Charlotte, NC, Release: June 10 2019.   The Good Book Company is pleased to announce that Geoff Dennis has been appointed as Vice President of Sales for North America. Geoff will oversee all aspects of the company’s sales activities, including serving key accounts, representing TGBC at conferences and events, identifying and growing new sales opportunities, and strengthening and developing relationships with strategic ministry partners.

Geoff takes over from Peter Anderson, who will transition into the role of Vice President of Operations, with overall responsibility for providing outstanding service to customers, and particular emphasis on data-driven innovation and delivery of TGBC’s digital strategy.

James Burstow, TGBC President, said, “We are thrilled that Geoff is joining the team. He brings with him over 25 years of experience in Christian publishing and a wealth of ideas and contacts which will add even greater strength and depth to our sales capacity. But more than that, Geoff shares our passion for getting biblical, relevant, and accessible books into the hands of Christian individuals and churches across the country which we pray will encourage them in their walk with Christ.”

Geoff said, “I am delighted to be joining TGBC at such an exciting time. I have admired the company from afar for several years and noted their rapid growth in the US market, and I am looking forward to using my skills and experience to raise the profile of some truly excellent titles. I love the biblical and theological foundations upon which the company is established and I believe that TGBC has enormous potential for growth and on-going ministry impact. It is a genuine honor and joy to be a part of this important ministry!”

Geoff starts at TGBC on June 17 and will initially be working remotely from Grand Rapids.  He can be reached at geoff.dennis@thegoodbook.com.

The Good Book Company was founded in 1991 and has grown to become an international provider of Christian content, with offices in the UK and US, and partner offices in Australia and South Africa. The staff team are all united in their desire to support and encourage the spread of the gospel by providing resources that help Christians grow in their understanding and love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Contact:  For more information please contact Abigail Talbott at (866) 244-2165.

Ascender Books offers spiritual refreshment for caregivers

June 3, 2019—Iron Stream Media is proud to announce the premier title in its Ascender Books line: The Heart of the Caregiver: From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed. Author and caregiver Mary Tutterow wrote this biblically based study out of a deep desire to meet the spiritual needs of the caregiver. She saw a need in the marketplace for a resource that brings encouragement, healing, and hope to the spiritual lives of the growing number of caregivers worldwide. A transformational study, The Heart of the Caregiver urges the reader to seek God’s life-changing love through Scripture each day—allowing the Holy Spirit to compel the caregiver to live out God’s call to love others through service to them.

With nearly 40 million adults providing care for a family member or loved one, the need for caregiver resources are at an all-time high. “The timing of the release of this book could not be more perfect,” says Tutterow. “The bipartisan legislation, RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregivers Act, has been signed into law. When I wrote the study, it was on my heart to provide the church a tool to RAISE families just like ours!”

This resource can bring caregivers together and help them walk a tough path by providing encouragement and solace through God’s Word. Ramona Richards, associate publisher for Iron Stream Media explains. “As a former, long-term caregiver, I recognized that Mary’s work can touch the heart of people struggling with trials they never anticipated tackling. Caring for a loved one can drain you mentally and spiritually, and Mary speaks directly to the heart of those issues. I’m pleased we are able to launch our Ascender Books line with this invaluable resource.”

Craig Johnson, executive pastor of Lakewood Church, in Houston, Texas, and founder of Champions Club, concurs, “When you are looking at overwhelming circumstances as a caregiver you need a guidebook that not only helps you on your journey but allows you to walk on the journey with others going through similar circumstances. I can’t think of a better resource for caregivers that provides the experience, wisdom, and hope Mary has poured into this resource. You will move from victim to victor and find your joy in the journey is not only possible but probable.”

Mary and her husband Winn have two adult children and live in Charleston, South Carolina. Their daughter Mary Addison has cognitive and physical challenges and an active seizure disorder. They also cared for Winn’s mother through cancer and dementia. A former anchorwoman and marketing executive, Mary now writes, speaks, and leads online and in-person small groups for caregivers.

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce two new initiatives designed to better serve their independent retail partners. Going forward, Crossway will be offering updated terms and a customized website designed specifically for independent retailers.

The new, simplified terms will be available to all retailers, featuring higher discounts for all orders of 10 or more assorted books and Bibles and free shipping on all orders. By offering improved discounts on books and Bibles and reduced minimums, Crossway’s goal is to provide stores with increased margins, allowing them to discount and maintain tighter inventory control.

In addition to the new terms, Crossway is also launching a new website (crossway.org/trade) specifically for independent retailers. This simple and convenient interface will make it easier for stores to place orders anytime and will automatically apply seasonal and short-term specials. Seasonal discount information, e-catalogs, downloadable order forms, and creative assets for new resources will also be available on the site.

“Christian and ABA independent stores are more important than ever in helping customers find Crossway books and ESV Bibles,” says Dan Bush, Crossway’s senior vice president of sales. “As the marketplace continues to change, our hope is to ease the burden on stores by introducing easy online ordering and improved terms. We are excited to work closely with stores to better serve their customers.”

To view the new sales terms and website, visit crossway.org/trade.

Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-centered content, to honor our Savior and serve his Church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information visit crossway.org.

Contact: Lauren Harvey, lharvey@crossway.org, 1 (630) 682-4300, ext. 6031, crossway.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – NavPress (@NavPress) author Jessie Minassian (www.LifeLoveandGod.com) has been formally named an Associate by Focus on the Family, the Colorado-based global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. In this role, Minassian will be partnering with Focus to create new content on a variety of platforms. She will continue to live in California and work with LifeLoveandGod.com.

“Four years ago, I was invited to Focus on the Family to record a Daily Broadcast radio program,” said Minassian in a statement. “In the years since, I’ve enjoyed every opportunity and interaction I’ve had with this ministry that had such a tremendous impact on my own childhood family, and continues to encourage and shape mine today. So when the opportunity arose to become an official Focus on the Family Associate, the decision was easy.”

Minassian is the author of 12 books, including the following NavPress titles: Family: How to Love Yours (and Help Them Like You Back) (2017), Backwards Beauty: How to Feel Ugly in 10 Simple Steps (2016), Unashamed: Overcoming the Sins No Girl Wants to Talk About (2015), and Crushed: Why Guys Don’t Have to Make or Break You (2014).

Added Caitlyn Carlson, Acquisitions Editor, Nav Press, “Jessie speaks and writes from a place of vulnerability, authenticity, and love for Jesus and people. We’re thrilled that she is partnering with Focus on the Family and look forward to the dynamic and important content she’ll be creating.”

JESSIE MINASSIAN is a popular speaker and blogger, and the author of 12 books and Bible studies, including Crushed, Unashamed, and Backwards Beauty. She is the “resident big sis” at LifeLoveandGod.com, a Q&A website for teen girls. Her work for girls and their parents has been featured internationally through outlets such as Focus on the Family, Parenting Today’s Teens, She Reads Truth, Axis, Revive Our Hearts and YouthWorker Journal. She and her husband live at Hume Lake, California, and have two daughters. To find out more or connect with Jessie, visit LifeLoveandGod.com.

The mission of NAVPRESS is to advance the calling of The Navigators by bringing biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical products to people who want to know and love Christ more deeply. Through The Message Bible and other insightful resources, NavPress seeks to bring positive spiritual movement to people’s lives. In January 2014, NavPress entered into an alliance with Tyndale House Publishers to strengthen and better position NavPress and its rich content for the future. NavPress provides books and other content that bring spiritual impact, life transformation, and help lead in the mission of making disciples.

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (May 13, 2019)—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association has presented a Platinum Award to Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) for A Child’s First Bible, which has surpassed one million copies in sales. Established in 1990, the Gold | Platinum | Diamond Book Awards recognize outstanding sales achievement in the publication of quality Christian literature. A Child’s First Bible was one of four titles to be recognized with a platinum award, joining Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young, The New Spirit-Controlled Woman by Beverly LaHaye, and You Are Special by Max Lucado.

“We are thrilled to see A Child’s First Bible continue to touch the hearts of tens of thousands of children each year. Bringing the Bible to life for children was the central reason Dr. Taylor founded Tyndale House Publishers, and his legacy lives on to this day,” said Linda Howard, Associate Publisher.

First published in 2000, A Child’s First Bible is a collection of 125 of the most familiar Bible passages, from both the Old and New Testaments. Beginning with the story of Creation and ending with Revelation, the text is retold in simple words by well-known author and translator Kenneth N. Taylor. With its charming illustrations and clear, inspiring text, A Child’s First Bible is a must for every child’s bookshelf.

FEATURES

• All the great characters and stories of the Bible are included in this beautiful treasury.
• Clear, easy-to-read text is appropriate for young readers and fun to read aloud to the preschool child.
• Simple questions at the end of each Bible passage are designed to highlight important biblical truths.

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international nonprofit 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. ECPA.org 

For generations of readers since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust. Today, one of the largest independent publishers in the world, Tyndale’s mission is to open the Bible to as many people as possible in language that they can relate and respond to, namely as home of the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). Not only a Bible publisher, Tyndale offers nonfiction books that equip readers with Christ-centered insight, counsel, and life-improving stories. Tyndale also 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 profits—and more than $100 million dollars in its history—to charitable missions. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers give life to the needs of people around the world.

Tyndale House Foundation, established in 1963 by Kenneth and Margaret Taylor, is a charitable fund that makes grants to support Christian work around the world. For over 50 years the Foundation has received all royalties from the sales of Living Letters (1962), The Living Bible (1971), and the New Living Translation (1996). In 2001, Ken and Margaret Taylor transferred ownership of Tyndale House Publishers to the Foundation. As a result, dividends from the profitable operations of the publishing company also now flow to the Foundation.

WESTMONT, IL—Brian Chung and Bryan Ye-Chung of Alabaster Co. have signed a contract to partner with InterVarsity Press (IVP) on the Alabaster Devotional series—a version of their widely praised Alabaster Bible set, originally launched through a Kickstarter campaign in 2016.

Chung and Ye-Chung got their start in ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVP’s parent organization) and were inspired by fellow staffer and author James Choung. His book Real Lifepredicts the spiritual question of the next generation to be, What is beautiful? and Chung and Ye-Chung leaned into that question when they started Alabaster Co.

“We have become a culture that values design, consumes large amounts of visual media, and has given everyone access to a camera and tools for making,” said Chung and Ye-Chung. “We are all creatives. In the midst of this reality, we ask, How do we show that the gospel is beautiful?” 

The Gospels was the first release of Alabaster Co. They integrated visual imagery and thoughtful design in the four biblical texts, interested in seeing how it could give readers a more beautiful reading experience. The Kickstarter campaign immediately took off and nearly doubled their fundraising goal. Since then they’ve launched more books of the Bible, including Psalms, Romans, and Proverbs.

Alabaster Co. has received coverage from numerous outlets for this project. The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, and others have all called their books “the Bible for millennials.” In a piece with Vox, Chavie Lieber wrote, “These are no ordinary religious books. They have that Kinfolk-inspired, vaguely Scandinavian vibe that has taken over coffee shops, fashion boutiques, and interior design Instagram. Their pages are clean and spacious, and the religious texts are placed next to photos that are solemn yet alluring: forests of trees, mysterious caves, a de-petaled rose, mist above the ocean, a woman holding a candle.”

The IVP Alabaster Devotional series will initially release with volumes for each the four Gospels and two volumes for Psalms, beginning in the winter of 2020. These versions will have lectio and visio divina study material throughout, which will be authored by Jan Johnson (John, Matthew, and Luke), Tracey Gee (Mark), and Kathy Khang (Psalms, volumes one and two). The books will use the New Living Translation.

“This project will combine the Alabaster Bible’s modern, reader-friendly design with lectio divina studies rooted in the ancient tradition of the church,” said Ethan McCarthy, editor for the project. “Part of our DNA at IVP has always been to invite readers into the Bible in fresh and life-giving ways—and this series promises to do just that.”

IVP, which is approaching its seventy-fifth year of publishing in 2022, has a long history of producing Bible study content. The first book published by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship was written by Jane Hollingsworth titled Discovering the Gospel of Mark. Since then IVP has produced countless Bible studies, including their expansive series of LifeGuide Bible Studies.

“We look forward to partnering with IVP on the Alabaster Devotional series,” added Chung and Ye-Chung. “In many ways, the Alabaster journey began with InterVarsity, through the spiritual foundation it built for the founding team members during their time in college. To partner with IVP is to go full circle as a company.”

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: Alisse Wissman | 630.734.4059 | awissman@ivpress.com

May 15, 2019, Newburyport, MA– Firebrand Technologies, a trusted leader in technology services for the publishing industry, knows that smarter decisions come from better intelligence. With that in mind, Firebrand is pleased to announce the public launch of Eloquence on Alert, its newest title performance monitoring product.

Eloquence on Alert’s proprietary data gathering service collects key, hard-to-access details about products from major online marketplaces and review sites, to put all that information directly at publishers’ fingertips. Firebrand has been collecting, reviewing, and analyzing this specific data internally for over two years, and has developed a robust tool that is targeted to the unique needs of publishers. With this new application, publishers can see and interact with important data about price changes, missing buy buttons, products that suddenly disappear, third party sellers taking over the buy box, and more.

These details are made available in a dedicated interface, with powerful alerts, search, and classification tools to help publishers address problems and leverage opportunities like never before.

“Eloquence on Alert helps publishers identify issues and trends that would be very difficult to discern otherwise, saving them time and money and allowing for the reallocation of resources to new or different projects,” said Catherine Toolan, Firebrand’s Director of Eloquence Services.

The Eloquence on Alert service is available to publishers via a monthly subscription, and is not bundled with other Firebrand products. Find out more and sign up for a demo at http://eloquenceonalert.com.

To learn more about Firebrand Technologies, please visit: www.firebrandtech.com, or email info@firebrandtech.com.

About Firebrand Technologies: Firebrand Technologies (www.firebrandtech.com) is dedicated to providing leading software and services to help publishers achieve success. Firebrand provides steadfast leadership and seamless information flow throughout the entire publishing process. Title Management Enterprise Software tracks titles from pre-acquisition through post-production, marketing, and sales. Eloquence on Demand is the industry gold standard for implementing ONIX and maximizing control of how data and assets reach the marketplace. Eloquence on Alert’s proprietary data gathering service collects key, hard-to-access details about products from major online marketplaces and review sites, to put all that information directly at your fingertips. FlightDeck is the most powerful EPUB Quality Assurance and validation tool available. NetGalley is an industry-standard service to help readers of influence discover and recommend new books to their audiences.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – (May 14, 2019) – Janice Peterson, NavPress (@NavPress) author and beloved widow of pastor and author Eugene Peterson, passed away Friday, May 10, in Kalispell, Montana, where she was cared for in an assisted living facility. NavPress published Janice’s Becoming Gertrude: How Our Friendships Shape Our Faith, her first book, in November 2018. Eugene Peterson passed away on October 22, 2018.

“When I first met Jan, it was very clear: This is the woman behind the man,” said Don Pape, publisher, NavPress. “She selflessly stood by Eugene, yet very much had her own voice. She was amazing—a spunky Southern belle. I loved her candor. I loved her little smirk. I loved when she’d say, ‘Oh, Don . . .’—knowing she was going to correct me on one matter or another. Here was a woman who loved her husband, her family, and her Jesus. I have learned so much in just being present with her. A grand lady who is leaving behind a huge aching hole in my soul, but I am so very pleased she is now reunited with her Gene.”

Janice (née Stubbs) married Eugene in 1958. She is survived by their three children—Karen, Eric, and Leif Peterson—and nine grandchildren.

Said Janice in a Christianity Today article about Becoming Gertrude, “These years later, I’m well aware that being a pastor’s wife brings with it a lot of demands and a lot of time spent serving others. But the amazing thing about service is that it rarely returns void, even if we don’t see the end results ourselves.”

Becoming Gertrude is Janice’s wisdom on the beauty of spiritual friendship and God’s unfolding grace over the course of a life lived for Him. Jan used the term spiritual friendshipto capture this idea of journeying with others through life, sharing experiences and wisdom and seeking God together.

Eugene Peterson wrote more than 30 books, including a number of volumes that were assembled into his best-known and most popular work, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (2002).

The NavPress mission is to advance the calling of The Navigators by bringing biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical products to people who want to know and love Christ more deeply. Through THE MESSAGE Bible and other insightful resources, NavPress seeks to bring positive spiritual movement to peoples’ lives. In January 2014, NavPress entered into an alliance with Tyndale House Publishers to strengthen and better position NavPress for the future. NavPress helps lead in the mission of making disciples by providing rich content that brings spiritual impact and life transformation.

Statement to ECPA customers

On the heels of Baker & Taylor Wholesale and Library announcing a shift in its business operations to align with the education focus of parent company Follett Corporation, Baker & Taylor Publisher Services’ Christian channel is as strong as ever. We will continue to invest in our client publishers and relationships with the independent bookstore market with the Christian integrity and dedication that we are known for.

The recent shift that the Christian retail industry is experiencing gives BTPS’ Christian channel an opportunity to help publishers and independent bookstores continue to gain access to great Christian content. “We are energized by the number of partners who recognize the difference customized service from dedicated professionals can make in the publisher service market”, said Mark Suchomel, Senior VP of Baker & Taylor Publisher Services.

BTPS’s Christian channel is poised to continue with the initiatives already set in place to make sure the Christian independent retail market finds no obstacle in ordering books. Randy McKenzie, Baker & Taylor Publisher Services Christian Sales Manager said, “Noble Marketing group is the best Christian sales team out there and they will continue to represent Baker & Taylor Publisher Services across America to the Christian independent and Church bookstores. We also have Canadian Christian representation through Parasource Marketing & Distribution.” Randy continued, “With some shift in Christian buying crossing over to non-Christian bookstores, BTPS is uniquely positioned to offer our Christian books to the secular stores with over 100 special markets and traditional trade sales representatives.”

Karen Broach, Christian Sales Specialist adds, “In our suite of publisher services, we not only have our sales channels, but give opportunities to the small to medium sized publisher, printing services including POD, full-service distribution, warehousing, fulfillment and more.”

BTPS continues to be an important piece of the Follett and Baker & Taylor business strategy going forward. The future is bright, and we are excited to achieve great things with our partners. Please feel free to reach out to either of us if you have any questions at all.

Partners in Christ,
Randy McKenzie & Karen Broach
Baker & Taylor Publisher Services – Christian Channel
kbroach@btpubservices.com