Blog

"It's Official: Linsanity is for real." ~ Time Magazine

"My New Year's Resolution: love God more deeply and intimately by Dec. 31 than I did on Jan. 1." ~ Jeremy Lin

Zondervan announces today the release of Linspired (both in an adult and youth edition), scheduled to hit shelves in April 2012. Penned by best-selling sports author and journalist Mike Yorkey, Linspired reveals the inside story and the remarkable and meteoric rise of Jeremy Lin, superstar of the New York Knicks and the first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA.

As an added feature, Linspired will include interviews from tennis' Michael Chang, the first notable Asian-American athlete, and Lin's pastor, Stephen Chen, of Chinese Church in Christ in Menlo Park, California. Pat Williams, the senior vice president of the Orlando Magic, also weighs in on this phenomenon.

Readers will discover the journey of the underdog who beat the odds to reach his current stardom and catch the attention of the sports world with both his incredible basketball skills and his on and off-court example of faith, persistence, and hard work. Lin's sheer love of the game, his infectious enthusiasm, and his heart for play has injected both Knick players and fans alike with a new love for the sport and path to victory.

"I'm not exactly sure how it is all going to turn out, but I know for a fact that God has called me to be here now in the NBA. And this is the assignment that He has given me. I know I wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case. Just looking back, though, it's been a huge miracle. I can see His fingerprints everywhere," Jeremy Lin said in an interview with author Mike Yorkey in Linspired.

Zondervan Vice President and Publisher Tracy Danz said, "We have the opportunity to share an exceptional story of a young man who has captured the hearts of so many. We hope to honor Jeremy Lin by telling his story as he so humbly honors Christ and influences a country."

Lin received no athletic scholarship offers out of high school and was not drafted by an NBA team after graduating from Harvard in 2010. A surprising performance in the NBA Summer League led him to signing a deal with his hometown team of the Golden State Warriors, but after only one year of play, he was waived. He was then picked up by the Houston Rockets and again he was let go, this time on Christmas Eve 2011. In spite of this disappointment, Lin always remained positive and trusted that God had a plan for his life and talents. Soon after, Lin was picked up when the New York Knicks needed a guard. After weeks of sitting on the bench, a teammate's injury placed Lin on the court, and since then he has captivated sports fans throughout the world with his tremendous skill and humble response.

"Just as stories like Jeremy Lin don't come along very often, so do opportunities to share those stories with readers hungry to learn more about Jeremy Lin," said author Mike Yorkey. "It's all happening so fast for Jeremy, arriving at the busy intersection where sport, religion, fame, and pop culture meet. I've been following Jeremy for more than a year, interviewed him at length, and think highly of his public stand for his Christian faith. I'm looking forward to partnering with Zondervan to share his amazing story with readers."

For more information or to arrange an interview with Mike Yorkey please contact Heather Adams at (404) 423-8411 or hrdadams(at)gmail(dot)com

Mike Yorkey 

Zondervan 

Softcover, including color photo insert 

April 2012 

ISBN-13: 978-0-310-32068-5; $12.99

Mike Yorkey with Jesse Florea 

Zonderkidz 

Softcover 

April 2012 

ISBN-13: 978-0-310-72520-6; $6.99

Mike Yorkey, the author or co-author of more than 70 books, has written about sports all his life for a variety of national sports publications and book publishers. He has collaborated with Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and his father, Brad, in Growing Up Colt; San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky (Called Up), San Diego Chargers placekicker Rolf Benirschke (Alive & Kicking), and tennis star Michael Chang (Holding Serve). In 2010, Mike authored Playing with Purpose, the story of college football's "Holy Trinity" - Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow. Yorkey, a graduate of the University of Oregon's school of journalism, is a former editor of Focus on the Family magazine who has also written for sports magazines such as Skiing, Tennis Week, and Racquet.

He and his wife, Nicole, are the parents of two adult children, Andrea and Patrick. They make their home in Encinitas, California, and his website is http://www.mikeyorkey.com