Tom Freiling

{{Short description|American author and publisher (born 1966)}}{{Infobox person

| name = Tom Freiling

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|05|06}}

| birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

| alma_mater = Oral Roberts University{{cite web | url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1992/08/16/state-house-district-70/62485032007/ | title=State House District 70 }}

| occupation = Author, publisher

| known_for = Founder and CEO of Freiling Publishing, founder of Xulon Press

| notable_works = Walking with Lincoln: Spiritual Strength from America's Favorite President (2009), Reagan's God and Country (2000)

}}

Tom Freiling (born May 6, 1966, in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American author and publisher of books on business, faith, culture, and health. Freiling is the CEO of Freiling Publishing{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Freiling Publishing Pivots Toward Traditional Contracts|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/84861-freiling-publishing-pivots-toward-traditional-contracts.html|access-date=2021-01-19|website=www.publishersweekly.com}} and the founder of Xulon Press, acquired by NASDAQ publishing group Salem Communications in 2006. He sits on Forbes Business Council, the Executive Board at Fast Company{{Cite web |title=Tom Freiling |url=https://board.fastcompany.com/profile/Tom-Freiling-Chairman-CEO-Freiling-Agency/f29dff05-b7ce-4f8e-bcec-491c22294c05 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Fast Company Executive Board |language=en}} and is a contributing writer at Entrepreneur.{{Cite web |last=Freiling |first=Tom |title=Tom Freiling - Author Biography |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/author/tom-freiling |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Freiling |first=Tom |date=2023-09-08 |title=How Writing and Publishing a Book Can Elevate Your Brand |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/how-writing-and-publishing-a-book-can-elevate-your-brand/458442 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}

Authorial career

In 2000 Freiling released the book Reagan's God and Country (Gospel Light), that was endorsed by the former U.S. Attorney General, John Ashcroft. It was described as “must reading for everyone interested in our nation’s past” by Dr. Jerry Falwell.{{Cite book|last=Freiling|first=Tom|url=|title=Reagan's God and country|date=2000 |publisher=Gospel Light Publications|isbn=978-0-8307-5707-7|location=|pages=|language=en}} The book has been placed in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.{{Cite web|title=Books on Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, and Reagan's Careers|url=https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/reagans/ronald-reagan/books-ronald-reagan-nancy-reagan-and-reagans-careers|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Ronald Reagan|language=en}} 2002 saw the publication of Abraham Lincoln's Daily Treasure (Revell), a daily commentary of the president's life and faith alongside the actual devotional he is purported to have used during his presidency.{{cite web|url=http://everythinglincoln.com/books/dailytreasure.html|title=Two Books Based on The Believer's Daily Treasure|website=everythinglincoln.com|access-date=28 April 2018}} Freiling released a best-selling book George W. Bush on God and Country (Allegiance Press){{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=George W. Bush: On God and Country|url=http://www.american-presidents.org/2004/03/george-w-bush-on-god-and-country.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429024447/http://www.american-presidents.org/2004/03/george-w-bush-on-god-and-country.html|archive-date=29 April 2018|access-date=28 April 2018|website=www.american-presidents.org}} in 2004 and the collection of spiritual principles from the life of Lincoln, Walking with Lincoln (Revell), in 2009.{{Cite web|date=2019-04-24|title=Walking with Lincoln (a book review)|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/381144/walking-with-lincoln-a-book-review/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Daily Times|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2019-04-24|title=Walking with Lincoln (a book review)|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/381144/walking-with-lincoln-a-book-review/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Daily Times|language=en-US}}

In 2004 Charles Sellier's Grizzly Adams Productions used George W. Bush on God and Country,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=20 October 2004|title='Faith in the White House' documentary tells story behind President Bush's Christian walk - Baptist Press|url=https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/faith-in-the-white-house-documentary-tells-story-behind-president-bushs-christian-walk/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Baptist Press|language=en-US}} along with David Aikman's book A Man of Faith, as the bases for his award-winning television documentary George W. Bush: Faith in the White House.{{cite web|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/januaryweb-only/georgewbush.html|title=George W. Bush: Faith in the White House|date=January 2004 |publisher=|access-date=28 April 2018}}{{Citation|title=George W. Bush: Faith in the White House|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464806/|volume=|pages=|type=Documentary|author1=David W. Balsiger |author2= David Aikman |author3= George W. Bush |author4= Laura Bush |author5= Tom Freiling|publisher=Grizzly Adams Productions (GAP)|access-date=2021-01-19}}{{Cite news|last=Rich|first=Frank|date=2004-10-03|title=Now on DVD: The Passion of the Bush|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/03/arts/now-on-dvd-the-passion-of-the-bush.html|access-date=2021-01-19|issn=0362-4331}} The film was awarded three ICVMA awards and selected for Crown Awards. It also became a part of the President Bush permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution.{{cite web|url=http://christianretailing.com/~christia/index.php/newsletter/previous-issues/47-dvdvideo/11569-bush-documentary-wins-four-media-awards|title=Bush documentary wins four media awards|last=Staff|website=christianretailing.com|access-date=28 April 2018}}

Publishing career

From 1993 to 1998, Freiling was the publisher of Creation House, part of Charisma Media (formerly Strang Communications).

From 1998 to 2002 Freiling was the Managing Director of Eagle Publishing, Inc., and in 2000 founded the Christian e-publishing firm Xulon Press in Vienna, VA.{{cite web|url=http://www1.lightningsource.com/NewsItem.aspx?id=CST65|title=Lightning Source - Book Printing Services for Publishers - Ingram Content Group|website=www1.lightningsource.com|access-date=28 April 2018}}{{Cite web|title=Xulon Press Crosses the Million Book Mark|url=https://investor.salemmedia.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/272/xulon-press-crosses-the-million-book-mark|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Salem Media Group, Inc.|date=19 March 2007 |language=en}}

In 2001, Freiling appeared on C-SPAN to discuss the book Mission Impeachable: The House Managers and the Historic Impeachment of President Clinton, published by his company, Allegiance Press,{{Cite web|title=[Mission: Impeachable] {{!}} C-SPAN.org|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?166126-1/mission-impeachable#|access-date=2021-01-22|website=www.c-span.org|language=en-us}} which he started in 2003. The same year, Allegiance Press published Thunder on the Left by Gary Aldrich{{Cite book|last=Aldrich|first=Gary|url=|title=Thunder on the left: an insider's report on the hijacking of the Democratic Party|date=2003|publisher=Allegiance Press|isbn=978-0974028408|location=|pages=|oclc=52426040}} and The Bush Boom written by Jerry Bowyer with a foreword by Larry Kudlow.{{Cite book|last=Bowyer|first=Jerry|url=|title=The Bush boom|date=2003|publisher=Allegiance Press|others=Kudlow, Larry|isbn=978-1594670879|location=|pages=|oclc=53994397}}{{Cite web|last=Gross|first=Daniel|date=2003-10-29|title=Is there a Bush boom?|url=https://slate.com/business/2003/10/is-there-a-bush-boom.html|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Slate Magazine|language=en}} In 2004, Freiling published Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico with Allegiance Press. The book was written by Alexander Odishelidze and Arthur B. Laffer, who was a member of Reagan's Economic Policy Advisory Board.{{Cite book|last1=Odishelidze|first1=Alexander|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v04DAAAACAAJ|title=Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico|last2=Laffer|first2=Arthur B.|date=2004|publisher=Allegiance Press|isbn=978-1-59467-289-7|language=en}}

In 2004, Xulon Press published When Prisoners Return by Pat Nolan, which was released by The Prison Fellowship and included a foreword by Chuck Colson. The book was discussed during official Hearings at the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary of 2009.{{Cite web|title=Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Clemency for Patrick Nolan|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-regarding-executive-clemency-patrick-nolan/|access-date=2021-01-19|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|language=en-US}}{{Cite book|last=United States Congress Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs|url=|title=Exploring the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs of the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, June 11, 2009|date=2010|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|isbn=978-0-16-086235-9|location=|pages=12|language=en}}

In 2023, Freiling Agency published “Choose Your Battles” by a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Irene Glaeser, a book called “an ideal companion” to a NY Times best-selling book Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven.{{Cite web |last=Freiling |first=Tom |date=2024-02-19 |title=Must-Read Business Books for Leaders and Aspiring Entrepreneurs |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/must-read-business-books-for-leaders-and-aspiring/468754 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}

Freiling has represented, and published NY Times best-selling authors, including Hugh Hewitt,{{Cite book|last=Hewitt|first=Hugh|url=|title=The War Against the West|date=2008|publisher=Xulon Press|isbn=978-1-61215-934-8|location=|pages=530|language=en}} Michael Brown,{{Cite web|title=Charisma Magazine|url=https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/church-ministry/19335-michael-brown-s-authentic-fire-book-answers-john-macarthur-s-accusations|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Charisma Magazine|language=en |last1=Leclaire |first1=Jennifer }} Mark Batterson,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2014-03-20|title=Mark Batterson's publishing journey started with Xulon Press|url=http://xulonpressblog.com/xulon-experience/mark-batterson/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=|language=en-US}} Dan Peek,{{Cite web|title=CBNmusic -- Dan Peek: An American Tale|url=https://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/700club_danpeek120605.aspx?mobile=false&u=1|access-date=2021-01-22|website=www.cbn.com}}{{Cite web|date=2011-07-27|title=Dan Peek dies at 60; founding member of the band America|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-dan-peek-20110727-story.html|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}} David Barton and Henry Blackaby.{{Cite book|last1=Blackaby|first1=Henry|url=|title=Experiencing God Day-by-day Devotional|last2=Blackaby|first2=Richard|date=2005|publisher=Xulon Press|isbn=978-1-59781-319-8|location=|pages=|language=ru}} His articles have appeared in Forbes, Fast Company,{{Cite web |last=Freiling |first=Tom |date=2024-05-13 |title=Three reasons an accountant is an entrepreneur's best friend |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91123542/three-reasons-an-accountant-is-an-entrepreneurs-best-friend}} and Entrepreneur.{{Cite web |last=Freiling |first=Tom |date=2024-04-15 |title=Entrepreneurial Mindsets That Drive Success |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/entrepreneurial-mindsets-that-drive-success/472330 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}

Political career

Freiling served on the campaign and U.S. House of Representatives staff of James M. Inhofe (R-OK) from 1989 to 1992.{{cite web|url=http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=25&subcatid=82&threadid=6339882&sort=1|title=Politico|publisher=|access-date=28 April 2018}} He was on the 2004 founding Board of Directors of the conservative action network Grassfire.org.{{cite web|url=http://grassfire.com/|title=Grassfire Home|publisher=|access-date=28 April 2018}} In February 2012 Freiling was named Executive Director of Patriot Super PAC, an independent-expenditure only committee registered with the FEC,{{cite web|url=http://www.spoke.com/people/tom-freiling-3e1429c09e597c1000379e5b|title=Tom Freiling, Board Member, Patriot Super PAC|website=spoke.com|access-date=28 April 2018}} till it closed in 2013.{{Cite web|last=Trammel|first=Madison|title=Christian Radio's New Wave|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/19.27.html|access-date=2021-01-20|website=ChristianityToday.com|date=26 January 2007 |language=en}}

Bibliography

{{Cite book|last1=Freiling|first1=Thomas|title=Prayers to Move Your Mountains|last2=Klassen|first2=Michael|publisher=Thomas Nelson Publishers|year=2000|isbn=978-0785286523|location=|pages=}}
{{Cite book|last=Freiling|first=Tom|title=Reagan's God and Country: A President's Moral Compass: His Beliefs on God, Religious Freedom, the Sanctity of Life and More, Gospel Light Publications|publisher=Gospel Light Publications|year=2000|isbn=9780830757077|location=|pages=}}
{{Cite book|last=Freiling|first=Thomas|title=Abraham Lincoln's Daily Treasure: Moments of Faith with America's Favorite President|publisher=F.H.Revell|year=2002|isbn=9780800718091|location=|pages=}}
{{Cite book|last1=Bush|first1=George W.|title=George W. Bush on God and Country: The President Speaks Out About Faith, Principle, and Patriotism|last2=Freiling|first2=Thomas|publisher=Allegiance Press|year=2004|isbn=978-1591609186|location=|pages=}}
{{Cite book|last=Freiling|first=Thomas|title=Walking with Lincoln: Spiritual Strength from America's Favorite President|publisher=F.H.Revell|year=2009|isbn=978-0800719012|location=|pages=}}
{{Cite book|last=Freiling|first=Thomas|title=The Right to Believe|publisher=Vide Press|year=2020|isbn=978-0578703572|location=|pages=}}