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July 20, 2020 Edition

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Industry News

J. I. Packer, renowned theologian and author of “Knowing God,” dies at age 93

J. I. Packer, one of the most respected and well-known theologians of our time, passed away on Friday, July 17, at the age of 93. Once named to Time magazine’s list of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America, James Innell Packer wrote what many consider the definitive classic evangelical book of the twentieth century, “Knowing God,” which has sold more than one million copies in North America alone.

Jeff Crosby, publisher for IVP said, “J. I. Packer was a man who knew and loved God and helped others to do likewise. “Knowing God,” which we first published in 1973, is but one example from his life of writing and teaching.”

Read More...


Statement from Tyndale House on the passing of J. I. Packer:
“J. I. Packer was a theologian for the common person. He had a wonderful ability to simplify difficult concepts. Tyndale House was pleased to publish a number of his books through the years, and we have the rights to publish a multi-volume systematic theology to be drawn from his voluminous writings. The church has lost a great communicator and a good friend.”
Mark D. Taylor, Chairman, CEO, Tyndale House Publishers


 

Megan Dobson named vice president, publisher for Zonderkidz

Zondervan has announced Megan Dobson as the vice president, publisher for Zonderkidz, the children’s imprint for Zondervan. She will begin on July 27 and report to Laura Minchew, senior vice president, Children’s and Gift Group publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP).

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New group launches for Christian Publishing Professionals of Color

On February 3, 2020, Embolden Media Group founder and CEO, Jevon Bolden, launched an online community called Christian Publishing Professionals of Color (CPPOC). The group was formed out of Jevon’s desire for camaraderie, the same desire she perceived among others like her in the field. “Our voices, perspectives, and experience matter so much, but so often we are overlooked, excluded, passed over, outnumbered, outvoiced, outvoted, or undervalued. I hope that CPPOC will be a place we can sense our worth, put down our guards, and feel heard and supported.”

Read More...

ECPA hosts conversation this week with Christian retail executives

ECPA is presenting the last of the current ECPA FOCUS webinar series this Thursday with a conversation about the state of Christian retail with Ray Hendrickson (Christianbook), Bob Munce (Christian Retail Association), and Greg Squires (The Parable Group). Last week’s conversation was on meaningful diversity initiatives each organization can take to build trust and sustain change. This free series is for ECPA members only.

REGISTER

Top Shelf Book Cover Award program accepting submissions until August 15

ECPA members are invited to submit their best book cover designs to the Top Shelf Award program by August 15.  Nominations are open to Bibles and books published between June 2019 to August 2020.  Winners will be announced during the closing session of ECPA PubU Online on October 1st via webcast.

Submission and program information at TopShelfAward.org.

PubU Online training program to continue Emerging Leader scholarships

PubU Online – a series of training webinars and forums to be held for Christian publishing professionals throughout September — will continue the Emerging Leader scholarship and mentorship program. The scholarship offers those newer to the industry, from under-represented voices, to attend at a 50% reduced rate.  Recipients will have access to all training modules at PubU Online, along with special networking sessions, and mentorship opportunities.

Nominate an Emerging Leader through Aug. 14.
More on PubU Online

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Milestones

Editorial Portavoz recognized as "Publisher of the Year" by SEPA

For the third time in a four-year period, Editorial Portavoz received the distinction of “Publisher of the Year” by distributors and booksellers of Spanish Christian literature.

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Imagination Station series from Focus on the Family surpasses 1 million units in sales

The Imagination Station series, published by Focus on the Family in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, has now sold over 1 million copies. The chapter book series, which is part of the classic Adventures in Odyssey® line, follows cousins Patrick and Beth on their time-travel adventures.

Read More...

https://utm.io/uFNW

Product News

IVP and Seminary Now announce launch of new online educational platform

InterVarsity Press (IVP) is pleased to announce the general-market release of Seminary Now, a new subscription-based online educational platform that gives pastors and lay church leaders access to on-demand video courses and certification programs from leading teachers and seminaries. IVP is the premier publishing partner for the platform, which launched in beta this spring and is now available for wide release.

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Emily Ley releases “Grace, Not Perfection” for Young Readers

Founder and entrepreneur of successful lifestyle and organizational brand, Simplified® by Emily Ley, releases “Grace, Not Perfection” for Young Readers. At a time when having grace for self and others may be an essential practice, Emily Ley offers this reminder for young readers with the release of her newest book, “Grace, Not Perfection for Young Readers: Believing You're Enough in a World of Impossible Expectations.” The book hits shelves on Wednesday, Aug. 11 and will be available for purchase wherever books are sold.

Read More...

https://www.npd.com/perspectives/books-ecpa-lp/

Media Announcements

IVP launches AND Campaign book alongside new online resource: Books on Politics & Government

As the country moves into the 2020 election season InterVarsity Press has announced that it is releasing and providing resources to equip voters in understanding as well as engaging the issues of our day from a faith perspective. On Tuesday, July 21, IVP will release "Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement," which will be included among the titles on the newly launched webpage “Books on Politics & Government” on the IVP website.

Read More...

Bible Gateway interviews Scott Sauls, author of “A Gentle Answer”

In a defensive and divided era, how can followers of Jesus reveal a better way of living, one that loves others as God loves us? How can Christians be the kind of people who are known, as the book of Proverbs puts it, to “turn away wrath?” What does the Bible mean when it compels us to give “a gentle answer” to hostile people? Bible Gateway interviewed Scott Sauls (@scottsauls) about his book, “A Gentle Answer: Our ‘Secret Weapon’ in an Age of Us Against Them” (Thomas Nelson, 2020).

Read this interview.

Jaci Velasquez on "When God Rescripts Your Life" on Jesus Calling podcast

Multi-platinum recording artist Jaci Velasquez has experienced the highs of life with a successful recording career and a wonderful marriage. Then suddenly, both crashed. Jaci joins the Jesus Calling podcast to share her journey towards a renewed faith that carried her through a resurrected career, the blessing of a second marriage, and the ups-and-downs of being a mother of an autistic child. Velasquez’s book “When God Rescripts Your Life: Seeing Value, Beauty, and Purpose When Life is Interrupted” is available from Thomas Nelson.

More…

Other News

INDUSTRY

  • CT tribute: J. I. Packer, ‘Knowing God’ Author, Dies at 93
  • Religious Publishers' Anti-Racism Resources Draw Sales
  • WFYL hosts online Christian Children’s Book Conference, Sept. 21-25

PUBLISHING

  • US Book Market: NPD Sees Unit Sales Up 2.8 Percent in Q2
  • IPA Announces ‘Extreme Concern’ About Book Censorship in Hong Kong
  • Barnes & Noble Regroups and Looks Ahead
  • May Bookstore Sales Took Another Dive
  • NPD webinar on July 27: U.S. Books Performance Review
  • Lisa Lucas to Head Pantheon and Schocken Books
  • National Book Award recipient, Author, and Civil Rights icon John Lewis dies
  • How Telling Stories Together Can Help a Book Soar
  • Children's Institute Goes Online with Anti-Racism Out Front
  • Coronavirus Impact: Italian Publishers Sees ‘Abandonment of Reading’
  • How #PublishingPaidMe Exposed Racial Inequities
  • Dana Canedy, first black head of Big 5 publishing house on industry change
  • $3.5 Million in Grants Available for Nonprofit Publishers, Lit Orgs
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