2009 CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR

Thursday, March 19, Dallas, TX – The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced tonight the winners of the 2009 Christian Book Awards during the 2009 Christian Book Expo (CBE) in Dallas. For the first time in the award's 30-year history, a study Bible was named Christian Book of the Year: the ESV Study Bible (Crossway).

The ESV Study Bible, which sold more than 180,000 units within five months of release, also won its category for best Bible, the first time a Bible has won both its category and the overall Christian Book of the Year award. The ESV Study Bible released to strong demand in October 2008, selling out of its 100,000-copy first printing as quickly as it reached bookstores shelves.

According to the publisher, the ESV Study Bible is also one of the first Bibles to have an online component: every hardcover purchaser can access the entire study Bible online for free. The ESV Online Bible provides additional unique features, including the ability to create personal online notes; to search and follow interactive links between notes, maps, articles, charts, timelines, illustrations, and cross-references; to listen to audio recordings of the ESV; and to access additional resources not available in the print edition.

Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Awards honors titles in six categories – Bibles, Bible Reference & Study, Christian Life, Fiction, Children & Youth, and Inspiration & Gift. The six category winners for 2009 are:

Bibles
ESV Study Bible
Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502415
Bible Reference & Study
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings
Tremper Longman III, Peter Enns, Eds.
InterVarsity Press, 9780830817832
Children & Youth
For Young Men Only
Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice with Shaunti Feldhahn
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781601420206
Christian Life
Spectacular Sins
John Piper
Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502750
Fiction
The Shape of Mercy
Susan Meissner
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781400074563
Inspiration & Gift
Holiness Day by Day
Jerry Bridges
NavPress, 9781600063961
ECPA member publishers submitted 218 products, all published in 2008, for award consideration. Finalists were selected within each category and announced earlier in 2009. The Christian Book of the Year was selected from among the finalists to receive ECPA's top honor.

“This was a memorable evening in many respects,” says Mark Kuyper, president, ECPA. “It was the first time a study Bible earned top honors and the first time we've opened the awards presentation to the public—a perfect launch into the inaugural Christian Book Expo.”

The 2009 Christian Book Awards were presented during a multi-media event featuring numerous authors, and the event was open to the public for the first time in its history. The event, produced by international events management company One Smooth Stone, featured drama vignettes, readings and personal testimonies—all based on the impact of Christian books. Worship Leader and Dove Award™ nominee Travis Cottrell also performed at the event. The Christian Book of the Year award was announced alongside other Christian Book Award winners in six categories. During the awards dinner, donations were accepted in support of the Global Publishers Alliance (GPA). GPA was established in 1993 to equip Christian leaders in developing countries with training and resources so they can publish Christian books for their own people.

ECPA has a broad marketing strategy in place for the promotion of the 2009 Christian Book Awards. ECPA has partnered with Christianity Today Inc. (CTi) to promote the winning titles to its consumer base via its numerous print publications and popular websites. National retail outlets have designed in-store and consumer promotions to increase awareness of the Christian Book Award winners. The retail participants include: Berean Christian Stores, Family Christian Stores, LifeWay Christian Stores, Munce Group, Parable, CBD/ChristianBooks.com, Amazon.com, Borders and Crossings Book Club. Promotions include in-store and online presence.

A complete listing of all book award winners since 1978 can be found online at: http://www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/cba2008.php More detail on the 2009 Winners is found online at: www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/winners2009.php. High resolution book covers of the 2009 award winners can be downloaded at: www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/press2009.php