August 7, 2017 Edition
Industry News
Former NavPress Publisher Kent Wilson dies
Christians in publishing in dozens of countries are mourning the loss of Dr. Kent Wilson, former NavPress publisher and frequent overseas trainer and consultant, who died June 28, 2017. Although Dr. Wilson lived his entire life in Colorado, serving at various times as pastor, publisher, and executive coach, his vision for missions and Christian publishing in the Developing World led him to serve as a trainer and consultant for a number of missions organizations.
Read More...
Lockman Foundation president Robert Lambeth dies
Robert "Bob" Lambeth, president for 38 years of the Lockman Foundation, publisher of the New American Standard Bible, died July 11 at age 81. Lambeth served as the third president of the Lockman Foundation, a nonprofit, interdenominational ministry dedicated to the translation, publication and distribution of the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Amplified Bible and other biblical resources.
Read More...
Kregel author Emily King passes away
Kregel children’s author Emily King, known for "Clopper the Christmas Donkey," "Clopper and the Lost Boy," and "Clopper and the Night Travelers," passed away July 5, 2017, after a battle with cancer.
Read More...
Harvest House announces retirement of LaRae Weikert and hire of new publisher
Harvest House Publishers industry veteran and Publisher/EVP LaRae Weikert has announced that she will retire on August 31, 2017. In 1985 Weikert joined the company’s customer service department before moving into editorial a year later, where it quickly became evident that she had found her niche. After several promotions over the years, LaRae eventually became the EVP of Editorial in 2014, then Publisher and EVP of the Willamette Group in 2016.
Read More...
InterVarsity Press welcomes monarch butterflies and reconstructs prairie
InterVarsity Press is honored to be partnering with the DuPage County (IL) Monarch Project as a result of recent work done to their property’s landscaping. Continuing in their commitment to care for the environment, IVP replaced much of their landscaping with milkweeds and butterfly-friendly native plants and was recognized as an official monarch waystation in the county.
Read More...
Christian Bestseller lists released for August
Perhaps because it’s summer, the ECPA Bestsellers lists for August, reflecting POS sales compiled by NPD in July, show that readers favor familiar titles. In the Top 50 bestsellers overall, the top 8 slots are occupied by books released prior to 2017. For the second month in a row, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers) took the top slot, followed by books by perennial bestselling authors such as Sarah Young, Lysa TerKeurst, Dave Ramsey, William Paul Young, and Karen Kingsbury. Two books, one nonfiction and one fiction title, released in July 2017 cracked the Top 50. Sneezing Jesus by Brian Hardin (NavPress) came in at #14 overall and #11 on the Nonfiction Top 25 list. The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher debuted at #25 on the Top 50 overall list and #5 on the Fiction Top 25 list.
PubU Marketing & Publicity program announced: Sessions by top book marketers from podcasts to video and more
Industry marketing and publicity professionals are invited to PubU, where sessions will be presented by leading book marketers on a variety of topics from podcasts to video. The track was developed by PubU Brain Trust members Dave Schroeder, VP of Marketing at B&H Publishing Group, and James Kinnard, founder of Useful Group. Says Schroeder: “This track will focus on creating ‘renaissance publishing professionals,’ providing the best possible book marketing and publicity education for attendees to grow and lead in their discipline.” Sessions include:
- Five Essential Things a Publisher Needs from Their Marketing Team
— Panel led by veteran publisher Jonathan Merkh - Podcasts: What is fun, what sells, and what stinks
— Todd Adkins, Director of LifeWay Leadership and Co-Host of 5 Leadership Questions Podcast; and Barnabas Piper, Author, co-host of 5 Leadership Questions Podcast and The Happy Rant Podcast - Influencer Marketing: In God we trust, everyone else has to bring data
— Todd Adkins, Director of LifeWay Leadership and Co-Host of 5 Leadership Questions Podcast - 5 Essential Strategies for Promoting Books Online
— Andrew Tebbe, VP of Marketing & Communications, Crossway - Video Campaigns: Building value through story-driven creative
— David McKay, Producer & Creative Director - What Movies and Music Promotion can Teach the Book Industry
— Jennifer Willingham, Co-Founder of Icon Media Group - What Every News Editor or Producer Needs from a Publicist/Publisher
— A panel of talented editors and producers in news media
PubU is the premier conference for Christian publishing professionals held November 7-8 at Lipscomb University in Nashville, featuring Gabe Lyons as keynote speaker. PubU programs are offered in editorial, marketing, rights, design, reader engagement, and data/delivery/workflow.
More at ECPAPubU.org
Early bird rate ends August 31 | REGISTER
Milestones
‘The Total Money Makeover’ hits The Wall Street Journal bestseller list more than 500 weeks
Since its release in May 2003, 'The Total Money Makeover' by bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey, published by Thomas Nelson, has been changing the way Americans handle their finances. The book continues to sell at such a high rate it has been a staple on The Wall Street Journal’s Best-Selling Books list for more than 500 weeks. For the week ending July 23, 2017, 'The Total Money Makeover' was #4 on the Hardcover Business list.
Read More...
Media Announcements
Bible Gateway interviews Edie Littlefield Sundby, author of ‘The Mission Walker: I was given three months to live…’
This former IBM executive is the first person in 250 years to walk the entire 1,600-mile El Camino Real Mission Trail from Loreto, Mexico to Sonoma, California. And that’s not the most interesting thing about her. Ten years ago she was given three months to live after a Stage 4 gallbladder cancer diagnosis. Against all odds, she survived 79 rounds of chemotherapy and radical liver and lung surgeries, losing 60% of her liver, and her right lung. Bible Gateway interviewed Edie Littlefield Sundby (@ediesundby) about her book, The Mission Walker: I was given three months to live… (W Publishing, 2017).
Bible Gateway interviews Martin H. Manser, co-editor of ‘The Complete Topical Guide to the Bible’
Studying the Bible lies at the heart of the Christian faith. One approach is the exploration of the central topics of Scripture—such as the Trinity, humanity, sin, and salvation—that unfold the unity and richness of the Bible. Bible Gateway interviewed Bible reference editor Martin H. Manser (@mhmanser), who, along with Alister McGrath, J. I. Packer, and Donald Wiseman, edited The Complete Topical Guide to the Bible (Baker Books, 2017).
Product News
Zondervan to publish memoir by Jonathan Cain, first book by a member of the band Journey
Zondervan announced today a one-book contract with Jonathan Cain, keyboardist for the band Journey. In the first book by a member of the band, Cain will share his personal story and path to faith as well as behind-the-scenes stories of his 36-year career with one of America’s favorite, multi-hit rock bands including his inspiration for co-writing Don’t Stop Believin’. The untitled memoir is set for release in spring 2018 and was co-written with Travis Thrasher.
Read More...
Matt Chandler signs two-book deal with The Good Book Company
Matt Chandler, Lead Teaching Pastor of The Village Church, President of the Acts29 Network, and author of several books including 'The Mingling of Souls,' has signed a two-book contract with The Good Book Company. The books were acquired by TGBC’s Editorial Director, Carl Laferton.
Read More...
Tyndale House Publishers to release “Story to Life” study companion to Beth Moore debut novel
Tyndale House Publishers(@tyndalehouse) announces the September release of 'Undoing What Has You Undone,' a “Story to Life” companion guide to be published in conjunction with the softcover release of Beth Moore’s novel 'The Undoing of Saint Silvanus.'
Read More...
Discovery House honors Oswald Chambers with release of several new titles
Discovery House, the exclusive North American publisher of My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, is celebrating the life of Chambers and his century-long legacy with the release of several new titles this fall, as well as limited editions of his most-loved work.
Read More...
The King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition features scholarship of conservative scholars
For more than a quarter of a century, Thomas Nelson has earned the trust of millions with the best-selling King James Study Bible, which has offered the standard of conservative KJV scholarship. This tradition and commitment to KJV study continues with the release of 'The King James Study Bible, Full Color Edition.'
Read More...
Warner Press releases new resource for Children’s Ministry
Warner Press continues to grow its church and ministry books category with the recent release of 'Go' by Rachael Groll. 'Go' will add depth to teaching resources for the church, bringing together new ideas and solid experience while working with often overlooked youth. Groll’s book can transform entire communities through a hands-on sidewalk ministry.
Read More...
First children’s book on Thomas Merton published to acclaim
On his visit to the USA, Pope Francis hailed Thomas Merton as one of four citizens who have shaped American values. Until now, there have been no books for young children on the life of this important figure in our faith and spiritual culture. Published at a time when children's book publishing is experiencing growth, this book teaches about Merton, monasticism, and the Christian life in a simple A - Z format.
Read More...
Sparkhouse Family announces Frolic Baby Bible Studies
Sparkhouse Family is keenly aware of the challenges faced by Christian retail stores these days. As a publisher, we wanted to help stores meet one of their biggest challenges head on – driving retail foot traffic. So we’ve created Frolic Baby Bible Studies. We’ve created a series of storytime sessions that are built around our Frolic series, totally free for stores to use.
Read More...
Sparkhouse Family Acquisition Announcement: The Very Best Story Ever Told
Sparkhouse Family is pleased to announce the acquisition of 'The Very Best Story Ever Told' for publication in Fall 2018. A poem about the Gospel reinforced with American Sign Language, 'The Very Best Story Ever Told' helps young children understand the story of Jesus’ life in a whole new way.
Read More...
Other News
LEGAL
PUBLISHING
- PW call for forthcoming adult nonfiction religion titles in marriage/family by August 9
- Trade Sales Were a Bright Spot In a Dark Year for Sales; Industry sales fell 5.1% in 2016 from 2015
- US Publishers Association Statistics: Overall 4.9% Rise in First Quarter
- Three Innovative Avenues for Specialty Author Marketing: How to Profit From Learning Platforms
