September 28, 2020 Edition

Author & artist Ruth Chou Simons headlines closing keynote for PubU Online on Thursday

This week concludes the five-week PubU Online series of webinars for Christian publishing professionals – with final track sessions and Zoom meet-ups.  The closing keynote this Thursday will inspire and encourage the nearly 300 attendees about the art of publishing and the mission of this moment.  Author and artist Ruth Chou Simons (GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, Foundations) will present Christian publishing as, first and foremost, a mission to be Image Bearers, Reflectors of His Glory in each role we inhabit – and that this Art is not just comforting in crisis, but necessary.  Ruth’s encouragement will follow the announcement of the 2020 Top Shelf Book Cover Award winners through a media presentation and comments from judges.

It’s not too late to register!  Why?  Because all PubU Online session recordings will be available to attendees until October 30.

Christian Book Award submissions accepted through Wednesday

The submission period for the 2021 Christian Book Award program is open in 12 categories until end of day Wednesday, September 30, for books published between October 2019 and October 2020.  This year, ECPA reduced the submissions rates. For more information, visit the Christian Book Awards website.

Art of Writing webinar series to start next week after the announcement of The Christy Award Finalists

The Christy Award finalists will be announced next week, October 8 in a free webcast with award winning author Chris Fabry – which will kick-off a series of five weekly webinars for storytellers, writers, and publishers, presented each Thursday at 7 pm central.  They are:

• October 8:  The Power of Story to Change Hearts and Minds with NYT bestselling authors Lisa Wingate and William Kent Krueger
• October 15:  The Essence of Story — Pathway to Transformation with writing coach and award-winning novelist Steven James with devotional by author Tracie Peterson.
• October 22:  Tips for Cross-Promotional Strategies with author Rachel McMillan, marketer Thomas Umstattd, and fiction book buyer for Baker Book House, Chris Jager.  Including a devotional by novelist Tessa Afshar.
• October 29:  Conversations about Diversity in Christian Fiction with literary agent Jevon Bolden and a panel of editors, authors, and marketers; including a devotional by novelist Cynthia Ruchti.
• November 5:  Learning from Fresh Voices with a panel of editors from the named finalists in the First Novel category — on what makes a proposal shine.  Moderated by Art of Writing curator and Bethany House senior fiction publicist, Amy Lokkesmoe. Bestselling author Terri Blackstock will give a devotional at the start of this session.

The Christy Award winners will be announced the following Thursday on November 12 in a special webcast with Lisa Wingate, Chris Fabry, Tamera Alexander, and Steven James.  All sessions will be recorded for attendees.

REGISTER

Bible Gateway interviews Mark Strauss, editor of the “NIV Study Bible, Fully Revised Edition”

The study Bible that launched the modern study Bible movement 35 years ago and that millions of readers have come to trust for more than three decades is now fully revised and updated with thousands of newly written or enhanced notes and articles combined with hundreds of four-color maps, charts, photos, and illustrations to create an entire library of contemporary study. Bible Gateway interviewed Dr. Mark Strauss, editor of the “NIV Study Bible, Fully Revised Edition” (Zondervan, 2020).

Read this interview.

Bible Gateway interviews Randy Clark, author of “Destined for the Cross”

What does it mean when the Bible says Jesus died as a ransom? How do we benefit from his death? Why was it necessary for Jesus to die? Why did he have to die by tortuous crucifixion? How does understanding what happened on the cross provide a new way of living in a hurting world? Bible Gateway interviewed Dr. Randy Clark (@randyclarkga) about his book, “Destined for the Cross: 16 Reasons Jesus Had to Die” (Thomas Nelson/Emanate, 2020).

Read this interview.

Author Margaret Feinberg discusses mercy for our mistakes on podcast

Author and speaker Margaret Feinberg recently joined the Jesus Calling Podcast to share how as a public figure, she relies on social media to connect with people and to bring her messages about faith to the world. However, Margaret recognizes the pitfalls of “keeping up appearances” on social media—and how playing the comparison game can lead us to believe lies like “You’re not good enough,” or “You’ll never make it.” To combat this in her own life, Margaret began the practice of speaking daily declarations over her life—declarations about who she is and about who God says she is. Margaret encourages us that when we speak power over ourselves, we’re more fully able to understand who we’re called to be. Feinberg’s book, “More Power To You,” is available from Zondervan.

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