April 17, 2023 Edition
Industry News
George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization, passes away at 84
The death has been announced of George Verwer, who founded the global Christian mission agency, Operation Mobilization, and directed it for 45 years. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home near London, England, the evening of April 14.
Read More...ECPA releases monthly Christian bestseller lists for April
ECPA has released the monthly Christian bestseller lists for April 2023 in 15 categories. The top-selling book is “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers) with “All My Knotted-Up Life” by Beth Moore (Tyndale House Publishers) coming in at #2.
HarperCollins announces new font for non-English books
HarperCollins Publishers announces the creation of HC Arc®, a new font designed to enhance the reading experience and reduce the amount of paper used per title by up to 20 percent. HarperCollins partnered with 2K/DENMARK to develop the proprietary typeface.
Read More...Call for submissions: Top Shelf Book Cover Award program
The submission period for the Top Shelf Book Cover Awards is now open until August 15. Online nominations are accepted in NonFiction, Fiction, Children, and Bibles for books published between June 2022 and August 2023.
IPG announces Andrew Boughton appointed Chief Operating Officer of UID
Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Andrew Boughton, Chief Operating Officer of United Independent Distributors (UID), and its group companies, Eurospan, Marston Book Services and Orca Book Services.
Read More...Milestones
Louie Giglio’s Indescribable Kids series surpasses one million copies sold
Tommy Nelson and Passion Publishing announced that their Indescribable Kids series by pastor of Passion City Church and national bestselling author Louie Giglio has surpassed more than one million copies sold.
Read More...“Pawverbs for a Dog Lover’s Heart” by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley hits 100K in sales
“Pawverbs for a Dog Lover’s Heart: Inspiring Stories of Friendship, Fun, and Faithfulness” (Tyndale Momentum) by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley has surpassed 100,000 copies sold.
Read More...Product News
Country music star Granger Smith announces farewell music tour and new memoir
Country singer/songwriter, Granger Smith, has decided to exit the music touring business to move towards a new chapter in his life. In conjunction with this life change, Smith is releasing his memoir, “Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache,” on August 1, 2023 (W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson).
Read More...Zondervan releases NKJV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is pleased to announce the release of Zondervan’s Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible, Revised and Updated in the New King James Version (NKJV). This is the third updated and revised edition of a Thompson Chain-Reference Bible since Zondervan acquired the Bible line from Kirkbride Bible Company in 2020.
Read More...New release from Lexham Press reminds Christians that Holy Scripture requires Holy Reading
Inviting Christians to a fresh encounter with the Bible based on an ancient way of reading the Scriptures, experienced preacher, theologian and author, Hans Boersma, has written “Pierced by Love: Divine Reading with the Christian Tradition,” available April 19, 2023 from Lexham Press.
Read More...New Growth Press to release new devotional for teens on the effects of smartphone usage
In his new devotional for teens, “Social Media Pressure: Finding Peace Alongside Jesus” (New Growth Press/May 15, 2023), John Perritt, a longtime youth pastor, guides teens in making sure that their relationship with God remains at the center of their life without letting their phone take over.
Read More...Media Announcements
The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast joins KLOVE’s AccessMore podcasting network
AccessMore, Educational Media Foundation (EMF) – parent of K-LOVE, Air1, and WTA MEDIA – proudly announces that “America’s Pastor” and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado will join their platform.
Read More...Tasha Layton celebrates debut book release with a signing at Barnes & Noble
Popular Christian artist and singer-songwriter Tasha Layton released her first trade book on April 21st, “Look What You’ve Done: The Lies We Believe & The Truth That Sets Us Free” (K-LOVE Books). She celebrated the book’s release day with a book signing at the Barnes & Noble store in Hendersonville, Tennessee, near her hometown of Franklin, Tennessee.
Read More...David Kim on Jesus Calling Podcast on the antidote to loneliness
David Kim recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share his story of loneliness in his early years that shaped his desire to help people find connectedness. He walks us through a five-step system to help us open up to the idea of true connection, even when it feels uncomfortable. Kim’s book, “Made to Belong,” is available from Thomas Nelson.
Other News
INDUSTRY
- March Religion Bestsellers: Shannon Bream, Wanda E. Brunstetter Lead
- Religion Book Deals for April 12, 2023: Zondervan, Brazos, Baker, Nelson
- IVP authors headline AND Campaign event: Black leaders bridging the divide
- Jonathan Merkh’s Forefront Books 2nd fastest growing independent publisher
- PW Call for Information: Religious Graphic Novels, Comics, Illustrated Books
- PW Call for Title Information on Social Issues & Religion
PUBLISHING
- Census Bureau: Bookstore Sales Rise 10.7% in February, Up 13.5% in 2023
- knk: A Look at AI in Publishing
- knk: Should We Outsource Fulfillment Now?
- Hachette Book Group: BIPOC Diversity at 36.4 Percent
- Hachette UK launches Neurodiversity Policy
- PRH makes diversity and inclusion progress; senior leadership change slower
- Prakash Books India Signs Sales and Distribution Agreement with IPG
- Sylvia Day LLC Partners with IPG on US Distribution of Latest Novel So Close