February 24, 2020 Edition
Industry News
Christian publishing veterans, David Moberg and Byron Williamson, launch consulting firm
PW: David Moberg, formerly group publisher of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and Byron Williamson, former president and CEO of Worthy Publishing, are jointly launching a consulting firm. Moberg | Williamson Consulting will serve publishers and other mass media clients in areas such as new growth strategies, creative content development, sales opportunities, and management.
At Leadership Summit: latest data, consumer trends, opportunities for Christian publishers
Day two of the ECPA Leadership Summit, held May 5-6 in Nashville, will be what ECPA president Stan Jantz calls a “roll up your sleeves day” to explore the innovative ways publishers can reach readers with transformational content delivered outside the typical formats and distribution channels. Kristen McLean, executive director of business development at the NPD Group, will present the latest on consumer trends and opportunities for Christian publishers. A panel moderated by audio pioneer Cory Verner will explore “Formats of the Future and Subscription-based models.” A second panel, moderated by Kelly Gallagher of Ingram Content Group, will concentrate on “Data-Driven Discovery” following an address by Ingram’s Chief Content Officer Phil Ollila on “The New Marketing: Building Verticals.”
Other speakers include NAE president Dr. Walter Kim; missiologist and professor Dr. Allen Yeh; scholar and writer Karen Swallow Prior; Director for Sacred Sector at the Center for Public Justice Chelsea Langston Bombino; and AAP president Maria Pallante.
Executive teams in Christian publishing are encouraged to register by March 20 to save up to $300.
Staff Announcements
PubU Emerging Leader joins The Credo Agency
Credo Communications president Tim Beals announces that Pete Ford has joined Credo as a literary agent and publishing coordinator. Ford previously held an internship at Credo, and Beals is delighted to have him back with the team.
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Kregel Publications welcomes new sales manager
Industry veteran Marilyn Largent has joined Kregel Publications as sales manager. Marilyn has extensive experience in Christian publishing and a proven track record as a trusted sales leader in the industry.
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Thomas Silkjaer leaves 2K/DENMARK
Effective March 1, Thomas Silkjaer will leave his long time career at 2K/DENMARK to pursuing his passion for blockchain technology and data analytics, while he continues contributing to Forbes.com on topics of XRP and Big Data.
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Milestones
HarperCollins Christian Publishing celebrates 2020 ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Stan Gundry
HCCP congratulates senior v-p, publisher, and Zondervan editor-in-chief, Stan Gundry, for being recognized as this year's recipient of the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award from ECPA, announced on February 17, 2020. The award will be presented at the ECPA Leadership Summit on May 5, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Recognized for his forty-year dedication to the Christian publishing industry as both a publisher and author of seven published works, Gundry's name is synonymous with the Zondervan publishing program.
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Beth Moore’s “Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life” debuts as bestseller
"Chasing Vines," the new release from Beth Moore, earned bestseller status on both the Publishers Weekly Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction and Wall Street Journal Nonfiction bestsellers lists in release week. Both lists are based upon actual point-of-sale transactions, using data from NPD BookScan for the week ending on February 8.
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ECPA presents Bronze Sales Awards to three titles for exceeding 100,000 in sales
ECPA recently awarded Bronze Awards to the following titles for exceeding 100,000 in sales:
I Am by Diane Stortz (Tommy Nelson)
Lead Me, Holy Spirit by Stormie Omartian (Harvest House)
Prayer Warrior by Stormie Omartian (Harvest House)
The ECPA Milestone Sales Award program provides the opportunity to recognize sales milestones of 100,000, 500,000, 1 million and 10 million.
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Product News
VeggieTales® creator Phil Vischer releases new toddler version of bestselling Kids Bible
FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, and Minno Kids are pleased to announce its latest addition to the already-popular collection of kid's books by VeggieTales® creator and celebrated author Phil Vischer: the “Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones.”
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Lucinda Secrest McDowell publishes second book with Iron Stream Media
Iron Stream Media announces the release of “Soul Strong: 7 Keys to a Vibrant Life by Lucinda Secrest McDowell,” offering stories, biblical teaching, and practical suggestions centered around seven key areas essential in the vibrant woman’s life.
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New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan discusses an improbable love story on podcast
Patti Callahan recently joined the Jesus Calling podcast to share the story of the unlikely friendship turned true love between Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis, that tests the bounds of faith and radically alters both of their lives. Callahan’s book “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” is available from Thomas Nelson.
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Human trafficking survivor Rebecca Bender joins Jesus Calling podcast
Survivor and author, Rebecca Bender joins Jesus Calling Podcast to share the life-changing experience being forced into sex trafficking for nearly six years; and how, during that time, she felt God pursuing her and slowly building the courage that would eventually allow her to escape her captor. Bender’s book “In Pursuit of Love: One Woman’s Journey from Trafficked to Triumphant” is coming from Zondervan.
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Other News
- Tariffs On Most Books from China Now 7.5%
- At Bologna Children’s Book Fair: A Program on African Innovators
- Bologna Book Fair Moves to May Due to Coronavirus
- Reed 'monitors' coronavirus situation, as Asia attendees stay away from LBF
- China’s private bookstores remain closed due to coronavirus
- Bertelsmann and Penguin Random House: Climate Neutrality by 2030
- The Library Community Readies for PLA 2020 in Nashville
- Publishers, Printers Meet to Talk Shop
- New book imprint will highlight popular podcast
- BISG event: AI in Book Publishing on March 5 in NYC
- At CONTEC, Publishers Are Told ‘We’re Multi-Platform Beings’
- Sales, Earnings Down in 2019 at S&S
- Pearson Earned £65 Million In Profits from Its PRH Stake in 2019
- New Tools Are Leveling the Playing Field for Indie Booksellers
