July 27, 2020 Edition

ECPA publishes list of 1300+ industry titles written by authors of color in 15 book categories

ECPA recently published a list of Christian books written by its members on the topic of Racial Justice.  As a follow up, 26 publishers to date have submitted their top Christian titles written by Authors of Color in several categories, such as:  Bible Study, Christian Living, Childrens, Leadership, Devotional, Fiction, Self-Help, and Women.  “The importance of this list is to emphasize that Christian teaching and story is meant to be told by, published for, and read by all – regardless of skin tone and cultural perspective,” expressed ECPA president Stan Jantz.  The list is not comprehensive and ECPA will continue to post additional resources to it.

View the “Christian books by Authors of Color” lists

American Bible Society releases 10th annual “State of the Bible” survey: COVID-19 impact

American Bible Society released its 10th annual State of the Bible report, which shows cultural trends in the U.S. regarding spirituality and Scripture engagement. The report reveals findings from two surveys, one conducted in January 2020 with Barna Group and another this June, that demonstrate the effects of the pandemic on the faith community. The data show that Scripture engagement has declined amid the COVID-19 outbreak, and there is a clear relationship between Scripture engagement and in-person church participation.

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ECPA posts slate of virtual sessions to be offered at PubU Online in September

The PubU Online Brain Trust has already confirmed 23 webinars and 32 speakers for the 2020 PubU Online program – a series of webinars offered during the month of September.  Most sessions are grouped in four compelling tracks that will gather Christian publishing professionals around each of these areas:  Editorial, Workflow, Marketing – and a new track that will feature important voices and conversations in Diversity & Inclusion.  In addition, keynote and master class sessions will be offered, along with Zoom meet-ups and forums.  Sessions will be offered daily and will not overlap.  For $99 attendees can customize their training and schedule from among all the sessions. Registration will open in two weeks and more sessions and speakers will be added.  To be notified, sign up for updates at ECPAPubU.org.

View the current slate of sessions
Sign up for program updates
Nominate an Emerging Leader to attend on scholarship

Submissions now accepted for the industry's best book and Bible designs

The Top Shelf Book Cover Award nomination period is open until August 15 for books and Bibles published June 2019 to August 2020.  The nominations are evaluated by a panel of expert designers and the top designs are selected, announced, and featured in a print annual distributed to the industry. Winners will be announced during the closing session of ECPA PubU Online on October 1st via webcast.  Submission and program information available at TopShelfAward.org.

Bronze Awards presented to industry titles for 100,000 sales milestones achieved

ECPA recently presented a Bronze Award to Chasing Vines by Beth Moore (Tyndale Momentum) for exceeding 100,000 in sales.  ECPA also recently presented Bronze Awards to three titles in the Imagination Station Series authored by Paul McCusker and Marianne Hering and published with Focus on the Family for each exceeding 100,000 in sales.  They are:  Voyage with the Vikings, Attack at the Arena, and Peril in the Palace.

More on the ECPA Milestone Sales Award

N.T. Wright and Francis Collins converse and jam out on “Language of God” podcast

From Publishers Weekly: Bible scholar N.T, Wright, author of “God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath” (Zondervan ) and Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health and founder of BioLogos, which advocates for the harmony of science and Christianity, joined in a live stream conversation July 12 on BioLogos’ weekly “Language of God” podcast. Their talk concluded with the two faithful musicians singing their original song about “Genesis” to the tune of “Yesterday.”

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Bible Gateway interviews Joshua Chatraw, author of “Telling a Better Story”

Why is it that people don’t just believe Christianity is false; they assume it isn’t good? How can followers of Jesus effectively communicate the biblical story of his grace and redemption in today’s skeptical, divisive, and technologically saturated world? How should Christians be respectful of unbelievers, all the while remaining focused on Jesus? Bible Gateway interviewed Joshua Chatraw (@joshchatraw) about his book, “Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age” (Zondervan, 2020).

Read this interview.

Advocates Katherine and Jay Wolf on living in faith when faced with the unimaginable

Jay and Katherine Wolf faced the unimaginable when Katherine suffered a brain stem stroke that turned their world upside own. They recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how we can suffer strong and respond to crisis in faith. The Wolfs’ book “Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything” is available from Zondervan.

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Pastor Scott Sauls on Jesus Calling Podcast, author of “A Gentle Answer”

Author Scott Sauls recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to dive into Jesus’ posture toward uplifting rather than condemning others in an effort to heal our hurting world; approaching others with compassion and gentleness. Saul’s book “A Gentle Answer: Our ‘Secret Weapon’ in An Age of Us Against Them” is available from Thomas Nelson.

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