<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Higher Ground Books & Media]]></title><description><![CDATA[HGBM is an independent publisher specializing in helping people tell their stories!]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:38:51 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Father Who Never Leaves]]></title><description><![CDATA[Father’s Day brings different emotions for different people. Some have warm, loving memories of fathers who were there for them no matter what. Some have intrusive recollections of abuse doled out at the hands of broken fathers. And others have no feeling at all—whether because their father was absent or unknown or because their experience with him was unstable or unpredictable. For some, this day can be very painful or anxiety-provoking. For others, simply confusing. Sadly, I know only a...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/the-father-who-never-leaves</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2d9532675ca08c42aa0578</guid><pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2026 11:45:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_1b2ef08dbc074f29ae147bf268b6bffc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Missing Ingredient ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I attended my first author event in nearly four years yesterday. I used to do this quite often, but the years have been a bit stressful and as a result, I’ve found myself stepping out less and less to promote my books. Retreating into the solitude of my home office, I kept telling myself I was just taking a little break. But things happen and with each passing week and month, it became more and more difficult to envision myself getting back out there. During that time, one of the things I’d...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/the-missing-ingredient</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a24c73b723e0825bac820ef</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:00:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_adce8693a6c247b8bbe493f912a2e4db~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taking a Short Break]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the questions I receive most often is how I manage to balance a full-time job, a publishing company, writing projects, and everything else life throws my way. The answer is simple: every year, I take a break. Beginning today, Higher Ground Books &#38; Media will enter its annual recharge period from June 1 through July 15. This time allows me to step back, rest, spend time with family, catch my breath, and prepare for the busy season ahead. During this time, book orders will continue to be...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/taking-a-short-break</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1dc47243a3e299a4b45220</guid><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:59:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_e76fc702f4df487093789eb1e2ca95e5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Story Behind the Story...]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Rebecca Benston, Author/Publisher/Owner Higher Ground Books &#38; Media People sometimes forget that while authors tell you one story, they have a multitude of other stories that lead them to put those thoughts down on the page. Stories that aren’t often shared—sometimes because they can’t or sometimes, because they just won’t. So, when an author decides to let readers take a look inside their process, it’s a wonderful thing! Unless you’re a memoir writer—they tend to tell you more than you...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/the-story-behind-the-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1b2f1a34554029975545c3</guid><pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 11:45:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_e90b579e34ad4636ad81269c933a31ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Higher Ground Books &#38; Media Announces the Launch of Jewish Imprint, L’Chayim Library]]></title><description><![CDATA[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — Higher Ground Books &#38; Media is proud to officially announce the launch of L’Chayim Library, a new Jewish-focused imprint dedicated to preserving stories, exploring faith, encouraging thoughtful conversation, and amplifying Jewish voices and perspectives. The imprint, whose name comes from the Hebrew phrase meaning “To Life,” was created to provide a welcoming publishing home for books centered on Jewish life, culture, faith, history, personal...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/higher-ground-books-media-announces-the-launch-of-jewish-imprint-l-chayim-library</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a14aab2183a32d20e31a912</guid><category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 31 May 2026 11:00:20 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Higher Ground Books &#38; Media Highlights New Release from Acclaimed Author Terra Kern]]></title><description><![CDATA[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — Higher Ground Books &#38; Media is pleased to announce the release of What on Earth is Happening! by bestselling author Terra Kern. Known for her approachable style and faith-centered perspective, Kern’s latest release explores the growing uncertainty many people feel about the world around them, offering readers encouragement, spiritual insight, and hope in the midst of confusion and cultural unrest. “What on Earth is Happening! speaks directly to the...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/higher-ground-books-media-highlights-new-release-from-acclaimed-author-terra-kern</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a14a9a306ecf39e715457ad</guid><category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 11:00:20 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Higher Ground Books &#38; Media Announces New Inspirational and Thought-Provoking Releases]]></title><description><![CDATA[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SPRINGFIELD, OHIO — Higher Ground Books &#38; Media is proud to announce several recent releases that continue the company’s mission of sharing stories that inspire, encourage, challenge, and uplift readers through faith-centered and meaningful storytelling. Among the newest releases are: People in Our Lives by Henryk Hoffmann and Friends — a heartfelt collection of 34 autobiographical stories written by 34 different contributors, reflecting on the people who shaped their...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/higher-ground-books-media-announces-new-inspirational-and-thought-provoking-releases</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a14a8a8b6bdb307fe7144ea</guid><category><![CDATA[Press Releases]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 11:00:15 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Revolutionary New Publishing Strategy]]></title><description><![CDATA[At Higher Ground Books &#38; Media, we’ve decided to embrace modern publishing trends. From now on, every book we release will include: a dramatic cinematic trailer at least three emotionally devastating taglines a promise that the book will “change your life forever” and a slow-motion reel set to inspirational piano music We’re also considering: describing every author as “raw and vulnerable” calling every devotional “life-changing” adding mysterious smoke effects to our graphics for absolutely...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/a-revolutionary-new-publishing-strategy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0a109adf43effc8ce2a46a</guid><pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 11:45:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_9660b82a1f2541c5b7dea5ce4479186e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Growing Your Faith]]></title><description><![CDATA[HGBM's Three Pillars of spiritual and personal growth. At Higher Ground Books &#38; Media, we often talk about the three core pillars: Healing from Trauma. Using Your Gifts. Growing Your Faith. These are the themes that shape the work we do and the messages we hope to share. Over the past several weeks, we’ve spent a lot of time focusing on the first two. We’ve talked about hardship. About healing. About being shaped by what we’ve been through. About learning how to use what God has placed within...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/growing-your-faith</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a08b7e3ea733de5ffb70614</guid><pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 11:45:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_bea117c3a72e4204b7ec004386595c67~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_940,h_788,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Showing up...]]></title><description><![CDATA[My mom has always been the one person in my life I can count on to be the same. No matter what is happening, she’s always been steady and no nonsense. If she has something to say, she’ll say it without worrying about who likes it. Though, much of the time, she watches everything around her and keeps her opinions to herself. Instead of being loud and obnoxious, she generally shows you what she thinks about something by the way she either embraces it or ignores it. I like that about her. I also...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/showing-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ff69abecab901137545af8</guid><pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 12:15:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3c85d3427cc74f57bf47dd8d2697586c.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Digging In: An HGBM Contributing Author Spotlight]]></title><description><![CDATA[In Part 1, we looked at how our gifts are shaped—not just through what comes naturally, but through what we’ve been through. That’s where the connection starts. This is where it comes into focus. The Backend Connection (Part Two) By HGBM Contributing Author, Terra Kern Later in life, I was sidelined with a bum back. It hurt to do anything. I couldn’t even walk to the end of my driveway without dropping in pain. Since I couldn’t do anything except sit, I decided I would sit and write, my...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/digging-in-an-hgbm-contributing-author-spotlight-5</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f62f878cdff2e4610ef81d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_a96c9a4147214c34b2d306945b359c20~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Digging In: An HGBM Contributing Author Spotlight]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week, we talked about using what you’ve been given—and what it looks like to actually take the next step. This week, we’re taking that a little deeper. Because using your gifts doesn’t just start when you decide to use them. There’s a process behind it. A shaping that happens long before anything is visible on the surface. One of our contributing authors, Terra Kern, shares a perspective that gets to the heart of that process—what’s happening behind the scenes, and how even the hardest...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/digging-in-an-hgbm-contributing-author-spotlight-4</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f6286cddf80d7e38c876ee</guid><pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 12:00:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_b9f0982e0df946d48ecf9b0026d11854~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What It Looks Like to Use Your Gifts]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week, we talked about being given something—and what it means to take the next step instead of letting it sit. This week, I want to show you what that actually looks like. Not in theory. In practice. One of the authors we’ve worked with at Higher Ground Books &#38; Media, Terra Kern, is a clear example of someone who has taken what she’s been given and done something with it. She didn’t just write one book and stop. She kept going. Using your gifts doesn’t always look dramatic. Most of the...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/what-it-looks-like-to-use-your-gifts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ed29abb502c05c43b79016</guid><pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:30:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_b9f0982e0df946d48ecf9b0026d11854~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[You've Been Given a Gift...Use It!]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s easy to think of faith as something quiet. Something internal. Something personal. Something that exists between you and God and doesn’t necessarily require much movement beyond that. But that’s not really how it works. Faith isn’t just about believing. It’s about participating. At some point, after the healing starts to take hold and things begin to settle, there’s a shift that happens. You start to realize that you’re not just here to survive what you’ve been through. You’re here to do...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/you-ve-been-given-a-gift-use-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e3d46543fd38a1bb72c6fd</guid><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:00:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_7226a7a096fc42a29423a60a82573a20~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[We Don’t Publish the Usual Way]]></title><description><![CDATA[There are a lot of ways to publish a book. If you have spent any time researching independent or small publishers, you will have found a wide range of approaches. Some focus on volume. Some follow trends. Some build their process around speed, polish, and presentation. At Higher Ground Books &#38; Media, we’ve chosen a different approach—one rooted in reality. We’re not here to publish as many books as possible. We’re not chasing trends or trying to make every book fit a certain look. And we’re...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/we-don-t-publish-the-usual-way</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69da5dc88614fb4128ae323f</guid><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:08 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Living What You Already Know]]></title><description><![CDATA[HGBM It’s one thing to know what’s right. It’s another thing to live it. Most of us don’t struggle because we lack information. We’ve read the Scripture. We’ve heard the messages. We understand what we’re supposed to do. The challenge comes in the daily choices—when we have to decide whether we’re going to live according to what we know or fall back into what feels easier. Faith isn’t built on what we know. It’s built on what we practice. It’s easy to talk about love. It’s harder to show it...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/living-what-you-already-know</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d152822a4608ae00220a2d</guid><pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:00:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_8e850b812f4a4c7bbe196c48f7ef7a95~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where's My Order? The Trade-Off Behind the Wait]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why Your Book Order Might Take Longer Than Expected A behind-the-scenes look at small press publishing At Higher Ground Books &#38; Media, we believe in being honest about how things work—even when it’s a little more complicated than expected. From time to time, we hear from customers or authors who are frustrated that their book order didn’t arrive as quickly as they expected. And we understand that. When you’re excited about a book—especially your own—you want it in your hands now , not weeks...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/where-s-my-order-the-trade-off-behind-the-wait</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c801b1a937958fa7df9077</guid><pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2026 12:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_1c69173c9eb346e2bd851dedb1ce6dee~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Digging In: An HGBM Contributing Author Spotlight]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week we continue with Stephen Shepherd's story about loss and faith. Trauma and Christian Faith (Part Two) By HGBM Contributing Author, Stephen Shepherd “And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them. Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost” (Luke 15:6). Many years ago, I lost twin sons. My pregnant wife slipped on a stairway and fell. The twin boys were fully formed but born too prematurely. I spent four days at the hospital...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/digging-in-an-hgbm-contributing-author-spotlight-3</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b5ac47844e3eb9d57f259c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:45:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_612870e4adfa45cbb2960be5b4c83a74~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Digging In: An HGBM Contributing Author Spotlight]]></title><description><![CDATA[At Higher Ground Books &#38; Media, we often talk about healing from trauma and the ways faith shapes how we move forward after life’s hardest moments. But every person’s journey through trauma is different, and the voices that speak into that journey often reflect deeply personal experiences with grief, loss, and faith. This week’s Digging In  spotlight comes from one of our contributing authors who shares a powerful reflection on trauma, faith, and the search for meaning after devastating loss....]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/digging-in-an-hgbm-contributing-author-spotlight-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b588c24898c9cce5a1cb68</guid><pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 11:45:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5782d8_612870e4adfa45cbb2960be5b4c83a74~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Four Questions That Shape a Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s easy to cling to an identity. But living in alignment with God’s word is about more than knowing the language or being able to recite passages. Following Jesus is about asking better questions—and being willing to listen for His answers. It may surprise you to learn that my goal is not to be a Christian publisher, but simply to be a publisher who is a Christian. I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, see myself as being enough like Jesus to position myself as anyone’s source of...]]></description><link>https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/post/four-questions-that-shape-a-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ac6cac95f89686635ac158</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 11:30:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_47eb5accf501427f9b46bb0dfa03572e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>HGBM</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>