May 22, 2023 Edition
There will not be a Rush to Press edition next week in observance of Memorial Day.
Industry News
The Gospel Coalition co-founder Tim Keller dies at 72
TGC — With great sadness we mourn the loss of Timothy Keller, 72, who died on May 19, more than three years after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Keller co-founded The Gospel Coalition (TGC) in 2005 and served as vice president and then vice chairman of the board. As a board member until his death, Keller continued to offer counsel and direction for TGC in promoting gospel-centered ministry for the next generation.
Tim Keller urged Christian publishers to help build bridges in 2022 acceptance speech
In 2022, ECPA presented pastor, theologian, and bestselling author Timothy Keller with the Pinnacle Award honoring the impact of his published work, which in total has sold more than 7.5 million units in more than 25 languages. Keller, who was unable to attend The 2022 ECPA Awards Celebration where the award was presented, accepted the award via video with thanks and a charge for publishers to be bridge builders amidst “evangelical fracture.”
ECPA presents free Focus webinar series
ECPA will continue its annual Focus Webinar Series by presenting three webinars in June, July, and August for its members. A fourth webinar is planned for later in the year with Skot Welch on A Christ-Centered Action Plan for Cultural Change. Registration is now open for the three summer webinars:
ICREF registration is open for June event in Chicago
The ECPA International Rights and Export Fair will gather members of the international publishing community to meet with publishers, vendors, and distributors to discuss licensing and international sales on June 27-28 in Chicago on the Moody Bible Institute campus.
ECPA welcomes new members
The ECPA board of directors recently welcomed the following new members to ECPA:
- Muddy Pearl: An independent Scottish publisher of beautiful general market and thoughtful Christian market books.
- Dar Manhal Al Hayat: A Christian publishing house based in Lebanon that publishes, distributes, a wide range of Christian resources for the Arab world.
- Sound Faith Consulting: A literary agency with a mission to glorify God by building the fields of Christian philosophy, theology, and apologetics.
Milestones
Adventure Bible reaches 10 million milestone
Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce that the Adventure Bible has surpassed a significant sales milestone, with more than 10 million units sold through all its translations.
Read More...Zondervan Books celebrates 500,000 sales milestone for “Winning the War in Your Mind”
Zondervan Books is thrilled to announce a significant achievement for author Craig Groeschel with his groundbreaking book, “Winning the War in Your Mind.” The publication has reached a remarkable sales milestone, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide since its release.
Read More...“How to Pray” is recipient of Christian Book Award® for Young People’s Literature
NavPress is pleased to announce that “How to Pray: A Guide for Young Explorers” by Pete Greig and Gemma Hunt received the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) 2023 Christian Book Award® in the Young People’s Literature category.
Read More...Product News
Zondervan Books extends partnership, securing two-book deal with Nona Jones
Zondervan Books, a leading publisher of Christian literature, is thrilled to announce a two-book deal with the renowned author, Nona Jones. The first book in the agreement is scheduled for release in September 2024.
Read More...Whitaker House signs Zero Trafficking CEO Noel Thomas
Whitaker House is pleased to announce its agreement with co-founder and CEO of Zero Trafficking, Noel Thomas. The publishing company will release his book, tentatively titled “Dark Traffick” in Spring 2024.
Read More...Dr. Derwin L. Gray to publish next book with NavPress
NavPress announced today that senior editor Caitlyn Carlson acquired world rights to Derwin L. Gray’s SENT from Alex Field of The Bindery Agency. Gray’s forthcoming book seeks to recapture the church’s passion for the Good News and casts an intentional vision for the mission of discipleship. Release is planned for spring 2025.
Read More...WaterBrook releases new title from NYT #1 bestseller Michael Todd on Oct. 3
On October 3, WaterBrook will publish "Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph," the third book from #1 New York Times bestselling author and pastor Michael Todd. Todd offers encouragement to anyone seeking to trade the pain of past mistakes and trauma for a healed and victorious life.
Read More...Book by ECPA president Jeff Crosby releases this week: “The Language of the Soul”
For over fifteen years, writer Jeff Crosby has been searching for a language of the soul—a way to articulate our deepest longings. Through the years he gathered clues from within global music styles, from different cultures, from his own Christian tradition and its sacred texts—and from deep within himself. This week, his book “The Language of the Soul: Meeting God in the Longings of Our Hearts” releases from Broadleaf Books.
Read More...Thomas Nelson releases the “Evangelical Study Bible”
Thomas Nelson announces the release of the Evangelical Study Bible. With notes and study prompts written by conservative evangelical theologians, the Evangelical Study Bible is designed to ground readers in the truth that shapes their lives.
Read More...Media Announcements
Zondervan author Kierra Sheard-Kelly featured in People.com
Zondervan author and gospel star Kierra Sheard-Kelly was featured in an exclusive with People.com last week, announcing her pregnancy. The joyful news comes after the singer experienced two miscarriages that she says ‘took me near death’s doors.’ Her new book with Zondervan, “The Vibes You Feel” released this month and is ranked on Amazon.com as the #1 New Release in Teen and Young Adult Christian Inspirational Books.
More…
What anxiety can teach us about God: Curtis Chang on Jesus Calling Podcast
Curtis Chang is a pastor and a non-profit director. He recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how developed early coping mechanisms which exacerbated anxiety later in his life, and how through that anxiety, he was able to draw closer to God. Chang’s book, “The Anxiety Opportunity,” is available from Zondervan.
Self-confidence is found in Christ: Kim Gravel on Jesus Calling Podcast
Kim Gravel is an author and TV personality who recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share about the early anxiety she had while competing in pageants as a young girl, and she opened up about her journey to find self-confidence. Gravel’s book, “Collecting Confidence,” is available from Thomas Nelson.
Other News
- With a Boost from Adult Fiction, Print Book Sales Rose 1.3% Last Week
- Bookstore sales this year rose 11.9% in Q1 over 2022, to $2.07 billion
- Census Bureau: Bookstore Sales Rise in March; 2022 Sales Down by 7.2%
- PEN America, PRH Sue Florida School District Over Book Bans
- Pearson legal action over use of its content in AI language models; announces own AI plans
- International Bestseller Lists posted for April 2023
- 80% of shoppers will wait for sustainable shipping