March 16, 2025 Edition

Died: John M. Perkins, who lived and preached racial reconciliation

(Christianity Today) John M. Perkins, a bold evangelical voice who proclaimed the gospel against racism, died on Friday at the age of 95. Perkins challenged Christians—especially white evangelicals—to repent of safe, narrow, and self-serving interpretations of the message of Jesus. He authored several books, the first with Baker Publishing:  “Let Justice Roll Down.”

In 2008, Dr. John M. Perkins received the ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award and three of his titles earned finalist distinctions in the Christian Book Award (Gold Medallion) program: “Beyond Charity” (Baker), “Resurrecting Hope” (Regal), and “Dream With Me” (Baker).

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ECPA Bestseller Lists for March to be released in new layout; Adds Hardcover & Paperback categories

The ECPA Christian Bestseller lists for March will be released tomorrow across 16 categories, debuting a refreshed layout and new nonfiction categories for Hardcover and Paperback. The updated lists will feature book covers, creating a more consumer-friendly visual presentation of the month’s bestselling titles, as reported by Circana BookScan. This enhancement is part of a broader upgrade to ECPA’s consumer website, ReadGoodBooks.com. Additional details about the website updates will be shared soon.

To receive the new bestseller lists in your inbox tomorrow and each month, sign up here.

Christian publishing leaders to be honored at 2026 ECPA Awards Celebration

Christian publishing leaders from across the industry will gather in Schaumburg, Illinois, April 28-29 for the ECPA Leadership Summit, culminating in the annual ECPA Awards Celebration dinner, where ECPA will honor the legacy of longtime publishing leader Robert Wolgemuth, announce the Christian Book Award winners, present the ECPA Chair Award, celebrate industry Milestones, and more.

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Barb Roose to address leadership stress at ECPA Leadership Summit

The ECPA Leadership Summit, April 28–29 outside Chicago, will gather Christian publishing leaders for insight, connection, and conversation around the future of the industry. Among the featured sessions is “Keeping Stress from Making a Mess of Your Leadership and Relationships” with Barb Roose—Books & Such literary agent, speaker, leadership coach, and author. Roose will address the real pressures leaders face and share Scripture-based principles and tools for managing stress and overwhelm. Participants will gain practical insight for protecting their relationships and strengthening their effectiveness as leaders.

It’s not too late to register. Registration, schedule, sessions, and speakers are available at ECPALeadership.org.

Christy Award® submissions open through March 31

Submissions are now open for the 2026 Christy Award program, celebrating excellence in Christian fiction, and will be accepted through March 31 across nine fiction categories. Eligible titles are published between March 2025 and March 2026, traditionally or independently, that place matters of belief at the heart of the story.

Program & Submissions

IPG adds five publishers to its sales & distribution programs

Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is pleased to announce the addition of five publishers to its sales and distribution programs starting in April 2026.

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The Selah Awards announce finalists

On March 3, 2026, Selah Awards Director Eva Marie Everson announced the titles and names of the finalists for this year’s contest from the nearly 650 entries.

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BookSmarts Podcast with Joshua Tallent talks to ECPA president Jeff Crosby

Jeff Crosby recently joined the Booksmarts Podcast to discuss the history and mission of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), and the emerging challenges and opportunities facing Christian publishing—from AI and market consolidation to global growth in regions like Brazil.

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