May 12, 2025 Edition
Industry News

PRH Christian introduces new logo and mission statement
As PRH Christian celebrates its six-month anniversary as a new division of Penguin Random House, it introduces a new divisional logo and mission statement honoring its roots and emphasizing the division’s commitment to expanding opportunities for Christian authors in the marketplace.
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HCCP names Melinda Bouma and Philip Nation as VP and Associate Group publishers
HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced two promotions to its Executive Leadership Team. Melinda Bouma has been promoted to Vice President, Associate Group Publisher, Zondervan Bibles, Academic, and Reflective, while Philip Nation has been promoted to Vice President, Associate Group Publisher, Thomas Nelson Bibles and Spanish Publishing.
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Registration opens for Asia Christian Rights & Export Fair: Sep. 1-2 in Bangkok
In conjunction with CLC International, ECPA is debuting a new event within the ECPA Global Collective: The Asia Christian Rights & Export Fair will be held in Bangkok Thailand on September 1-2. The event will gather publishers and rights professionals for connection and rights & licensing business. Registration is now open for attendees and exhibitors.

ECPA presents two part member webinar on AI on June 13
On June 13 at 10 am central, ECPA will host a free Focus member webinar on Artificial Intelligence. Attendees will hear from Craig Gipson (Flagler Law Group) about the evolving legal landscape of generative artificial intelligence in the publishing industry; then from Derek C. Schuurman, PhD., professor of computer science at Calvin University, on Artificial Intelligence and the Biblical Story.
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Learn about the other webinars in this summer series

IPG adds seven publishers to its sales and distribution programs
Independent Publishers Group, the last remaining independent book distributor of significant size in North America, is pleased to announce the addition of seven publishers to its sales and distribution programs.
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Milestones

HCCP wins 17 SEPA Awards, including Bible of the Year, setting a new record
Editorial Vida and Grupo Nelson, the Spanish publishing divisions of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, as well as CLIE, the Academic and Reference imprint distributed by Editorial Vida, were recognized and honored with a record-setting 17 awards, including Bible of the Year, at the 2025 Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) ceremony on May 1, 2025.
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Christianity Today wins 21 awards from Evangelical Press Association
Christianity Today brought home 21 awards from last week’s annual gathering of the Evangelical Press Association in Branson, Missouri. CT’s redesign was recognized in several categories, and the magazine won the top prize for general interest print publication. CT also earned first place in several categories, including reporting, podcast, and art.
Product News

WaterBrook expands partnership with John Mark Comer in four book deal
PRH Christian Publishing Group is celebrating its expanded partnership with New York Times and #1 ECPA bestselling author of “Practicing the Way” and “Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” John Mark Comer, who has signed with WaterBrook for four new trade titles on topics relating to spiritual formation, discipleship, and contemplative spirituality.
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Leafwood Publishers releases Abby McDonald’s “Surrendering Certainty”
“Surrendering Certainty” by Abby McDonald (Leafwood Publishers, May 2025) challenges a common misconception about hearing God’s voice, urging believers to embrace his guidance without the need for constant reassurance or knowledge of the future.
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INDUSTRY
- PW: Campbell Wharton Has Big Plans for the PRH Christian Publishing Group
- Simon & Schuster Taps Jonathan Merritt to Build a Religion List
- PW reports on Religion Book Deals for May 7, 2025
- PW: 2025 Christian Book Award® Winners Named
- Evangelical Press Association recognizes excellence in periodical publishing
- CT releases new global data on what makes for a flourishing life
- CT: How Evangelicals View the First US Pope
- MAI presents webinar on May 27 on Missional Writing with Ardy Roberto
PUBLISHING
- Bookscan Report Sees Favorable Near-Term Outlook for Books
- AAP's Annual Meeting: Stark Comment on AI and Copyright
- Publishers Prepare for Battle with Big Tech Over AI
- HarperCollins Boss Weighs In on the Economy, Big Tech
- How AI is Shaping the Audiobook Industry
- Tim O’Reilly: How OpenAI systematically used publishing content for AI training
- Copyright Chief Fired Amid AI Debate
- Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Fired by White House
- NEA Literary Grants Terminated, Trump Proposes Eliminating the Agency
- Amazon now has a ‘Get book’ button in its iOS Kindle app
- Spotify Submits New App Update to Apple for Individual Audiobook Purchases
- Barnes & Noble opening 60 new stores in 2025
- The Secret Recipe for Selling More Books
- Revising audiobook keywords is a core piece of any backlist strategy
- AUP Design present 2025 Book Jacket and Cover Selections
- BISG webinar on May 28: AI & Marketing
- European Publishers, Writers, Translators on AI-Generated Books
- UK Publishers Release More of Their 'Soft Power' Study
- German Publishers Demand Speed From Merz's Coalition