May 20, 2019 Edition
There will not be a Rush to Press edition sent on Monday, May 27 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Industry News
Janice Peterson, NavPress author and beloved widow of author Eugene Peterson, passes away at age 83
Janice Peterson, NavPress author and beloved widow of pastor and author Eugene Peterson, passed away Friday, May 10, in Kalispell, Montana, where she was cared for in an assisted living facility. NavPress published Janice’s "Becoming Gertrude: How Our Friendships Shape Our Faith," her first book, in November 2018. Eugene Peterson passed away on October 22, 2018.
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ECPA announces the year’s bestselling Easter books
Based on NPD BookScan data during the 2019 Easter season, ECPA has posted the bestselling Christian Easter titles in both Juvenile and NonFiction categories. The top Easter NonFiction title is The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel (Zondervan) and the top Easter Juvenile title is God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren (WaterBrook).
View bestselling non-fiction Easter books
View bestselling juvenile Easter books
Behind May's Bestseller Lists
ECPA has released the bestseller lists for May. Six of the top 10 and ten of the top 20 books (from eight different publishing imprints) are new. Leading the way at #2, just behind Rachel Hollis’ Girl Wash Your Face (Thomas Nelson) is Crushing by T.D. Jakes (FaithWords). At #4 is A Love Letter Life by Jeremy Roloff (Zondervan), known for his role on the TLC hit show Little People, Big World.
Firebrand Technologies launches Eloquence on Alert
Firebrand Technologies, a trusted leader in technology services for the publishing industry, knows that smarter decisions come from better intelligence. With that in mind, Firebrand is pleased to announce the public launch of Eloquence on Alert, its newest title performance monitoring product.
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Firebrand presents webinar this week for ECPA members: Metadata Revolution: How Eloquence on Demand™ helps Christian Publishers will be held on May 22 at 1 pm eastern. Register.
Baker & Taylor Publisher Services continues services to Christian channel
On the heels of Baker & Taylor Wholesale and Library announcing a shift in its business operations to align with the education focus of parent company Follett Corporation, Baker & Taylor Publisher Services’ Christian channel is as strong as ever. The recent shift that the Christian retail industry is experiencing gives BTPS’ Christian channel an opportunity to help publishers and independent bookstores continue to gain access to great Christian content.
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Milestones
Louie Giglio's new book "Not Forsaken" hits No. 3 on Publishers Weekly bestseller list
Bestselling author and Passion movement founder Louie Giglio’s latest book “Not Forsaken: Finding Freedom As Sons and Daughters of a Perfect Father” (May 7, B&H Publishing) debuted at No. 3 on the Publishers Weekly Trade Paper Frontlist for the week ending May 11.
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Tyndale House Publishers receives Platinum Award for “A Child’s First Bible”
ECPA has presented a Platinum Award to Tyndale House Publishers for A Child’s First Bible, which has surpassed one million copies in sales. Established in 1990, the Gold | Platinum | Diamond Book Awards recognize outstanding sales achievement in the publication of quality Christian literature.
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Media Announcements
Bible Gateway interviews Randy Travis, author of “Forever and Ever, Amen”
From a working-class background in North Carolina to being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Randy Travis has sold more than 25 million albums in both country and gospel music. This seemingly charmed life began a downward spiral in 2009: his marriage dissolved, he discovered that his finances had unraveled, and his struggles with anger led to alcohol abuse, public embarrassment, and even police arrest in 2012. Then, just as he was putting his life back together, Randy suffered a devastating viral cardiomyopathy that led to a massive stroke which he was not expected to survive. Bible Gateway interviewed Randy Travis (@randytravis) about his book, “Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life” (Thomas Nelson, 2019).
Bible Gateway interviews J.P. Moreland, author of “Finding Quiet”
Nearly 20% of Americans suffer from mental illness—including anxiety and depression—according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and people in church pews are not immune. Because prominent philosopher, author, and professor J.P. Moreland experienced it himself, he has now explored the spiritual and physical aspects of mental illness, and has discovered sound sources of information, treatment, and recovery. Bible Gateway interviewed J.P. Moreland (@jpmoreland) about his book, “Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace” (Zondervan, 2019).
Olympic runner Ryan Hall on podcast to discuss his book, “Run The Mile You’re In”
Ryan Hall, premiere distance runner with the best-ever American times in the Olympic Half Marathon and Marathon, recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how his faith sustained him during a time when the way forward seemed unclear, and how God is now using him to help people around the world with the sport he loves. Hall’s book, “Run The Mile You’re In: Finding God in Every Step” is available from Zondervan.
Product News
Atlanta pastor Dhati Lewis shows churches how to be advocates for reconciliation in new book
Pastor, author and Send Network VP Dhati Lewis will release his second book this June, exhorting churches to be advocates for racial reconciliation. Lewis’ book, “Advocates: The Narrow Path to Racial Reconciliation” (B&H Publishing), focuses on the book of Philemon, unpacking key timeless principles that Paul applied to being an advocate in the midst of division. Lewis frequently speaks to pastors and trains leaders on holistic restoration, racial reconciliation and disciple-making in urban contexts.
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B&H acquires acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior to edit classic literature series
B&H Publishing is proud to announce its acquisition of acclaimed author and award-winning English professor Karen Swallow Prior. Though many are familiar with and perhaps can even recite quotes from classic literature such as “Sense and Sensibility,” “Frankenstein” or “The Scarlet Letter,” many adults don’t know how to read them and likely haven’t picked them up since their high school English class.
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InterVarsity Press to publish Alabaster Devotional Series: Study Bibles for an Instagram generation
Brian Chung and Bryan Ye-Chung of Alabaster Co. have signed a contract to partner with InterVarsity Press (IVP) on the Alabaster Devotional series—a version of their widely praised Alabaster Bible set, originally launched through a Kickstarter campaign in 2016.
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Other News
- Books are Target of New China Tariffs
- Why Paper Prices Are Likely to Remain High for Publishers
- S&S Launches Indie Quick Start
- Millennials and Generation Z drive audiobook listenership
- Survey of BAME interns shows mixed experiences of the industry
- A time of opportunity and renewed energy for accessible publishing
- Copyright Clearance Center and CopyGhana: Building Rights Organizations
- Walmart’s ambitious plan to beat Amazon on free one-day shipping is here
- Amazon Literary Partnership Awards $1M in Lit Funding
- Bookstore Sales Fell 8.4% in Q1
- Schaumburg, Ill., B&N to Relocate, Downsize
