Tuesday, December 20, 2011

HIGHLIGHTS NOVEL PROGRAM 2012

Many times when a manuscript is rejected, it isn’t because the writing is weak. It’s because the manuscript isn’t ready. We all want to push our work to the next phase, but sometimes we submit work to agents or publishers before its ready. Maybe we’ve shown the manuscript to our writing group. Maybe we’ve revised a few times. Maybe we think we’ve done all we can do. But what we really need is a writing coach, a revision plan, and a clear strategy to make the best book we can. In today’s demanding world of publishing, you get only one chance grab the attention of an agent or editor, so make that chance count. Make sure you are ready.

The Highlights Foundation’s Whole Novel Workshop has been helping writers polish their manuscripts since 2006. Participants receive a reading of and editorial response to their complete manuscript prior to a week dedicated to revision and readying your manuscript for submission. We offer an award-winning faculty of writers, editors, and agents to help make your book the best it can be. Through one-on-one critiques and small-group discussions, we focus on revision plans, query letters, and pitch strategies to get you ready to submit. We also nourish your creativity with a private cabin in which to think and write, farm-style meals, and an environment that will refresh your publishing dreams.

Whole Novel Workshops offer targeted programs for nonfiction narrative (in May), fiction for middle-school readers (in July), and young-adult readers (in October). Our first whole novel workshop in 2012 takes place March 11–17. Submission deadline is December 30. The faculty includes award-winning authors and talented teachers Kathi Appelt, Alan Gratz, and Jeannette Ingold, as well smart and sassy editor Martha Mahalick from Greenwillow Books. Authors Janet Fox and Karen Henley round out the support team as teaching assistants.

Come spend a week in the woods and finally get your manuscript ready for publication.

To secure your spot, or for more information, contact Jo Lloyd at 570-253-1192, e-mail jo.lloyd@highlightsfoundation.org, or request an application online.

To find out more and to apply to the Whole Novel Workshop, visit www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Highlights Foundation, 814 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: (877) 512-8365 (toll-free) or (570) 251-4557
Fax: (570) 253-0179
jalloyd@highlightsfoundation.org
http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/

NEW AGENT JOINING BOOKS & SUCH

As of the first week in January, Agent Rachelle Gardner will be joining the Books & Such Literary Agency. Rachelle was formerly an agent with the WordServe Agency, and is well known in the industry. Http://booksandsuch.biz/blog.

NEW CBA EVENT

CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) is planning an event prior to the Atlanta gift mart (an annual industry event) Jan. 12-13. It's called NEXT. CBA would like to include an opportunity for authors to do book signings and engage with retailers through what they call a personality party. It's basically a book-signing and meet-and-greet with hors d'oeuvres. If authors would like to attend the conference, there would be an added fee for the author for food.


ACFW won't be officially represented there, but if you're an Atlanta area published author or have connections in Atlanta, want to make the trip at your own expense, and can arrange with your publisher for copies of your book for the signing, you're welcome to check out the link and deal directly with CBA for all arrangements.

You can see more at:
http://www.cbaonline.org/meet-the-challenge-registration.htm

CBA suggests that some of the NEXT workshops might be of interest to authors as the sessions cover retailers' experience with e-books, events, building community around the store, and more. The sessions will feature a brief presentation by two retailers about something they've done around the session topic and then it will be open to dialog and brainstorming with retailers in the audience. It's more a peer-to-peer discussion rather than a lecture/presentation.

Monday, December 19, 2011

2012 CHRISTIAN WRITERS' MARKET GUIDE

Just a reminder that the 2012 Christian Writers' Market Guide will be out the first of the year. You can now order your copy off my Website at http://www.stuartmarket.com/. If you signed up to get the guide automatically every year as some time in the past, Jerry Jenkins will still be honoring those orders at your frozen price. I don't believe that there will be a CD available this year, but you can still get a copy of the 2011 guide on CD on the Website for only $6. The 2011 guide is now $18, including postage. If you have an address change since last year, send it right away to: kerma@christianwritersguild.com.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF DECEMBER 25

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list; #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #3 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #9 on the hardcover nonfiction list.


THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo. Illustrated by Wilson Ong. (Tommy Nelson) is #4 on the children's picture book list.

NEARING HOME by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #5 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

THE DEVIL IN PEW NUMBER SEVEN by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss (Tyndale) is #6 on the e-Book nonfiction list;

EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #7 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #8 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #9 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #13 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

DECEMBER 1941 by Craig Shirley (Thomas Nelson) is #8 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #20 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; #29 on the hardcover nonfiction list; and #34 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.

AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #12 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

THE ONE YEAR UNCOMMON LIFE DAILY CHALLENGE by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker (Tyndale) is #14 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

RADICAL by David Platt (Multnomah) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

LONGING by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #16 on the paperback trade fiction list.

THE SHACK by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #17 on the mass-market fiction list; and #35 on the paperback trade fiction list.

BONHOEFFER by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #22 on the paperback nonfiction list.

THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #25 on the paperback nonfiction list.

THE REASON FOR GOD by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF DECEMBER 18

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list; #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #3 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #12 on the hardcover nonfiction list.


THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo. Illustrated by Wilson Ong. (Tommy Nelson) is #2 on the children's picture book list.

NEARING HOME by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson) is #4 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #6 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #6 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

LONGING by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #12 on the paperback trade fiction list.

RADICAL by David Platt (Multnomah) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

THE ONE YEAR UNCOMMON LIFE DAILY CHALLENGE by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker (Tyndale) is #14 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #15 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #33 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the hardcover nonfiction list.

THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #19 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #21 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #24 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #20 on the paperback nonfiction list.

THE SHACK by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #28 on the paperback mass-market fiction list.

BONHOEFFER by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #32 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Monday, December 12, 2011

RETAILERS CHOICE AWARDS

For Immediate Release Contact: Christine D. Johnson, Managing Editor
Christian Retailing
retailerschoiceawards@charismamedia.com
(407) 333-0600, ext. 2682

Lake Mary, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2011)—Nominations open today for the 2012 Christian Retailing Retailers Choice Awards, the popular annual honors for the Christian products industry.
        Eight new categories have been added to the program, which sees Christian retailers across the country vote for the new products they have most appreciated being able to make available to consumers in the previous year.
        Teen Bibles, Men’s Nonfiction, Self-published books and DVD: Documentary are among the new categories in the full 53-strong field that covers Bibles, books, gifts and other resources.
        “The industry continues to develop and expand, and we believe it is important to adjust the Retailers Choice Award categories to reflect these changes,” said Christian Retailing Editor Andy Butcher.
        Suppliers have through Jan. 31, 2012, to nominate products released during 2012. The entry fee remains unchanged at $50 per item, with an Early Bird offer through
        Jan. 16, giving an additional free entry for every five paid.

        Entries in the 12th annual Retailers Choice Awards will be judged on their ability to speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion, open people’s minds to new ways of thinking, and encourage and affirm Christ-like living.
        Among the winners in the 2011 Retailers Choice Awards were Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo (Thomas Nelson) and Radical by David Platt (WaterBrook Multnomah), co-recipients for Christian Living: Spiritual Growth; Eric Metaxas’ Bonhoeffer (Thomas Nelson) for Auto/Biography; and The Action Bible (David C Cook) for Children’s Bible.
        Voting for the 2012 awards will run March 1-31, with the winners to be announced later in the spring.
        See the categories, official rules and a list of last year’s winners online at www.RetailersChoiceAwards.com. For more information, email Managing Editor Christine Johnson at retailerschoiceawards@charismamedia.com.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF DECEMBER 11

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list; #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #4 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #19 on the hardcover nonfiction list.


THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

LONGING by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #2 on the paperback trade fiction list; #6 on the combined print and e-Book fiction list and the e-Book fiction list; and #8 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list.

NEARING HOME by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson) is #3 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #4 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo. Illustrated by Wilson Ong. (Tommy Nelson) is #5 on the children's picture book list.

EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #7 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #7 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #10 on the paperback nonfiction list.

THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

RADICAL by David Platt (Multnomah) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) #15 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

THE ONE YEAR UNCOMMON LIFE DAILY CHALLENGE by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker (Tyndale) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #21 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #23 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #28 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

COURAGEOUS by Randy Alcorn (Tyndale House) is #30 on the paperback trade fiction list.

90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell) is #31 on the paperback nonfiction list.

BONHOEFFER by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #34 on the paperback nonfiction list.

E-BOOKS MAKE THEIR MARK

E-books have taken the world by storm since their debut only a few years ago. According to an October 2011 report by Media Bistro, e-book sales went up 116% from August 2010 to August 2011, while printed book sales were slightly down. With this shift in the market, how do Christian stores keep up? At Next 2012: Meet the Challenge, Chuck Wallington (owner of Christian Supply) will discuss his recent venture into e-book sales, and what he learned through the Christmas 2011 season.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for your continued interest in this blog. We've been having record rainfall on Oregon this week, but it's supposed to stop in another hour and a half. Even our Oregon duck feathers are getting waterlogged. Have a wonderful holiday!

Monday, November 21, 2011

STORIES ON MOTHERHOOD NEEDED

Author Nancy B. Kennedy is looking for stories told by mothers about motherhood for the third book in her "Miracles and Moments of Grace" series, to be published by Leafwood Publishers. The stories can be inspiring, thoughtful, heart-breaking or even funny. Stories with messages of faith are welcome. Although stories by writers are welcome, you don't have to be a writer to participate. If you have a story to share, all you have to do is send a few details, and we'll take it from there. For more information, contact Nancy at kennedy5961@aol.com.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list; #3 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list, and the e-Book nonfiction list; and #20 on the hardcover nonfiction list.


THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

NEARING HOME by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson) is #2 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo. Illustrated by Wilson Ong. (Tommy Nelson) is #3 on the children's picture book list.

CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #4 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

ENTRELEADERSHIP by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #5 on the monthly hardcover business list.

EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #8 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

RADICAL by David Platt (Multnomah) is #8 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THE DAY! by David Jeremiah (FaithWords) is #11 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #14 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #17 on the paperback nonfiction list.

90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell) is #22 on the paperback nonfiction list.

AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #26 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

THE TEHRAN INITIATIVE by Joel C. Rosenberg (Tyndale House) is #29 on the hardcover fiction list.

SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #29 on the paperback nonfiction list.

BONHOEFFER by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #33 on the paperback nonfiction list.

THE DIARY OF A PLAYER by Brad Paisley and David Wild (Howard) is #34 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

RANDOM LAUNCHES SHORT STORY BRAND

Random House is launching a company-wide, new digital short story brand, called Story-cuts, with more than 150 e-books, comprising 243 stories, by authors including Julian Barnes and Ruth Rendell.

Some of the e-books will contain more than one story, with prices ranging from 99p on the agency model, to £3.99 for numerous stories, though the majority will be around the £1 mark. They will be available through all retail channels, including the Apple store, Amazon and Kobo.

RH digital editor Dan Franklin said the idea of putting out individual short stories digitally, had been "on the agenda" since he joined the publisher. He said: "It's that principle that is intuitive at the moment, taking short stories and selling them outside of collections."

INTERVARSITY PRESS ACQUIRES BIBLICA BOOKS

InterVarsity Press (IVP), a leading publisher of thoughtful Christian books, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Biblica Books, the book-publishing arm of Biblica Worldwide. In the acquisition, which is expected to close by the end of the calendar year, IVP will obtain 170 current and nearly 30 new Biblica Books titles. This includes Operation World, the definitive global prayer guide that’s now in its seventh edition

Thursday, November 10, 2011

LOOKING FOR SCRIPTWRITER

Any scriptwriters out there that can fill this need?

From: Nina Mcleod

E-mail: nina.mcleod1@gmail.com
Message:

Dear Sally ,

I am involved in a children'S ministry where we are producing DVDS for scripture in primary schools in Australia.

We have all the lesson content , however we are after a scriptwriter who is able to use the lessons and make them attractive to children in a DVD format ( visual )

Are you able to help us please?

We are producing 36 weekly , half hour lessons fro every grade from Kinder to year 10 .

I thank you and look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings , Nina

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BAKER JOINS ESPRESSO BOOK MACHINE NETWORK

Baker Publishing Group and On Demand Books, the company behind the Espresso Book Machine® (EBM), have entered into an agreement to sell Baker’s list of paperback titles on the EBM “digital-to-print at retail” sales channel.
Baker is the first major Christian publisher to make available substantially their entire paperback list to the EBM network. This agreement will enable Baker to reach more readers both in the existing Christian market and in broader trade and academic bookstores that are equipped with an Espresso Book Machine.
Essentially an ATM for books, the patented EBM and its EspressNet® software system links to a vast network of content, enabling the instant distribution of books, on demand, at point of sale. With the push of a button, the technology converts a digital file into a quality paperback, in any language, with a full-color cover, in minutes. This environmentally friendly technology eliminates shipping, returns, and the pulping of unwanted books.
“We believe the Espresso Book Machine in a local bookstore offers the book-reading customer the best overall access to printed books at the time they are in a store and ready to purchase a title,” says David Lewis, executive VP, sales and marketing for Baker Publishing Group. “If the publishing community will support this technology by allowing all of their titles that fit the machine's specifications to be printed locally, it will give the local bookstore a better opportunity to survive. This is the only way a bookstore can have hundreds of thousands of books to sell without the cost of holding all of that inventory. It allows a local bookseller to compete on selection with the on-line retailers.”
“We are delighted to announce the latest publisher to join our ever-growing Espresso Book Machine network,” says Dane Neller, CEO of On Demand Books. “Baker Publishing Group is one of the great Christian publishers, with a high-quality list of fiction and non-fiction titles that will appeal to our existing trade and academic bookstores. The inclusion of their titles also supports our expansion of EBMs in the CBA retail market. We hope Baker is the first of many religious publishers to see the great potential of the Espresso channel.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

WRITING OPPORTUNITY

Author Candace Pope is accepting submissions for a compilation of true stories from people who have been blessed and comforted by God through animals and nature, especially after loss (death of a loved one, divorce, health, earthly possessions). Please contact her at cpope2@sc.rr.com for more information and submission guidelines.

WRITE-TO-PUBLISH CHANGES DATES

The 2012 Write-to-Publish Conference had to change its date to May 30--June 2


due to a scheduling problem at Wheaton College. Details will be posted later

this year at www.writetopublish.com.

Friday, November 4, 2011

DEEP RIVER BOOKS WRITER'S CONTEST

PRESS RELEASE


Contact: Rhonda Funk FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Email: rhonda@deepriverbooks.com
Phone: (541) 549-1139
Web: www.deepriverbooks.com

Announcing the 2011 Deep River Books Writer's Contest-
Two Winners to Receive Publishing Contracts

Sisters, Oregon, November 1, 2011- The dream of publishing your manuscript may just become a reality in this year's Deep River Books Writer's Contest. Two Grand Prize awards will be given away to the authors who submit the best Christian manuscript, one in each category of Fiction and Non-Fiction. The prize? A full-service, royalty-based publishing contract giving your book a chance to be the next bestseller!

Bill Carmichael, CEO of Deep River Books and Carmichael Publishing said, “Last year's contest had such a fantastic response that choosing one author was difficult. With the vast differences in Fiction and Non-Fiction, we decided to separate the two this time around. Besides, two winners are better than one!”

One Second Place prize winner will receive $1000 and one Third Place winner will receive $750 toward a publishing contract with Carmichael Publishing, the royalty-based publishing division of Deep River Books. “Certificates of Merit” will be awarded to runner-up contestants whose manuscripts are of merit, but do not win a cash prize.

The contest begins November 1, 2011 and ends January 15, 2012 at 11:59pm (PST) so do not delay! For a complete list of contest rules, submission guidelines, and categories please visit the Contest page.

Deep River Books has mentored and published an array of new and best-selling Christian authors including Coach Bill McCartney (founder of Promise Keepers), Kimberly Cash-Tate, Abby Smith, John Claeys, Jeff Dixon, Heidi McLaughlin, and many others. With their top-of-the-line design team, typesetters, editors, and publicity team, DRB products command attention.

As one of our authors put it, “Before going with Deep River Books, I thoroughly researched other publishing offers that were presented to me, which included looking at what other companies offered, visiting with published authors, and viewing the finished products of the publishers. When I made the decision to publish with Deep River Books, I felt it was the right one then; and now that my book is out in the market and doing well, I know I went with the right publisher.

Monday, October 31, 2011

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS TO ACQUIRE THOMAS NELSON

HarperCollins Publishers today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thomas Nelson, Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, which is expected to close by the end of the calendar year, is subject to regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions.

Thomas Nelson is one of the leading trade publishers in the United States. The Company provides multiple forms of inspirational content including: books, Bibles, e-books, journals, audio, video, curriculum and digital applications available for download on “smart” electronic devices. It has published some of the bestselling books in the industry, including the current #1 bestseller Heaven Is For Real, and the books of many popular authors, such as Billy Graham, Max Lucado, and Dave Ramsey.

Friday, October 28, 2011

FILM COMPETITION

Regent University's fifth annual ReelDreams Film Competition is now accepting submissions. During the submission period, entrants may submit a redemptive film to Regent University. The submission period ends Jan. 27, 2012.


The top seven finalists will experience a VIP weekend in Virginia Beach, Va., for the Live Event on March 31, 2012. The winners will be announced at this time. The grand prize winner will receive a full-tuition scholarship to film school at Regent University. ReelDreams scholarship opportunities have expanded this year. In addition to the grand prize of a full tuition scholarship, the top 20 finalists will be awarded partial scholarships. This competition is open to prospective undergraduate and graduate students.

Films must be 3-5 minutes long and portray character(s) facing a moral dilemma that leads to good or bad consequences. Redemptive-themed documentaries are also accepted. The entrant must be the sole writer, producer and director of the film.

Learn more about the competition and begin the film submission process at www.regent.edu/reeldreams.

MAVIS SANDERS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Mavis Sanders announced her retirement from Tyndale today with this statement, "With gratitude to God for his faithfulness, I have chosen to retire from Tyndale House Publishers at the end of October. What a privilege I have had in a career that has spanned four decades—as an editor for ten years, followed by thirty years in public relations. I am grateful for the opportunities I was given to work with numerous organizations, authors, retailers, and media. In 1997, the door opened for me to serve at Tyndale House. I am grateful to our president, Mark Taylor, and other Tyndale associates, including our PR team led by Todd Starowitz, senior public relations manager. I’m ready—to spend quality time with seven siblings and extended family, travel (think “cruise”), engage in local ministry opportunities . . . and I also plan to read a few more books! For future PR/publicity needs, please contact toddstarowitz@tyndale.com or any Tyndale publicist with whom you may already be working. Until we meet again—thank you, and all God’s best to you!"

WRITING EVENT

Northwest Christian Writers’ Association is excited to offer our Fall mid-year event. Get ready to rev up your marketing tactics, ignite your platform, keep your promotions running, and stay on the right track for marketing success. If you’re a new writer putting together your publishing plan, or a seasoned author or speaker looking to boost the success of your current titles or speaking platform, this all day event is perfect for you. We will provide tools and resources to help you expand your audience and makes sense of today’s communication channels. We will explore:


•Why an authentic platform helps authors succeed.

•How authors can build and grow successful platforms.

•The secret to marketing your message.

•How to combine the right marketing mix.

•What publishers expect your marketing plan to include.

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Date: Saturday, November 5, 2011

Location: Northshore Baptist Church

Cost: $100 includes box lunch and refreshments.

So join us for a great day of learning, brainstorming, and planning. Walk away with concrete plans to rev-up your marketing!

Monday, October 17, 2011

DAILY DEVOTIONS NEEDED

Mark Littleton, is compiling and editing the book of daily devotions for Jebaire Publishing: God Still Meets Needs. Guidelines below. If you have questions or submissions, please direct them to Mark at GodMeetsNeeds@earthlink.net.

GOD STILL MEETS NEEDS:

How God Helps His People and Provides in Tough Times
PROJECT: A devotional book of 365 readings, which will be written by various authors. The book is contracted with Jebaire, a royalty publisher, and may expand into a series. The stories in the book will show how God met a need in your life or in the life of someone you know, whether it’s a physical, financial, emotional, or spiritual need, or any other kind.
FORMAT: Each devotion will be a maximum of 275-325 words (total of all parts).
TITLE: See Sample.
SCRIPTURE: You choose: NIV, NKJV, NASB, NLT, The Message, KJV, etc. Please double-check text instead of writing scripture from memory, and note version used.
BODY: Story devotional that touches the readers, makes them laugh, or just offers a new insight they can use in their lives.
PRAYER: Brief one-sentence prayer to finish.
PAYMENT: For each devotional that is selected for the book, the writer will be paid $5.00 for one-time rights at the time of publication. You may submit as many devotionals as you’d like. Reprints OK.
PURCHASE OF COPIES:
You can get the books in a pre-printing order for 40% off the retail price. If you purchase 25-49 books, you get a 45% discount, and if 50 or more, a 50% discount. Perfect for those who want to sell books when they speak, want giveaways for donations to a ministry, want to do their own marketing, or want gifts. It’s a good way to get your name out there and also to make a little extra money for yourself.

THE STORIES IN THE DEVOS:
These stories will be somewhat dramatic, fun to read, and end with a principle, application, or some twist that the reader can use in his or her life. If they are touching or funny, or offering a new insight, all the better. The most important factor is that they reveal a time in your life when God met a need.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
If you would like to be involved in this project or have questions, please contact me, Mark Littleton, by e-mail at GodMeetsNeeds@earthlink.net. Please provide the following information:

The devotionals themselves.
Name and contact, phone number, e-mail, etc.
My contact is: GodMeetsNeeds@earthlink.net.

DEADLINE: January 10, 2012

SAMPLE DEVO:
Who Really Meets Our Needs?
My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19, NASB.
        The day looked gloomy to me. The financial pressure to pay my bills at school had mounted. I couldn’t really take a job that would strip away my time for studying and completing assignments. I went to our little dorm prayer meeting with a heavy heart. We prayed.
        I forgot about it the next morning until I opened my mail box. There were several letters, and a rather stuffed envelope with just my name on it. I opened it, thinking it might be a paper I’d written. In it, I found eighty-some dollars. All it said, “To help with expenses.”
        Next was a letter from my grandparents. Grandpa informed me he would be sending me fifty-dollars a month for as long as I was in school and I found the first check inside.
         Walking on air, I hurried home to tell my friends. In the hallway, Mike M. asked me, “Want a study job? Just sit there, watch, and do whatever else you need to do.”
Amazed, he gave me the address where I needed to fill out an application.
I kept that job for four years through my schooling. Grandpa kept the checks coming, and every once in a while someone added to the pile with a check or money-order seemingly out of nowhere.
        I ate a lot of Kraft macaroni and cheese and hamburger without the trimmings those years, but God kept me afloat. He showed me that promise (above) from Philippians was as sure as my name on my paycheck.
Prayer: God, I want to trust you about these problems I have with money, but I’m a little scared. Can you encourage me a bit today with something, some jolt that will renew my faith? Amen. 315 Words

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF OCTOBER 23

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list and #4 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; the e-Book nonfiction list; and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.


I Never Thought I'd See The Day! by David Jeremiah (FaithWords) is #1 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Every Day A Friday by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #2 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #4 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list, and #3 on the monthly hardcover business book list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) is #10 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #13 on the monthly hardcover business book list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #14 on the paperback nonfiction list; #32 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #34 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

Courageous by Randy Alcorn (Tyndale House) is #24 on the paperback trade fiction list.

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #25 on the paperback trade fiction list.

The Girl In The Gatehouse by Julie Klassen (Bethany House) is #27 on the e-Book fiction list.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #28 on the paperback nonfiction list.

The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #34 on the paperback trade fiction list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #35 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

LOOKING FOR ANGEL STORIES

GUIDELINES

Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels and Other Strangers is a book project we [Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk] contracted with Summerside/Guideposts for an August 2012 release.

We want true stories of angelic appearances that resulted in changed lives.

Do you have an angel story to tell but can't write it yourself? Email us the details. If we believe your story has potential for this book, we will contact you for more information and will write the story for you.

We will edit every selected story for consistency and style.

We will not change factual information.

If you are unwilling to allow edits, please do not submit.

Submission Guidelines:

Deadline for stories is November 12, 2011.

All entries must be double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman, ragged right margin, in a Word document.

Story length should be 900 to 1,400 words. We will not consider longer pieces.

We prefer first-person narratives.

We’ll include your name with your story. If you want to use someone else’s story, get written permission, write it in first person, and we’ll credit both of you. We’ll include a brief bio of all writers.

Every story must have a positive impact from the angelic encounter.

You may send an original or a reprint. (If a reprint, tell us where it was published and assure us that you own the reprint rights.)

If your story is selected, you’ll receive a $50 honorarium and retain reprint rights. You’ll also receive a free copy of the book.

If your story makes the preliminary cut, we’ll notify you by February or March 2012. The senior editor at Summerside/Guideposts will make final decisions for inclusion in the book.

Submission:

Send your story, formatted according to the guidelines, to heavenlycompany@gmail.com. Put the words "Story Submission" in the subject line. We will send a confirmation email shortly after your story is received.

Do not email to check on the status of your submission. We will notify you in February or March if your story is selected.

Visit the Heavenly Company Book website for more about the authors and a sample story.

Monday, October 10, 2011

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF OCTOBER 16

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list and #2 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; the e-Book nonfiction list; and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.


The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Every Day A Friday by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #1 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #3 on the hardcover advice & misc. list, and #3 on the hardcover business book list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #8 on the paperback nonfiction list; #29 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; #31 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #34 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) is #10 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #13 on the monthly hardcover business book list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #14 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #20 on the paperback trade fiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #21 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Courageous by Randy Alcorn (Tyndale House) is #23 on the paperback trade fiction list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #25 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #29 on the paperback nonfiction list.

The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #34 on the paperback mass-market fiction list.

MEN OF INTEGRITY - NO FREELANCE

From the editor: For the past three issues, I have not used any freelance content, but I have simply been drawing content from published books. It’s just so much easier that way, and it’s less expensive. During the past several months, I thought I might use freelance content, but it just didn’t work out that way. So, I made the decision to not even send out themes for the January/February issue. And I don’t plan on using any freelance content throughout 2012. It was a difficult decision, but in terms of time and economics, it just seemed to be the smart thing to do.


Christopher Lutes
Editor
Men of Integrity
clutes@christianitytoday.com
Phone: 630.260.6200.ext4275
twitter.com/menofintegrity1

Friday, October 7, 2011

BOOKING 2012 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

I'm preparing for my last writers' conference of the year that will be held next week, so am looking at my speaking calendar for 2012. Just wanted to let you know--if you are involved with a conference--that I do have a couple of slots open for next year, if you are looking for a speaker or workshop leader. I am able to cover a wide range of topics and am willing to come for expenses and whatever the group/conference can afford as an honorarium. Just e-mail me for details: stuartcwmg@aol.com.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

PROFILES IN COURAGE ESSAY CONTEST

I just ran across a contest for high school students. The Profiles in Courage Essay Contest is conducted by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. The contest invites students from across the nation to write an essay on an act of political courage by an elected U.S. official. First place winner gets $5,000 in cash, and $5,000 in a college saving plan. Second place get $1,000 cash, and the next 5 finalists get $500 each. For details and registration, go to: www.jfklibrary.com and click on the "Education" tab.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF OCTOBER 9

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list, the e-Book nonfiction list, and the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #2 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.


Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #1 on the hardcover advice & misc. list, and #3 on the hardcover business book list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Every Day A Friday by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #2 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #7 on the paperback nonfiction list; #25 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #30 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) is #9 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

StandOut by Marcus Buckingham (Thomas Nelson) is #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #13 on the hardcover business book list.

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #14 on the paperback trade fiction list.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #15 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (David C. Cook) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss (Tyndale) is #22 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #24 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee (Center Street) is #31 on the hardcover fiction list.

The Healing by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Barbour) is #34 on the paperback trade fiction list.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #34 on the paperback nonfiction list

The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #35 on the paperback mass-market fiction list.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS FOR 2012

If you are a photographer wishing to improve your skills, or someone wanting to become a photographer, these workshops are for you. Todd and Brad Reed--professional photogrphers--are offering 4 "2012 Picture Perfect Weekends" for next year. Workshops will be held at the Cartier Mansion in Luddington MI on the following dates: May 18-20, August 3-5, September 14-16, and October 12-14. Workshops limited to 12  people each. Cost is $350, but does not include lodging. For details, log into: http://www.toddandbradreed.com/ ansd click on "workshops." to register call the Cartier Mansion at 231-843-0101.

WINNERS OF ANNUAL CAROL AWARDS

The Carol Awards were presented at the 10th annual ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Gala. The Carol Awards evolved from ACFW’s Book of the Year Awards to honor the highest achievement for published authors of Christian fiction.


Honoring excellence in Christian fiction of all genres, ACFW announced the 2011 Carol Award winners:

Debut Author: Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale Publishers)

Long Contemporary: Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House)

Long Contemporary Romance: Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

Long Historical: Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren (Summerside Press)

Long Historical Romance: Love Finds You In Homestead, Iowa by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press)

Mystery: The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard (Barbour)

Novella: A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky (Barbour)

Romantic Suspense: The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press)

Short Contemporary: A Father for Zach by Irene Hannon (Love Inspired)

Short Contemporary Suspense: Night Prey by Sharon Dunn (Love Inspired Suspense)

Short Historical: Her Healing Ways by Lyn Cote (Love Inspired)

Speculative Fiction: König’s Fire by Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press)

Suspense/Thriller: Predator by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)

Women’s Fiction: Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett (Tyndale Publishers)

Young Adult: Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (Revell)

ACFW is devoted to training its writers, educating them in the market, and serving as an advocate in the traditional Christian fiction publishing industry. With more than 2500 members and 29 local chapters in 18 states, as well as a beyond-the-borders e-chapter, ACFW speaks as The Voice of Christian Fiction. For more information about ACFW and upcoming conferences, visit www.acfw.com or contact Allison Wilson, Conference Administrator, at ca@acfw.com.

NEW LABEL: SLINGSHOT PICTURES

Image Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: DISK) is proud to announce the launch of a new label, Slingshot Pictures. The line will focus exclusively on faith-based titles and be managed by industry veteran Suzette Schafer who has been hired as Senior Vice President. The Slingshot Pictures brand will premiere in November according to Image Entertainment Chief Acquisitions Officer Bill Bromiley.


"I'm excited to be launching this new label for Image Entertainment," said Suzette Schafer, Senior Vice President, Specialty Product. "It is our goal to acquire films that have strong family values, messages of hope and are life affirming as well as spiritually enriching. Slingshot Pictures will bring these films to audiences through standard distribution channels as well as explore new innovative outlets to broaden accessibility and bring inspirational content to consumers worldwide."

Image Entertainment, Inc. is a leading independent licensee and distributor of entertainment programming in North America, with approximately 3,200 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 340 exclusive CD titles in domestic release and more than 450 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights, as well as digital download rights to over 2,100 video programs and approximately 400 audio titles containing more than 6,000 individual tracks. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth, California. For more information about Image Entertainment, Inc., please go to www.image-entertainment.com.

POPULARITY OF E-READERS

The options keep changing and bookstores are starting to feel the pressure. One major chain closed its doors for good this month while some of the others have rolled out their own e-Reader devices and are upgrading them regularly. Even The New York Times has changed the way it looks at bestsellers. It used to be just fiction and non-fiction; now it's also print versus e-Reader. And this is for a good reason as one in six Americans (15%) uses an e-Reader device up from less than one in ten (8%) a year ago. Also, among those who do not have an e-Reader, one in six (15%) say they are likely to get an e-Reader device in the next six months. These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,183 adults surveyed online between July 11 and 18, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

BLUE RIDGE NOVELIST RETREAT

BLUE RIDGE CHRISTIAN

“Autumn in the Mountains” Novelist Retreat
October 16-20, 2011

What could be finer than to be in the mountains of western North Carolina in October! This is the perfect setting for a time of improving the craft of novel writing, fellowship with other novelists, write, discuss, and critique.

Retreat for beginning and published novelists

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU BRING YOUR LAPTOP
AND YOUR NOVEL-IN-PROGRESS.

All novelists are welcome to come and learn the craft that applies to all novel writing. The faculty is Christian and some emphasis will be directed to the CBA market.

Enrollment limited. Please register early. – Ridgecrest: 1.800.588.7222

www.lifeway.com/novelretreat

LOCATION

Ridgecrest/LifeWay Conference Center, Ridgecrest, NC

(twenty minutes east of Asheville—home of the famous Biltmore House and Gardens)

All sleeping rooms for the Novel Retreat are in

MOUNTAIN LAUREL HOTEL

Sunday evening session and morning classes will be held
AZALEA AUDITORIUM - JOHNSON SPRINGS BUILDING

.TUITION
Retreat $315 - Off-campus $375

LODGING PER NIGHT in MOUNTAIN LAUREL
Single $69 - Double $69
Triple $79 - Quad $89

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF OCTOBER 2

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and the paperback nonfiction list; and #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.


Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and #4 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

The Hour That Matters Most by Les Parrott (Tyndale House) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #2 on the paperback trade fiction list, #8 on the combined hardcover and paperback fiction list, and #16 on the combined print and e-Book fiction list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #4 on the monthly hardcover business book list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #5 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #8 on the paperback nonfiction list; #21 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #25 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #35 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #10 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #11 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (David C. Cook) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Healing by Wanda E. Brunstetter. (Barbour) is #13 on the paperback trade fiction list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #19 on the paperback nonfiction list, and #35 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #19 on the hardcover nonfiction list, #20 on the e-Book nonfiction list, #30 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and #34 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #26 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and #35 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #26 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list.

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #29 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

CATHOLIC VIDEO CONTEST

For more than ten years "The Great Adventure" Bible Study Program has helped hundreds of thousands of Catholics discover the "big picture" of the Bible. By uncovering the central story woven throughout Scripture, "The Great Adventure" studies have provided many people with a guided tour through the story of the Bible. Now "The Great Adventure" is giving one person and a companion the opportunity to experience a guided tour of the Holy Land itself with Jeff and Emily Cavins.


"Every day we hear of Catholics who have participated in our Bible studies and experienced a profound impact in their faith," says Matthew Pinto, president of Ascension Press. "We would like to share these amazing stories with others so they too will be encouraged to open their Bibles and begin an encounter with the Living God in Scripture."

"The Great Adventure" is inviting people to submit a video responding to the question "How has the story of Scripture enriched my life and my faith?" Videos will be judged initially by "The Great Adventure" team, who will select the finalists. The finalists will then be voted on by the general public. The winning video will be selected by "The Great Adventure" Team based upon the video's popularity, quality, and creativity. A Grand Prize of a pilgrimage for two to the Holy Land will be awarded to the winning video. Other prizes will be awarded for 2nd and 3rd places, as well as honorable mentions. Videos should be submitted online at www.BibleStudyContest.com by October 24th, 2011. Winners will be announced on November 18th, 2011.

"We want to make the Story of Scripture a tangible and accessible part of life for Catholics," says Jeff Cavins, creator of "The Great Adventure" Bible Study Program. "Seeing, visiting, and walking among the actual places where the biblical events occurred can help us understand Scripture on an entirely new level."

Detailed information on eligibility, rules, and participation is available at www.BibleStudyContest.com. For more information about the contest, or to request an interview, please contact John Harden at (610) 696-7795 ext. 200 or jharden@ascensionpress.com.

HARPERONE LAUNCHES SMALLGROUPGUIDES.COM

HarperOne, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, announced today the launch of SmallGroupGuides.com, a web site offering reading and discussion guides for a wide variety of HarperOne books of interest to the whole spectrum of the Christian community. With questions thoughtfully crafted by the authors and editors of each book, the guides facilitate in-depth conversations at church study groups and book clubs.


Organized by topic, which include Bible and Christian Thought, Spirituality and the Church, and Hot Topics, the guides are available for free to view in a browser or to download as a PDF file. The site houses both frontlist and backlist titles with new titles added every month.

The site also provides easy-to-use directions and tips for leading a fun, interesting discussion, allowing groups to explore issues most important to both congregants and church leadership.

SmallGroupGuides.com, along with HarperOne's monthly e-newsletter News & Pews, was specifically developed in response to the needs of churches as expressed in focus groups conducted by HarperOne. SVP and Publisher Mark Tauber says, "SmallGroupGuides advances HarperOne's vision to collaborate with church communities. We are delighted to make this resource easily accessible for churches and other organizations wanting to ignite rich, lively discussions about our books."

NEWSLETTER FOR SCRIPT WRITERS

10 days left!

September 30th is the final deadline for subscribing to the Preferred Newsletter (to begin receiving it on October 6). This e-newsletter informs you of the script needs for 4-8 companies per week. It tells you what those companies are searching for right now.

If you miss this deadline, you’ll have to wait 2 more months before you can get on the list!

Subscribe now! www.InkTip.com/news_subscribe.php

Jerrol LeBaron
CEO, InkTip
Getting the Right Script into the Right Hands.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

TWO WRITING WORKSHOPS OFFERED

Join Author Trisha Petty for two writing workshops


Monday, October 3rd

• Writing for the Generations - Your Story 10:30-Noon

• Writing 101- Do I Really Need An Outline? 4:00-7:00 pm

Location:   Collierville Burch Library - Halle Room (Memphis?)
Call the information desk at 457-2602 to Sign-up

Trisha has co-authored 13 novels and worked as a Production Assistant contributing story boards and character development to projects such as “Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn,” “North and South,” and “Paint Your Wagon.”

Also, she writes historical novels with a Christian perspective.

STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

The 2011 Maryknoll Student Essay Contest from Maryknoll magazine for middle school and high school students is addressing the rising concern about bullying. The assignment for the 22nd annual contest asks students to tell a story about how they or someone they know experienced bullying and then to explain how Jesus might tell those involved to handle the situation.

Maryknoll is published by the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, the chief mission outreach of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States that serves a variety of people in 28 countries that include the U.S. The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers share God's love combating poverty, providing healthcare, building communities and promoting human rights.

More than 5,000 students competed for $2,900 in cash prizes during the 2010 Maryknoll Student Essay Contest. The awards remain the same for the 2011 contest, with $1,000 provided to each of the two first place finalists, $300 awarded to each of the two second place finalists and $150 provided to each of the two third place award recipients.

The contest focuses on a specific Christian message each year and is open to all students in grades six to eight (Division I) and grades nine to 12 (Division II). Only one entry is permitted per student. One first place winner, one second place winner and one third place winner will be recognized from each of the two divisions. The division category must be clearly identified on each submission. Essay length is 500 to 750 words and the postmark deadline for all entries is Thursday, December 1, 2011.

Flyers announcing the 2011 contest have been mailed to approximately 38,000 Catholic schools and Catholic parish religious education programs in the U.S. Students of any religious denomination inside or outside the U.S. may enter. Essays must be prepared in English.

The flyers contain the complete contest rules and submission guidelines. For more information, call the Maryknoll Student Essay Contest hotline at 1-888-627-9566 x2368, or visit www.maryknollsociety.org/essay.

Parents, teachers and students can learn more about this issue by listening to "Bullying: K thru Life" that aired on Maryknoll's Voices of Our World radio program on June 26, 2011. Visit www.voicesofourworld.org and click on "downloads."

Monday, September 19, 2011

SHORT SHORT STORY COMPETITION

The 12th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story competition is underway. Deadline for entries is November 15, 2011. You could win $3,000 and a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference when you send in your fiction that's bold, brilliant--but brief. Entries must be 1,500 words or less. Enter online at writersdigest.com/short.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 25

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and the paperback nonfiction list; and #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and #4 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

The Hour That Matters Most by Les Parrott (Tyndale House) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #2 on the paperback trade fiction list, #8 on the combined hardcover and paperback fiction list, and #16 on the combined print and e-Book fiction list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #4 on the monthly hardcover business book list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #5 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #8 on the paperback nonfiction list; #21 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #25 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #35 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #10 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #11 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (David C. Cook) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Healing by Wanda E. Brunstetter. (Barbour) is #13 on the paperback trade fiction list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #19 on the paperback nonfiction list, and #35 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #19 on the hardcover nonfiction list, #20 on the e-Book nonfiction list, #30 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and #34 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #26 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and #35 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #26 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list.

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #29 on the paperback nonfiction list.

LARGE LAYOFF AT FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

Focus on the Family announced the elimination of 49 jobs today, citing the ongoing, and in many quarters worsening, economic downturn as necessitating the move.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

NEW MARKETING HELP FOR CHRISTIAN WRITERS

When submitting to publishers, it is essential that you first study their writers' guidelines and send them exactly what they ask for. However, finding those guidelines is often difficult. For that reason I have just developed a new CD to make your job easier. The CD lists the periodical publishers and the book publishers that include guidelines on their Website. Next to each name is a hotlink to their Website and in some cases directly to their guidelines. A huge time-saver.

For the rest of September the CD will be available for just $5.00. (Starting in October it will be $10.) You can order it and pay by check, PayPal, or credit card. I don't have a spot for it on my Website yet, but if you want to order it in the Website bookstore, just order any $5 item and include a message that it's for the Writers' Guidelines CD. Website: http://www.stuartmarket.com/. PayPal orders to: stuartcwmg@aol.com. Mailed orders to: 15935 SW Greens Way, Tigard OR 97224. Or you can can email or call credit card info to: 503-642-9844.

Sally

10th ANNUAL INDIANAPOLIS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

Held November 4–5, 2011 at The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Fishers, Ind., the Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference will feature authors Angela Hunt and Todd Burpo. With over 3 million books sold, Christy Award winner Angela Hunt, headlines this year’s conference with featured guest Todd Burpo, author of the New York Times #1 non-fiction book, Heaven is for Real. To register and learn more about the 25 skill-building workshops and consultations, visit www.IndyChristianWritersConf.com. Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference is sponsored by Wesleyan Publishing House.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #2 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the e-Book nonfiction list.


Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #6 on the paperback nonfiction list; and #14 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #17 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #34 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #7 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (David C. Cook) is #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #11 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #4 on the monthly hardcover business book list and #15 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #18 on the hardcover nonfiction list and #33 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.

The Sacred Acre - The Ed Thomas Story by Mark Tabb (Zondervan) is #25 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #26 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #27 on the e-Book nonfiction list, #31 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and #33 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler (Tyndale House) is #31 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Monday, September 12, 2011

MWW MINI-CONFERENCE OCTOBER 8TH

On Saturday, October 8, Midwest Writers will offer "Make Money Writing in Tough Times" at the Putnam County Library, Greencastle, IN from 9 am to 12 pm.

This mini-workshop is open to persons interested in learning more about writing and in furthering their writing careers. Participants will learn from presenters with extensive writing credits about ways to "break in" to fiction or nonfiction, writing fiction and mysteries, and what agents want.
Featured Speakers: Terence Faherty, special guest for the day, is the author of two mystery series, the Shamus-winning Scott Elliott private eye series, set in the golden age of Hollywood, and the Edgar-nominated Owen Keane series, which follows the adventures of a failed seminarian turned metaphysical detective. His short fiction, which appears regularly in mystery magazines and anthologies, has won the Macavity Award and been nominated for the Anthony and the Derringer.

Cathy Shouse has had hundreds of stories published in newspapers and magazines, including The Saturday Evening Post and Family Fun. She is a former contributing writer for Focus on the Family and was named a 2007 MWW Fellow for fiction. Her first book, Images of America: Fairmount was released in 2010. She is a frequent presenter at Midwest Writers special events.

Dr. Dennis Hensley, who has written six novels, is the author of How to Write What You Love and Make a Living at It (Harper-Collins). A MWW committee member, he has written 51 books and published more than 3,000 articles in major periodicals. He is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences throughout the country. His many awards include the prestigious Elizabeth Sherrill Lifetime Achievement Award.

Participants will receive $20 certificates toward the cost of attending the 39th annual MWW workshop, scheduled in Muncie, IN, July 26-28, 2012. The Friends of the Putnam County Public Library will provide light refreshments. For more information and to register contact the Reference Desk at 765-653-2755, ex. 124 or ex. 115. Note: Registration is required. The $10 payment will be taken at the door on the day of the event only. Seating is limited. Early registration is encouraged.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

REQUEST FOR "STORM STORIES"

Editor Gayle Sampson is looking for riveting testimonies from women who have survived the storms of life. All testimonies must be mailed to: stormstories1@aol.com. A cut off date has not been decided as yet. Please put all stories in a word document using Times New Roman and 12 pt. font. Word limit is 500-600 words. Submit a photo with the testimeny. Refer all question and concerns to the e-mail listed above. No mention of payment, but it would be a writing credit.

BIBLICALLY BASED GAME MAKES GOOD

First Biblically Based Facebook Game Journey of Moses Receives High Reviews. Facebook users and critics help Moses game grow since August debut.

Facebook's first biblically-based game, Journey of Moses, continues to receive high accolades from both users and reviewers since its mid-August launch.

Rapidly growing in monthly active users, the Journey of Moses game, which takes players through the twists and turns of milestones in the life of Moses, has been rated a 4.4 out of five stars on Facebook. In addition, several game critics and media outlets have written positive reviews of the game, such as:

"It's a well-polished game with amusing visuals and a surprising amount of depth, much more so than Vatican Wars or Holy Town." -- AOL Games blog

"The Journey of Moses, like Facebook itself, is addictive, and advancement through the game, in which there is 'no winning or losing,' is contingent on social connections." -- CNN Belief blog

"The very fact that this game does a pretty good job of clearly relating these events [of Moses' life] in such a simple format like a Facebook game is pretty impressive ... Besides, if you're going to waste time on Facebook playing a game, why not play a well-made one that's about the Bible?" -- Hollywood Jesus

"With relatively few games sporting religious themes, this title has seen its usage skyrocket since launching earlier this month." -- Inside Social Games

Growing at over 200,000 players, Journey of Moses, like many other social games, provides a forum for community, entertainment and gaming with friends. The game is free to play, though as with other Facebook games players can purchase goods along the way to help enhance their experience.

The game was created by Hexify, which is located in Mountain View, Calif., and has focused on building highly engaging games. For more information, visit www.hexify.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional information, visit the online newsroom at www.alrcnewskitchen.com/journeyofmoses.

8TH ANNUAL PEN TO PAPER LITERARY SYMPOSIUM

Dayton-based publishing company, Pen of the Writer, hosts the eighth annual Pen to Paper Literary Symposium on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Delco Park, 1707 Delco Park Drive, Kettering, OH 45420. Sessions begin at 9 AM.


Since 2004, the Pen to Paper Literary Symposium has helped hundreds of aspiring writers and authors learn the premise of writing and the elements of publishing. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about the book industry and gain personal and professional perspectives from published authors. Breakfast, conference journals and giveaways will be provided.

About Valerie J. Lewis Coleman

Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, bestselling author of Blended Families An Anthology and The Forbidden Secrets of the Goody Box, will provide over a decade of expertise in the publishing industry in sessions such as Judging a Book By Its Contents and Millionaire Mindset for the Self-Published Author. Dubbed "The Dr. Oz of Publishing" by previous symposium attendees, Coleman will launch a how-to guide entitled Self-Publishing Made Easy in December 2011. This title contains insider information including

The formula for writing, publishing and marketing a bestseller

How to avoid the top five mistakes made by new authors

How to price your book to sell

Industry secrets publishers don't want you to know

Proven methods to generate funds for your book project

About Karen MR Townsend, PhD
Dr. Karen M.R. Townsend, author of It All Started When I Stopped Using Lotion- One Woman's Journey From Chaos to Calm, will reveal pre-release marketing strategies in the session If Only I Had Listened to My Publisher: Strategies for Marketing Your Book Before It's Published! Townsend is the president and CEO of KTownsend Consulting and founder of About My Sisters, an organization dedicated to addressing the distinct needs of women and girls.

About Pen of the Writer
Pen of the Writer is the vision of Dayton native, Valerie J. Lewis Coleman. The company was created to provide writers and authors with a smooth transition through the publishing process. To obtain a complete agenda and registration information, contact Whitney White at 888.802.1802, info@valeriejlcoleman.com or visit PenOfTheWriter.com.

HEART OF AMERICA WRITERS CONFERENCE

From: Betty Ost-Everley

Phone: 816-444-1010
E-mail: baost@hotmail.com
Message:

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sally Danley, Information Coordinator
Phone: 816-313-1892
Email: srdsonshine@sbcglobal.net

EDITORS, AGENTS SEEK TALENTED WRITERS IN KANSAS CITY
(Kansas City, MO) – Over twenty editors and agents, representing a broad variety of genres, publication elements and religious denominational viewpoints, will be in the Kansas City area on November 10 – 12, 2011 for the Heart of America Christian Writers Network’s (HACWN) annual fall conference. “Such a Time As This” will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church’s Quivira Campus at 12501 W. 137th Street in Overla nd Park, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri.

The editors and agents, along with professional members of HACWN, will act as faculty for the conference, presenting over 60 workshops on various elements of writing for publication and pleasure. Conferees can also meet with individuals to help them with their writing skills and sales.

“We’re thrilled to have so many publishing leaders as faculty for the conference,” said Jeanette Littleton, co-director of HACWN. “This is a wonderful opportunity for writers. In recent years, several have come away from the conference with valuable contacts, leading to book contracts and other publication successes.”

Those scheduled to lead conference workshops include:
Editors:
Linda Canup, In Touch Magazine
Sherri Langton, Bible Advocate
Craig Von Buseck, CBN Website
Trieste Von Wyngarden, DaySpring Cards
Melissa Hammer, WordAction Curriculum
Duane Brush, St andard, Reflecting God Devotions
Jesse Florea, Clubhouse Magazine

Thursday, September 1, 2011

CHRISTIAN STORE WEEK--SIGN UP NOW

Authors and illustrators, sign up now for Christian Store Week, coming to a Christian store near you October 1-10, 2011.


Christian Store Week is an annual industry-wide celebration of local Christian stores, the life-changing products they carry, and the ministry they provide to their communities. Participating stores will be running fantastic sales all week long, hosting author/illustrator events, giving away prizes, and selling an exclusive CD to benefit World Vision’s efforts in raising awareness to help feed hungry children worldwide.

Last year’s inaugural Christian Store Day (October 23, 2010) by the numbers:

475 store events held

$60,000 raised for relief efforts in Haiti

79 Zondervan authors and illustrators participated

Here’s how you can partner with your local Christian stores for Christian Store Week 2011.

It’s easy to sign up!

1. Visit participate.christianstoreweek.com

2. Provide your name and email to sign up

3. Put in your zip code and select participating stores near you

4. The stores you choose will be notified that you are interested in an event and the store manager will contact you to set something up.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Christian Store Week!



Monday, August 29, 2011

NEW EDITOR AT "SPARKLE" MAGAZINE

Kelli Ponstein is new senior editor at Sparkle, a magazine for Christian girls. They now accept submissions by e-mail only at sparkle@gemsgc.org.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 4

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; the paperback nonfiction list; the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and the e-Book nonfiction list.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #2 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #5 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #6 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #8 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #15 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #24 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #8 on the paperback nonfiction list; and #17 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #21 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (David C. Cook) is #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #10 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #11 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #14 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #15 on the paperback nonfiction list; #26 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #29 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #32 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #27 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #29 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #31 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler (Tyndale House) is #33 on the e-Book nonfiction list.

FIRST ENHANCED E-BOOK RELEASED

Thomas Nelson announces the creation of the company's first enhanced e-book, which released on Aug. 25. This landmark e-book by New York Times best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado features the full digital content of his most recent bestseller, Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions (Thomas Nelson, April 2011) in addition to audio and video elements.


The enhanced e-book features all editorial content from the trade book, Max on Life, as well as a personal video introduction from Lucado for each of seven core sections: hope, hurt, help, him/her, home, haves/have-nots, hereafter. Sprinkled throughout the book are embedded one-minute audio segments.

The enhanced e-book released in the Apple iBooks Store and Barnes and Noble Nook Store on Aug. 25 with an Amazon Kindle Store version following.

Written with candor, humor and a pastor's heart, Max on Life reads like an advice column from one of the most respected voices in inspirational writing. Lucado's answers draw from the wisdom and experience of more than 30 years of preaching and are graced with his trademark conversational writing style and practical application.

More than 60 percent of Max on Life content is never-before published material from Lucado's sermons, emails, letters and conversations. Products in the Max on Life line include the hardcover book, the enhanced e-book, standard e-book and the recently-released Max on Life DVD-Based Small Group Kit (Thomas Nelson, $39.99).



Sunday, August 28, 2011

SAN DIEGO WRITERS' CONFERENCE

The San Diego Christian Writers Guild will hold its annual fall conference at Maranatha Chapel in Rancho Bernardo, Friday evening and all day Saturday, Sept. 23 & 24.


Literary agents, editors, and authors will offer workshops and give personal consultations.

Remember: Faculty consultation signup numbers are based on the order your registration is received so sign up today!

Discount: Sign up before 9/1 and receive a $20 discount. Not a member? No problem. Sign up and join in one, easy step and receive all the benefits of membership. Only $155 for both Friday evening and all day Saturday!

For more information and registration go to www.sandiegocwg.org or call 760-294-3269.



Thursday, August 25, 2011

OHIO WRITERS' CONFERENCE

The NW Ohio Christian Writers' Conference will be held on October 8, 2011in Holland, Ohio. Speaker will be Melissa Wuske, editor with Writer's Digest Magazine. For questions or registration information, call Mary Jo Bosch at 419-836-5598, or Linda Tippett at 419-882-3705.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

JERRY JENKINS ON SELF-EDITING

From Jerry Jenkins: Check Out My Writer's Digest Webinar Tomorrow!


Years ago I worked under an editor who could always improve on my work. I vowed to polish my writing until he couldn't find one more thing to change. I never quite achieved that; his eye was that sharp. But I did get better, and I learned to be a ferocious self-editor. Writing is rewriting and can be the most fun part of the creative process.

Self-editing to the point where I'm happy with every word I submit has become a hallmark of my work and one of the keys to my publishing more than 175 books with over 70 million sales. Like anyone else, I still need that editor's second pair of eyes, but nothing gives me greater satisfaction that to hear that hardly anything had to be changed.

Writer's Digest has asked me to teach you the art self-editing in a Webinar scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, August 25 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. I'll tell you everything I've learned over the years, we'll look at samples, there'll be time for Q & A, and hopefully you'll go on to sell your writing like never before.

Check out all the details at http://bit.ly/pqTZn6, and I'll look forward to seeing you on line tomorrow.







TIPS FROM AGENTS

Following are some tips picked up from agents at the recent Oregon Christian Writers' conference:

* Current hot trends: romance and its variations (readers looking for escape); Christian living (serious look at a personal relationship with God); growth of e-books; less how-to.

* Some agents will handle books that started out as e-books--some will not.

* Agents typically do not get involved with promoting your book, although they may consult with the publisher on what their plans are for promoting a book.

* Some agents are becoming publishers as well--considered a conflict of interest.

* If you have a problem with your agent, go to the agent first and try to resolve any issues before looking for a new agent. Another agent will not want to deal with you until you have officially broken ties with the old one.

* Agents tend to be slow to respond, so give them time to get back to you.

OREGON BOOK FAIR OCTOBER 1

Florence OR is planning a book fair for October 1 & looking for authors and publishers to rent tables and sell their books. For details go to: http://www.eventcenter.org/images/stories/community/author-app.pdf


Monday, August 22, 2011

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF AUGUST 28

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; the paperback nonfiction list; the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list.


The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #1 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #4 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #4 on the monthly hardcover business book list; and #8 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle (David C. Cook) is #6 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #9 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #15 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #24 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #10 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #11 on the paperback nonfiction list; and #21 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #25 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.

Forgotten God by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.

90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #16 on the paperback nonfiction list; #27 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #27 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #30 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall (WaterBrook) is #22 on the paperback trade fiction list.

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #26 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #30 on the paperback nonfiction list.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #28 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

A Love That Multiplies by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar (Howard) is #29 on the hardcover nonfiction list.

Learning by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #35 on the paperback trade fiction list.

The Reason For God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #35 on the paperback nonfiction list.

CHRISTIAN TOP 50 BEST-SELLING BOOKS

Compiled and distributed by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA)Rank (Prev) Title Author ISBN Publisher Pub Date List $ Award

1 (1) Heaven Is for Real Todd Burpo/Lynn Vincent 9780849946158 Thomas Nelson Publishers Nov-10 16.99

2 (2) Jesus Calling Sarah Young 9781591451884 Thomas Nelson Publishers Oct-04 14.99

3 (20) Learning- Bailey Flanigan Series #2 Karen Kingsbury 9780310276333 Zondervan Jun-11 14.99

4 (6) Throw It Down Jud Wilhite 9780310327530 Zondervan Dec-10 14.99

5 (NEW!) Erasing Hell Francis Chan/Preston Sprinkle 9780781407250 David C Cook Jul-11 14.99

6 (4) Crazy Love Francis Chan 9781434768513 David C Cook May-08 14.99

7 (7) Radical David Platt 9781601422217 Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing Group May-10 14.99

8 (5) Jesus Calling - Deluxe Edition Sarah Young 9781404187825 Thomas Nelson Publishers Jul-10 18.99

9 (3) Through My Eyes Tim Tebow 9780062007285 News Corporation May-11 26.99

10 (9) Inverted Tom Ellsworth 9780784729250 Standard Publishing Jan-11 10.99

11 (12) Battlefield of the Mind Joyce Meyer 9780446691093 Hachette Book Group Oct-02 14.99

12 (13) Leaving - Bailey Flanigan Series #1 Karen Kingsbury 9780310266280 Zondervan Mar-11 14.99

13 (14) The Five Love Languages Gary Chapman 9780802473158 Moody Publishers Oct-92 14.99

14 (15) Forgotten God Francis Chan 9781434767950 David C Cook Sep-09 14.99

15 (11) One Thousand Gifts Ann Voskamp 9780310321910 Zondervan Jan-11 16.99

16 (21) The Love Dare Day by Day Stephen & Alex Kendrick 9780805448856 B&H Publishing Group Sep-08 14.99

17 (NEW!) All In Gene Chizik 9781414364353 Tyndale House Publishers Jul-11 24.99

18 (10) Made to Crave Lysa TerKeurst 9780310293262 Zondervan Dec-10 14.99

19 (16) Bonhoeffer Eric Metaxas 9781595551382 Thomas Nelson Publishers Apr-10 29.99

20 (-) The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven Kevin Malarkey 9781414336077 Tyndale House Publishers Jun-11 15.99

21 (19) Love and Respect Emerson Eggerichs 9781591451877 Thomas Nelson Publishers Sep-04 22.99

22 (24) How to Interpret Dreams and Visions Perry Stone 9781616383503 Charisma House May-11 15.99

23 (32) Not a Fan Kyle Idleman 9780310331933 Zondervan May-11 14.99

24 (29) Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton/Rick Bundschuh 9781439165799 Howard Books a division of Simon & Schuster Mar-11 14

25 (18) Radical Together David Platt 9781601423726 Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing Group Apr-11 14.99

26 (NEW!) Turning the Tide Charles F. Stanley 9781439190623 Howard Books a division of Simon & Schuster Jun-11 24

27 (NEW!) Thunder of Heaven Tim LaHaye/Craig Parshall 9780310326373 Zondervan Jun-11 24.99

28 (27) 90 Minutes in Heaven Don Piper/Cecil Murphey 9780800759490 Baker Publishing Group Sep-04 13.99

29 (38) Redeeming Love Francine Rivers 9781590525135 Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishing Group May-05 14.99

30 (-) It's Your Time Joel Osteen 9781439100110 Howard Books a division of Simon & Schuster Nov-09 25

31 (23) Max on Life Max Lucado 9780849948121 Thomas Nelson Publishers Apr-11 24.99

32 (39) The Power of a Praying Wife Stormie Omartian 9780736919241 Harvest House Publishers Jan-07 13.99

33 (41) Akiane Akiane Kramarik 9780849900440 Thomas Nelson Publishers Apr-06 19.99

34 (17) Grace for the Moment Morning and Evening Edition Max Lucado 9781404113749 Thomas Nelson Publishers Sep-08 19.99

35 (NEW!) KJV Standard Lesson Commentary 2011-2012 9780784723791 Standard Publishing May-11 19.99

36 (45) Captivating John & Stasi Eldredge 9781400200382 Thomas Nelson Publishers Apr-11 16.99

37 (-) Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis 9780060652920 News Corporation Feb-01 13.99

38 (22) The Judgment Beverly Lewis 9780764206009 Baker Publishing Group Apr-11 14.99

39 (40) Boundaries John Townsend 9780310247456 Zondervan Mar-02 14.99

40 (33) Lineage of Grace Francine Rivers 9780842356329 Tyndale House Publishers Sep-09 16.99

41 (35) Sons of Encouragement Rivers Francine 9781414348162 Tyndale House Publishers Apr-11 16.99

42 (-) Choosing to SEE Mary Beth Chapman 9780800719913 Baker Publishing Group Sep-10 21.99

43 (28) Outlive Your Life Max Lucado 9780849920691 Thomas Nelson Publishers Sep-10 24.99

44 (25) Hurricanes in Paradise Denise Hildreth 9781414335575 Tyndale House Publishers May-10 13.99

45 (NEW!) Growing up Amish Ira Wagler 9781414339368 Tyndale House Publishers Jun-11 14.99

46 (NEW!) Love Finds a Home Wanda E. Brunstetter 9781616264550 Barbour Pubishing Jul-11 12.99

47 (43) So Long, Insecurity Beth Moore 9781414334721 Tyndale House Publishers Feb-10 24.99

48 (26) After the Leaves Fall Nicole Baart 9781414316222 Tyndale House Publishers Sep-07 12.99

49 (NEW!) Water's Edge Robert Whitlow 9781595544513 Thomas Nelson Publishers Jul-11 15.99

50 (8) Becoming a Man of Unwavering Faith John Osteen 9780892968893 FaithWords a division Hachette Book Group USA May-11 18.99

LIVE SEMINAR WEBCASTS

The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove has announced its fall lineup of live seminar webcasts, available on www.thecove.org. Highlights include Erwin Lutzer, Skip Heitzig, Tullian Tchividjian and Michael Card.


"We are excited to offer these online sessions for those who aren't able to attend a seminar in person," said Scott Holmquist, executive director of The Cove. "It's our fervent prayer that those who tune in will be encouraged and have their faith strengthened through the biblical teaching of these wonderful speakers."

The complete schedule, including seminar topics, is listed below. All webcasts begin at 7:15 p.m. ET.

Aug. 25: Don Wilton, "Back to the Beginning: Created for His Purpose"

Sept. 26: Erwin Lutzer, "Making the Best of a Bad Decision"

Oct. 10: Skip Heitzig, "The Biography of God"

Oct. 21: Bob Coy, "Daniel: Honor for Honor"

Oct. 28: Gary Thomas, "Spiritual Dynamics: What it Means to Draw Closer to Christ"

Oct. 31: Tullian Tchividjian, "Jesus + Nothing = Everything"

Nov. 16: Michael Card, "The Gospel of Passion (Mark)"

The Cove has previously held five live webcast events, including sessions this year with Josh and Sean McDowell and Gary Chapman. After each webcast, viewers will also have the opportunity to participant in the question-and-answer session with the speaker.