April 12, 2021 Edition

A look at April's Christian bestsellers: Books about the brain surge to the top

Four of the Top 10 books in ECPA’s Top 50 bestsellers list for April are about the spiritual battle for the mind, and three have been released in the past 60 days. At #2 is Winning the War in Your Mind by author and pastor Craig Groeschel (Zondervan), up one spot from its debut last month. Close behind at #5 and #9 are two new titles, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf (Baker Books) and Your Brain Is Always Listening by psychiatrist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Daniel G. Amen (Tyndale Momentum). At #10 is Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen (WaterBrook), the #2 bestselling Christian book for all of 2020.

View April’s bestseller lists

Michelle Sanchez added to Leadership Summit roster for important dialogue on “being evangelical”

Michelle Sanchez, Executive Minister of Make and Deepen Disciples for the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination, will join David French (The Dispatch, TIME, “Divided We Fall”) and CT president/CEO Timothy Dalrymple in a webcast for ECPA publishers on “Being Evangelical in this Cultural Moment.”  The session is part of the ECPA Virtual Leadership Summit, scheduled for April 27-29 (10-12 central) and May 4-6 (10 & 1 central).  The program will also feature discussions around the future of publishing (with PRH leaders Madeline McIntosh & Tina Constable and Hachette leaders Michael Pietsch & Daisy Hutton), serving the church (with Walter Kim, Nicole Martin, Thom Rainer), leading with resilience (Tod Bolsinger), as well as deep dives into Christian book market data, growing online sales channels, and the latest global trends in printing and distribution.  Round table discussions and an online event platform will maximize engagement and connection… hallmarks of this annual event.  View sessions, speakers and schedule at ECPALeadership.org.

ECPA publishing managers encouraged to register this week!

Nearly 200 international publishers and rights professionals gathered online last week

The International Christian Publishing Conference, developed by ECPA rights professionals, brought nearly 200 publishing and distribution professionals together from 36 countries for a 2-day online conference last week.  The conference opened with a keynote from international bestselling author Gary Chapman (The 5 Love Languages) and followed by panels led by rights leaders, and reports from leading international publishers from Brazil, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, Phillipines, Italy, Colombia, and the United States. ECPA members can request the recordings.  Contact ECPA.

ECPA announces 66 Finalists for the 2021 Christian Book Award® program

ECPA has named 66 finalists in 12 categories for the 2021 Christian Book Award® program.  The finalists represent the work of 26 Christian publishers and include ties in five categories. Amidst the challenges of 2020, the program received a record number of submissions in its 43-year history.  Winners will be announced on May 6 in a free webcast with bestselling author and Pinnacle Award recipient Max Lucado.  Those registered for the ECPA Leadership Summit will already have access to this event.

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WaterBrook signs Mitali Perkins for Children's book

From National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins, BARE TREE AND LITTLE WIND: A STORY FOR HOLY WEEK is a lyrical, captivating picture book that retells the Palm Sunday and Easter story from the perspectives of curious Little Wind and his wise friend Bare Tree. The book, ideal for ages 3 to 8, will be illustrated by Khoa Le and published in Spring 2022. World rights were acquired by WaterBrook Executive Editor Sarah Rubio from Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Charles Martin on Jesus Calling Podcast: We are all worth rescuing

Author Charles Martin recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how he spent years trying to uncover what his parents had always instilled in him: what was the thing God created you to do? After walking away from an amazing employment opportunity to pursue writing full force, Charles dove into Matthew 8 and the story of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to save the one, which inspired his newest book, The Water Keeper, which is available from Thomas Nelson.

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