Thomas Nelson Inks Sunderland, Set to Publish Teen Sailor's Incredible Story of Faith, Courage, Survival

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Six months after a rogue wave nearly took her life at sea, teen sailor Abby Sunderland has signed a publishing deal with Thomas Nelson Publishers to tell the story of how, at 16, she set out to become the youngest person in history to circumnavigate the globe alone.

The book, entitled Unsinkable, is expected to hit stores in April.

"It is an honor to be publishing Abby Sunderland's memoir. Hers is a powerful story of faith and perseverance," said Thomas Nelson senior vice president and publisher Brian Hampton.  "I believe that while she may not have reached her destination, she certainly achieved her destiny. What she accomplished and endured would be remarkable for a person of any age ... that she did it as a sixteen-year-old is amazing."  Hampton added, "Abby is the youngest person (boy or girl) ever to solo around Cape Horn, which is considered the 'Mt. Everest of sailing.'"

It was June 10, 2010 when, already four months into the voyage, a rogue wave demasted and rolled Abby's boat 360 degrees over 2,000 miles west of Australia. Her parents, Laurence and Marianne, lost contact with her and for a time, she was feared lost.  Thankfully, rescuers - the nearest of whom were 400 miles away - found her afloat and alive after having spent two days in the perilous waters of a remote region of the Indian Ocean.  Worldwide media support followed in celebration of her recovery but now the full story is revealed.

The publishing deal was negotiated by Rick Christian, president of the Colorado Springs literary agency Alive Communications, together with agent Andrea Heinecke.  "We are thrilled to be representing Abby Sunderland, a young woman who embodies the American spirit of courage and adventure," Christian said, noting that Abby's partnership with the perennial New York Times bestselling collaborator Lynn Vincent is a match made in heaven.  "I have every expectation this book will sail to the top of the charts, as have the others Lynn has helped with, including Same Kind of Different as Me, Sarah Palin's Going Rogue and Heaven Is for Real."

SOURCE Thomas Nelson