deep hunger for God’s word. God can use all the tangents of our lives and weave them together into a unified work of grace that brings honor to his name.

MEET OUR AUTHORS

Peyton Garland: author of “Not So By Myself”

Peyton Garland is a web content writer for Family Christian, Christian Cinema, and Dove.org. An Atlanta lover and avid traveler, she enjoys hunting down the best hiking spots, dilapidated churches, and homegrown pizzerias with her husband and their two furry babies, Alfie and Daisy.

AUTHORS TESTIMONIALS

Kharis Publishing has helped my dream come true in taking a chance on an unknown author and partnering with me to make my children’s story, The Armor Giver – Alwind’s Tale, become a beautiful reality. Their contracts are fair, they work side by side to make sure the book is edited well, and they respond quite quickly whenever I ask a question. They give very good advice, and you feel prepared when the book finally launches on how to really market your book. I am grateful to this company for turning my dream into a reality.

Thank you, Kharis Publishing. My hope is to work again with them in the future.

Laura Quinn

Author: The Armor Giver - Alwind’s Tale

I had an excellent experience working with Kharis Publishing. The experience has been an answered prayer. From the editing and creation of the book to the marketing department once it is released, it has been a first-class experience. I am excited to be a part of the family of writers and look forward to working with them on future projects.

Drew Alan Hall

Author: How To Keep it Real

I am grateful to God for the opportunity to publish my book Joy’s Summertime Adventures with Kharis Publishing.

Even though I was a first time author, Kharis made the sometimes-challenging publishing process seamless.

The team was kind, supportive, and courteous. Their professionalism was revealed by the fact my book was published in 6 months, compared to a standard of 18 months.

Publishing my book was ultimately rewarding. It is a privilege to work with Kharis, and I would gladly do it again!

Anna Evans

Author: Joy’s Summertime Adventures

“Thank you, Kharis Publishing, for your commitment to serve Christian authors. The publishing process is made simple with clear expectations and timely assistance. They show grace and patience with new authors and are quick to help as needed. Jungle Prophet, a Christian fiction novel for middle graders, is not their normal genre, yet they treated the novel with great respect – supporting the message I wanted to convey to children. I also appreciate their ongoing support to orphanages in developing countries. Please check out this ministry as well as everything Kharis has to offer on www.kharispublishing.com”

Sharon Swan

Author: Jungle Prophet

In the process of writing and editing my book, I strongly considered trying to figure out self-publishing. Thanks to a friend, I said a prayer and tried a Chrisitan publishers website for six months. At two months, Kharis publishing reached out to me and the rest is history. Considering my full-time ministry role, I am so thankful they were there to help me navigate the process and get my book to launch. It has been a blessing to have them take care of things I didn’t have time to figure out. It is a blessing that there is a publisher trying to help first-time authors find their way in a crowded publishing world. But books are like seeds and publishers are like soil. Put them together and there’s no telling how God can make it grow.

Casey Coston

Author: Made Competent

As an author who has previously self-published four titles, the opportunity to work with Kharis Publishing on my fifth was like a breath of fresh air. From the skilled editors helping me produce the best possible version of my novel, to the sensible staff and marketing representatives’ assistance with all of my silly questions along the way, I could not have asked for a better publishing experience.

M. E. Reach

Author: The House on the Bend

Kharis Publishing has made my return to the publishing world a joy in my life. They found my book,        In This Lifetime, on a Christian book proposal website and requested the full manuscript a short time later. Though I write contemporary Christian fiction and most of their books are nonfiction, they were willing to take a chance on me. Right from the start their communication was thorough, outlining what they would deliver and their expectations of me as the author. They responded to my questions in a timely manner as we worked thorough the publishing process. The cover art was all that I hoped it would be, and I get many compliments from readers about it.  Many thanks to Kharis Publishing for helping me share this story of forgiveness and hope with a wide audience.

Christine Anderson

Author: In This Lifetime

My experience working with Kharis Publishing has been wonderful. As a new author, trying to find a publisher, who will accept your proposal is a daunting task, resulting in a one or two percent chance of success. Kharis publishing has provided me with an opportunity to share my story in Touché – A Notre Dame All-American Fencer’s Spiritual Guide to Success.

Todd Griffee

Author: Touché

Stories fuel my life—and the world around us. Everyone has a story to tell, and God gifted me with the idea for mine. After completing the manuscript, I decided to take a chance and submit it for publication. I had nothing to lose, and to my amazement, Kharis Publishing chose to bring my story to life. Their guidance through the editing process, cover design, promotion, and more has been invaluable to me as a first-time author. I’m truly humbled and grateful to partner with Kharis; they’ve been the perfect fit to help me share my story with the world.

Sarah L. Hicks

Author: The Magdala League

A year ago, I decided to push the submit button, sending three chapters of a manuscript to publishers.  Little did I know that 8 months later I would be publishing my first book with a fabulous publisher that gave me a chance to tell my story.  I did not have thousands of email followers, nor was I Instagram famous, but God had given me a story to tell, and Kharis allowed me to share it with the world.  They have been fabulous to work with, responding to questions or emails within 24 hours, especially Mr. Clement and Mr. Phillips.  The cover turned out to be so much better that I could ever have dreamed, taking recommendations about the appearance of the final product without hesitation.  Thank you Kharis for making God’s calling come true in my life and to hopefully bless others with the written word.

Nichole Fogleman

Author: In the Garden

My gratitude and trust of Kharis Publishing continued to increase with each new encounter throughout the process of publication. From the beginning, my questions and concerns were addressed in a timely and respectful manner. The whole experience, from submitting my manuscript to seeing my story and illustrations published, is better than I ever imagined. I am honored to be included in their roster of authors. May God continue to guide and bless this unique publishing organization.   

Deborah Kuster

Author: Jake the Deer-Hearted

“I am so thankful to the Kharis Publishing team for giving me the gracious opportunity to publish my first book, Odd Moms Out. It has been a joy to share this written resource with others to continue to spread the good news of God’s redemptive grace. The staff at Kharis have been so kind, helpful, professional, and patient with me as a new author, thus supporting and enabling me to walk through this unfamiliar process from start to finish with confidence, progress, and excitement.”

Tamar Miller

Author: Odd Moms Out

Working with Kharis was a pleasure. ! I am very grateful that they helped me fulfill my dream.
Helped me to give light to my book: Blue House. Ten years on the way home.
Exactly what I want and how I imagined, even better !
I am immensely grateful to them, working in a team with them is the work of like-minded people.
Everyone understands each other, everything is on time, emails are answered right away.
In the end the job is done excellently !

Veronica Braila

Author: Blue House

Kharis Publishing made publishing my first book stress free! They walked me through everything and took care of so much. It gave me peace of mind to know that my title could be trusted and was in the right hands. Everyone I have worked with has been reliable and friendly! I would recommend Kharis to anyone thinking of publishing!

Eva Liebich

Author: Jesus Loves Thick Chicks

As an author who has worked with numerous publishers, I found Kharis Publishing’s acquisition process to be excellent. My proposal got a prompt response and as we brought The God Who Blesses to fruition, I received detailed and comprehensive guidelines on their expectations and needs. I will unhesitatingly consider working with Kharis on future projects.

Gordon S. Jackson 

Author: The God Who Blesses

Many people are grappling with difficult challenges that appear to defer solutions in their lives.  One can solve one’s problems and achieve great success in all aspects of life if God grants one revelation.

I am very grateful to God for leading me to submit my manuscript titled ‘And The Lord Opened Her Eyes’ to Kharis Publishing. Working with Kharis Publishing was very exciting throughout the project. The publisher was very transparent and friendly from the onset. His team worked conscientiously, acknowledging my emails promptly and involving me in every stage of the project. In addition, I am satisfied with the team spirit displayed by the company. The team accommodated my views and made wonderful contributions to improve the quality of the work.

I look forward to submitting another book to the company.

Jonah Agunwamba

Author: And The Lord Opened Her Eyes

While other publishers could not see past the unusual natural of my unique book project, Kharis Publishing took a chance on me and this unusual idea, and for that I am very grateful. They were very encouraging throughout the publishing process and the editor, Karen Herceg, was excellent in her suggestions, advice, and encouragement. On top of that, as an educator I love the fact that a portion of the proceeds of every book goes to provide orphans with literacy materials!

Dale Hathaway

Author: Mathematical Devotional

Kharis Publishing made me what I am today. I am eternally grateful to them for plucking me from the depths of obscurity and elevating me into an emerging voice in African Literature and beyond. I like that Kharis Publishing treats you like part of the family, right from the querying stage up to when you hold your pristine, nice smelling author copies, they pretty much involve you and make you part of the process in the publishing of your book. Their graphics team are the stuff of legends! Additionally, their social responsibility vision of raising literacy levels amongst children from deprived backgrounds resonates well with me.

I am proud to be part of the Kharis Publishing Family and cant recommend them highly enough. It’s a whopping five stars rating from me, for this quintessential publisher.

Andrew Chatora

Kharis is a great christian publishing company. Their feedback is consistent and reliable. The staff is encouraging and wonderful to work with. I have so enjoyed my publishing experience with Kharis.

Anna Pranger

Author: "Loved" and "Chosen"

Kharis Publishing has been a pleasure to work with. Not only have they produced our book with quality and consistency, they did so with the mission in mind. We salute Kharis Publishing and recommend that authors engage Kharis Publishing in their next project.

John Telman

Author: The Book of Easy Answer

After checking out their website and seeing that they support orphanages in Africa I was delighted and said yes! From the beginning I felt so welcomed and heard. They included me in every step of the process and responded to all my emails in a timely manner. It was such an efficient process. I had never written a book before and they were very patient and kind to me as I embarked on a new endeavor. I am beyond happy that I agreed to join Kharis Publishing!

Hali Swatzell

Author: After All I've Been Through

“Kharis Publishing allowed me to deliver my message to the world! While I received two other publishing offers, I decided to publish my book with Kharis because they simplified the process, allowed me freedom in all aspects of the process, and I wanted to participate in their support of magnificent social causes around the world. Thank you Kharis for believing in me and my message!”

Stephen D’Angelo

Author: A Single Day of Peace

As a first-time author with a desire to share my thoughts on a reimagined and important vision of missional leadership to a wider audience, Kharis Publishing was a great blessing to work with. They gave me my first opportunity to be a published author, they walked with me through the process very patiently, and they bent over backwards to answer my questions and concerns. They went the extra mile to present my book as a legitimate and worthwhile read. I am so grateful for my experience working with such great people.

Lee A. Carter

Author: Leadership-in-Community

Kharis Publishing has been a blessing to me by giving me the opportunity to publish my testimony of God’s life changing truth in “Called to Truth”. They beautifully designed the cover of the accompanying study guide “Your Journey to Truth” to portray my heart for the book

Denise White

Author: "Your Journey to Truth" and "Called to Truth"

I submitted my writing to a Christian book proposal website.  Kharis Publishing found my manuscript and contacted me.  I had not heard of Kharis but they have made me feel a part of them from the beginning.  They took time with me and patiently explained every step to me and answered all of my questions promptly.  They allowed me to be a part of the whole process. I also love their book/library program in Africa. So happy to be a part of it! I am excited to be a part of the Kharis Publishing Family!

Ingrid Simmonds

Author of Don't Let Sand Fool You

Kharis welcomed me from the start with open arms. They took my thoughts and opinions seriously and kept an open line of communication.

Heather Rendulic

AUTHOR OF HEADSTRONG

I’m thankful that Kharis Publishing understood my vision and brought my words to life, creating the most beautiful book cover and providing valuable marketing resources to bring my story to others

Peyton Garland

AUTHOR OF NOT SO BY MYSELF:

As an Author who has seen both the good and bad side of the publishing world, I am here to tell you that Kharis Publishing is a breath of fresh air for me as a Christian. They are very professional in their dealing with their authors and are passionate about serving and pleasing God.

R. Tyler Scott

AUTHOR OF SON, MOON AND STAR

I am delighted to have published my first book with Kharis Media Publishing.

Federico Siggilino

Author: THE GREATEST VERSION OF YOURSELF

What intrigued me about this publishing house was their involvement with orphans, making little lives easier.

Sanet Smit

Author Frankie Goes Home

MEET OUR AUTHORS

Izzy Koo: author of “Finding God, Finding Me”

Izzy Koo is a high school student who is committed to helping others—especially youth—attain a deeper relationship with Christ. At sixteen, she started the “Project Encounter” movement—an international gathering of teenagers online to encourage one another through worship and testimonies. She believes strongly in teenagers inspiring other teenagers with their stories, which has led her to start a blog, compose songs, and release her first book.

 

LEARN ABOUT OUR HUMBLE ROOTS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT DRIVES US TO INNOVATE IN ORDER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR AUTHORS AND ORPHANS

 

MEET OUR AUTHORS

Lars Thestrup: author of “Eat. Sleep. Move. Breath: The Beginner’s Guide to Living A Healthy Lifestyle”

Dr. Lars Thestrup received his M.D. at the Medical College of Virginia and completed his emergency medicine residency at Johns Hopkins. Lars then completed a fellowship in North Carolina, focusing on emergency medical services and disaster preparedness at the Carolinas Medical Center. He works in the City of Houston as an EMS Physician, practicing at several emergency departments. He also completed a 2-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What kind of publisher is Kharis Publishing? Is it traditional, independent, hybrid, or self-publishing?

Kharis Publishing is an independent Christian book publisher which operates on the traditional book publishing model. This means that Kharis Publishing is a private, independent-owned publishing house that operates on the traditional model where the author does not pay for the costs of publishing. Kharis Publishing covers the expenses for editing, cover design, production, and distribution.

No. There are No out-of-pocket cost to the author. Editing, graphic design, production, and distribution? Yes, all on us; as it should be for all traditionally published books. You shouldn’t pay to be published. We publish many book genres, especially, Christian, health and wellness, and self-help. The Kharis model is designed  for us to take the financial risk on the books we choose to acquire, which is the standard for a traditional publisher.

No, this is a crucial point of distinction. There appears to be a separate entity based in Europe (specifically Amsterdam, based on web results) called “Kharis Publication” that offers paid design and typesetting services with a public pricing list. The US-based Christian publisher, Kharis Publishing, an imprint of Kharis Media LLC, is a traditional publisher and does not charge authors fees for publishing services. Prospective authors should ensure they are visiting kharispublishing.com for the traditional publisher.

KHARIS PEOPLE - WE ARE FAMILY

Whether they are current authors or  workers and volunteers (both past and present), we are most thankful for our people. Here are just a snapshot of our growing family. Join us – we have room for you.

Anna Evans

Anna Evans

Author: Joy’s Summertime Adventures

Anna Evans the author of Joy’s Summertime Adventures is a high school junior in an accredited homeschool program.

Niall Walshe - Powerless and Irrelevant

Niall Walshe

Author: Powerless and Irrelevant

Unsaved, materialistic and working in Saudi Arabia. That was the author’s situation when God stepped in. The author carried with him – purely through habit – a Bible. One day in Saudi Arabia he started reading that Bible out of a genuine desire to understand it. God spoke to him through His Word, showing him he was lost – hell-bound. He surrendered to the sovereignty of God in his life. “…life in all its fullness” began.

Kristen Lunceford

Kristen Lunceford

Author: The Pursuit of Grace
Katina Wetter-Wright

Katina Wetter-Wright

Author: The First 30 Days

Matthew Turner

Author: Count the Stars
Tim Russell

Tim Russell

Author: The Good Steward

Tim Russell is a Christian Financial Advisor, podcast host, and author. Helping Christians become even better stewards of all their assets is the mission of his work.

Rhonda Richmond

Rhonda Richmond

Author: But... God Gave Me A Pencil

Dr. Rhonda Richmond holds an EdD in education, a MA in curriculum and instruction, and has over 25 years expertise in research, curriculum design, and training development. She specializes in enhancing leaders’, teachers’, and students’ skills for long-term success. An artist, Dr. Richmond discovered her voice through painting, using it to cope with the language barriers she still has in relation to her learning disabilities and autism. Her focus is on storytelling and empowering others to find their voices.

Veronica Braila

Veronica Braila

Author: Blue House
Christina Steinorth-Powell

Christina Steinorth-Powell

Author: Cue Card for Men
Dr. Pascal Losambe and Crystal Losambe - Breaking the Barriers to Belonging

Dr. Pascal Losambe and Crystal Losambe

Author: Breaking the Barriers to Belonging
Wendy Randall - Kharis publishing author
sharon swan

Sharon Swan

Author: Jungle Prophet
Leslie Speas - Hot Mess to God's Best

Leslie Speas

Author: From Hot Mess to God's Best
Eunice-Pauline Olatunji

Eunice-Pauline Olatunji

Author: The Untouched Part
RACHEL MUSIIME

RACHEL MUSIIME

Media & Design
Tyler Scott - Kharis publishing author

R. Tyler Scott

Author: Son, Moon, and Star
Charles Hunt - Kharis publishing author

Charles Hunt

Author: Miracles in My Life
Courtney Lee Simpson

Courtney Simpson

Author: Shine Your Light
Annie Betts

Annie Betts

Author: Royalty, Women in Purpose
Terry Smith

Terry Smith

Author: Gaudy Baubles and Fartworms
Ingrid Simmonds

Ingrid Simmonds

Author: Don't Let Sand Fool You
Charlotte Thomason

Charlotte Thomason

Author: What Kind of Love is this?
Amy Blindt - Kharis Publishing author

Amy M. Blindt

Author: Walking with the Beatitudes
Shuguang Rose Wang

Shuguang (Rose) Wang

Author: Chinese through Scriptures
Joel Francis

Joel Francis

Author: Zebedee's Calling
Tamar Miller; author of Odd Moms Out & Nameless

Tamar Miller

Author: Nameless but Known | Odd Moms Out
Caprice Scott - As One

Caprice Scott

Author: As One

Caprice Scott is a Certified Life Coach Minister with a background in brain retraining and faith-based applications. As a result of emotional trauma from childhood into her mid-30s, Caprice was bedridden and critically ill in 2019. Since April 2019, Caprice has recovered from a long list of illnesses. She and her husband Richard, live in Colorado with their 3 cats, Winnie, Roo, and outdoor cat, Zoe.

Michael Reach

Michael Reach

Author: The House on the Bend

M.E. Reach was born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He is a decorated U.S. Army veteran and has worked with teens, young adults, and adults for sixteen years in a variety of contexts, across five states and in two foreign countries. He enjoys creating random songs with his wife to annoy his five children, drinking root beer, traveling, and occasionally writing books.

Laura Quinn

Laura Quinn

Author: The Armor Giver

Born in 1981, I, Laura Quinn, have loved truth and words since I could speak. Married for 22 years, my best friend Gino and I have lived many worlds, but always together. Sean, Kayleigh, Hugh, Fiona and Liam are my beautiful, strong arrows whom I am blessed to call mine. When I am not working, I can be found spending time with my family. I also find mountains very calming.

Sanet Smit

Sanet Smit

Author of two books: Frankie Goes and The Lost Fat Bird
Jason Coache - A Recipe for Biblical Success

Jason Coache

Author: A Recipe for Biblical Success
Angela guy

Angela Guy

Author: The Stepping Stones Of Spiritual Maturity
Jim Valekis

Jim Valekis

Author: The Christian in the Cult
Antony Latham - WHEN I CONSIDER YOUR HEAVENS

Antony Latham

Author: WHEN I CONSIDER YOUR HEAVENS
Andrew Chatora - Kharis Publishing Authors

Andrew Chatora

Author of two books: Diaspora Dreams and Where the heart is
Kanisha Parker

Kanisha Nashay Parker

Author: I'm God's Daughter
Brent James MacDonald

Brent James MacDonald

Author: Forever Unforgivable