August 14, 2017 Edition
Industry News
ECPA hosts first-time “Art of Writing” conference for writers, storytellers and publishing curators, and announces Christy Award Gala
For the first time in its history, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is producing a specialized conference focused on writing and the creative life. Called “The Art of Writing,” this one-of-a-kind conference for writers, storytellers and publishing curators will take place in Nashville on November 8, from 1 to 5 pm, on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville. The event will immediately follow ECPA’s PubU for Christian publishing professionals (held November 7-8) and precede the Christy Award Gala that evening at 7 pm. In addition, ECPA has unveiled a new Christy Award website at ChristyAwards.com detailing the Christian fiction award, programs, and events.
W Publishing hires Becky Melvin as director of publicity
The W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, announced Becky Melvin as the new director of publicity. In this role, Melvin will oversee maintaining strategic relationships with media outlets across all touchpoints and direct the group’s publicity strategies. Melvin will also be the media contact for upcoming titles in 2018 by bestselling authors Scott Hamilton, Kathie Lee Gifford, Dr. Kristi Funk, and Rory Feek.
Read More...PubU continues to add speakers for 40+ session program in 6 publishing topics: Latest speakers announced for Design program
The faculty for the upcoming PubU, held November 7-8 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, resembles a who’s-who of industry leaders and experts. Developed BY Christian publishing leaders FOR Christian publishing professionals, the event will host nearly 45 sessions in the publishing disciplines of editorial, marketing/publicity, rights, design, reader engagement, and production (data, delivery, workflow).
The PubU Design program is led by Patti Brinks, Art Director for Baker Books, who has pulled together the top designers in the industry to focus on practical design knowledge. Explains Brinks, “From tips on sustaining creativity to an in-depth look at the use of color, this promises to be an informative and motivating couple of days. You will leave not only with a deeper understanding of what makes good design, but practical tools to take your projects from inspiration to reality.” Speakers include:
- Amy Cerra, Creative Director, Discovery House, Our Daily Bread Ministries
- Josh Dennis, Executive Vice President of Creative, Crossway
- Tim Green, Senior Art Director, Faceout Studio
- Klaus Krogh, Founder and CEO, 2K/DENMARK
- Ryan Myers, Creative Director, She Reads Truth and He Reads Truth
- Jade Novak, Managing Art Director, B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of LifeWay Resources
In addition, the winners of the Top Shelf Book Cover Awards will be announced. Entries were judged by an impressive cast of experts who are renown creatives in the art of book design. PubU has something for every Christian publishing professional. To view the exciting progression of the upcoming program and to register, go to ECPAPubU.org.
Early bird pricing ends August 31.
Executive director of MennoMedia and book imprint Herald Press plans to resign
Russ Eanes has announced his intention to resign as executive director of MennoMedia and its book imprint Herald Press, effective early 2018. Eanes was named executive director to lead MennoMedia in 2011, when the new organization was formed from a merger of Mennonite Publishing Network and Third Way Media and set up its headquarters in Harrisonburg. Going forward, MennoMedia’s management team and board are carefully considering how to reconfigure the organization to meet the changing demands of the church and the changing environment in publishing. The board and management will be meeting face to face at the end of September to finalize plans for leadership succession.
Read More...Milestones
‘Is God Anti-Gay?’ surpasses 100,000 units in print with The Good Book Company
The Good Book Company is pleased to announce that 'Is God Anti-Gay? And other questions about homosexuality, the Bible and same-sex attraction' (The Good Book Company, May 2013) by Sam Allberry, has now sold over 100,000 print copies worldwide. Christians, the church and the Bible seem to be out of step with modern attitudes towards homosexuality. And there is growing hostility towards those who hold a different view to the world around them. So, is God homophobic? And how do we relate to Christians and non-Christians who experience same-sex attraction?
Read More...“Feeding your Family’s Soul” strikes a chord, a TV series, and a Foodie Column — with 14,000 copies sold
Since its publication one year ago Feeding Your Family's Soul by bestselling author Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle has been steadily gaining momentum. Written specifically for a Catholic audience, this book answers questions that face all parents of faith: How to keep the family meal time intact, and how to teach children important messages of faith in the midst of a busy and often chaotic life? Now in its fourth printing, with over 14,000 copies sold, the book has been enthusiastically received by families and religious educators in parishes and schools.
Read More...Media Announcements
Bible Gateway interviews Matthew S. Harmon, author of ‘Asking the Right Questions’
What are the questions you should ask every time you read the Bible so that you can understand what you’re reading and apply the Scripture passage’s lessons to your everyday life? Bible Gateway interviewed Matthew S. Harmon (@DocHarmon) about his book, Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible (Crossway, 2017).
Bible Gateway interviews Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, author of ‘Before You Hit Send’
What does the Bible say about the proper way to communicate in our modern email and social media saturated world? How can truth, kindness, necessity, and clarity help you avoid a communication disaster? Bible Gateway interviewed Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (@loverespectinc) about his book, Before You Hit Send: Preventing Headache & Heartache (Thomas Nelson, 2017).
Product News
Harvest Kids™ to publish children’s books by Tony and Lauren Dungy
Harvest House announced today the signing of a multi-book contract with Tony and Lauren Dungy to produce a series of thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated children’s books. The series showcases the Dungys’ love for children and highlights their desire to make a difference in the lives of young readers. Comprised of picture books for children first through third grade, these meaningful stories will inspire children everywhere and teach important lessons about life and character.
Read More...Barbour launches unique historical fiction series
Barbour Publishing is excited to announce the launch of a one-of-a-kind new fiction series created for lovers of history, adventure, romance, and family legacy. The Daughters of the Mayflower will follow a family tree linked by daughters across American history from the landing of the Mayflower through the events of Word War II.
Read More...Other News
INDUSTRY
- Slopianka Named Publisher of Harvest House
- July Religion Bestsellers: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ Makes a Comeback
- Leadership author and Fuller board member Max De Pree has died
- PW: New Books Explore How to be Single and Christian
- Hollywood Veteran Alan Mehrez announces launch of Crossflix Internet Television Network: a digital destination for Christian entertainment, education, inspiration
- Museum of the Bible to offer free admission
PUBLISHING
- US Audiobook Sales Increased by 19.7% in 2016
- Amazon Tightens Delivery Time for Third-Party Booksellers
- Global Acquisitions: Netflix Buys Millarworld; Barnes & Noble Education Buys Student Brands
- LSC Communications: 5 Supply Chain Challenges Book Publishers Are Facing
- Russian Government Figures Put Book Piracy at 25 to 30 Percent
- Study Shows Who Pirates Books, Where & How
BIG 5
- HarperCollins 2017 Profits Rise: Sales leaders included The Magnolia Story, Jesus Calling and Jesus Always
- HarperCollins gets global and physical; looks beyond e-books
- Hachette Book Group charters private bus for bookstore tour to give acquiring editors “an opportunity to get a sense of the marketplace
- S&S Has 10% Sales Gain in Q2