May 4, 2026 Edition

Industry News

ECPA announces retirement of president Jeff Crosby; Board initiates search for successor

ECPA has announced that President Jeff Crosby will retire from his role on April 30, 2027, concluding five and a half years of dedicated leadership. “Serving ECPA since July of 2021 has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Crosby. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such committed members, partners, and staff who are passionate about the mission of Christian publishing. I leave confident in the strength of this community and its future, and I look forward to supporting a smooth and thoughtful transition in the months ahead.”

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Christian Book Award® winners announced for 2026

Last week, ECPA announced the 13 winners of the 2026 Christian Book Award® program, recognizing excellence in Christian publishing across 12 book and Bible categories, with “The Bible Recap for Kids: A 365-Day Guide through the Bible for Young Readers” by Tara-Leigh Cobble (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) named the 2026 Christian Book of the Year®.

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Whitaker House remembers and honors author and evangelist Marilyn Hickey

Author, evangelist and minister Marilyn Hickey passed away at 94 on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Whitaker Corporation recalls and celebrates the author’s impactful life—one spent devoted to teaching others and spreading the Word of God.

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Bookwire finalizes Zebralution merger

Bookwire is taking the next steps with Zebralution to transfer the publishing businesses to Bookwire OS, with customers gradually migrated for a seamless setup and a clear development roadmap in the future.

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Staff Announcements

CLC International Council elects Hervé Lessous as International Director

CLC International is pleased to announce the appointment of Hervé Lessous of France as International Director. The appointment was unanimously confirmed by the CLC International Council following a three month period of prayer, deliberation, and voting.

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Milestones

“The Jesus Discoveries” tops NYT Bestseller list and hits USA Today and PW lists

Baker Publishing Group is thrilled to announce “The Jesus Discoveries” by Dr. Jeremiah Johnston (Bethany House, March 2026) has landed at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and has also been named to the Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestseller lists this week.

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Zondervan celebrates one million sold: NIV Thinline Bibles and NIV Value Thinline Bibles

Zondervan has announced that both the NIV Thinline Bibles and the NIV Value Thinline Bibles have each surpassed one million copies sold, marking a significant milestone for two of the most widely distributed and accessible editions of the New International Version (NIV).

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Ruth Chou Simons’ “The Way of the Wildflower” blooms past 100,000 copies sold

“The Way of the Wildflower” by bestselling author and artist Ruth Chou Simons has officially surpassed 100,000 copies sold, marking a significant milestone for the beloved message of releasing burdens and flourishing in Christ.

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Baker Publishing Group wins three Christian Book Award® categories, including top honor

Baker Publishing Group is celebrating three wins at the 2026 Christian Book Award® program, including the program’s highest honor, Christian Book of the Year®, awarded to “The Bible Recap for Kids” by Tara-Leigh Cobble (Bethany House).

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HarperCollins Christian Publishing wins three 2026 Christian Book Awards

HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) has announced that three of its titles were named Christian Book Award® winners: “The Girl on the Bathroom Floor” (Audio), “NIV Application Bible” (Bibles), and “Spurgeon and the Gospels” (Devotion and Gift).

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Tyndale House wins Christian Book Award® in Children's category and five Bronze Awards

Tyndale House Publishers is celebrating multiple ECPA awards, including a Christian Book Award® in the Children’s category for “Hello! My Name Is Emmanuel” by Emmanuel Jean Russell; and five Bronze Milestone Sales Awards for 100,000 sold.

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Crossway wins Christian Book Awards in New Author and Young People’s Literature

Crossway is pleased to announce that “He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New” by Alyson Punzi and “The Story of Corrie ten Boom: The Watchmaker Who Forgave Her Enemies” have won 2026 Christian Book Awards in their respective categories.

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Lifeway, B&H Publishing win 2026 SEPA and ECPA awards

The Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) awarded Lifeway Christian Resources and B&H Publishing Group various awards this month in recent ceremonies, including Publisher of the Year.

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Product News

WaterBrook signs bestselling author Kyle Idleman to four-title deal

Kyle Idleman, bestselling author and senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church, has signed a multi-format, four-title deal with WaterBrook, including two trade books and two accompanying streaming curricula with participant study guides.

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Worthy Books releases “Praying For Your Wedding” by Michelle Medlock Adams this week

“Praying for your Wedding” by speaker and bestselling author Michelle Medlock Adams (Worthy Books, May 5, 2026), is a beautiful book to help brides keep the real meaning of marriage at the center with 30 entries that include Scripture, focused prayer, and space to reflect and journal.

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FaithWords releases “God Shed His Grace on Thee” on May 5, 2026

As our country prepares to celebrate a great milestone—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence—this 50-day devotional will remind readers of what makes our nation great and help readers turn their hearts toward the God who has blessed us richly.

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Calla Press Publishing to release new board book to spark imaginative play in children

Calla Press Publishing announces that preorders are open for “Clara’s Quilt,” written by Madeleine Corbett and illustrated by Caroline Greb. This beautifully crafted board book for young readers was written to spark imaginative play in children, especially in a competing world of tech and screens.

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Other News