August 17, 2020 Edition
Industry News
Ruth Chou Simons added as keynote for closing webcast of PubU Online, Oct. 1st
Bestselling and award-winning author and artist Ruth Chou Simons has just been confirmed as the presenter of the closing session of PubU Online on October 1st at 10 am central. Simons will present on “Art that Heals in a Time of Crisis,” exploring the role of art and creativity in our industry and for us as individuals. She is the author of GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and Foundations. As an artist, entrepreneur (GraceLaced.com), and speaker, Simons uses each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts, intersecting daily life with word and art. Also featured in the closing PubU Online session will be the presentation of the Top Shelf Book Cover Award winners — honoring the best book and Bible designs of the year.
The PubU Online webinar series begins on Aug. 31, featuring daily webinars and forums through Oct. 1st. Webinars are offered in tracks on Diversity & Inclusion, Marketing, Editorial, and Data-Delivery-Workflow. In addition, three general sessions focus on the theme of “Publishing in a Time of Crisis” with Dr. Theon Hill, Kirsten McLean (NPD), and Ruth Chou Simons.
Registration includes access to all webinars and master classes.
REGISTER BEFORE AUGUST 28.
US publishers, authors, booksellers call out Amazon’s ‘concentrated power’ in the book market
(Publishing Perspectives) In a letter provided to Publishing Perspectives this morning, three leading American publishing industry professional organizations tell the House of Representatives’ Antitrust Subcommittee that “a few tech platforms in the digital marketplace” wield “extraordinary leverage over their competitors, suppliers, customers, the government, and the public.
FrontGate Media and Israel365 Media announce representation agreement
Frontgate Media announced today a new representation agreement with Israel365 Media, the leading digital marketing and advertising agency in Israel among the Christian Zionist and Jewish communities. FrontGate will provide advertising and sponsorship representation for the Israel365 affiliated brands to the U.S. marketplace with a focus on the faith-based and political markets.
Read More...Staff Announcements
Crossway appoints New Chief Publishing Officer and Bible Publisher
Crossway is pleased to announce that Executive Vice President of Production Don Jones has been promoted to the position of Crossway’s Chief Publishing Officer and Bible Publisher as of August 14, 2020, replacing Dr. Dane Ortlund, who recently left Crossway to pursue a call to vocational pastoral ministry.
Read More...WaterBrook & Multnomah add Sarah Rubio and Bunmi Ishola to Editorial team
Laura Barker, Vice President and Publisher for WaterBrook and Multnomah, announced two new additions to the editorial team both with a focus on children’s publishing. Sara Rubio joins WaterBrook as Executive Editor, reporting to Laura Barker. Bunmi Ishola is joining our team as Editor, reporting to Sarah Rubio. Through her work at Kidsbooks Publishing and Sourcebooks Kids, as well as her experience as a former middle-school educator, Bunmi brings firsthand insights on how books inspire and inform young minds.
Read More...PubU Online Track Spotlight: EDITORIAL
Editorial track to gather and train industry’s professionals: Wednesdays in September
The PubU Online program will include a track of sessions for editorial professionals, curated by Amanda Cleary Eastep, the Senior Developmental Editor at Moody Publishers. The four webinars will be offered in September on Wednesdays at 10 am central and will feature these topics and experts:
- Editing for Inclusion with Estee Zandee, Editor and Writer
- How Little Hearts Can Be Shaped More by Christ than by Crisis with Carl Laferton, EVP Publishing, The Good Book Company and author of “The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross”
- 7 Editing Tips from the Coaching World with Amy Simpson, acquisitions editor, Moody Publishers; author, speaker, coach
- The Power of Us: Editorial Community When Crisis Comes with Andy Le Peau, editor and author of “Write Better”
The track will also include a discussion forum and Zoom meet-up for ECPA members. Also included for one price is access to all sessions, general keynote webcasts, and master classes.
Registration open for two more weeks
Learn more about each session
Presenter bios featured on new PubU Online Engagement site
Milestones
AWSA announces Golden Scroll and Christian Market Book Award winners
AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) announced the winners of the 2020 Golden Scroll and Christian Market Book Awards at their Virtual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 15, 2020. The awards were presented by Monica Schmelter, host of “Bridges,” a daily program on the Christian Television Network.
Read More...Media Announcements
WFYL’s Brain Allain and author Jennifer Grant conduct “Faith, Hope, and Love During an Election” interviews
Join us for this new free video interview series with thoughtful people who care deeply about the state of our democracy, the health of the planet, and the well-being of all people, seeking their insights regarding what’s at stake in the upcoming election and how we can love our neighbors—especially those with whom we strongly disagree. In this series we do not wish to add to the negativity and polarization that now so often define American culture, but to discuss issues in the context of compassionate Christianity.
Author Becky Pippert talks about everyday evangelism on Moody Radio, TBN, and more
As many Christians grapple with what evangelism looks like, especially in the everyday “new normal” without many common church programs or events, Becky Pippert, a renowned evangelist, offered examples and advice in multiple interviews across diverse radio stations. Pippert expands on these concepts in her new book: "Stay Salt."
Read More...Bible Gateway interviews Mark Buchanan, author of “God Walk”
What happens when we literally walk out our Christian life? What does our physical being have to do with our spiritual life? What does the Bible actually mean when it exhorts us to walk in the light, or walk by faith, or walk in truth? How did Jesus model walking as spiritual formation? Bible Gateway interviewed Mark Buchanan (@markaldham), author of “God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul” (Zondervan, 2020).
Other News
INDUSTRY
- PW: Prayer Collections Help Believers Dial In to God
- UK: Hodder Faith and St Andrew's Bookshop launch The Big Church Read
- PW: A Theologian Finds Black Culture, Struggle and Hope in Scripture
- July Religion Bestsellers: Inspiring Advice and Stories with Secrets
- Religion Book Deals: August 12, 2020
- White Fragility: Why this Book is Important for Evangelicals
PUBLISHING
- Diversity in Publishing in the Age of Black Lives Matter
- US Book Industry: NPD Sees More Gains in July, 16 Percent Over 2019
- June Bookstore Sales Fell 35%
- Meyer, Hannity Drove Sales Up 10% Last Week
- European E-book, Audiobook Sales See Pandemic Pop
- Some Big Publishers Find Ways to Cope
- Digital Printing: The New Normal
- BISG free webinar tomorrow on Sustainable Publishing
- BISG free webinar Thursday on Rights Mapping vs. Taxonomy
- US Book Industry: Associations Form Health Insurance Coalition