Tuesday, July 30, 2013

NY TIMES BEST SELLERS - WK OF AUGUST 4

  • THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #1 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous.

  • HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #3 in hardcover nonfiction; #5 in combined print & e-book nonfiction; and #10 in e-book nonfiction.

  • THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie and Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #9 in hardcover nonfiction.

  • HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #12 in paperback nonfiction.

  • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben Carson with Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #14 in paperback nonfiction.

  • THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #17 in paperback trade fiction.
From ECPA's Rush to Press at ECPAnews.org/rush

Friday, July 26, 2013

NY TIMES BEST SELLERS - WEEK OF JULY 28

  • THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #1 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous.

  • HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #2 in hardcover nonfiction; #3in combined print & e-book nonfiction; and #6 in e-book nonfiction.

  • THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie and Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #3 in hardcover business; #9 in hardcover nonfiction; and #25 in combined print & e-book nonfiction.

  • HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #12 in paperback nonfiction.

  • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben Carson with Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #13 in paperback nonfiction.

  • THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #20 in paperback trade fiction.

  • WAKING UP IN HEAVEN by Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski (Howard Books) is #21 in paperback nonfiction.

  • KISSES FROM KATIE by Katie Davis with Beth Clark (Howard) is #23 in paperback nonfiction.

STEVE LAUBE AGENCY HIRES DAN BALOW

The Steve Laube Agency Hires Dan Balow

Contact: Steve Laube
Phone: 602-336-8910
e-mail: krichards@stevelaube.com
(Phoenix, AZ) Steve Laube, president of The Steve Laube Agency, has announced the hiring of Dan Balow to become Director of Publishing Development and Literary Agent.
Dan is a 30 year veteran of the Christian publishing industry. He was the director of marketing for Tyndale House Publishers working with authors Francine Rivers, James Dobson, Josh McDowell, Charles Colson and many others. Starting in 1995, Dan led the marketing team for the immensely successful Left Behind series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. Eventually devoting most of his time to the effort, he took on the role of Director of Business Development for the series, expanding his involvement to licensing and product development along with the marketing. At its peak, the series was selling over two million copies of various products per month on its way to over 60 million copies to date.
In 2002, he added the role of director of international publishing for Tyndale and later, Director of Research and Analysis for the company. In recent years he has worked as publisher for two audio publishing companies and consulted with ministries and publishers on their publishing programs.
Dan has served on the executive board of ECPA (the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association), the trade association for Christian publishers in the U.S. In addition, he is a founding member of the advisory board of the Christy Awards and is involved in training and mentoring Christian publishers around the world. He was a presenter in marketing and digital publishing at the 2012 LittWorld conference in Nairobi and will be presenting similar sessions to publishers in Ghana, West Africa in August 2013.
Dan is a graduate of Wheaton College with a degree in Communications, is married to Carol and they have four grown children. He will be working from his office in Wheaton, IL.
“I’ve been looking for ways to increase the services our agency provides to current and potential clients,” Steve Laube said. “By adding Dan to our agency we can expand our role in helping to maximize our client’s sales, work with ministries to develop their publishing efforts, and expand our reach internationally. Dan’s strengths are his understanding of book marketing, what it takes to be successful in the current publishing environment and how all the pieces of the publishing “puzzle” fit together. All in all it helps us to fulfill our mission to help change the world, word by word.”
Founded in 2004, The Steve Laube Agency has had a profound impact through securing publishing contracts for nearly 1,000 new books. These include bestselling titles from authors like Cindy Woodsmall, Lynette Eason, A.W. Tozer, Ellie Kay, Lisa Bergren, Mary Hunt, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ronie Kendig, Kathleen Fuller, John Rosemond, Deborah Raney, Stephen M. Miller, and Susan May Warren.

GUIDEPOSTS NO LONGER SELLING TO RETAIL STORES

Guideposts will no longer sell fiction or nonfiction into retail stores. However, Ideals Publications, its faith-based children’s publishing program in Nashville, will continue to sell exclusively to the trade.
The Guideposts trade books program, which is mainly nonfiction and some fiction, will be discontinued. Guideposts will continue to publish nonfiction and fiction, but it will only be sold direct-to-consumer. The company will support its fall titles already sold in to stores, “but from spring ’14 going forward, we will be discontinuing the trade retail channel for most Guideposts Books and all of Summerside Press,” David Morris, vice president and editorial director of the books and inspirational media division of Guideposts, told Christian Retailing.
Guideposts fall nonfiction includes A Search for Purple Cows: A True Story of Hope, an inspirational memoir by Susan Call, and The Song of Annie Mosesby Robin Donica Wolaver of The Annie Moses Band.
“I really want to see that book succeed for her,” Morris said of Wolaver’s book, which the company promoted at the International Christian Retail Show this year.
The fiction program under Summerside Press, which Guideposts acquired in 2010, will be dissolved. At one time, Summerside Press was both a fiction and nonfiction imprint and became known for its strong “Love Finds You” series.
“We bought Ellie Claire/Summerside Press in 2010 and then sold off the Ellie Claire portion of that and the nonfiction titles under Summerside Press,” Morris said, referring to the 2012 sale to Worthy Publishing.
But, with changes in the economy, Guideposts reconsidered and chose to discontinue its trade fiction.
“The line was more defined by its ‘Love Finds You’ series, which is more of a lower-priced, mass-market model, and it’s not something that is quite as viable going forward, especially with the challenges of marketing to the mass, which most publishers are indeed facing these days with the high discounts and high returns.”
Guideposts will continue its “pretty robust” direct-to-consumer program with annual devotionals like Daily Guideposts and Mornings With Jesus, series fiction and “licensed and original one-offs that we market throughout the year to our house file,” said Morris, who has been with the company for 16 years.
 

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

NAPLES FL WRITERS CONFERENCE

My organization, the Spirit of Naples (SON), is hosting a conference for Christian writers, screenwriters and filmmakers who want to break into the mainstream media beginning on Oct 3-7, 2013 in Naples, FL. We have a first rate faculty signed up with more to come.  For more information regarding this conference please go to www.sonfilmfest.com.
Thank you,
Grace Seitz
Co-chairman, SON

OREGON CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

Oregon Christian Writers Summer Coaching Conference will be held August 12–15, 2013, at Portland’s Jantzen Beach Red Lion Hotel. Known as one of the country’s best Christian writers’ conferences, it features top editors, agents and authors teaching 12 intensive morning coaching classes and 30 afternoon workshops, plus manuscript reviews, mentoring and one-on-one appointments with editors and agents. Presenters include best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs (keynoter), Portland radio host (KPDQ) Georgene Rice (keynoter), Susan May Warren, James L. Rubart, Randy Ingermanson and Jeff Gerke. All levels/genres. $450 Tuition. Lodging $150–300. Contact: summerconf@oregonchristianwriters.org. For more information and registration, visit www.oregonchristianwriters.org.

Monday, July 22, 2013

INTERESTING FORMAT!

 I don't usually write personal blogs, but wanted to share this with you because of its originality. I just finished reading the August issue of Good Housekeeping. I always enjoy their short stories, but the one in this issue was definitely an original. It apparently is an excerpt from a book. First, the genre was different--what can only be described as a contemporary fairy tale. The content was fairy tale, but the language contemporary. What you notice about it next, but right away, is that although it is all dialogue or internal dialogue, there are no quotation marks around any of the speeches--but it works. And then you discover that the basic problem that the characters face and deal with is the potential for incest. Very well done and certainly memorable.
Sally

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

POETRY WRITERS NEEDED

SIBELLA POETRY MAGAZINE-
Poetry To Set the Soul Aflame

FREE Gift Magazine Enclosed - Download our most recent issue

OUR EDITORS are presently seeking to fill 5 available spaces for women poetry writers.
If selected, your poetry will be published in this international publication that goes out to 22,000+
women in readership. WOW! Now that's the kind of exposure that will change your life-path!!

DO YOU OR ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS WRITE POETRY? 
Don't hesitate!!  Send in one or two pieces of your poetry - allowing our editors to 
view and connect with you. This is definitely a door of literary opportunity for 5 lucky women.

Connect today after viewing our most recent issue of Sibella Poetry Magazine!
Our editors want to hear from you soon!!! 

P.S. -  Also, take a look at Sibyl Magazine: For the Spirit and Soul Of Women submission guidelines
if you write inspiring and informative articles geared toward the sacred steps of a woman's journey - 
healing, wholeness, enlightenment, oneness, etc.,

Click on this link to open magazine in less than 25 seconds - 

Monday, July 15, 2013

NEW ENGLAND WRITERS RETREAT

The first New England Writers Retreat will be held Oct. 18-20, 2013 at Singing Hills in Plainfield, NH. Workshops, plenary sessions and a panel discussion will be available during the weekend. One highlight of the retreat will be free optional one-on-one editing sessions for up to five pages of writing with the retreat's writer hosts: historical fiction author Tessa Afshar, speaker and nonfiction writer Lucinda Secrest McDowell, and Broadway Critic and Playwright Lauren Yarger. The low $210 fee includes the conference fee as well as lodging and meals (Friday evening through Sunday noon) all during the height of fall foliage in the beautiful hills of New Hampshire. There is an option for staying Thursday night as well and adding an extra day of writing and/or editing sessions on Friday to the package. Authors Carol Barnier and Jeanne Doyon also will join the faculty for the 2013 retreat. For a detailed schedule and to register, visit http://lucindamcdowell.wordpress.com/.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

NY TIMES BEST SELLERS - WK OF JULY 14

  • HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #2 in hardcover nonfiction; #3in combined print & e-book nonfiction; and #6 in e-book nonfiction.

  • THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #2 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous.

  • THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie and Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #3 in hardcover business; #10 in hardcover nonfiction; and #24 in combined print & e-book nonfiction.

  • HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #9 in paperback nonfiction.

  • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben Carson with Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #13 in paperback nonfiction.

  • WAKING UP IN HEAVEN by Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski (Howard Books) is #19 in paperback nonfiction.

  • THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #19 in paperback trade fiction.

  • TO HEAVEN AND BACK by Mary C. Neal. (WaterBrook) is #19 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous.

  • KISSES FROM KATIE by Katie Davis with Beth Clark (Howard) is #25 in paperback nonfiction.
From ECPA's Ruch to Press at ECPAnews.org/rush

Friday, July 5, 2013

SHORT STORIES NEEDED

Dear Writer,
Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Media, is compiling a book of short stories about the impact of God’s grace in our lives.
We are looking for contributors!
We want unpublished true life, first-person stories that focus on heartwarming and unexpected moments when the only explanation is God did something on your behalf.  Stories can range from simple blessings to a major divine intervention; from everyday life to miraculous.
If there is a compelling reason that you have written someone else's story in third-person, you can send that to us, but there is less chance of acceptance. We will also require a permission letter from them. 
The length of stories should be between 1,000 to 2,000 words.
 The book is scheduled to release in 2014. Your manuscript will be due no later than July 30, 2013, but we would prefer it earlier. Stories should be submitted via email with a Word document attached. No special formatting, please. Please include your contact information within the document.
 We are offering a one-time fee of $75 for stories that fall within the requested word count. Additional fees will be paid for foreign and subsidiary editions if applicable.
 We will send you the Freeman-Smith licensing agreement upon the publisher’s final determination to include your story in the published book.
 Please feel free to forward this email to fellow writers.
 Please direct all inquiries and manuscripts to myself, Christy Phillippe, at christy6871@aol.com.
 All the best,
 Christy Phillippe

Monday, July 1, 2013

NY TIMES BEST SELLERS - WK OF JULY 7

  • HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #1 in hardcover nonfiction; #1 in combined print & e-book nonfiction; and #5 in e-book nonfiction.

  • THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #3 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous.

  • AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben Carson with Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #10 in paperback nonfiction.

  • THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie and Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #12 in hardcover nonfiction; and #23 in combined print & e-book nonfiction.

  • HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #12 in paperback nonfiction.

  • WAKING UP IN HEAVEN by Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski (Howard Books) is #18 in paperback 
  • nonfiction.

  • THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #23 in paperback trade fiction.
From ECPA's Rush to Press @ecpanews.org/rush

REVELL EDITOR GETS GOLDEN SCROLL AWARD

On Sunday, June 23, Revell editor Vicki Crumpton was presented with the Golden Scroll Fiction Editor of the Year Award at the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association (AWSA) banquet. This event took place at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, and was the culmination of AWSA’s annual conference. The founder of AWSA, Linda Evans Shepherd, presented the award and announced that Dr. Crumpton was the first editor to win this award in both the fiction and nonfiction categories

2013 CHRISTY AWARDS PRESENTED

New Awards Debuted
Contact: Jeane Wynn
Wynn-Wynn Media, LLC
P: 918-283-1834
F: 918-512-4409
jeane@wynnwynnmedia.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo.The 2013 Christy Awards honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction were presented at the Renaissance Grand in St. Louis, Mo., tonight.
The 14th annual awards presentation highlighted the role of literary agents in the advancement of Christian fiction. Steve Laube of The Steve Laube Agency emceed the event, and Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Agency presented the keynote address. Additionally, long-time literary agent Lee Hough was honored with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Christy in a moving tribute.
The Christy Advisory Committee debuted the Christy Hall of Fame by inducting authors Lynn Austin, winner of eight Christy Awards, and Karen Hancock, winner of four Christy Awards.
The event also premiered the Christy Book of the Year Award, showcasing the novel that had the greatest impact when placed against a set of criteria that includes literary quality, sales, and life impact. A jury of three people read the year’s nine Christy Award winners and identified Into the Free by Julie Cantrell (David C Cook) as best exemplifying those factors.
The Christy Advisory Board is happy to announce the 2013 Christy Award winners.
  • Lifetime Achievement Christy: Lee Hough
  • Christy Award Hall of Fame Inductees: Lynn Austin (8 Christys) & Karen Hancock (4 Christys)
  • Book of the Year: Into the Free by Julie Cantrell (David C Cook)
  • Contemporary Romance: The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group).
  • Contemporary Series, Sequels & Novellas: You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)
  • Contemporary Standalone: Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)
  • First Novel: Into the Free by Julie Cantrell (David C Cook)
  • Historical: Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot (Tyndale House Publishers)
  • Historical Romance: Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
  • Suspense: Rare Earth by Davis Bunn (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
  • Visionary: Soul's Gate by James L. Rubart (Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
  • Young Adult: Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank (Delacorte Press, a division of Random House)
  • The Christy Awards are online at:

CHILDREN'S PRODUCT TRENDS

One of Monday afternoon’s ICRS highlights was the successful Children’s Product Trends event presented by early childhood education expert Dr. Mary Manz Simon. During the hour-and-a-half, standing-room-only presentation, 226 people were in attendance with 171 retailers present.
Simon reflected on some of the recent trends and statistics as she shared cutting-edge market research with retailers. A team of supplier representatives, along with guests, including Max Lucado, Randy Alcorn, Christy Ziglar and Colleen Coble, also took the stage to share the details and offer insight about their latest releases.
Attendees learned about some of the top trends. Products such as picture books will continue to be visually driven, mobility will continue, print and digital will co-exist, educational books and toys as well as e-books and apps will continue to rise in popularity. There is also a shift toward more family and “stow-and-go” type products. Retailers also gained tips on merchandising, effective product displays and cross-merchandising.
“We are seeing a huge resurgence with picture books,” Simon said. “In-store merchandising can capitalize on the presence of picture books. It’s an advertisement that retailers can use to sell the product and it doesn’t cost anything. Publishers spend more money on front covers than any other art, so it pays to use it.”
She said illustrations and how to interpret icons and images are trending with children of all ages, because we continue to be such a multimedia-driven culture. They also promote literacy in formats like comic books and graphic novels, which are growth areas. New York Times best-selling adult author Randy Alcorn’s move into a new genre of graphic novels for children is one reflection of the trend. He said these products share the Word of God and a salvation message, presented in a fun format for kids.
“My grandkids love it. One of my grandsons called me the other day and said he has read the book 10 times from cover to cover,” Alcorn said.
To coincide with the trends, several new NIV Adventure Bible products from Zondervan are being introduced including the NIV Adventure Bible Memory App for the iPad and iPhone, which will allow children to memorize Bible verses, while learning books of the Bible.
Another draw for attendees was the featured product giveaway, which showcased items such as books, plush, FotoFrame Water Bottles and more, from more than 20 children’s product suppliers including B&H Kids, DaySpring, Tyndale Kids, Tommy Nelson, Zonderkidz, Guideposts Books/Ideals Publications, Moody Publishers, Warner Press, Kregel Publications, Barbour Publishing, Oodles World and Scripture Candy. For the past 19 years, Simon has brought this highly sought after event to Christian retailers.