Ada, Mich. (July 3, 2017)—The 2017 INSPY award winners were recently announced by the INSPY Advisory Board. The Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. Carr won in the Speculative Fiction category. The INSPYs were created by bloggers to showcase the best novels that grapple with issues of faith, and to help readers find the very best of Christian literature. For the complete list of winners, please visit http://inspys.com/?p=3386.

The Shattered Vigil by Patrick W. Carr
(Bethany House; ISBN 9780764213472; ebook ISBN 9781441265470; $15.99)

The INSPY Board says that Carr’s “command of multiple characters and settings brought together the genres of fantasy and mystery in a satisfying journey.” In The Shattered Vigil, victory over the dark forces should have guaranteed safety for the continent. Instead, Willet and the rest of the Vigil discover they’ve been outsmarted by those seeking to unleash the evil that inhabits the Darkwater. One of the Vigil is missing, and new attacks have struck at the six kingdoms’ ability to defend themselves. Worse, a deadly new threat has emerged—assassins hunting the Vigil, men and women who cannot be seen until it’s too late. To thwart the perilous new risk, the church makes the drastic decision to safeguard the Vigil by taking the surviving members into protective custody. But there are secrets only the Vigil can unearth, and so Pellin makes the heart-wrenching choice to oppose the church in a race to turn back the evil that threatens an entire continent.

Bethany House has been publishing high quality books for over 50 years. Recognized as the pioneer and leader in Christian fiction, we publish over 75 new fiction and nonfiction titles annually in subjects including historical and contemporary fiction, Christian living, devotional, family resources, and theology. Our titles are frequently found on Christian bestseller lists.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Lynnae Lubbers
(616)676-9185 x193  llubbers@bakerpublishinggroup.com

FrontGate’s “Big 3” News Communities Provide Unprecedented Reach to News-Hungry, Highly-Educated, High Net-Worth Faith Market Consumers

Orange County, CA – Influential news and opinion mega-site Newsmax has entered into a multi-year agreement with FrontGate Media, the leading faith and family marketing agency and media group, for representation to the faith-based marketplace via the firm’s exclusive Web & Event Network.

Newsmax maintains one of the highest concentrations of Baby Boomer consumers on the web, which is the largest demographic group in the nation with the greatest spending power. Newsmax has been called a “news powerhouse” by Forbes and a “potent force” by The New York Times.

The Newsmax audience includes the fast-rising Newsmax TV set to be in 35 million cable homes this summer. Online Newsmax has a “total reach” of over 50 million Americans monthly, including 10+ million monthly unique visitors to Newsmax.com which generates 60 million page views, 6 million email subscribers, 600,000 paid subscribers, and is comprised of readership that is over 90 percent Christian.   The breadth of their political affiliations is equally impressive: 38% Independent, 34% Democrat, and 28% Republican.(Comscore)

“With the consolidation of the faith sub-culture marketplace as evidenced most recently by the closure of Family Christian Stores, for-profit and non-profit organizations are seeking new pathways to reach people of faith,” states Scott A. Shuford, Founder & Chief Engagement Officer of FrontGate Media. ”Newsmax is one of the nation’s premiere news brands with an influential brand for heartland Americans. It will be a terrific online channel for us as we pioneer new opportunities in this area, and our ’Big 3’ deliver Protestant and Catholic Christians who are living out their lives of faith beyond the subculture bubble.”

The addition of Newsmax further expands FrontGate’s position as the leader in the digital news and faith space, which already includes The Washington Times and WND.  With these “Big 3” news communities, FrontGate can deliver innovative and expansive, yet targeted, campaigns that are budget-effective for advertisers and brands.

“FrontGate Media has a tremendous reputation in the faith-based evangelical market, and we are pleased to have them design and place media campaigns that engage our highly responsive audience.” says Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax Media, Inc.

FrontGate is offering a variety of high-impact digital adverting opportunities including overlay, geo-targeted web banners, segmented direct email and email newsletter ads, video advertising, mobile, print, and television, and will be creating new specialized options for industry segments like publishing, films, causes, and more.

About FrontGate Media
Award-winning FrontGate Media (http://FrontGateMedia.com) is the largest Marketing Agency and Web & Events Group reaching the faith and family values audience.  The firm serves as “Your Gateway to the Christian Audience.” FrontGate has been entrusted with over 5,000 campaigns, providing faith-based market Strategy Development, Public Relations, Media Buying, and Social Media & Marketing. FrontGate’s own Web & Event Network also provides reach to more than 10 million people and 17 million email subscribers. Founded in 2001, FrontGate has repeatedly been honored in the Internet Advertising Competition and the WebAwards. The company plays a key role in the success of for-profit and non-profit organizations seeking the faith-based and family-friendly audiences.

About Newsmax Media, Inc.
Founded in 1998 and based in Boca Raton, Florida, Newsmax Media, Inc. is a privately held broadcasting and multi-media organization. In addition to being the parent company of Newsmax TV, its media holdings and products include The Newsmax Feed Network, Newsmax.com, NewsmaxFinance.com, Newsmaxhealth.com, Newsmax Magazine and more than a dozen health and financial online and print newsletters. Newsmax.com is acknowledged as one of the nation’s most trafficked news politics websites.

Media Contact: Lori Heiselman
714-553-5181  Lori@FrontGateMedia.com

WESTMONT, IL—InterVarsity Press is pleased to announce that The Gift of Hard Things by Mark Yaconelli was selected as the 2016 Silver Winner in the Self-Help category of the nineteenth annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

In The Gift of Hard Things: Finding Grace in Unexpected Places Yaconelli uses extraordinary stories from his own life and the lives of others to offer a narrative journey through ways in which disappointments have turned into gifts. Anne Lamott, author of Traveling Mercies, said, “To my thinking, Mark Yaconelli is one of this country’s most important and articulate spiritual teachers. Anyone seeking knowledge and union with God will be informed, edified, nourished, and utterly charmed by The Gift of Hard Things. I savored every story and was nurtured by the expression and depth. It is a book absolutely after my own heart.”

Each year, Foreword Reviews shines a light on a select group of indie publishers, university presses, and self-published authors whose work stands out from the crowd. Thousands of books are entered each year, and a panel of over 120 librarians and booksellers take part in the judging, narrowing it down to a group of finalists and winners that represent the best books, all independently published, in over sixty categories.Winners in each genre—along with Editor’s Choice winners and Foreword’s INDIE Publisher of the Year—were announced during the 2017 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago on June 24.

For a complete list of IVP award winners visit ivpress.com/award-winners.

Founded in 1947 as an extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, InterVarsity Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life. For more information, visit ivpress.com.

Contact:  Krista Clayton | 630.734.4013 | kclayton@ivpress.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Jerry Kregel, executive vice president of publishing, Kregel Publications, and Dan Balow, president and publisher of Gilead Publishing, announce the Fall 2017 publication of the 50th Anniversary Edition of the ten million–copy best-selling Christian novel Christy by Catherine Marshall.

The commemorative edition of this landmark publishing phenomenon will also be the inaugural release by a new cooperative venture uniting Kregel Publications and Gilead Publishing.

Gilead, a newly created publishing company dedicated to providing quality Christian fiction titles for a broad range of readers, is partnering with Kregel Publications, which will exclusively produce, promote, distribute, and sell the Gilead line.

“The agreement with Kregel allows us to focus on acquiring, developing, and publishing great novels for fiction readers both Christians and those who want something to read that gives hope and encouragement,” says Balow. “We hope to be an example of how two companies can work together to accomplish something greater than either could separately.”

“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Gilead in this venture,” says Kregel. “The fiction that Gilead is producing goes hand in hand with the vision that has driven our own fiction line, and will give us a greatly expanded market position in Christian fiction.”

Christy by Catherine Marshall was first published in 1967 and by August 1968 had became a very early Christian entry into the rarified world of national best sellers. The 50th Anniversary Edition of this monumental title will commemorate the year that set new records for Christian publishing. Format and release details for the 50th Anniversary Edition will be announced soon.

Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.

Gilead Publishing is a new company started in 2016 whose purpose is to publish great fiction, which inspires and encourages readers through its imprints: Gilead (core Christian fiction categories), Enclave (sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural), and Evergreen Farm (titles from Catherine and Peter Marshall, including Christy)

Lake Mary, Fla. (June 28, 2017)—Winners of the 2017 Christian Retailing’s Best awards were announced Wednesday morning, June 28, at CBA’s UNITE in Cincinnati. B&H Publishing Group was the runaway winner with 11 awards this year, while Zondervan won seven awards, Abingdon Press won six, and Baker Publishing Group five.

Christine D. Johnson, editor of Christian Retailing magazine, presented the awards at the Open Mic Stage on the show floor of the Duke Energy Center.

Nominating companies submitted books, Bibles, gifts, DVDs and more in this year’s competition. In each category, three finalists were named. One category—Christian Living: Spiritual Growth—had two winners because the category was so large. Christian Education also had two winners due to a tie.

Christian retailers, publishers, church store managers and volunteers—in short, anyone actively engaged in the Christian products industry—were eligible to vote. Voters were asked to judge the nominations on their impact, including their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion; open people’s minds to new ways of thinking; and encourage and affirm Christlike living.

BIBLES

Bibles: Children

It’s All About Jesus Bible Storybook
B&H Publishing Group

Bibles: Devotional/Study

The CEB Women’s Bible
Common English Bible

Bibles: Journaling

Inspire Bible
Tyndale House Publishers

Bibles: Teen

HCSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible for Teens
B&H Publishing Group

BOOKS

Auto/Biography

Unashamed
Lecrae
B&H Publishing Group

Bible/Reference Study

Exalting Jesus in Philippians
Tony Merida, et al.
B&H Publishing Group

Charismatic

The Healing Breakthrough
Randy Clark
Chosen
Baker Publishing Group

Children’s Fiction

Prince Warriors and the Unseen Invasion
Priscilla Shirer
B&H Publishing Group

Children’s Nonfiction

101 Ways to Have Fun
The Editors of Faithgirlz and Girls’ Life Magazine
Zondervan

Christian Education

Hearts, Heads, and Hands
M. David Sills
B&H Publishing Group

Christian Education

Give Your Child the World
Jamie C. Martin
Zondervan

Christian Living: Practical Life

Creed
Adam Hamilton
Abingdon Press

Christian Living: Spiritual Growth

The Broken Way
Ann Voskamp
Zondervan

Christian Living: Spiritual Growth

Present Over Perfect
Shauna Niequist
Zondervan

Church and Culture

Fear of the Other
William H. Willimon
Abingdon Press

Coloring Book

Wonders of Creation
Coloring Book
Zondervan

Devotionals

Dwelling Places
Lucinda Secrest McDowell
Abingdon Press

Evangelism

Tell Someone
Greg Laurie
B&H Publishing Group

Fiction: Amish

The Atonement
Beverly Lewis
Bethany House

Baker Publishing Group

Fiction: Contemporary

Always Watching
Lynette Eason
Revell
Baker Publishing Group

Fiction: General

Song of Silence
Cynthia Ruchti
Abingdon Press

Fiction: Historical

Risen
Angela Hunt
Baker Books
Baker Publishing Group

Fiction: Mystery and Suspense

Medical Judgment
Richard L. Mabry, M.D.
Abingdon Press

First-Time Authors

She Reads Truth
Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams
B&H Publishing Group

Health and Fitness

Think and Eat Yourself Smart
Dr. Caroline Leaf
Baker Books
Baker Publishing Group

Nonfiction: Women

Unashamed
Christine Caine
Zondervan

Relationships

Total Family Makeover
Melissa Spoelstra
Abingdon Press

Social Issues

The Beauty of Intolerance
Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell
Shiloh Run Press
Barbour Publishing

Young Adult Fiction

You Have a Brain
Ben Carson with Gregg Lewis and Deborah Shaw Lewis
Zondervan

GIFTS

Gifts: General

Bible Journaling Kit
Ellie Claire
Worthy Publishing Group

OTHER

Audio

Unashamed
Lecrae
christianaudio

Backlist

Fervent
Priscilla Shirer
B&H Publishing Group

Children’s Music and Media

Melting the Master of Mean
Bibleman
B&H Publishing Group

DVD: General

Shaken Bible Study
Tim Tebow
WaterBrook

Spanish

La oración
Timothy Keller
B&H Publishing Group

For more information, email crbest@charismamedia.com.

(Birmingham, Ala.)  June 29, 2017 — New Hope® Publishers author Steve Finn has been nominated for the prestigious John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award for the second year in a row. The nominating process identifies some of the country’s most notable leaders who stand out in their community as they impact the lives of others. In 2016, Finn was recognized as one of the nation’s top three leaders in this category.

Steve Finn is the author of the recent June 2017 release Seed to Vision: How God-Inspired Ideas Become Reality. After 12 years as a gangs special unit metro-Atlanta police officer, he and his wife moved to full-time ministry. He had a short tenure as house parents for Eagle Ranch Children’s Home outside of Atlanta, then took a greater leap. Today, he is the founder and executive director for Chestnut Mountain Ranch, a 225-acre Christ-centered home and school for boys in one of the poorest areas of the country. Together, he and his wife, Dawn, call Chestnut Mountain Ranch home with a family too big to name.

(Nashville, TN) – June was an eventful month for publisher Abingdon Press as award season hit its precipice. Abingdon Press was awarded with seven trophies from the 2017 Christian Retailing’s Best Awards at a special announcement ceremony held at CBA’s UNITE show in Cincinnati, Ohio. The offerings were evaluated on their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christ-like living. The Abingdon Press winners span multiple categories and include:

Grand Rapids, MI—Discovery House is pleased to announce that Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers was honored with a 2017 Golden Scroll Award as Children’s Book of the Year from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). The awards were presented Tuesday, June 27, at the Golden Scroll Award Banquet in Cincinnati, Ohio, in conjunction with UNITE, the Christian Booksellers Association International Christian Retail Show.  AWSA is a professional support group made up of the top ten percent of Christian women in both publishing and speaking.

Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers: 90 Big Moments with God was written by Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley, and illustrated by Luke Flowers, the team that has authored and illustrated several books in the Our Daily Bread for Kids product line. Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers was released in July 2016 and shares a simple Bible verse with a brief explanation, a practical question to help children apply what they learn, and a short rhyming prayer to help them talk to God.

Bowman said, “Writing and publishing this book is a huge team effort and I’m honored to share this award with my cowriter and the people at Discovery House.”

Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers is available through Discovery House and various retail outlets. For more information, go to discoveryhousetrade.org.

Discovery House offers resources that feed the soul with the Word of God. Its products include Bible studies, video curricula, books, music, and stationery. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of products is reinvested globally to help establish Christian publishing throughout the world. Discovery House is a part of Our Daily Bread Ministries, publisher of the well-known devotional Our Daily Bread.

For more information contact:  John van der Veen
(616) 974-2775  john.vanderveen@odb.org