September 9, 2024 Edition
Industry News
The Christy Award® program will announce its 2024 finalists on Thursday
This Thursday, September 12 at 11 am central, ECPA will announce The Christy Award finalists in nine fiction categories via webcast, hosted by Moody radio host and award-winning author Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby. Each year, The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction. They will hold their annual Winners Gala and Art of Writing conference on November 14 in Chicago. For more information, or to register for the finalist webcast or November’s events, visit TheChristyAward.com.
ECPA announces “six for five” registration deal for PubU, Nov 13-14 in Chicago
More than 35 sessions presented in six publishing tracks by 55+ speakers have already been posted on the ECPA PubU website for the in-person event held November 13-14 outside Chicago in Downers Grove. Since PubU will not meet in person again until 2026 (as it is presented online every other year), ECPA is extending one free registration to companies who register five of their team. Combined with the early bird rate available until September 27, this month is the best time to register your publishing teams for the year’s premier training and networking event for Christian publishing professionals.
Publishing in Color announces online fall conference
Publishers, agents and writers are invited to Publishing in Color’s fall online conference, October 28-November 1st. The conference connects writers with editors, agents and other publishing professionals in order to grow ethnic diversity in Christian publishing. Registration, speakers, sessions, and schedule are available at publishingincolor.com.
Christianity Today releases One Kingdom vision for the ministry’s next season
Christianity Today announces the public phase of the first comprehensive campaign in its 68-year history. Named The One Kingdom Campaign, this bold and hopeful vision seeks to raise $28 million through 2026, its 70th anniversary, and will guide the next season of kingdom-focused ministry.
Read More...Call for submissions: Christian Book Award program in twelve categories
The Christian Book Award® program, recognizing the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles from ECPA member publishers, is now open for submissions until September 30. Presented annually since 1978, the award honors the “best of the year” in 12 categories and names the Christian Book of the Year®. Find out more and nominate online at ChristianBookAwards.com.
Magazine Training International announces search for new executive director
Magazine Training International (MTI) will begin a search for a new executive director this month. President and founder Sharon Mumper plans to retire by August 1, 2025.
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ECPA PubU Spotlight: Design Track
PubU track sessions announced for Design professionals in Christian publishing
The design duo at Baker Publishing Group, Chris Kuhatschek (Senior Art Director) and Nate Eidenberger (Senior Graphic Designer and Multimedia Specialist) has planned this year’s PubU Design track to gather the industry’s design professionals for community around these topics:
– How AI is Changing the Design Landscape with Chris Kuhatschek
– The Ethics of Using AI in Design with Nate Eidenberger
– The Beauty of Human Creativity in Design with award-winning designer Erik Peterson (Crossway)
– Beyond the Cover with art director and designer Laura Klynstra
– Conceptual Design with CT designers Sarah Gordon and Sparkle Boea
– Making a Way: The Importance of Community and Change with Dominique Jones (Dutton)
ECPA PubU features tracks in Editorial, Marketing, Publicity, Production & Operations, Design, and includes the Children’s Book Summit or option to attend the Art of Writing conference, and access to numerous pre-recorded master classes. Early bird registration and full program information, including scholarships for Emerging Leaders, is at ECPAPubU.org
Milestones
Rachel Macy Stafford’s ‘Only Love Today’ celebrates over 100,000 copies sold
Zondervan Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, proudly announces that New York Times bestselling author Rachel Macy’s “Only Love Today” has surpassed 100,000 copies sold across print, digital and audio formats.
Read More...Demi-Leigh Tebow’s debut title places on USA Today and PW bestseller lists
W Publishing announces a stellar first week in sales for Demi-Leigh Tebow’s debut title, “A Crown That Lasts: You Are Not Your Label,” placing No. 6 on USA Today’s all-genre list and No. 4 on Publisher Weekly’s non-fiction hardcover bestseller list in its first week.
Read More...American Christian Fiction Writers announces its 2024 award winners
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) is pleased to announce the 2024 award winners, presented September 7th at the annual ACFW Gala in New Orleans, Louisiana. ACFW is a professional organization devoted to the craft of Christian fiction, and helping writers expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.
Read More...Product News
Mitali Perkins signs contract with IVP Kids
A prolific and honored author of books for young readers, Mitali Perkins has signed a contract with IVP Kids for the Spring 2026 release of her book tentatively titled “Big Changes, Fresh Starts: Praying the Beatitudes with Jesus.”
Read More...Focus on the Family to release updated edition of ‘Hedges’ by Jerry B. Jenkins
Focus on the Family will release “Hedges: 7 Ways to Love Your Wife and Protect Your Marriage,” by Jerry B. Jenkins, as an updated edition of “Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It,” originally released 35 years ago with new content to address current cultural and marital issues.
Read More...Harvest House releases “Soul Care” by bestselling author Debra Fileta
Debra Fileta, a licensed professional counselor, popular podcaster, and bestselling author, released “Soul Care: Find Life-Giving Rhythms, Live Restored, Avoid Burnout, and Discover Unspeakable Joy” on September 3 with Harvest House, to offer a timely antidote to the pervasive anxiety and burnout many are experiencing today. It’s already a #1 New Release on Amazon.
Read More...Concordia releases new book by Gene Edward Veith Jr. on the Lutheran Church
Writing not as a scholar, pundit, or apologist but as a teacher, author Gene Edward Veith Jr. guides readers through the Holy Spirit's work from the early church and into Lutheranism today in his new book, “Embracing Your Lutheran Identity” with Concordia Publishing.
Read More...Media Announcements
Tyndale author and blind speaker Michael Hingson on Jesus Calling Podcast
Blind speaker Michael Hingson recently joined The Jesus Calling Podcast recounting how he faced the unimaginable as a survivor of 9/11, escaping from tower one with the help of his guide dog, Roselle, and how the spirit of calm he inhabited became a beacon for others in the middle of the panic and chaos. Hingson’s book, “Live Like A Guide Dog,” is available from Tyndale House Publishers.
Other News
INDUSTRY
PUBLISHING
- Appeals Court Upholds Decision Against Internet Archive’s Book Scanning
- Big Publishers Saw Earnings Rebound in the First Half of 2024
- Bookwire: Every audio book market achieves double digit growth
- Book Manufacturers Institute to Hold 2024 Conference in Boston
- Supadu releases Book Discoverability & Sales Trends Report
- What Publishers Need to Know About the European Accessibility Act
- Supadu: Requirements for Accessibility: Navigating the Latest Standards
- IPA Launches Campaign to Boost Publishing’s Sustainability Efforts
- Barnes & Noble's Len Riggio, Dead at Age 83
- How Children's Brains Handle Reading from Page vs. Screen
- Scotland: PRH UK's 'Lit in Colour' Book-Vending Machine
- US retailers rush holiday imports, fearing strikes and disruptions
- National Book Foundation's Lifetime Achievement, Literarian Award Winners
- Bookwire: A Guide to US Digital Distribution for Publishers
- Censorship Action: US Publishers and Authors Sue Florida