August 21, 2023 Edition
Industry News
PubU Online Brain Trust introduce their programs in six tracks
ECPA PubU Online will be presented this fall through daily webinars in six training tracks from October 27 to November 13. The industry leaders charged with developing each track recently participated in a video to introduce the program. Early bird registration is now open for ECPA members. An all access pass grants access to all sessions and recordings presented in marketing, editorial, design, rights, production & operations, and children’s books.
ECPA welcomes new affiliates
The ECPA board of directors recently welcomed two new industry affiliates to ECPA:
- Amplify Marketing Services specializes in long-term marketing and advertising partnerships that involve both strategic consulting and multi-channel management.
- Friesens Corporation is a 116-year-old premier short run print manufacturer and packaging specialist located along the U.S. and Canadian border.
PCPA, ACP and ECPA co-sponsor free webinar on AI & the future of religious publishing
ECPA, in partnership with the Protestant Church-Owned Publishers Association (PCPA) and the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP), is co-sponsoring a webinar on September 26 at noon central, on “Harnessing the Power of AI in Religious Publishing.” Explore the basics of AI, with a deep dive into generative AI’s potential in product development, sales and marketing, and the supply chain — featuring speakers Craig Gipson (Flagler Law Group) and Ken Brooks (Treadwell Media Group).
Christy Award Art of Writing program to include option for separate publishing consults
Registration is now open for the online Christy Award program events, held this fall on Thursdays from October 12 to November 16 to celebrate Christian fiction. Events include the four-part Art of Writing webinar series, plus the finalist and winners reveal webcasts featuring award-winning Christian fiction authors including JANETTE OKE, DAVIS BUNN, CHRIS FABRY and more. Registrants for Art of Writing can also opt to sign up for personal-publishing-sessions, coordinated by WaterBrook editor Jamie Lapeyrolerie, with publishers and agents in a small group online setting.
Staff Announcements
David C Cook promotes Chris Baggett to Chief Marketing Officer
David C Cook recently promoted Chris Baggett to Chief Marketing Officer. Baggett previously served as VP of Marketing for the Christian book, curriculum, and music publishing company. Baggett will lead marketing for both David C Cook and Integrity Music.
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Becky Nesbitt joins Forefront Books as publisher of own imprints and associate publisher
Forefront Books, a Nashville-based independent book publisher, has announced the hiring of Becky Nesbitt as Publisher of her own imprints and Associate Publisher for Forefront Books. Nesbitt joins Forefront with over 30 years of experience gleaned from editorial roles at Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and Tyndale House Publishers.
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Milestones
Iron Stream Media brings home two Golden Scroll Awards
Iron Stream Media announces two winners at the Golden Scroll and Christian Market awards. Awards were announced at the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) banquet on August 6, 2023.
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ECPA presents two Bronze Awards for 100,000 sold
ECPA recently presented the following titles with Milestone Sales Awards at the Bronze level for achieving 100,000 in sales:
- NLT Premium Value Thinline Bible, Large Print (Tyndale House Publishers)
- You Got This: 90 Devotions to Equip and Empower Hardworking Women by Melissa Horvath (DaySpring)
“Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber hits 100k in sales
“Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber (Tyndale House) has surpassed 100,000 copies sold across all editions: paper, ebook, and audio. Released January 7, 2020, Kolber shows readers how God specifically designed their bodies and minds to work together to process their stories and work through obstacles.
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Product News
Holman Bibles and New Growth Press announce the release of the CSB Life Counsel Bible
The CSB Life Counsel Bible was released last week—a collaborative effort between Holman Bibles and New Growth Press. The Bible explores practical biblical wisdom on everyday topics, and assists readers in navigating today's complex cultural and mental health challenges.
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Podcaster and Instagrammer Tim Ross signs multi-book deal with Nelson Books
Influential podcaster, highly sought after speaker, and content creator Tim Ross has signed a two-book deal with Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. The first book is slated to release in February 2024.
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Carmen Joy Imes signs contract with IVP Academic for “Becoming God’s Family”
Carmen Joy Imes, author of “Bearing God’s Name and Being God’s Image,” has signed a contract with IVP Academic for the Fall 2026 release of a third book titled “Becoming God’s Family.” Imes (PhD, Wheaton) is associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University.
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David C Cook to release children’s book for times of distress and anxiety
David C Cook will release of “The Heart Who Wanted to Be Whole” by Beth Guckenberger of Back2Back Ministries, who has worked 30+ years with children who have experience trauma or abuse. This poignant tale for young readers, ages 4 to 8, offers solace and strength in times of distress and anxiety.
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Zondervan will release “The Science of the Good Samaritan” by Dr. Emily Smith
Dr. Emily Smith, global health expert and creator of the popular Facebook page Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist, encourages readers to change the world through the simple act of loving their neighbor in her new book, “The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors” (Zondervan, Oct. 24, 2023).
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Other News
INDUSTRY
PUBLISHING
- Judge Approves Final Injunction in Publishers, Internet Archive Copyright Case
- Judge Sets Second Hearing on Motion to Block Texas Book Rating Law
- Bookstore Sales Rose Nearly 7% in First Half of 2023
- Print Book Sales Fell in All Categories Last Week
- Census Bureau: Bookstore Sales Slip 0.7% in June
- ABA, Others Urge FTC and Justice Department to Sue Amazon
- Google: AI systems should be able to mine publishers' work unless opt out
- Copyright Update: Internet Archive Injunction Leaves Some Concerns
- PW webinar on Sep 27: AI Publishing Conference
- BISG webinar on Sep 12: Rethinking the Data Stack for Book Publishing
