October 10, 2022 Edition
Industry News
ECPA names 16 "Emerging Leaders" for PubU scholarship & mentorship program
ECPA has announced the recipients of the Emerging Leader scholarship and mentorship program for ECPA PubU – the industry’s training and networking event for Christian publishing professionals, taking place November 16-17 at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Nominations were made by companies in Christian publishing with a goal to invest in the emerging leaders in their organizations.
Read More...October’s Christian bestsellers posted in 15 categories
ECPA has released the monthly Christian bestseller lists for October in 15 categories, based on sales data from NPD Bookscan. The #1 bestselling title is “The Return of the Gods” by Jonathan Cahn (Frontline).
Baker Publishing Group acquires The Bible Study line of products from The Brand Sunday
On September 30, 2022, Baker Publishing Group purchased the publishing rights for The Bible Study products from The Brand Sunday. Baker Publishing Group will now publish and distribute The Brand Sunday products, including The Bible Study, which has sold over 350,000 copies since 2017, The Bible Study: Youth Edition (2017), and The Bible Study for Kids, which releases October 18, 2022.
Read More...Finalists in nine categories for The Christy Award® announced tomorrow
Tomorrow, on October 11 at 11 am CDT, the finalists of The Christy Award® will be named in nine fiction categories via live webinar, hosted by ECPA president Jeff Crosby and award-winning novelist Chris Fabry of Moody Radio’s Chris Fabry Live.
Register for Finalist Reveal webinar
Register for the Winners Gala and Art of Writing program, held Nov. 17 in Nashville
IPG announces major reorganization of UK-based UID group of companies
Effective immediately, IPG has executed a four-part plan to integrate and stabilise UID, the UK's leading distributor of independent publishers.
Read More...Christian magazine publishing professionals to gather for training in Ghana
Magazine Training International (MTI) invites Christian magazine publishing professionals in Africa to attend the third event in a 10-year training program for Africa. The conference will be held 13-18 November, 2022, in Accra, Ghana.
Read More...Staff Announcements
Katya Covrett named v-p, publisher for Zondervan’s acclaimed academic imprint
Zondervan has announced the promotion of Katya Covrett to vice president, publisher for the publishing group’s academic imprint, Zondervan Academic. Covrett, who has been serving the imprint as associate publisher for the past year, will lead the acquisition, editorial development, and overall title strategy moving forward.
Read More...PubU Spotlight: Production & Operations
Leading voices in Production and Operations to present at PubU
Bradley Isbell (COO of Iron Stream) and Jennifer Butenschoen (Director of Production & Digital Content at Harvest House) will gather industry leaders to present six sessions on timely topics for production & operations professionals at the upcoming ECPA PubU on Nov. 16-17 in Nashville. Sessions include:
> Considering 3PL Distribution Services with Brian Flagler (Flagler Law Group), Stephanie Osborne (Harvest House), Dana Mauro (Anchor)
> What is Operations with Ben McCoy (IVP) and Stephanie Osborne (Harvest House)
> Elevating Paper Opportunities in the Supply Chain with Matt Baehr (BMI), Bill Rojack (Midland), and Ben McCoy (IVP)
> What Distribution Means for You with Jeff Johnson (Tyndale) and Justin Sullivan (Lifeway)
> Creating Equity and a Sense of Belonging with Terumi Echols (IVP)
> How Rights Can Interact Harmoniously with Other Departments with Joel Stombres (Moody) and Eddie Cuevas (Moody)
ECPA PubU offers the unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders and network with other colleagues in similar publishing roles. The program will also offer sessions in these training tracks: Marketing, Editorial, Design, and a Children’s Book Summit.
Milestones
Zonderkidz book “I’m So Glad You Were Born” by Ainsley Earhardt hits #1 on NYT bestseller list
The Zonderkidz title, “I’m So Glad You Were Born” authored by FOX & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt received #1 status on the New York Times bestseller list for Children’s Picture Books for the October 16 issue.
Read More...“Is Christmas Unbelievable?” by Rebecca McLaughlin surpasses 100k milestone
The Good Book Company announces that I”s Christmas Unbelievable?” by Rebecca McLaughlin has surpassed 100,000 units in print sales (The Good Book Company, October 2021).
Read More...“Rose Among Thornes” wins 2022 Word Awards in multiple categories
Iron Stream Media is thrilled to announce that “Rose Among Thornes” by Terrie Todd has won the prestigious Debra Fieguth Social Justice Award from The Word Guild for 2022 as well as the award for Best Book Cover.
Read More...Product News
Jesus Calling brand announces new children’s book of prayers
With sales of more than 40 million books worldwide, Sarah Young, the bestselling author of the Jesus Calling, Jesus Always and Jesus Listens devotionals, is now releasing a new book of prayers for children. “Jesus Listens: 365 Prayers for Kids” is available wherever books are sold.
Read More...Holman Bibles launches interactive Children’s Bible
Holman Bibles announces the launch of “The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids,” designed to help young readers place God's Word in the middle of God's world. The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids, featuring an engaging full-color design with images, illustrations, timelines, and interactive study helps throughout, will help children read, understand, and apply God's Word for a lifetime.
Read More...Focus on the Family to release new children’s products
Focus on the Family, in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, will release three new Focus on the Family children’s products this fall. The new products—"Otter B Thankful,” “28 Hours,” and “Sled Run for Survival”—will equip parents to teach their children about having a brave and grateful faith even in the midst of hardship.
Read More...New Growth Press releases two new stories to help children understand their big feelings
The popular Good News for Little Hearts series, a favorite of children and parents alike, has grown again with the addition of two new releases from New Growth Press: “Henry’s Big Mistake: When You Feel Guilty” and “Zoe’s Time to Shine: When You Want to Hide” (October 3, 2022).
Read More...International minister John Bevere signs with W Publishing Group
W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson Publishing, has announced a one-book deal with bestselling author John Bevere. “The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life” is slated to go on-sale in February 2023.
Read More...Ellie Holcomb releases Christmas EP to accompany her latest children’s Christmas book
Acclaimed singer/songwriter and best-selling author Ellie Holcomb will release her new Christmas EP, Sing: Christmas Songs, on November 1st to accompany her latest children's book, Sounding Joy, which was released earlier this month.
Read More...Media Announcements
Zondervan author Nona Jones appears on CBN; featured in Newsweek
Bestselling author and preacher Nona Jones appeared on CBN’s 700 Club on September 28 to discuss her new book, KILLING COMPARISON: Reject the Lie You Aren’t Good Enough and Live Confident in Who God Made You to Be, newly released from Zondervan Books. Newsweek ran a personal essay from Nona highlighting how toxic comparison was ruining her life, and Nona’s journey to overcoming her fears.
Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer on Jesus Calling Podcast
Brittany Maher was hollowed out and disenchanted with the beauty industry after putting years of hard work and basing her self-worth on her career. Out of desperation and seeking real community with other women who were looking for answers beyond a shallower existence, she began an Instagram page called Her True Worth. After a serendipitous meeting with Cassandra Speer on Instagram, they teamed together to reach over 1.5 million women worldwide with a message about how they all could find their true worth in God. They recently joined The Jesus Calling Podcast to share about their new book, “Her True Worth,” available from Thomas Nelson.
Chris & Nik Nikic on Jesus Calling Podcast
Nik Nikic and his son Chris recently joined The Jesus Calling Podcast to share how Chris became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman, a series of long-distance triathlon races, which brought Chris and his Dad to international attention, and inspired thousands to believe they were made for more than what others told them they could do or be. The Nikics’ new book, “1% Better,” is available from Thomas Nelson.
Other News
INDUSTRY
- Died: Brother Andrew, Who Smuggled Bibles into Communist Countries
- A Huge Sales Jump for Religion Presses
- Religion Books for Kids Offer a World of Faith
- Time-Tested Kids’ Religious Titles
- Religion Book Deals: September 28, 2022
- PW Talks to Bethany author Toni Shiloh about BIPOC authors in Christian fiction
- PW Call for Women's Spirituality Books
- EPA presents Virtual Conference for Christian Communicators in the Digital Space
PUBLISHING
- Court Dismisses 'Implausible' Price-Fixing Suits Against Amazon, Big Five Publishers
- Print Book Sales Fell 9% at End of September
- 2021 Was a Stellar Year for Publishing
- NPD: Romance is the Leading Growth Category for US Print Books This Year
- IPA, FEP: A Climate-Crisis ‘Publishing 2030 Accelerator’
- US National Book Awards Program Names Its 25 Finalists for 2022
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Speak at Frankfurt Book Fair
- Ingram Streamlines Distribution Group
- Hachette Requires Two Days in Office, Effective November 1
- IPG Adds Eight Publishers to Distro Program
- Authors, Advocacy Group Urge Publishers to Support Libraries
- BISG Launches a "Rights FAQ"
- BISG Reveals Updated "Supply Chain Monitor" Survey Results
- Amazon’s additional Prime Day this week will shift holiday shopping even earlier