September 16, 2024 Edition
Industry News
Christian bestseller lists posted for September
ECPA has released the monthly Christian bestseller lists for September 2024 in 15 categories, based on August sales through Circana BookScan. The top-selling book is “What Happens Next” by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson), with “Practicing the Way” by John Mark Comer (WaterBrook) and debut title “A Crown That Lasts by Demi-Leigh Tebow (Thomas Nelson) coming in at #2 and #3.
Moody Publishers celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. George Sweeting
Moody Bible Institute announced today that Dr. George Sweeting died on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 99 years old. He served as president from 1971 to 1987, and then as Chancellor until the last day of the 20th century.
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Finalists named in nine fiction categories for The Christy Award
Last week, ECPA announced 33 finalists for The Christy Award in an online webcast hosted by Christy Hall of Fame novelist and radio host Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby. Winners will be announced at The Christy Award Gala held on Thursday, November 14 in Downers Grove, just outside Chicago, preceded by the Art of Writing conference.
Nomination deadline for PubU Emerging Leader scholarships is this Friday
ECPA member companies are encouraged to invest in the new and diverse emerging leaders among their staff, by nominating them for an Emerging Leader scholarship to ECPA PubU. Recipients participate in PubU for only $99, and then are matched with an industry leader for a year-long mentor program. The nomination deadline is this Friday.
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PubU Spotlight: Children's Book Summit
Children’s Book Summit to be held afternoon following PubU, Nov. 14
As a free add-on to the ECPA PubU program, the Children’s Book Summit welcomes all who want to increase their knowledge around children’s literature. Track leaders Catherine DeVries and Elissa Schauer, both veterans in the children’s book space, have put together the following sessions:
- What Children’s Authors Wish Publishers Knew with Jevon Bolden and Allia Zobel Nolan
- Best Practices in Editing Children’s Books with Linda Howard, Champ Thornton and Catherine DeVries
- Best Practices in the Illustration Process with Linda Howard, Champ Thornton and Catherine DeVries
- Data and its “Storylines” with Sofia Anderson
- Putting it All Together: A Case Study with Allia Zobel Nolan
ECPA PubU features tracks in Editorial, Marketing, Publicity, Production & Operations, Design, and includes the Children’s Book Summit or option to attend the Art of Writing conference, along with access to numerous pre-recorded master classes.
Register at ECPAPubU.org
Register five and get the sixth person free. Early bird rates expire September 27.
Milestones
The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible surpasses 1,000,000 copies sold
Harvest House Publishers is pleased to announce that “The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible” has amassed more than 1,000,000 copies sold in barely over a decade. This classic storybook Bible for children ages 5 to 8, helps kids learn about the important people, places, and themes of the Bible.
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NYT bestseller Jonathan Cahn's new blockbuster rockets to top of the charts
"The Dragon's Prophecy," released on September 3 by Charisma House, immediately rocketed to No. 1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List and Publishers Weekly List. Additionally, upon release, Cahn went straight to No. 1 on Amazon in multiple categories and No. 2 in global sales of all books and genres.
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Two David C Cook titles debut as USA Today national bestsellers
Christian publisher and music company David C Cook earned two spots this week in the top 30 of USA Today’s Best-selling Booklist. Jim Ramos’ "Dialed In" and Justin Kendrick’s "How to Quiet a Hurricane" landed in the Top 30.
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Four Kregel titles named 2024 Christy Award finalists
Four Kregel titles were named finalists for the 2024 Christy Awards: “The Rhythm of Fractured Grace” by Amanda Wen in Contemporary Romance; “8 Down” by Kimberley Woodhouse in Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller; “Beauty Bright” novella by Cara Putman in Short Form; and “Star of Wonder” novella by Crystal Caudill in Short Form.
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Baker Publishing Group authors selected as Carol Award winners
The American Christian Fiction Writers announced the recipients of the Carol Awards. Among the winners were three authors from Baker Publishing Group: Carrie Turansky, Christina Suzann Nelson, and Lynn H. Blackburn. Additionally, Bethany House author Dani Pettrey received recognition as Mentor of the Year.
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Media Announcements
IVP announces open registration for First Nations Version Just Show Up Book Club
InterVarsity Press has announced that its first Just Show Up Book Club will kick off on October 29, 2024. In recognition of Native American Heritage Month in November, the first IVP Just Show Up book will be the "First Nations Version: An Indigenous Bible Translation of the New Testament" by Terry M. Wildman. Visit justshowup.ivpress.com to learn more and to sign up.
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Former NFL running back and Tyndale author Matt Forté on Jesus Calling Podcast
Former NFL running back for the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, Matt Forté, recently joined The Jesus Calling Podcast to share his inspiring story, from his early days in football to his work in gun violence prevention and support for at-risk families. Forté’s book, “My Hair Can,” is available from Tyndale Kids.
Product News
Worthy Books releases “When Doing It All Is Undoing You” by Alyssa J. Bethke this week
In “When Doing It All is Undoing You” (Worthy Books, September 17, 20134), Alyssa Bethke helps readers understand the difference between what is in and what is out of our control, and she examines how our striving for approval, balance, happiness, and lofty ideals often masks underlying fear and disappointment.
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Concordia releases “Exploring God’s Promises” by Terry Zuehsow
In Terry Zuehsow’s new devotional journal, “Exploring God’s Promises: A Guided Journey through His Word” (Concordia Publishing House, September 10), the author leads readers through more than two hundred encouraging and assuring promises.
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Leafwood Publishers to release “Trekking Toward Tenacity” by Chris Morris
“Trekking Toward Tenacity: Your Family's Roadmap to Stronger Mental Health” by mental health advocate Chris Morris walks through Psalm 139 verse by verse, discovering how we can help our children develop mentally healthy habits. The title releases from Leafwood Publishers on Sept. 24.
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Other News
INDUSTRY
- Died: Daniel Bourdanné, general secretary of IFES & Christian book publishing champion in Africa
- MAI webinar on Sept. 24 on Editing Well with Tyndale’s Stephanie Rische
- Registration is open for Publishing in Color online conference, Oct 28-Nov 1
- ECPA members get discounted access to online DigitalMediaCon
- knk Scholarship Program for small and midsize publishers valued up to $100,000
PUBLISHING
- Children's Booksellers Share Trends and Their Must-Have Titles
- BISG’s Proposed Standards for Translation Rights Royalty Statements
- Ads coming to Amazon’s Rufus: generative AI tool that helps people shop
- Mike Shatzkin: Big Disruption Hit Book Publishing Before AI Showed Up
- Amicus Briefs Filed Ahead of Key Fifth Circuit Freedom to Read Battle
- Copyright and Piracy in France: A Court Blocks Z-Library
- 2024 National Book Award Longlists Announced
