Representatives from the Letra Viva network of Christian publishers in Latin America meet in Bogotá for a continental training, networking and planning consultation

More than 30 delegates from across Latin America met together in Bogotá Colombia from 29 April to 5 May 2018 for an international consultation organised by Letra Viva. The network of publishing ministries has coordinated consultations, normally every two years, since its inception in 1997. As always, the aim was to address the key concerns of member publishers; provide training, especially in new technologies; and provide opportunities for publishers to work together to strengthen their own publishing ventures and so reach more people across the continent with books that are biblical and relevant.

Main sessions included ‘Financial planning for publishers’ with Ramon Rocha (MAI, Philippines), ‘Developing your team’ with David Pabón (CLC Colombia), ‘Developing relationships with your customers’ with Carlos David Galeano (CLC Colombia), ‘Using your brand to help people recognise and trust your books’ also with Carlos David, and ‘An update on print-on-demand technology and logistics’ by Luke Lewis (Langham).

Other sessions included a round table discussion on how publishers can handle the tension between the books they believe people should read, and the ones that people in practice buy!

Workshops covered a variety of subjects: encouraging new writers; the administration of the editorial process; accounting systems; managing inventory; the best ways to produce and aggregate e-books; and the promotion of reading.

One afternoon was spent in the enormous Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBO), with an overwhelming number of publishers and books on display. It was encouraging to visit stands presented by CLC and Desafío within the fair, and to consider how best to produce books for the huge reading public in this continent. Another afternoon highlight was a visit to the Buena Semilla print shop, including their new digital print facility.

All participants appreciated the morning devotional Bible readings and times of prayer and fellowship. Also the opportunity to share and laugh together with colleagues from other countries and contexts, but all united in a common cause, to produce books that transform lives for Christ.

Our sincere thanks go to so many who made this Consultation a great success: Karla Mora (Letra Viva), David Pabón and the team at CLC, all the speakers and workshop leaders, Andrés Muñóz and the Buena Semilla, John Maust and Ramon Rocha (MAI), SparkLit (Australia), Langham Partnership, plus the staff at the Hotel Bogotá Astral.

Letra Viva is a network of evangelical Christian publishers in Latin America which aim to produce books that are biblical, promote reading and study of the Bible, and which contribute to healthy church growth.

More information can be obtained from the Co-ordinator of the network:  Ian Darke ian@letraviva.com

Uhrichsville, OH—Titles from Barbour’s Casa Promesa imprint reign supreme on ECPA’s debut Spanish bestsellers list for May 2018 with 11 out of 50 titles making an appearance.

Holding the #1 spot, 365 historias bíblicas para la hora de dormer (365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories), the beloved Bible storybook by Daniel Partner has sold millions of copies in English and Spanish editions combined. Other Casa Promesa titles featured on the list include:

• #7: Oraciones para tiempos difíciles (Prayers for Difficult Times) by Ellyn Sanna
• #9: Palabras de aliento para mujeres (Encouraging Words for Women) by Darlene Sala
• #11: Momentos diarios con Dios (Everyday Moments with God) by Valorie Quesenbery
• #13: Las 100 principales mujeres de la Biblia (The Top 100 Women of the Bible) by Pamela L. McQuade
• #17: Secretos de la mujer de Proverbios 31 (Secrets of the Proverbs 31 Woman) by Rae Simons
• #27: El libro de promesas de la Biblia (The Bible Promise Book®)
• #28: Muy bendecida para estar estresada (Too Blessed to be Stressed) by Debora M. Coty
• #32: Conoce tu Biblia (Know Your Bible) by Paul Kent
• #33: 180 oraciones para una mujer de Dios (180 Prayers for a Woman of God)
• #41: Las 21 Oraciones más efectivas de la Biblia (The 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible) by Dave Earley

The ECPA Bestsellers Lists rank the bestselling books published by ECPA members from the previous month, as reported to NPD BookScan (formerly Nielsen Bookscan) by these reporting retailers. The complete May 2018 bestseller list can be found HERE.

Barbour Publishing, founded by industry veteran Hugh R. Barbour in 1981, was acquired by company CEO Timothy H. Martins in October 2000. The now employee-owned company publishes 180-200 books and Bibles a year focused on inspiring the world with the lifechanging message of the Bible. To learn more, visit www.BarbourBooks.com.

Media Contact: Shalyn Sattler  ssattler@barbourbooks.com  740.922.6045 X 109

Minneapolis, MN –Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss (BroadStreet Publishing) by Sarah Philpott has been chosen as a SELAH Award 2018 finalist in the Inspiration & Gift category.The Selah Awards, which are awarded annually at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, are awarded to books within Christian publishing that are considered excellent within their genre.

Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss is a book that offers much-needed support to women in the middle of psychological and physiological grief as a result of losing an unborn child. In the book, Sarah Philpott gently walks alongside women as they experience the misguided shame, isolation, and crushing despair that accompany the turmoil of loss. With brave vulnerability, Sarah shares her own andothers’ stories of loss, offering Christ-filled hope and support to women navigating grief.

Kelly O’Dell Stanly, author of Praying Upside Down says, “Our culture programs us to feel as though motherhood should be all sunshine and roses—breakfasts in bed made by beaming, freshly-bathed children. We learn to think that a woman cannot fulfill her God-given destiny unless she nurtures the lives God enabled her to bear. And yet, when one of those lives is lost, or when life never begins, the world suddenly goes quiet, leaving these women alone and suffering. Here’s the key, though: When we offer our hurts to God, He will bring healing. He is the salve that soothes even the deepest wounds. Through Sarah’s words in Loved Baby, you will realize that you’re not called to forget but to welcome God into your pain. You can remember and honor and grieve and be made whole again. With God, even this is possible. Step into these pages like you’re walking into God’s comforting embrace, because that’s exactly what this book has to offer.”

To learn more about this important resource for mothers who have experienced pregnancy loss, please visit Sarah Philpott at http://allamericanmom.net/.

Actress, New York Times bestselling author and producer Candace Cameron Bure traveled across the country last week to promote her new book, “Kind is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously” (Zondervan), which released Tuesday, April 24.

Candace kicked off the tour in New York, visiting “The View,” “Fox & Friends,” SiriusXM, Newsday and Kidsday, among many others. While in New York, she held two book signings, one signing at Barnes and Noble Tribeca on Monday, April 23 and one signing at Bookends Bookstore in New Jersey on Tuesday, April 24. The crowds were immense and enthusiastic, escalating to more than 800 attendees.

Candace then headed to Grand Rapids, Mich., home to “Kind is the New Classy” publisher, Zondervan. While in Grand Rapids, she spoke with a whole host of local media, including a segment with FOX 17 Morning Mix, who went along with her to the Salvation Army Kroc Center to surprise spinning instructor Shellie Silva, who recently beat Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. She held two signings at Baker Book House, one signing on Wednesday, April 25 and one signing on Thursday, April 26.

Candace then headed to Nashville, Tenn., for a packed signing at the Lifeway Cool Springs Crossings/Franklin store. While in Nashville, she visited with families and patients at the Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Seacrest Studios is a partnership between Vanderbilt and Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which has been operating broadcast media centers in pediatric hospitals across the country since 2010. Children and teens from the hospital interviewed Candace, and it broadcasted live throughout the hospital. She also interviewed with Former Governor Mike Huckabee for his show, “Huckabee Live.”

Tina Constable, Senior Vice President and Publisher for Christian Publishing for The Crown Group at Penguin Random House, has announced that Laura Barker has been promoted to Vice President, Editor in Chief, WaterBrook and Multnomah, effective immediately. Barker has been a highly valued member of the WaterBrook and Multnomah editorial staff for nearly twenty years, serving in several management roles, including Managing Editor and Editorial Director. In the past year, Barker has done an outstanding job of collaborating on acquisition strategy, and on leading the editorial team with a high level of professionalism and expertise.

In addition to her leadership skills, Barker has acquired and edited with consummate skill some of WaterBrook and Multnomah’s most important authors, including Jennie Allen, Katie Davis Majors, Kay Arthur, Liz Curtis Higgs, Randy Alcorn and Joanna Weaver, to name but a few. In her new role, Barker continues as a vital member of the WaterBrook and Multnomah management team that also includes Associate Publisher Campbell Wharton; Vice President, Director of Marketing Ginia Hairston Croker; Vice President, Director of Operations Debbie Mitchell; and Vice President, Director of Publicity Beverly Rykerd. Together, WaterBrook and Multnomah will continue the creative growth, success, and intentional list building that has defined its Christian publishing program in recent years.

WaterBrook and Multnomah are imprints of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, which is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 75 percent and 25 percent, respectively. With more than 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With 15,000 new titles, and 600 million print, audio and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Contact: Beverly Rykerd  (719) 440-2746  brykerd@penguinrandomhouse.com

Company also received two Platinum Awards for titles selling more than one million units

(Nashville, TN) May 2, 2018—HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced today the company’s two publishing groups, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, received four Christian Book Awards®, cumulatively, including Sarah Young’s bestselling “Jesus Always” (Thomas Nelson) winning the 2018 Christian Book of the Year.

At this year’s ECPA’s Leadership Summit, held in Washington, D.C., Thomas Nelson was also recognized at the ECPA Awards Celebration on Tuesday evening, May 1, 2018, for two titles achieving major sales milestones.

The 2018 Christian Book Award winners include:

• “Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence,” by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson)-Christian Book of the Year
• “Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life Changing Truth for a Skeptical World,” by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, PhD (Thomas Nelson)- Bible Reference Works
• “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett, illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Tommy Nelson)- Children
• “The Bible’s Explorer’s Guide” by Nancy I. Sanders (Zonderkidz)- Young People’s Literature*
  

The Platinum Award for outstanding sales achievements, reaching more than one million units sold, was given to “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson) and “Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely” (Thomas Nelson) by Lysa TerKeurst.

In addition, HarperCollins Christian Publishing was honored to have eight additional titles to be named as award finalists in 11 categories:

• “Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible NIV” (Lexham Press, Zondervan)- Bibles
• “Kids’ Visual Study Bible NIV” (Zonderkidz)-Bibles
• “The Gospel According to Paul” by John MacArthur (Thomas Nelson)- Bible Study
• “God’s Great Love for You” by Rick Warren, illustrated by Chris Saunders (Zonderkidz)- Children
• “‘Twas the Evening of Christmas” by Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Elena Selivanova (Zonderkidz)- Children
• “Goliath Must Fall” by Louis Giglio (W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson)- Christian Living
• “Standing in the Fire” by Tom Doyle (W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson)- Faith and Culture
• “The Story of Reality” by Greg Koukl (Zondervan)- Faith and Culture

“Congratulations to the authors and publishing team award winners of the 2018 Christian Book Awards,” said Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “Special congratulations and thank you to Sarah Young for winning the Christian Book of the Year while also being recognized for one million units sold within a year.  The Jesus Calling brand continues to impact millions of people around the world, a true testament to our mission. All named winners and finalists are illustrating the breadth of influence our publishing groups have in delivering life-changing messages to people searching for inspiration.”

For more information about Thomas Nelson, go to www.thomasnelson.com.  For more information about Zondervan, go to www.zondervan.com.  For more information about HarperCollins Christian Publishing go to www.harpercollinschristian.com.

About HarperCollins Christian Publishing: The world’s leading Christian publisher, HarperCollins Christian Publishing Inc., comprises both Thomas Nelson and Zondervan publishing groups in addition to Olive Tree Bible Software.  The Company produces bestselling Bibles, inspirational books, academic resources, curriculum, audio and digital content for the Christian market space.  Also home to BibleGateway.com, the world’s largest Christian website, and FaithGateway.com, an online community dedicated to helping people grow in their faith. HarperCollins Christian Publishing is headquartered in Nashville, TN with additional offices in the U.S., and Mexico.  For more information visit www.HarperCollinsChristian.com. 

Unified examines the importance of national unity through personal friendship; also makes USA Today and Publishers Weekly lists

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (May 2, 2018)—Unified, the new book by Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina) is a New York Times bestseller. Published by Tyndale Momentum, Unified debuted at No. 12 on the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction Best Sellers list, and No. 14 on the Nonfiction Print Hardcover list for the week of April 22. In addition, Unified debuted at No. 11 on the Publishers Weekly nonfiction bestsellers, and is a USA Today bestseller as well.

To promote the book, Senator Scott and Congressman Gowdy appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation, CBS’s This Morning, ABC’s The View, FOX & Friends, FOX News’s The Story with Martha MacCallum, CNN’s New Day, and MSNBC Live with Katy Tur, as well as FOX Business’s Varney & Co. and Kennedy, among many other electronic and print interviews.

In addition to the extensive media interviews, Senator Scott and Congressman Gowdy have done a number of book signings in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Texas.

WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that both Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia (Crossway, July 2017) by John Dunlop, MD and Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community (Crossway, September 2017) by Brett McCracken have won 2018 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Awards.

According to the ECPA’s website, the Christian Book Award program “recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles and is among the oldest and most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.”

Awards are offered in the following 11 categories:
• Bibles
• Bible Reference Works
• Bible Study
• Ministry Resources
• Biography & Memoir
• Christian Living
• Faith & Culture
• Devotion & Gift
• Children (Ages 0–8)
• Young People’s Literature (Nonfiction)
• New Author

Uncomfortable tied for the award in the Christian Living category. In this book, McCracken makes a compelling case that following Jesus and being part of his church is not about seeking our own comfort, but rather that we are called to embrace the more difficult aspects of Christianity in the context of the local church.

Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia, winner in the Faith & Culture category, calls Christians to respond to dementia in a way that offers the best care to patients, honors the inherent dignity of all people, and brings glory to God.

“It is a great encouragement to us that books of this caliber, grounded in deep theology but made accessible and practical for the good of the church, would be recognized in this way,” says Justin Taylor, Executive Vice President of Book Publishing, Book Publisher for Crossway. “We are delighted to work with Brett and John and honored to publish these books.”

John Dunlop (MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) has practiced medicine in Zion, Illinois, for thirty-seven years and currently works with the geriatrics group associated with Yale Medical School. He is board certified in geriatrics and has a master’s degree in bioethics from Trinity International University, where he serves on the adjunct faculty.

Brett McCracken is a senior editor at the Gospel Coalition and author of Uncomfortable; Gray Matters; and Hipster Christianity. Brett and his wife, Kira, live in Santa Ana, California. They belong to Southlands Church, where Brett serves as an elder.

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.

Finding Grace in the Face of Dementia by John Dunlop, MD
Available from Crossway Christian Ministry/Counseling & Recovery (REL050000)
ISBN 978-1-4335-5209-0 5.5″ x 8.5″
Paperback $18.99 • 208 pp. Publication Date: July 31, 2017

Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community by Brett McCracken
Available from Crossway RELIGION / Christian Life / General (REL012000)
ISBN: 978-1-4335-5425-4 5.5″ x 8.5″
Paperback $15.99 • 224 pp. Publication Date: September 30, 2017

Eugene, Oregon—May 2, 2018—Harvest House Publishers is pleased to announce that GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Chou Simons is a recipient of the 2018 Christian Book Awards® in the Devotion & Gift category. 

GraceLaced is more than a book with pretty florals and fanciful brushwork—its about flourishing. This beautiful volume of seasonal devotions encourages readers in any circumstance to become deeply rooted in God’s faithful promises as they journey through the changing seasons of the heart.

“I am incredibly honored, and am grateful to my publisher, my agent, my editor and the many others who worked with me to bring this book to life. I’m thankful for friends who’ve diligently cheered me on, and my supportive readers. The glory goes to God, who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine,” shared Simons upon receiving the news.

Simons, an artist, writer, entrepreneur, and speaker, is the creator of the popular GraceLaced online shoppe, blog, and Instagram community where she daily shares scriptural truths through her hand-painted artwork and words.

The Christian Book Award® program has recognized the absolute highest quality in Christian books since 1978. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award® program is the oldest and is among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry.

About the Publisher:
Harvest House, a Christian publishing company based in Eugene, Oregon, publishes more than 135 books per year and carries a strong backlist offering more than 1,200 titles. Over 140 million Harvest House books have been sold worldwide through diverse distribution channels, and additional millions have sold in over 75 different languages.

Contact:  Christianne Debysingh, Harvest House Publishers
Phone: 888-468-4108  Fax: 541-302-0732
Email: cdebysingh@harvesthousepublishers.com
Web: www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Page Chaser: Books. Naps. Coffee. Repeat

(Nashville, TN) May 3, 2018— Not  long ago, a small group of HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP) employees sat commiserating. The problem was this: they were avid readers, pop-culture enthusiasts and Christians who had no community.

Why doesn’t a fun, engaging faith-based book community exist?  Was there a way to build a home for avid readers who just happened to also be believers? Could a bookish community be diverse, intellectual, witty and sharp, and still be uplifting?

There was only one way to find out.  Enter Page Chaser.

Page Chaser is a space for everyone stuck in the middle; a place where you can talk about Stranger Things and Max Lucado. Page Chaser promotes positive, intelligent conversations on diverse content that makes people laugh, think and engage, leaving negativity at the virtual door. Any reader who is interested in discovering great stories, inspiring conversations and, well, just great clean content will feel welcome.

Stephanie Newton, the Page Chaser brand ambassador summed it up nicely, “When dreaming up Page Chaser, we discussed the idea of, ‘The nicest corner of the Internet.’ It seemed imperative to us that, in a world full of cruel social internet content, we could be here, metaphorically handing out muffins and asking if you’ve read Neil Gaiman.  We’re not here to fight with you. We’re not here to lead a revolution. We just want to bring goodwill back to humanity – one book at a time.”

PageChaser.com is home to humorous editorials, listicles recommending books, current news as it relates to books, author Q&As and more. Page Chaser’s audiobook platform offers readers “First Listens” of new books, bonus materials and behind-the-scene glimpses of in-studio author recordings. The all-original content features new titles, some hidden gems and contributor all-time favorites, positioning it to be an important discoverability point for readers and reviewers.

Page Chaser has a multifaceted reach through different content platforms. To support its blog, @page.chaser is a highly curated Instagram feed where engaging questions are posed alongside high-quality photos. Page Chaser on Facebook boosts blog posts and shares audience-provoking material to grab the attention of future page-chasers.

Newton added,  “Page Chaser is a place for conversing, laughing, reading, and belonging. Around here we firmly believe that there are two things you can never have enough of: friends and books, and we hope to be your favorite gathering spot for both.”

To learn more, please visit PageChaser.com.

Media Contact:  Casey Harrell, senior director, Corporate Communications
tel: 615.902.1109  email: casey.harrell@harpercollins.com