April 12, 2021 Edition
Industry News
In tribute to Harvest House author Dr. Robert Lesslie
We at Harvest House Publishers are deeply heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting deaths of Dr. Robert Lesslie, his dear wife Barbara, their grandchildren Adah and Noah, and another victim on April 7, 2021, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Dr. Lesslie was special in many ways. Two characteristics that particularly stood out in our every interaction with him were his genuine love for people and his gracious humility. We have marveled at how fortunate—and blessed—his patients were to have a doctor who exhibited the extraordinary compassion he did.
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A look at April's Christian bestsellers: Books about the brain surge to the top
Four of the Top 10 books in ECPA’s Top 50 bestsellers list for April are about the spiritual battle for the mind, and three have been released in the past 60 days. At #2 is Winning the War in Your Mind by author and pastor Craig Groeschel (Zondervan), up one spot from its debut last month. Close behind at #5 and #9 are two new titles, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf (Baker Books) and Your Brain Is Always Listening by psychiatrist and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Daniel G. Amen (Tyndale Momentum). At #10 is Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen (WaterBrook), the #2 bestselling Christian book for all of 2020.
Michelle Sanchez added to Leadership Summit roster for important dialogue on “being evangelical”
Michelle Sanchez, Executive Minister of Make and Deepen Disciples for the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination, will join David French (The Dispatch, TIME, “Divided We Fall”) and CT president/CEO Timothy Dalrymple in a webcast for ECPA publishers on “Being Evangelical in this Cultural Moment.” The session is part of the ECPA Virtual Leadership Summit, scheduled for April 27-29 (10-12 central) and May 4-6 (10 & 1 central). The program will also feature discussions around the future of publishing (with PRH leaders Madeline McIntosh & Tina Constable and Hachette leaders Michael Pietsch & Daisy Hutton), serving the church (with Walter Kim, Nicole Martin, Thom Rainer), leading with resilience (Tod Bolsinger), as well as deep dives into Christian book market data, growing online sales channels, and the latest global trends in printing and distribution. Round table discussions and an online event platform will maximize engagement and connection… hallmarks of this annual event. View sessions, speakers and schedule at ECPALeadership.org.
ECPA publishing managers encouraged to register this week!
Nearly 200 international publishers and rights professionals gathered online last week
The International Christian Publishing Conference, developed by ECPA rights professionals, brought nearly 200 publishing and distribution professionals together from 36 countries for a 2-day online conference last week. The conference opened with a keynote from international bestselling author Gary Chapman (The 5 Love Languages) and followed by panels led by rights leaders, and reports from leading international publishers from Brazil, Netherlands, Korea, Germany, Phillipines, Italy, Colombia, and the United States. ECPA members can request the recordings. Contact ECPA.
ECPA announces 66 Finalists for the 2021 Christian Book Award® program
ECPA has named 66 finalists in 12 categories for the 2021 Christian Book Award® program. The finalists represent the work of 26 Christian publishers and include ties in five categories. Amidst the challenges of 2020, the program received a record number of submissions in its 43-year history. Winners will be announced on May 6 in a free webcast with bestselling author and Pinnacle Award recipient Max Lucado. Those registered for the ECPA Leadership Summit will already have access to this event.
Baker & Taylor Publisher Services announces new client
Baker & Taylor Publisher Services (BTPS), a leading provider of sales and fulfillment services, is pleased to announce a new Christian publisher partner agreement. BTPS has signed a full sales representation and distribution agreement with The Word for Word Bible Comic.
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Milestones
“Gentle and Lowly” reaches 250,000 in print sales with Crossway
Crossway is pleased to announce that “Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers” (Crossway, April 2020) by Dane Ortlund has achieved 250,000 units in print sales.
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Wendy Speake’s “The 40-Day Sugar Fast” reaches over 150,000 copies sold
Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that Wendy Speake’s book “The 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation” has sold more than 150, 000 copies since its release in November 2019.
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Four IVP titles named Finalists for 2021 Christian Book Award® program
ECPA has announced that four IVP titles are among the finalists for the 2021 Christian Book Award® program. The IVP finalists are: "Reading While Black," "The Story Retold," "Compassion (&) Conviction," and "When Narcissism Comes to Church."
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Three Tyndale House books named Finalists for 2021 Christian Book Awards
Tyndale House Publishers is pleased to announce that three of their titles and authors have been named finalists for 2021 Christian Book Awards. They are: "A Church Called Tov," "Try Softer," and "The Big Book of Bible Questions."
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Three NavPress books named Finalists for 2021 Christian Book Awards
NavPress is pleased to announce that three of their titles and authors have been named finalists for the 2021 Christian Book Awards. They are: "Living for What Really Matters," "How to Pray," and "This Life We Share."
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Product News
WaterBrook signs Mitali Perkins for Children's book
From National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins, BARE TREE AND LITTLE WIND: A STORY FOR HOLY WEEK is a lyrical, captivating picture book that retells the Palm Sunday and Easter story from the perspectives of curious Little Wind and his wise friend Bare Tree. The book, ideal for ages 3 to 8, will be illustrated by Khoa Le and published in Spring 2022. World rights were acquired by WaterBrook Executive Editor Sarah Rubio from Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Focus on the Family releases first two books in the new YA fiction Riverbend Friends series
Focus on the Family, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, released "Real, Not Perfect" and "Searching for Normal" on April 6, 2021, as part of a four-book YA fiction series, Riverbend Friends. The series follows four friends from the fictional town of Riverbend, Indiana, and aims to thoughtfully engage with real-life issues teenage girls face today, such as anxiety, loneliness, cyberbullying and sexual harassment, comparison and insecurity associated with social media, and challenges related to divorce and blended families.
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Steve Pemberton releases Young Readers Edition of bestselling memoir, “A Chance in The World”
Based on the bestselling memoir that also was depicted in a feature film, HarperCollins Christian Publishing releases “A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home” by Steve Pemberton, everywhere books are sold on Tuesday, April 20.
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Popular blog post about periods expands into a book
Since its publication in February 2018, Rachel Jones’ blog piece “A 5 Minute Theology of Periods” has consistently garnered great curiosity. The Good Book Company is excited to announce Rachel has taken more than 5 minutes to further unpack the topic in book form.
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Faithlife to announce first-in-category integrated church technology product during live online event
Faithlife, the makers of Logos Bible Software, will host a live, online event on April 20 to unveil its newest, first-of-its-kind technology product set to revolutionize worship, discipleship and management for church leaders.
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Media Announcements
Second annual Grace Bomb Day planned for May 16 following book release
The second annual Grace Bomb Day happens May 16 and follows the May 1 release of author and pastor Patrick Linnell’s timely book “Grace Bomb: The Surprising Impact Of Loving Your Neighbors” from David C Cook. Churches and individuals across the country will come together for this second annual event to unleash love on neighbors through surprising gifts that point them to the source of kindness, Jesus.
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Charles Martin on Jesus Calling Podcast: We are all worth rescuing
Author Charles Martin recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how he spent years trying to uncover what his parents had always instilled in him: what was the thing God created you to do? After walking away from an amazing employment opportunity to pursue writing full force, Charles dove into Matthew 8 and the story of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to save the one, which inspired his newest book, The Water Keeper, which is available from Thomas Nelson.
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Other News
- Book Sales Surge Continues: Unit sales of print books jumped 29% in 2021’s first quarter
- Publishing Industry Insiders Share Insights into Opportunities, Challenges Ahead
- B&N CEO Says Things Are 'Much Better Now'
- Bologna Children’s Book Fair Cancels Its Physical 2021 Fair
- Jerusalem International Book Forum: Its 2021 Digital Programming
- Bryerman Named PW CEO
- BISG Announces 2021 Industry Award Honorees
