Christian retailers across the country have chosen the winning products in the 11th annual Retailers Choice Awards, sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine. Among a record 350-plus nominations in 39 categories, 41 winners were voted as best of the year.
Tyndale House Publishers and Thomas Nelson tied for the most wins, with eight each. Tyndale had 10 finalists and Thomas Nelson 25 finalists in the running.
Sarah Young’s devotional writing fared well with two wins: Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids (Children’s Nonfiction) and Jesus Calling: Deluxe Edition in Backlist, both from Thomas Nelson.
Best-selling author and pastor David Platt won the Audio award for Radical (christianaudio) and a Christian Living: Spiritual Growth award for Radical (WaterBrook Multnomah). Beth Moore’s So Long, Insecurity (Tyndale) was tops in Women’s Nonfiction, while the Spanish version, Hasta Luego, Inseguridad (Tyndale) won in the Spanish category.
Other standouts included Bonhoeffer, a best-seller of critical acclaim by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson), Forgotten God Study Resource by Francis Chan (David C. Cook) and The Action Bible by Doug Mauss, general editor, and Sergio Cariello, an illustrator of DC Comics and Marvel Comics fame (David C. Cook).
With the awards’ 11th year attracting a record number of nominations, Geni Hulsey, president of the Church Bookstore Network, said: “Every one of them were viable nominations. I was impressed with the list and in some cases it was hard to choose. I think the cream rose to the top, and the winners were as they should have been.”
Introduced in 2001, the Retailers Choice Awards have been increasingly acknowledged as an important way of recognizing some of the most significant new life-changing products in the Christian retail industry.
Retailers were asked to judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to:
• speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion
• open people’s minds to new ways of thinking
• encourage and affirm Christ-like living.
Finalists were announced in early April, prior to the presentation of the awards Tuesday, April 26, at Retailing ReBoot 2011, held April 26-28 at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla. For more information on the event, go to http://retailingreboot.com.
Friday, April 29, 2011
NEWS FROM ZONDERKIDZ
Zonderkidz(tm), the children's division of Zondervan, today announced the NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as a new online destination for the NIV Adventure Bible, www.AdventureBible.com. The app and website bring new interactivity to the bestselling NIV Adventure Bible, America's most-read children's Bible with more than six million copies sold. The game made its debut in Apple's App store this week; the website is currently live in the beta phase.
Memorization is the key to understanding and retaining information. In a young Christian child's life, Bible stories form the building blocks of faith, and research shows that children who engage with the Bible before age 10 are more likely to read the Bible regularly as teenagers. The NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game reaches children by understanding how they learn and then takes them on a fun and rewarding journey through God's Word.
"Reading and memorizing Scripture is important at an early age because it helps children begin to understand God's love and plan for their lives," said Annette Bourland, senior vice president and publisher with Zonderkidz. "By coupling and integrating proven techniques with a technology platform many children understand, the NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game engages children in a completely new way that can impact their faith and their futures."
Mobile apps continue to be among the fastest-growing segments in consumer software, and publishing groups, such as Zonderkidz, are moving into the space in order to provide children educational content that combines interactive features, artwork and games.
The bulk of the NIV Adventure Bible memorization games are designed around word scramble and fill-in-the-blank. Children can review verses for the various levels and then take the quiz. They also can take them at varying levels of difficulty which are differentiated by the number of blanks they need to fill in.
Games on all iOS devices including the iPad and iPod touch and iPhone are segmented into easy, medium and hard levels. Users can record themselves reciting up to five favorite verses. "Shake to Scramble" randomly selects a Scripture verse and creates a new scramble. Users earn animal sound effects and Bible illustrations for correctly completing verses.
The mobile app comes at the same time as the launch of the NIV Adventure Bible's new beta website, www.adventurebible.com. This online destination provides a safe place for families, Christian school teachers, and children's ministry leaders to get a passport into biblical adventure with maps, timelines, devotionals, sermon outlines and many other activities and educational resources. There are even three online games to test Bible knowledge, a Bible search function, and a teacher dashboard to make assignments and watch the progress of their students' activity on the site. Everything on the site is free and is being praised by Christian school teachers and children's ministry leaders as a wonderfully rich and robust site to supplement their existing curriculum.
"The new AdventureBible.com is full of interactive resources and activities to aid both in family time or teacher lesson planning and to encourage further learning beyond the text of the Bible," added Bourland.
The NIV Adventure Bible uses the updated NIV text, which was completed in the fall of 2010 after years of rigorous translation work by the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT, www.NIV-CBT.org). The updated NIV translation utilized the oldest and best-attested biblical manuscripts along with the finest contemporary English language scholarship in order to create a Bible that was not only accurate, but highly readable and easy to comprehend.
The NIV Adventure Bible Memorization Game was designed by Momentum Design Lab and is currently available in the Apple iPhone and iPad App Stores as a Lite (Free) edition and a full edition sells for $4.99.
Memorization is the key to understanding and retaining information. In a young Christian child's life, Bible stories form the building blocks of faith, and research shows that children who engage with the Bible before age 10 are more likely to read the Bible regularly as teenagers. The NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game reaches children by understanding how they learn and then takes them on a fun and rewarding journey through God's Word.
"Reading and memorizing Scripture is important at an early age because it helps children begin to understand God's love and plan for their lives," said Annette Bourland, senior vice president and publisher with Zonderkidz. "By coupling and integrating proven techniques with a technology platform many children understand, the NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game engages children in a completely new way that can impact their faith and their futures."
Mobile apps continue to be among the fastest-growing segments in consumer software, and publishing groups, such as Zonderkidz, are moving into the space in order to provide children educational content that combines interactive features, artwork and games.
The bulk of the NIV Adventure Bible memorization games are designed around word scramble and fill-in-the-blank. Children can review verses for the various levels and then take the quiz. They also can take them at varying levels of difficulty which are differentiated by the number of blanks they need to fill in.
Games on all iOS devices including the iPad and iPod touch and iPhone are segmented into easy, medium and hard levels. Users can record themselves reciting up to five favorite verses. "Shake to Scramble" randomly selects a Scripture verse and creates a new scramble. Users earn animal sound effects and Bible illustrations for correctly completing verses.
The mobile app comes at the same time as the launch of the NIV Adventure Bible's new beta website, www.adventurebible.com. This online destination provides a safe place for families, Christian school teachers, and children's ministry leaders to get a passport into biblical adventure with maps, timelines, devotionals, sermon outlines and many other activities and educational resources. There are even three online games to test Bible knowledge, a Bible search function, and a teacher dashboard to make assignments and watch the progress of their students' activity on the site. Everything on the site is free and is being praised by Christian school teachers and children's ministry leaders as a wonderfully rich and robust site to supplement their existing curriculum.
"The new AdventureBible.com is full of interactive resources and activities to aid both in family time or teacher lesson planning and to encourage further learning beyond the text of the Bible," added Bourland.
The NIV Adventure Bible uses the updated NIV text, which was completed in the fall of 2010 after years of rigorous translation work by the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT, www.NIV-CBT.org). The updated NIV translation utilized the oldest and best-attested biblical manuscripts along with the finest contemporary English language scholarship in order to create a Bible that was not only accurate, but highly readable and easy to comprehend.
The NIV Adventure Bible Memorization Game was designed by Momentum Design Lab and is currently available in the Apple iPhone and iPad App Stores as a Lite (Free) edition and a full edition sells for $4.99.
Monday, April 25, 2011
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF MAY 1
Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list, the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list, the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and #2 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #4 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #8 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #9 on the paperback nonfiction list; #33 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #27 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Judgment by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #12 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the e-Book nonfiction list, #23 on the paperback nonfiction list, and #34 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #21 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #22 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #24 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and #33 on the hardcover nonfiction list.
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #26 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #28 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Barbour) is #30 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #4 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C. Cook) is #8 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #9 on the paperback nonfiction list; #33 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #27 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Judgment by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #12 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the e-Book nonfiction list, #23 on the paperback nonfiction list, and #34 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #21 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #22 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #24 on the e-Book nonfiction list, and #33 on the hardcover nonfiction list.
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #26 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #28 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter (Barbour) is #30 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
WRITER'S DIGEST COMPETITION DEADLINE
Just a reminder that May 2 is the deadline for the 80th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. You may find guidelines or enter online at www.writersdigest.com/annual.Entries accepted online at WritersDigest.com. E-mail for answers to your questions at writing-competition@fwmedia.com.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
CHANGES AT ASSOCIATED CONTENT
Associated Content was purchased by Yahoo for $100 Million on May 18, 2010. The website (www.associatedcontent.com) is now the official digital library of the Yahoo Contributor Network and the physical address, email, and submissions manager listed on page 298 of the 2011 Christian Writers' Market Guide are no longer valid. (Miguel Chacon is now SEO Consultant for Fruition Internet Marketing Services in Denver.) The pay for Yahoo Contributor Network is $2-15 (plus "performance bonuses" based on how much traffic you can drive to the pages with your content) and you must create an account at contributor.yahoo.com/signup.shtml
CHRISTIAN SMALL PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS
Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA) is pleased to announce the winning titles for the 2011 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award. Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award honors books produced by small publishers each year for outstanding contribution to Christian life. Book lovers and retailers selling Christian products voted on the nominated titles in each of eight categories.
The winners in each of the eight categories are:
Fiction
The Master�s Wall, Sandi Rog, DeWard Publishing Company, 978-1-936341-02-3
Christian Living
Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life, Karina Lumbert Fabian & Deacon Steven Lumbert, Tribute Books, 978-0-9822565-3-4
Bible Study / Theology
Real Mothers: A Bible study about Mothers for Mothers, Joyce Long, CrossLink Publishing, 978-0-9816983-4-2
Biography
I Can See the Shore: Growing Up Yanomamo Today, Mike Dawson, Grace Acres Press, 978-1-60265-030-5
Relationships / Family
Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching, and Appreciating Boys, Hal & Melanie Young, Great Waters Press, 978-0-9841443-0-3
Children�s (age 4 to 8)
With My Rifle By My Side: A Second Amendment Lesson, Kimberly Simac, author; Donna Goeddaeus, illustrator; Nordskog Publishing, 978-0-9827074-4-9
Children�s (age 8 to 12)
10 Things Every Kid Should Know About God, Tina V. Bryson, author; Mykle Lee, illustrator; Leeway Artisans, Inc., 978-0-9823349-4-2
Young Adult (age 12+)
The Awakening, Cliff Warden, Clifford Warden, 978-0-578-03205-4
The winning titles can be viewed at http://www.christianbookaward.com.
The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award is sponsored by Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA). A total of 72 titles were nominated from 48 publishers for the eight award categories.
CSPA represents and promotes small publishers in the Christian marketplace. CSPA represents a membership of around 100 small publishers producing materials for the Christian Marketplace. CSPA is a supplier member of CBA. For more information about Christian Small Publishers Association visit http://www.christianpublishers.net.
The winners in each of the eight categories are:
Fiction
The Master�s Wall, Sandi Rog, DeWard Publishing Company, 978-1-936341-02-3
Christian Living
Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life, Karina Lumbert Fabian & Deacon Steven Lumbert, Tribute Books, 978-0-9822565-3-4
Bible Study / Theology
Real Mothers: A Bible study about Mothers for Mothers, Joyce Long, CrossLink Publishing, 978-0-9816983-4-2
Biography
I Can See the Shore: Growing Up Yanomamo Today, Mike Dawson, Grace Acres Press, 978-1-60265-030-5
Relationships / Family
Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching, and Appreciating Boys, Hal & Melanie Young, Great Waters Press, 978-0-9841443-0-3
Children�s (age 4 to 8)
With My Rifle By My Side: A Second Amendment Lesson, Kimberly Simac, author; Donna Goeddaeus, illustrator; Nordskog Publishing, 978-0-9827074-4-9
Children�s (age 8 to 12)
10 Things Every Kid Should Know About God, Tina V. Bryson, author; Mykle Lee, illustrator; Leeway Artisans, Inc., 978-0-9823349-4-2
Young Adult (age 12+)
The Awakening, Cliff Warden, Clifford Warden, 978-0-578-03205-4
The winning titles can be viewed at http://www.christianbookaward.com.
The Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award is sponsored by Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA). A total of 72 titles were nominated from 48 publishers for the eight award categories.
CSPA represents and promotes small publishers in the Christian marketplace. CSPA represents a membership of around 100 small publishers producing materials for the Christian Marketplace. CSPA is a supplier member of CBA. For more information about Christian Small Publishers Association visit http://www.christianpublishers.net.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
NELSON ANNOUNCES PROMOTION
Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced earlier this week that Mark Schoenwald, its current president and COO, has been named president and CEO. He assumes the CEO position from Michael Hyatt, who is stepping out of active management of the company but will continue to serve as chairman of the board.
Monday, April 11, 2011
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF APRIL 17
Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list, the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list, the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and the e-Book nonfiction list.
Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #2 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #6 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.
Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #8 on the paperback nonfiction list; #23 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #25 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #24 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #9 on the hardcover business list, and #14 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #10 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #12 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #17 on the paperback nonfiction list.
Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #22 on the hardcover nonfiction list and #33 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #29 on the hardcover nonfiction list and #32 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #31 on the paperback nonfiction list.
Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #2 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #6 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.
Radical by David Platt (Multnomah) is #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #8 on the paperback nonfiction list; #23 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #25 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #24 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #9 on the hardcover business list, and #14 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #10 on the paperback trade fiction list.
The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #12 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #12 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #17 on the paperback nonfiction list.
Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #22 on the hardcover nonfiction list and #33 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list and the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #29 on the hardcover nonfiction list and #32 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #31 on the paperback nonfiction list.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
E-BOOK ROYALTY RATE RAISED
With e-book royalty rates still a contentious, if lately less openly-debated, issue, indie house Other Press has announced it is raising its e-book royalty rate to 50%. (The reigning e-book royalty rate sits at 25%, though major publishers like Random House have adopted a shifting scale-rate, that can go up to 40%.)
In a statement about its decision to bump its digital royalty rate from 25% to 50%, Other Press called itself "an author-driven house." With the change, which takes effect on April 1, the publisher will bump the digital royalty rate to 50% once an author has earned out the advance. Before the advance is earned out, the digital royalty rate will stand at 30%, an increase over its current base of 25%.
In a statement about its decision to bump its digital royalty rate from 25% to 50%, Other Press called itself "an author-driven house." With the change, which takes effect on April 1, the publisher will bump the digital royalty rate to 50% once an author has earned out the advance. Before the advance is earned out, the digital royalty rate will stand at 30%, an increase over its current base of 25%.
NEW CHRISTIAN NETWORKING SITE
Christian Networking Website Features a Safe Online Community for Christians, Church & Business Directory, Online Small Groups, Free Member Profiles and more!
SantuaryNet.Net, an innovative Online Web Community developed for Christians to connect, has officially launched. The exciting, new social networking site offers free profiles for individuals who believe in Jesus Christ and want to develop friendships, arrange Bible study groups and search for Christian resources. Additionally, the site invites business owners, churches, ministries and organizations to create comprehensive listings and classifieds to increase their visibility.
"After months of development, we are thrilled to launch SanctuaryNet.net," said site founder Gary DeCuir. "Our vision is to grow a loving and safe Web environment bring Christians together locally and around the world. We believe that by uniting Christian churches, families, missionaries and business owners, Christ's mission will come to life and inspire His community to greatness."
SanctuaryNet.net Social Networking Features Include:
Free Christian Member Profiles -- Allow the creation of profiles and detailed information including church denomination, hobbies, occupation, favorite Bible verses and more. All members have complete control over privacy settings and can send messages to their friends.
Member Search Functionality -- Members can find Christian friends who share similar interests.
Groups -- Once members develop friendships within SanctuaryNet, they can create groups based on common interests, Bible studies, support needs and faith sharing.
Event Invitations -- Groups and members can schedule events and send reminders for church events, potlucks, concerts, seminars, online and in person Bible studies, and more. Invitations can be sent to whole groups & organizations or to a select group of recipients.
Christian Business and Community Directory -- Companies, churches and organizations can create paid listings to help SantuaryNet locate Christ-centered business services, churches and ministries.
"SanctuaryNet.net is funded by directory listings that will connect Christian business owners, churches and ministries to Christians searching for trustworthy, Christ-inspired organizations," said DeCuir. "In today's world the Christian family needs to stick together more than ever and we want to provide opportunities for this to happen."
Prior to joining SanctuaryNet, all individuals must agree to detailed guidelines developed to assure that the community is Christ-centered, clean and safe for all members. The community constantly monitors content and will disable the accounts of those who do not adhere to community guidelines.
Those interested can sign up for a free member listing or create a directory listing by visiting www.SanctuaryNet.net. If you have questions or media inquiries, please e-mail info@SanctuaryNet.net.
SantuaryNet.Net, an innovative Online Web Community developed for Christians to connect, has officially launched. The exciting, new social networking site offers free profiles for individuals who believe in Jesus Christ and want to develop friendships, arrange Bible study groups and search for Christian resources. Additionally, the site invites business owners, churches, ministries and organizations to create comprehensive listings and classifieds to increase their visibility.
"After months of development, we are thrilled to launch SanctuaryNet.net," said site founder Gary DeCuir. "Our vision is to grow a loving and safe Web environment bring Christians together locally and around the world. We believe that by uniting Christian churches, families, missionaries and business owners, Christ's mission will come to life and inspire His community to greatness."
SanctuaryNet.net Social Networking Features Include:
Free Christian Member Profiles -- Allow the creation of profiles and detailed information including church denomination, hobbies, occupation, favorite Bible verses and more. All members have complete control over privacy settings and can send messages to their friends.
Member Search Functionality -- Members can find Christian friends who share similar interests.
Groups -- Once members develop friendships within SanctuaryNet, they can create groups based on common interests, Bible studies, support needs and faith sharing.
Event Invitations -- Groups and members can schedule events and send reminders for church events, potlucks, concerts, seminars, online and in person Bible studies, and more. Invitations can be sent to whole groups & organizations or to a select group of recipients.
Christian Business and Community Directory -- Companies, churches and organizations can create paid listings to help SantuaryNet locate Christ-centered business services, churches and ministries.
"SanctuaryNet.net is funded by directory listings that will connect Christian business owners, churches and ministries to Christians searching for trustworthy, Christ-inspired organizations," said DeCuir. "In today's world the Christian family needs to stick together more than ever and we want to provide opportunities for this to happen."
Prior to joining SanctuaryNet, all individuals must agree to detailed guidelines developed to assure that the community is Christ-centered, clean and safe for all members. The community constantly monitors content and will disable the accounts of those who do not adhere to community guidelines.
Those interested can sign up for a free member listing or create a directory listing by visiting www.SanctuaryNet.net. If you have questions or media inquiries, please e-mail info@SanctuaryNet.net.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
RETAILERS CHOICE AWARDS
Retailers have chosen the finalists in the 11th annual Retailers Choice Awards, sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine. Thomas Nelson tops the list with 25 finalists in the running. A dozen Zondervan products are finalists, with Tyndale House Publishers rounding out the top three with 10 finalists.
Retailers selected the finalists among a record 350-plus products nominated in 39 categories. See all of the finalists at www.retailerschoiceawards.com. Winners will be announced at Christian Retailing's Retailing ReBoot 2011 event (retailingreboot.com), to be held April 26-28 at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla.
Introduced in 2001, the Retailers Choice Awards have been increasingly acknowledged as an important way of recognizing some of the most significant new life-changing products in the Christian retail industry. Retailers were asked to judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to:
• speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion
• open people’s minds to new ways of thinking
• encourage and affirm Christ-like living.
For more information, e-mail Managing Editor Christine Johnson at retailerschoiceawards@charismamedia.com.
Retailers selected the finalists among a record 350-plus products nominated in 39 categories. See all of the finalists at www.retailerschoiceawards.com. Winners will be announced at Christian Retailing's Retailing ReBoot 2011 event (retailingreboot.com), to be held April 26-28 at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla.
Introduced in 2001, the Retailers Choice Awards have been increasingly acknowledged as an important way of recognizing some of the most significant new life-changing products in the Christian retail industry. Retailers were asked to judge nominations on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to:
• speak to people’s hearts and evoke emotion
• open people’s minds to new ways of thinking
• encourage and affirm Christ-like living.
For more information, e-mail Managing Editor Christine Johnson at retailerschoiceawards@charismamedia.com.
SEEKING "LEMONADE" STORIES
Don Jacobson knows from his publishing days that a good story has the power to encourage and inspire readers.
The former owner of Multnomah Publishers is on a mission to collect "lemonade" stories, a play on the old saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" -- or, as Don puts it, "Lemonade happens!" By his definition, lemonade stories are real-life stories about when life takes a sour twist but is followed with a sweet surprise. To borrow the words of Paul Harvey, a lemonade story tells the rest of the story.
Through personal experience, Don knows a little something about lemonade himself; "The Gunshot Wound That Saved My Life" is Don's true lemonade story. In November 1980, after suffering a near-fatal gunshot wound in his side, he lay in the bitter cold for eleven hours before anyone found him. Miracle upon miracle saved Don's life that day -- from the friends who were led to search for him, to the fog that lifted at just the right time for a helicopter transport, to an on-call doctor who specialized in treating his type of injury. After spending nine days in critical condition and nearly a month in rehab, Don left the hospital a discouraged man, no longer able to physically provide for his family. But his story wasn't over. God used the accident to get Don's attention in a big way, and it would change the course of his life.
Don's new project, "God Makes Lemonade(tm)", was born of his realization that everyone has a lemonade story. Some are more dramatic than others, but each has the power to transform lives. The book-in-process is aimed at collecting real-life lemonade stories through an interactive website and Facebook page. Readers can visit www.GodMakesLemonade.com to submit their account of a difficult circumstance and the lemonade that came from it. "God Makes Lemonade(tm)" is due for release September 2011.
Don Jacobson has always loved interacting with authors and developing creative book ideas. As owner and president of Multnomah Publishers for 14 years, he worked with hundreds of authors and oversaw the production of 1,000+ book titles. When he sold Multnomah to Random House in 2006, Don founded an author management company called D. C. Jacobson & Associates. He continues to work closely with authors, together dreaming about books that will change the world by changing the Church. That passion is the heartbeat of Don's professional life as he leads DCJA. Don and his wife, Brenda, live in Bend, Oregon, and enjoy spending time with their family.
www.godmakeslemonade.com
www.facebook.com/godmakeslemonade
www.twitter.com/lemonadehappens
The former owner of Multnomah Publishers is on a mission to collect "lemonade" stories, a play on the old saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" -- or, as Don puts it, "Lemonade happens!" By his definition, lemonade stories are real-life stories about when life takes a sour twist but is followed with a sweet surprise. To borrow the words of Paul Harvey, a lemonade story tells the rest of the story.
Through personal experience, Don knows a little something about lemonade himself; "The Gunshot Wound That Saved My Life" is Don's true lemonade story. In November 1980, after suffering a near-fatal gunshot wound in his side, he lay in the bitter cold for eleven hours before anyone found him. Miracle upon miracle saved Don's life that day -- from the friends who were led to search for him, to the fog that lifted at just the right time for a helicopter transport, to an on-call doctor who specialized in treating his type of injury. After spending nine days in critical condition and nearly a month in rehab, Don left the hospital a discouraged man, no longer able to physically provide for his family. But his story wasn't over. God used the accident to get Don's attention in a big way, and it would change the course of his life.
Don's new project, "God Makes Lemonade(tm)", was born of his realization that everyone has a lemonade story. Some are more dramatic than others, but each has the power to transform lives. The book-in-process is aimed at collecting real-life lemonade stories through an interactive website and Facebook page. Readers can visit www.GodMakesLemonade.com to submit their account of a difficult circumstance and the lemonade that came from it. "God Makes Lemonade(tm)" is due for release September 2011.
Don Jacobson has always loved interacting with authors and developing creative book ideas. As owner and president of Multnomah Publishers for 14 years, he worked with hundreds of authors and oversaw the production of 1,000+ book titles. When he sold Multnomah to Random House in 2006, Don founded an author management company called D. C. Jacobson & Associates. He continues to work closely with authors, together dreaming about books that will change the world by changing the Church. That passion is the heartbeat of Don's professional life as he leads DCJA. Don and his wife, Brenda, live in Bend, Oregon, and enjoy spending time with their family.
www.godmakeslemonade.com
www.facebook.com/godmakeslemonade
www.twitter.com/lemonadehappens
Monday, April 4, 2011
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS - WEEK OF APRIL 10
Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list, the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list, the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and the e-Book nonfiction list.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #2 on the paperback trade fiction; #6 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list; #9 on the combined print and e-Book fiction list and #21 on the e-Book fiction list.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #2 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #2 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.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #6 on the paperback nonfiction list; #22 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #20 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #20 on the combined hardcover & paperback 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.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #9 on the hardcover business list, and #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #16 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #20 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #21 on the e-Book nonfiction list and the hardcover nonfiction list; #23 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #30 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker (Center Street) is #29 on the paperback mass-market fiction list.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #30 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #34 on the paperback nonfiction list.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #2 on the paperback trade fiction; #6 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list; #9 on the combined print and e-Book fiction list and #21 on the e-Book fiction list.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #2 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
Love Wins by Rob Bell (HarperOne/HarperCollins) is #2 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.
90 Minutes In Heaven by Don Piper with Cecil Murphey (Revell/Baker) is #6 on the paperback nonfiction list; #22 on the e-Book nonfiction list; #20 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #20 on the combined hardcover & paperback 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.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #9 on the hardcover business list, and #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #15 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
The Shack by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #16 on the paperback trade fiction list.
Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #20 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin & Alex Malarkey (Tyndale House) is #21 on the e-Book nonfiction list and the hardcover nonfiction list; #23 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #30 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker (Center Street) is #29 on the paperback mass-market fiction list.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #30 on the paperback nonfiction list.
The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller (Riverhead) is #34 on the paperback nonfiction list.
JOIN FREE WEBINAR
Join me for a FREE WEBINAR: "Ask the Author Success Series - Kathleen Y'Barbo" on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT. sponsored by Freelance Writing Courses. We'll be talking books and writing, and I'll be taking your questions. Sign up here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/481982896
Kathleen Turner
Writing as Kathleen Y'Barbo
www.kathleenybarbo.com
http://twitter.com/KathleenYBarbo
Kathleen Turner
Writing as Kathleen Y'Barbo
www.kathleenybarbo.com
http://twitter.com/KathleenYBarbo
NATIONAL NETWORKING WEEK
It's National Networking Week, a unique opportunity for Christians to remember the amazing platform they have been given from which to share God's love with others.
Facebook now boasts 500 million members--7% of the world's population, half of whom are logging in every day, and Twitter transmits more than 50 million Tweets a day. These and other online networking sites represent a huge opportunity for Christians who want to have a positive influence in the world for Christ.
At no other time in history could the average Christian affect dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people in minutes, from the comfort of home. At no other time could one small comment, from an individual without major media connections, be shared with up to millions of people in a matter of hours.
Social networking involvement requires little time and no financial investment. Posting a comment to your profile is easy and usually less than 140 characters, making it possible for even the busiest people to participate. Even though creating a post of that length takes less than five minutes to compose and publish, the potential is unprecedented.
The average social networking site member has 120 connections. Each time a person sees a posted comment and either shares it, comments on it, or retweets it, the original comment is given a new audience to influence, and at no point does the networking host stop this outward flow. The powerful potential makes some people put on facades.
The key to reaching others for Christ is authenticity, whether online or face-to-face. While some people feel great about posting pithy comments, others Bible verses and still others a link to an uplifting YouTube video, each person needs to find their own fit.
This week, Christians nationwide are celebrating National Networking Week by starting to post more God-honoring, social networking status updates. To participate, simply shares at least one post that honors God today, tomorrow or every day from this day forward.
To learn more about social networking and how you can increase your sphere of influence for the glory of God, request a free copy of SANE: Social Networking Success in 15 Minutes a Day. This eBook, written by Marnie Swedberg, is available to you from SaneSNS.com.
Facebook now boasts 500 million members--7% of the world's population, half of whom are logging in every day, and Twitter transmits more than 50 million Tweets a day. These and other online networking sites represent a huge opportunity for Christians who want to have a positive influence in the world for Christ.
At no other time in history could the average Christian affect dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people in minutes, from the comfort of home. At no other time could one small comment, from an individual without major media connections, be shared with up to millions of people in a matter of hours.
Social networking involvement requires little time and no financial investment. Posting a comment to your profile is easy and usually less than 140 characters, making it possible for even the busiest people to participate. Even though creating a post of that length takes less than five minutes to compose and publish, the potential is unprecedented.
The average social networking site member has 120 connections. Each time a person sees a posted comment and either shares it, comments on it, or retweets it, the original comment is given a new audience to influence, and at no point does the networking host stop this outward flow. The powerful potential makes some people put on facades.
The key to reaching others for Christ is authenticity, whether online or face-to-face. While some people feel great about posting pithy comments, others Bible verses and still others a link to an uplifting YouTube video, each person needs to find their own fit.
This week, Christians nationwide are celebrating National Networking Week by starting to post more God-honoring, social networking status updates. To participate, simply shares at least one post that honors God today, tomorrow or every day from this day forward.
To learn more about social networking and how you can increase your sphere of influence for the glory of God, request a free copy of SANE: Social Networking Success in 15 Minutes a Day. This eBook, written by Marnie Swedberg, is available to you from SaneSNS.com.
Friday, April 1, 2011
CLADACH PUBLISHING
To the Cladach Fans, Friends & Family,
Here’s the inside scoop….
It’s spring! -- time for new beginnings -- and already this spring we:
Redesigned our website with a fresh new look! Check it out! (www.cladach.com)
Organized our titles into 4 categories, with our focus on nonfiction:
1.Memoirs
2.God & Creation
3.Relationships
4.Fiction
Published our business page on Facebook, so we can share news, discuss topics of interest, and provide a sneak peek behind the scenes. If you have read one of our books and support what we do, “Like” us on Facebook. You can find our page by clicking on our logo here (or search for Cladach Publishing after you sign in to Facebook):
Here’s the inside scoop….
It’s spring! -- time for new beginnings -- and already this spring we:
Redesigned our website with a fresh new look! Check it out! (www.cladach.com)
Organized our titles into 4 categories, with our focus on nonfiction:
1.Memoirs
2.God & Creation
3.Relationships
4.Fiction
Published our business page on Facebook, so we can share news, discuss topics of interest, and provide a sneak peek behind the scenes. If you have read one of our books and support what we do, “Like” us on Facebook. You can find our page by clicking on our logo here (or search for Cladach Publishing after you sign in to Facebook):
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
