June 13, 2022 Edition
There will not be a Rush to Press edition issued next week, in observance of Juneteenth.
Industry News
Baker Book House Company President and CEO to retire May 2023
Baker Book House Company announced today that Dwight Baker will retire on May 1, 2023, after serving 43 years at the company, 25 of those as president and CEO. Speaking on behalf of the board of directors, board chair Dr. Kathryn Scanland said, “Dwight’s tenure has been punctuated with serving both the local Grand Rapids community and the global Christian community with steady commitment and a generous heart. Under Dwight’s leadership Baker Publishing expanded its footprint to reach a larger and more diverse audience. It’s a privilege to convey our heartfelt gratitude to Dwight for his years of unwavering dedication to further the mission of Baker Book House Company.”
Read More...Angela Bole to succeed Fran Toolan at the Firebrand Group
The Firebrand Group, the book industry’s leading technology company for cutting edge software and services that enable publisher success, announced today that Angela Bole, current CEO at the Independent Book Publishers Association will succeed Firebrand CEO Fran Toolan on February 1, 2023.
Read More...David C Cook expands comics and graphic art footprint with acquisition
David C Cook has announced the acquisition of comic book creation studio Corvus Comics as a part of its ongoing effort to reach the next generation with innovative storytelling methods. “Throughout its history, David C Cook has recognized the importance of using high-quality, illustrated graphics to engage students and teach biblical truths. We are thrilled to build upon that heritage through this acquisition,” said John Aden, CEO for David C Cook.
Read More...IVP hosts African American Publishing Consultation
As a continuation of its initiatives to learn from and amplify voices of color, InterVarsity Press hosted an African American Publishing Consultation June 8–10 at IVP’s main office in Westmont, Illinois. The gathering was led by IVP president and publisher Terumi Echols and Ed Gilbreath, vice president of strategic partnerships at Christianity Today.
Read More...ICREF exhibitor space sold out for Chicago fair; but not too late to register
The ECPA International Christian Rights & Export Fair will soon convene on June 28 & 29 at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago. Though exhibitor space is sold out, it’s not too late to participate by registering as an attendee. All attendees must be pre-registered.
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Top Shelf Book Cover Award nomination deadline is August 15
ECPA members are invited to nominate their top book & Bible designs for a 2022 Top Shelf Book Cover Award in four new categories. In recognition of the award’s 10-year anniversary, this year’s program has two new features: Winners will be presented in four categories and each submitting publisher can register their designer or art director to serve on the judge panel. The submission period is open until August 15.
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Milestones
Lifeway and B&H Español win best Bible, book awards from SEPA
Lifeway and B&H Español received more awards than ever from the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) at this year’s Expolit trade show held May 18-21, in Miami. The SEPA Awards recognize the highest quality and excellence in the publication, sale and marketing of Christian literature in Spanish.
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R.H. Boyd celebrates 125 years in publishing
Publishers Weekly — R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, which was founded in 1896 by a survivor of slavery and a veteran of the Civil War, is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a broadened content focus and a continual mission to serve Black communities.
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IVP author Juanita Rasmus named one of SUCCESS Magazine’s Women of Influence
IVP author Juanita Rasmus has been named one of SUCCESS magazine’s Women of Influence 2022. This inaugural list honors Juanita as a woman who is positively pioneering change, impacting her community, and shaping the personal and professional lives of others.
Read More...Platinum Sales Award presented to “New Morning Mercies” for 1 million sold
ECPA recently presented the Platinum Sales Award to “New Morning Mercies” by Paul David Tripp and published by Crossway, in recognition of over 1 million sold. The ECPA Milestone Sales Award program recognizes outstanding sales achievement in Christian literature.
Product News
Zondervan releases “NIV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible”
Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is proud to announce the release of Zondervan’s Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible in the New International Version (NIV). This is the first updated and revised edition of a Thompson Chain Reference Bible since Zondervan acquired the line from Kirkbride Bible Company in 2020.
Read More...Minno, Slingshot USA, and Sunrise Animation Studios break ground with new series
Minno, Slingshot USA, and Sunrise Animation Studios announced today a robust partnership to elevate faith-based media for kids and families. The global deal includes development and production of original content, bringing competitive-quality to faith-based family entertainment.
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Media Announcements
Copies of “Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven” sent to chaplains in 1220 prisons
Iron Stream Media is honored to have Appeal to the Courtroom of Heaven by Shonda Whitworth to be the latest book included in Freedom in Jesus Prison Ministries’ “One Million Books to Prisoners by 2025” project.
Read More...Dr. John M. Perkins on Jesus Calling Podcast on June 16: Love over Hate
Dr. John M. Perkins, counselor to six presidents, community development leader, and civil rights legend recently joined The Jesus Calling Podcast to share how he grew up in Mississippi and was born during the height of Jim Crow and the Great Depression. The loss of his mother due to malnutrition and his brother, who was killed by police after his return from World War II, shaped Perkins’ life and ultimately inspired him to pursue civil rights issues, particularly around racial violence in the U.S. Today, at ninety-two years old, Dr. Perkins continues his work by shedding light on injustices and drawing Christians into the work of social justice and civil rights. Perkins’ book, “Count It All Joy,” is available from Moody Publishers.
Author Scott Sauls on Jesus Calling Podcast: Speaking light into darkness
Scott Sauls is the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN, and he recently joined The Jesus Calling Podcast to share lessons from Paul the Apostle and how to find true contentment, no matter your circumstances. Sauls’ book, “Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen,” is available from Zondervan.
Other News
INDUSTRY
- Our Daily Bread commemorates Juneteenth with 10-day reading plan
- May Religion Bestsellers: Country Singer’s Debut; Karen Kingsbury Reigns
- Religion Book Deals: June 8, 2022
- PW: In Times of Tribulation, Prophecy Books Multiply
- Forefront Books and Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives announce joint imprint
PUBLISHING
- Internet Archive, Publishers to Seek Summary Judgment in Book Scanning Lawsuit
- Penguin Random House to Distribute for Disney Publishing
- BISG launches "Supply Chain Monitor" survey: invites all to participate
- APA: US Audiobook Revenues Reach $1.6 Billion in 2021
- New App Aims to Improve Book Discovery
- Is TikTok the Future of Book Marketing?
- Unpacking Continuously High Paper Recycling Rates
- The Ever-Shifting Challenge of Promoting Literature in Translation
- Grants to Ukrainian Publishers Announced