• ECPA compiles Christian book list on Racial Justice and lists of 1300+ titles from authors of color in several categories
• ECPA webcasts include conversations on “Christian Publishing and Racial Justice” and “Diversity Initiatives that Sustain Change”
• ECPA PubU Online to feature keynote and track of sessions on Diversity & Inclusion

UPDATED ON JULY 27, 2020
by Stan Jantz, President and CEO, ECPA

TEMPE, ARIZ. — June 8, 2020 — In the last 90 days, the world has forever changed.  Though we may not yet see the lasting impacts of the current global pandemic and culture-wide lament against racial injustice — we do more clearly see the responsibility that publishing, especially Christian publishing, can and must have to inspire hope and offer tools for change.

Publishing has always been a valuable vehicle for reform and change in times of crisis. “This is precisely the time when artists go to work,” Toni Morrison wrote. “… We speak, we write, we do language.  That is how civilizations heal.”  And so it is that artists—especially artists of color—are working with publishers on books and resources that will respond to our current crisis. In the meantime, we can look to the books already published that offer important perspectives on the things we need to do as well as the people we want to become.

CHRISTIAN BOOKS ON RACIAL JUSTICE

To that end, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has compiled a list of Christian Books on Racial Justice. The publishing members of ECPA were asked to submit their recommendations, and the response was both overwhelming and encouraging.

More than 140 books are on the list.  Some are classics like Let Justice Roll Down by Dr. John Perkins, and some are brand new, such as Is Christianity a White Man’s Religion?: How the Bible Is Good News for People of Color by Dr. Antipas Harris. Some of the listed books are inspiring, while others are challenging. Yet all offer important perspectives on the things we need to do as well as the people we want to become.  ECPA has followed this list with additional Christian book lists by Authors of Color.

A NEEDED CONVERSATION: CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING AND RACIAL JUSTICE

ECPA presented a special webcast to ask and answer the question: How can publishers speak to the issue of racial justice?  A panel of leading voices from the Christian publishing and writing community offered their perspectives on a way forward to a place of hope, healing, and change – featuring LaDonna Boyd, President & CEO, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.; Trillia Newbell, author of several books and acquisitions editor at Moody Publishers; Skot Welch, Founder and President, Global Bridgebuilders; and Jeff Wright, President & CEO, Urban Ministries, Inc.

Another webinar was held on July 16 on “Diversity Initiatives that Sustain Meaningful Change” with Dr. Theon Hill (Associate Professor, Wheaton College), Jevon Bolden (CEO, Embolden Media), and Skot Welch (Founder, Global Bridgebuilders).

PubU ONLINE TO FEATURE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION TRACK OF SESSIONS

ECPA will soon be announcing the program for PubU Online, a series of training webinars for publishing practitioners that will be held throughout the month of September.  The program’s theme will be, “Publishing in a Time of Crisis.”  Sessions will be in tracks for Marketing, Editorial, Data-Delivery-Workflow, and a new track on Diversity & Inclusion.  The track will be led by Dr. Theon Hill, race scholar and professor of communications at Wheaton College.  Dr. Hill will also deliver the opening webcast session on August 31.  Additional details on the PubU Online program is available at ECPAPubU.org.

ECPA has compiled additional industry resources to promote diversity on their website at ECPA.org/page/DIVERSITY.  Resources include:

• Industry White Papers on Diversity
• Consulting Services of Global Bridgebuilders
• Programming at ECPA events
• Emerging Leader program
• Publishing in Color conferences
• Christian Publishing Professionals of Color
• Christian Book Proposals .com
• ECPA Career Center

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content.
For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org ECPA.org @ECPA

Media contact:  Stan Jantz, ECPA President and CEO, sjantz@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998

6-Week Video Bible Series Based on David and Goliath

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 8, 2020 — These challenging and historic times of grief and hardship weigh heavy as giant obstacles in people’s lives the world over. Hoping to bring a biblical perspective to these crises and personal strife, Bible Gateway, the most visited Christian website in the world, will host the six-week free Facing Your Giants Online Bible Study June 15-July 27, 2020 with pastor and bestselling author Max Lucado teaching Bible lessons from the life of David facing Goliath in the book of 1 Samuel. Free registration for the event is at https://bg4.me/3dLCaTz.

In the series, Lucado teaches the five ways God equips people to face the stifling giants in their lives. Like David gathering five stones to prepare to slay his Goliath, so God gives us 5 ‘stones’ to face our giants, according to Lucado. Participants in the series will learn how Past, Priority, Prayer, Passion, and Persistence work in their circumstances to live a peace-filled life centered on God.

Watch a video of Lucado introducing the online study.

Students of this series will gain automatic free access to Lucado’s online video presentation, a private online study community, and exclusive bonus content, including a digital download of the first chapter of the book Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible, printable art, and a character profile on King David. The teaching videos will be available for free online June 15 through July 27.

“The free Facing Your Giants Online Bible Study is another way Bible Gateway is equipping people to read and understand the Bible, wherever they are,” says Jonathan Petersen, content manager, Bible Gateway.

Named “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, Max Lucado’s books have sold more than 140 million copies in 54 languages. He is preaching minister of Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Tex., known for his poetic storytelling and homespun humor.

Bible Gateway ranks number one on global search engines, is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., and is home to more than 200 Bible versions in more than 70 languages–a trusted resource for people in more than 200 countries who rely on it every day for all their desktop and mobile device Bible reading, listening, studying, searching, comparing, and sharing needs.

Contact: Jonathan Petersen, jonathan.petersen@biblegateway.com

Charlotte, NC. (June 5, 2020). The Good Book Company gratefully celebrates the milestone of Where is God in a Coronavirus World?, by John Lennox, released April 2020, surpassing 100,000 copies sold worldwide. The book has also been translated into more than 25 languages.

This short yet profound book examines the coronavirus pandemic in light of various belief systems and shows how the Christian worldview not only helps to make sense of it, but also offers a sure and certain hope to cling to.

Author and Oxford mathematics professor John Lennox explains: “This book consists of my reflections on what we are experiencing right now…I would invite you, the reader, to view the book like this: we are sitting in a coffee shop (if only we could!) and you have asked me the question on the book cover. I put down my coffee cup and attempt to give you an honest answer. What follows is what I would try to say in order to convey some comfort, support and hope.”

A Quick Turnaround

Written in two weeks, the book was produced in record time through the coordinated efforts of The Good Book Company team. “We instantly saw the opportunity and challenge to make this book available really quickly,” said UK-based Publishing Director Tim Thornborough. “We believe our role as a publisher is to support the local church with resources to help their growth and evangelism.”

This book is intended both to comfort believers and to create opportunities for conversation with unbelievers. Many members of the team, as well as individuals, ministries, and churches around the globe, have been creatively giving out copies of the book as a means of sharing the hope of Jesus Christ during uncertain times. Thornborough explains, “This book not only helps confused or anxious Christians to make sense of what God is up to in this crisis, but also speaks directly to those who do not yet know Christ, and shows them how the Christian worldview makes sense of our situation—better sense, in fact than competing worldviews, particularly atheism.”

Positive Impact

With positive reports on the receipt of this book from hard-hit countries as well as regions of the world where the gospel is typically unwelcome, The Good Book Company is especially grateful to all those who have worked to translate the book into more than 25 languages, including some minority languages like Faroese and Macedonian.

The Rights team was overwhelmed with requests for translations. “We wanted to prioritise those countries that were particularly hard hit by the virus at that time: Spain and Italy”, said Rights coordinator Elizabeth Parsons. “Knowing that there would be printing and distribution challenges in many countries, we decided to offer a license that allowed ministry-minded publishers like ourselves to distribute quickly and freely without a financial penalty to themselves. We stipulated in the contract that they should translate and produce the book within just three weeks.”

As a result, the book has been distributed for free in ebook format in countries where physical print has not been possible because of printer closures. In excess of 200,000 copies have been sent throughout Latin America through various national Bible Societies.

The Opportunity to Serve

Released as a paperback, ebook, and now as an audiobook, Where is God in a Coronavirus World? is proving to support the mission of providing Biblical, accessible, and relevant resources. J.D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, says, “This is a timely, well-written piece that helps us maintain perspective on eternity during these difficult times. John does a phenomenal job tackling some very important questions that many of us and those around us are facing as COVID-19 continues to sweep across the globe. This is a biblical, gospel-centered reminder that God is still on his throne, and he is leading us into a world where all sad things will come untrue.”

“We are delighted that this insightful and powerful book has already made such an impact,” said James Burstow, President of the The Good Book Company’s US Corp, based in Charlotte NC. “It’s at times like these when we have to put aside our usual considerations for commercial profit and work together to serve the church, as it seeks to serve the Lord and the gospel message.”

The Good Book Company also produced a book aimed at helping Christians to pray thoughtfully and biblically through the crisis: 5 Things to Pray in a Global Crisis, written by staff writer Rachel Jones.

More information can be found at thegoodbook.com/where-is-god-in-a-coronavirus-world.

About the author: John Lennox is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Said Business School and an Adjunct Lecturer for The Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics. He has been part of numerous public debates defending the Christian faith against well-known atheists including Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Peter Singer.

About The Good Book Company: Founded in 1991, The Good Book Company (TGBC) is an international Christian publisher. Their Bible studies, books, devotionals, videos, tracts, evangelistic courses, and training materials are used throughout the English-speaking world, and in translation in over 35 languages worldwide. Everyone at TGBC is passionate about the Lord Jesus, His word, His church, and His gospel of grace. They create and publish biblical, relevant, and accessible resources that will encourage Christians to keep going, keep growing, and keep sharing their faith.

Contact: For media inquiries and access to promotional assets, contact publicity@thegoodbook.com.

WESTMONT, IL— In an effort to educate and contribute to the discussions, and ultimately the change in our culture, InterVarsity Press has announced that from June 8 through June 12 they will be offering each person one free ebook with a one-time use promo code. The complete list of free titles and the promo code are available at the new web page, Resources for Faithful Justice. IVP has also committed to continue paying the full royalties to the authors of these important books.

“The age-old adage that ‘Ideas matter’ is true. Wise and prophetic responses to systemic and enduring injustice also matters,” Jeff Crosby, IVP publisher, said. “Books are one important way to set forth ideas, to call for change, and to guide change in the way of wisdom. I am thankful for the opportunity to partner with the authors whose books are a part of this campaign, and we affirm our corporate commitment that all authors will receive 100 percent of their contractual royalties even as we make the resources available in ebook format at no charge to readers. I join with my IVP colleagues in praying that they will be read, and that they will shed light on our paths in this present moment.” 

The topics for the free ebooks include diversity in the church, racial trauma, soul care, activism, the history of race in the United States and in the church and more.

The Resources for Faithful Justice page says, “IVP is grateful for the prophetic voices of our authors who share their stories, educate us when we are ignorant, and challenge us with the truth. Learn from these books as we pursue justice, wholeness, and racial righteousness in our homes, churches, and communities.”

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

(June 5, 2020) – Amid the ongoing global pandemic and anti-racism protests—The Parable Group released a Christian Bookstore Market Update providing data and insights into the current sales climate within the Christian retailing industry.

Drawing on nightly sales data reported to ParableConnect from January 1 through May 30, 2020, the findings include national U.S. representation across independent Christian retailers from all major marketing groups. ParableConnect receives POS data from over 300 retailers daily.

Before the pandemic, Christian retail sales started the year mostly flat to a little ahead of the prior year. While the dip in April was sizeable, the recovery in May has risen sharply over the past several weeks. Book and Bible sales this past week were 75% of prior year’s sales.

“Christian retailers operating in 2020 have been through crises before and again are showing their resilience through this pandemic,” stated Greg Squires, President of The Parable Group. “After a dark month of April, Christian retail sales have been substantially recovering throughout the month of May. Shoppers are returning to stores and bookstores are getting back to business at a surprising and encouraging rate. This highlights the resiliency and tenacity of independent Christian retailers who’ve persevered and championed their mission to equip their local communities with hope-giving and life-changing resources.”

To read the entire sales report, click here.

The Parable Group helps Christian retailers, publishers, and ministries magnify their mission by connecting them to engaged Christian consumers, pastors, and church leaders. The San Luis Obispo, CA based data-driven marketing agency and media group has served over 1000 Christian organizations since 1985. For more information, contact sally.ross@parable.com or visit www.parablegroup.com.

Contact: Sally Ross, (805) 329-4020 sally.ross@parable.com

Nashville, Tenn. [June 8, 2020] – B&H Publishing is proud to announce the forthcoming release of an authorized biography of one of the most influential Christians of the 20th century, Elisabeth Elliot.

In writing “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot,” “New York Times” bestselling author Ellen Vaughn used Elliot’s private, unpublished journals and candid interviews with her family and friends to paint the adventures and misadventures God used to shape one of the most influential women in modern church history.

“I grew up admiring Elisabeth Elliot as a writer and missionary hero. She was articulate, tall, brave and rather severe. No fluff. I respected her greatly, but I wasn’t sure I liked her much,” Vaughn said. “Little did I know that I’d one day become her biographer, reading her private journals and writing her story. I laughed. I wept. I saw the radical roots of her self-discipline, but also her playfulness, her love of nature, her passion and her sense of irony and humor. I still admire her, but now I like her a lot.”

The late Elliot (1926-2015) was a prolific Christian author and speaker whose first husband, Jim Elliot (1927-1956), was one of five missionaries killed as they sought to make contact with the Waodani Indians (an unreached people in Ecuador known for their violence). Soon after, Elisabeth and her then two-year-old daughter Valerie moved among the same people, spending two years sharing the Gospel with and befriending those who killed her husband.

“We could not be more excited to publish ‘Becoming Elisabeth Elliot’ from bestselling biographer, Ellen Vaughn,” said Mary Wiley, vice president of marketing at B&H. “Vaughn’s exclusive use of Elisabeth’s never-before-published journals allows Elisabeth to pour out of every word. The faithfulness of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot have encouraged the faith of millions through books such as ‘Through Gates of Splendor,’ ‘Passion and Purity’ and ‘Shadow of the Almighty.’ 

“But long before these books were written, God was already at work in the life of Elisabeth to cultivate faith and commitment to him. This book is sure to challenge us all to live as Elisabeth lived: radically surrendered to God, no matter the cost.”

After her return to the U.S., Elisabeth began a speaking and writing ministry, writing over 25 books and eventually becoming the first female bestselling Christian author and one of the most influential Christians of the 20th century.

“Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” shows the story of a hilarious, brilliant, witty, self-deprecating, sensitive, radical and surprisingly relatable person who was utterly submitted to doing God’s will, no matter how high the cost. For Elliot, the central question was not, “How does this make me feel?” but simply, “Is this true?” If so, then the next question was, “What do I need to do about it to obey God?”

“‘Becoming Elisabeth Elliot’ is the story of Elisabeth’s early years. It’s full of colorful characters

and some pretty wild jungle adventures, a portrait of how God shaped this young woman to become an authentic modern heroine. It’s also a story, I think, of how God can work in the joys, tragedies and ordinary days in all our lives, causing us to become more like him,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn is a bestselling author and speaker who has written or co-written 23 books, having collaborated with authors such as the late Charles Colson. She began working on the biography two years ago and did extensive research to carefully detail Elliot’s early years with accuracy.

B&H will support “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” with a national marketing and publicity campaign and a preorder offering. For more information, visit bhpublishing.com.

Ellen Vaughn is a “New York Times” bestselling author and speaker who has written or co-written 23 books. Former vice president of executive communications at Prison Fellowship, she collaborated with the late Chuck Colson on a number of his seminal works. She speaks at conferences, often travels to interview Christ-followers in hostile parts of the world and serves on the board of directors for ICM, the global church developer. With degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Richmond, Ellen lives in northern Virginia with husband Lee, a regional pastor for McLean Bible Church, a daughter and two grandchildren and one clueless dog. She enjoys reading, hiking, drinking coffee and staring pensively at the ocean.

B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, is a team of mission minded people with a passion for taking God’s Word to the world. Because we believe Every Word Matters® we seek to provide intentional, Bible-centered content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, inspiring them to build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Among our print and digital releases for the trade, church and academic markets, titles include “The New York Times” No. 1 bestsellers “The Love Dare” and “The Vow,” No. 1 CBA bestseller “I Am a Church Member,” as well as the newly-revised Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version.

Ada, Mich. (June 3, 2020)—Family Fiction asked their readers to select their favorite genres and their favorite storytellers. The results of this poll were released in their recent newsletter, http://www.familyfiction.com/50-essential-christian-fiction-authors-2020-edition/.

Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce that twenty-one authors, whose books have been recently published either under the Bethany House or Revell imprint, have been included in Family Fiction’s Top 50 Essential Christian Fiction Authors list for 2020.

Romantic suspense author Lynette Eason was ranked as the top essential author, followed by the readers’ second most popular choice, Beverly Lewis. Also included among the list of essential authors are Dee Henderson, Susan May Warren, Ted Dekker, Irene Hannon, Becky Wade, Tracie Peterson, Frank Peretti, Lisa Harris, Susan Sleeman, Dani Pettrey, Ronie Kendig, Karen Witemeyer, Janette Oke, Angela Hunt, Lauraine Snelling, Lisa T. Bergren, Morgan L. Busse, Patrick Carr, and Roseanna M. White.

Baker Publishing Group’s fiction covers a wide range of genres, including romantic suspense, mystery, historical, romance, general fiction, Amish, speculative, fantasy, and YA and are written by some of our bestselling and award-winning authors. We understand that readers have diverse reading tastes, and our goal is to provide quality books that meet the needs and preferences of our readers.

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 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.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Contact: Karen Steele (616)676-9185 x100 ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

86% of people want to address the ethical use of artificial intelligence; 6% seem prepared to do it

Grand Rapids, Mich., June 2, 2020 – Zondervan Reflective, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, today released both new research findings, The Report on Ethics and Artificial Intelligence, and a new book by John C. Lennox: 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.

In April 2020, Zondervan surveyed nearly 1,200 pastors, professors, and other readers of thought-provoking content in an effort to better understand if thoughtful people have thought through Artificial Intelligence (AI). Participants were asked a variety of questions on AI—how it should be used and what role, if any, should ethics play in it.

The report coincides with the release of scientist and philosopher John Lennox’s 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity. In 2084, Lennox provides a clear overview of the current capacity of AI, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the potential future implications. In the Western world, AI is so deeply woven into our everyday behaviors and decision-making, often we don’t even think about it. And it’s advancing rapidly. The current Covid-19 crisis offers vivid context for how AI may shape our future.

Although AI represents an intriguing option for help in battling the current pandemic, only 34% of those surveyed said they are somewhat confident that AI is being leveraged ethically in the fight against the virus. Results also found:

• 86% of respondents believe that addressing the ethical use of AI is “much” or “very much needed.”
• 59% are “not at all” or only “slightly” confident that AI is being used ethically in the response to Covid-19
• 56% are concerned because they think the Christian worldview is not shaping AI’s development and applications.
• Only 6% show much confidence that they could constructively address the current problems and questions about AI.

The research also indicates that a trustworthy guide is needed to help traverse the tension between AI and ethics. 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity may serve as that guide. 2084 offers a Christian perspective on humanity’s future with technological enhancement, bioengineering, and AI. It is a thought-provoking, controversial, and balanced account of the problems raised by AI and different conceptions of what it means to be human.

To download the research and learn more about 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity by John C. Lennox, visit 2084book.com. For more information on interview opportunities with Dr. Lennox, please email Amy Bigler, Senior Public Relations Manager, at amy.bigler@harpercollins.com.

About the Author:  John C. Lennox (PhD, DPhil, DSc) is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics in the University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College, Oxford.  He is also an Associate Fellow at the Said Business School.  He is author of Can Science Explain Everything? on the interface between science, philosophy, and theology. He has lectured extensively in North America and in Eastern and Western Europe on mathematics, the philosophy of science, and the intellectual defense of Christianity, and he has publicly debated Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Peter Singer.  A documentary film entitled Against the Tide, featuring Kevin Sorbo and Lennox is scheduled for release in the Fall. 

About Zondervan:  Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications.  Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich.  For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Contact: Amy Bigler, Senior Public Relations Manager, amy.bigler@harpercollins.com 616.698.3514 

 

Set to release as an e-book in June 2020, Where Tomorrow Leads is the second in Mills’s updated Hope of Sudan series, after Long Walk Home.

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (June 2, 2020)—Bestselling author DiAnn Mills has chosen to donate all royalties from her Hope of Sudan e-book series to Every Village, a 501(c)(3) organization that distributes solar-powered, handheld radios to Sudanese communities. Where Tomorrow Leads, book two of the series, will release as an e-book from Tyndale House Publishers on June 9, 2020.

DiAnn has a heart for the people of South Sudan, where illiteracy is rampant and many are unable to read the Bible. By donating the author royalties from the sale of this series, Mills hopes to partner with Every Village’s radio network in reaching the Sudanese people with both the gospel and community development teaching—broadcasting Bible stories, health and hygiene training, news, and educational programming in local languages.

Where Tomorrow Leads is recommended for fans of clean romantic suspense with an international setting. It follows the story of Paul Farid, a man who was once a member of the royal family in Sudan but now carries a price on his head for becoming a Christian. Paul risks his life nearly daily to aid his persecuted countrymen but worries that his sometimes-reckless actions may bring harm to his wife, Larson, and their unborn child. Meanwhile, after fighting more than two decades against the Sudanese government’s mandates, Colonel Ben Alier is wary of the fledgling peace treaty meant to unite the north and south again. The days ahead hold no promise of peace, so Paul, Larson, and Ben must learn to trust God in all things, no matter where tomorrow leads.

To learn more about the Hope of Sudan series, visit https://diannmills.com/series/hope-of-sudan/. Readers can also access a prayer guide for Where Tomorrow Leads here. 

Where Tomorrow Leads by DiAnn Mills
e-book release: June 9, 2020
ISBN 978-1-4964-3322-0 | ePub
Tyndale House Publishers | tyndale.com

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her FBI: Houston series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014. Connect with DiAnn at diannmills.com.

Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, Tyndale is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale’s mission is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to. Tyndale publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT) and offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. In addition, Tyndale publishes fiction from fresh new voices and celebrated authors alike, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. With a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing future generations, Tyndale also publishes children’s products that make God’s Word and wisdom come alive. Tyndale’s independent status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of annual revenue—more than $100 million throughout its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.

Grand Rapids, MI—Virtual author events, a thriving new occurrence at Baker Book House due to restrictions caused by Covid-19, have been learning opportunities for the largest independent Christian bookstore in North America. The store has hosted several talks with novelists that have drawn good numbers to the live events and large numbers of viewers in the days following.

Novelists Charles Martin, author of The Water Keeper, and Susie Finkbeiner, author of Stories that Bind Us, were interviewed by fiction buyer Chris Jager for the events on May 19 and May 28. The store will feature novelist Lynn Austin (If I Were You) on June 4.

“We had about 50 people participate in Susie Finkbeiner’s live event, and more than 700 views of the Facebook Live video less than 24 hours later,” said Becca Niswonger, marketing manager for the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based store.

“We are on a learning curve for what virtual events look like, and with each event we learn more,” she said. “We’re using our laptops because we don’t have access to fancy equipment, but we’re seeing what we can make happen on a smaller technology scale.”

Baker Book House uses the Zoom webinar function, which allows viewers to ask questions and chat with other participants, as well as cast the event to Facebook Live. Zoom events last about an hour, with thirty minutes of interview conversation followed by about 30 minutes of live interaction.

“The possibilities are definitely there as we watch to see how people interact and enjoy the virtual events,” said Niswonger. “Our goal has always been to build community; we’re finding new ways to facilitate that. And we have no shortage of authors waiting to have events.”

For more information, visit www.bakerbookhouse.com or visit the Baker Book House Facebook page. 

About Baker Book House:  Baker Book House was founded in 1939, when Herman Baker started the store with 500 books from his personal library. Baker is known world-wide for a deep selection of Christian titles, including new, used, and bargain books. Visit www.bakerbookhouse.com for more information.

Contact: Becca Niswonger, Marketing Manager, 616-957-3110, Becca.niswonger@bakerbookhouse.com

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Photo: “Behind the scenes look into virtual event with Author Susie Finkbeiner at Baker Book House”
Photo Credit: Kristina Ettema