January 2, 2018 Edition
Industry News
Happy 2018 from ECPA
We wish all our readers a happy and blessed new year, and look forward to another year of serving Christian publishing by supporting the industry mission to make the transforming message of Christ more widely known. For more information on our programs and events in 2018, visit ECPA.org.
Bono quotes Peterson’s ‘The Message’ Bible
The latest album from U2 entitled 'Songs of Experience' topped the Billboard 200 chart for the week of December 23, 2017. This is no surprise, given the Irish rock band’s history of producing No. 1 albums: already, the group boasts seven No. 1 albums to its credit. What is surprising is the special shout-out in the liner notes to 'The Message Bible.'
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Deep River Books taps FrontGate Media to assist authors with faith-based social media strategy
Deep River Books has selected FrontGate Media, one of the world’s leading Faith and Family marketing agencies, to assist their authors with Social Media Coaching and Consulting.
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Milestones
Dr. Charles F. Stanley and Thomas Nelson celebrate 1 million Bibles sold
On Thursday, December 14, 2017, Thomas Nelson celebrated with renowned pastor Dr. Charles F. Stanley the millions of lives impacted by his ministry and by 'The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible.' Members of the Thomas Nelson publishing team, including Daniel Marrs, associate publisher, Nikki Getman, senior marketing director, and Beth Ryan, senior sales director, presented Dr. Stanley with premium leather editions of 'The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible' in a beautiful presentation case.
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Paraclete debut novel wins Christianity Today 2018 Fiction Book Award
Paraclete Press is pleased to announce that debut author Katherine James has won the Christianity Today 2018 Fiction Book Award with her novel, 'Can You See Anything Now?' (October 2017). “'Can You See Anything Now?' marks the debut of an exciting literary talent. I hear echoes of Elizabeth Strout and Richard Russo in Katherine James’s richly detailed world, in her empathy, quiet humor, and hope,” states Daniel Bowman, professor at Taylor University, writing for the award committee.
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BroadStreet author and indie artist Mark Smeby has top downloaded Christmas song on amazon.com for four years straight
Nashville-based independent Christian recording artist and host of the “Live Hope Minute” radio feature, Mark Smeby, holds the honor of having his version of “Mary, Did You Know” be the most downloaded digital holiday music song on amazon.com for the fourth year in a row, topping popular artists like Mariah Carey, Burl Ives, and Gwen Stefani.
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Awards for two Good Book Company authors set the tone for a fruitful 2018
The Good Book Company is one of the more recent arrivals to the US Christian publishing scene, and so when it was announced that two of the eight categories in the 2017 Gospel Coalition Book Awards had been won by TGBC titles—alongside entries from giants like Crossway, IVP, B&H and Zondervan—it was cause for much celebration at their offices in Virginia.
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Sparkhouse Family celebrates book recognitions
The Chicago Tribune featured Adriana’s Angels by Ruth Goring (9781506418322 / Los Angeles de Adriana 9781506425078) in the Lifestyle section of the print edition in an article titled, “Author seeks greater diversity in kids books.” In addition, Owen & Eleanor Move In by H. M. Bouwman (9781506439723), the first title in the new Owen & Eleanor series, has been selected as a Junior Library Selection for its launch in April 2018.
Media Announcements
Starting over, Emily Ley is living what truly matters: Author featured on podcast
Mom, business owner and Thomas Nelson author, Emily Ley joins Jesus Calling podcast to share how she pared back and started simplifying in order to enjoy what really matters in her life.
Bible Gateway interviews JR. Forasteros, author of ‘Empathy for the Devil’
Do we have anything in common with the bad guys of the Bible? How do we guard against the sins of wrath, idolatry, and abuse of power? How can we learn at the warning of lives gone wrong? Bible Gateway interviewed JR. Forasteros (@jrforasteros) about his book ‘Empathy for the Devil: Finding Ourselves in the Villains of the Bible’ (InterVarsity Press, 2017).
Bible Gateway publishes video interview with Chris Bruno, author of ‘The Whole Message of the Bible in 16 Words’
The Bible consists of separate books written by multiple authors over hundreds of years, yet it conveys a single concept: God saving his people through their promised Messiah. In this video interview, Chris Bruno, (@chrisbruno1) talks about his book, ‘The Whole Message of the Bible in 16 Words’ (Crossway, 2017).
Bible Gateway interviews John Goldingay, author of ‘A Reader’s Guide to the Bible’
Approaching the Bible for the first time can be intimidating. At 66 books, nearly 800,000 words, and numerous kings, prophets, and deliverers, as well as priests and apostles, where should you begin? In what order should you read it? Is there an alternative to reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation? Bible Gateway interviewed John Goldingay (@JazzGoldingay) about his book, ‘A Reader’s Guide to the Bible’ (InterVarsity Press, 2017).
Hobby Lobby's Green family talks about giving on the Jesus Calling podcast
David Green recently joined the Jesus Calling podcast to share his philosophy of generosity and what he defines as true “wealth.” His son Steve, who is the president of Hobby Lobby and Steve’s wife Jackie talk about their passion to let others know about the historic relevance of the Bible and why it is still important today.
Other News
INDUSTRY
- After 17 years of service, Kirk Blank resigns as president of the Munce Group
- Three Christian stores close
- Former Lion Hudson staff win payout after tribunal
- The New Yorker: Tim Keller writes on the state of evangelicalism in 2018
- Bodleian reveals Tolkien's 'Father Christmas' letters
- CBA releases November’s bestsellers in Christian stores
PUBLISHING
- Christmas Week Sales Jump 7% Over 2016
- AAP Sales: August Sales Fall 1.5%; Children's/YA Up 2.9%
- PW's Top Publishing News Stories of 2017
- Trends in Children’s Books: Five 2018 Predictions from Scholastic
- Engaging with Sensitivity Readers: A YPG Panel
- Dept of Justice and Dept of State Launch Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinator Network
- BISG free webinar on Jan. 9: Delivering Timely, High-Quality Metadata
- Wired: The Kindle changed the book business. Can it change books?
