NY TIMES BEST SELLERS - WK OF 4/28

• AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben C. Carson and Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #3 in paperback nonfiction; #5 in combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction; #9 in political books; #10 in combined print & e-Book nonfiction.
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• THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie & Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #5 in hardcover business; #17 in hardcover nonfiction; #23 in combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction.
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• THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #6 in advice & misc.
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• HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #9 in paperback nonfiction; #19 in e-Book nonfiction; #20 in combined print & e-Book nonfiction; and #26 in combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction.
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• MAKING GOOD HABITS, BREAKING BAD HABITS by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) is #15 in advice & misc.
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• TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #15 in hardcover business.
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• THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #16 in paperback trade fiction.
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• AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard Books) is #21 in paperback nonfiction.
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• THE GUARDIAN by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House) is #22 in paperback trade fiction.
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• WAKING UP IN HEAVEN by Crystal McVea and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #25 in paperback nonfiction

From ECPA's Rush to Press at ecpanews.org/rush

ABINGDON WELCOMES NEW PUBLICIST

Abingdon Press has appointed Brenda Smotherman to their team as the associate publicity manager. She is heading public relations efforts for titles primarily falling within the Christian Living, Ministry Resources, Leadership, and Teaching and Learning categories while assisting with other product lines and publishing initiatives.  More

STANDARD SELLS RAINBOW STUDY BIBLE

Standard Publishing Group, a division of CFM Religion Publishing Group, has sold the Rainbow Study Bible brand to B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources.

"This is a win for both companies," says Peter M. Esposito, CEO and President, CFM Publishing. "At Standard, we are aligning our focus to our core strengths, to be the leading provider of church resources, including adult and children's curriculum and special programming like Vacation Bible School. B&H has expertise in Bible publishing, and this adds a best-seller to their existing portfolio" Esposito continued.

B&H plans to begin selling Standard's remaining English editions of the Rainbow Study Bible inventory within the next thirty days to retail partners. In summer 2014, the company will introduce updated editions in both English and Spanish translations. B&H has published the Reina-Valera Revision (RVR) edition in Spanish since 1996 and it is available for retailers to purchase today.

EPA NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Evangelical Press Association board of directors is pleased to announce that longtime EPA member and former board member D'Arcy Maher has been chosen to serve the organization as executive director. "After a thorough search process and interviews of several qualified candidates, the EPA board feels fortunate to welcome such an ideal person to lead the association 'for such a time as this,' " said Dean Ridings, EPA president. "D'Arcy is 'one of us'-she has benefited from and contributed to the association through the years; she has a heart for God, a heart for our mission, and certainly a heart for our members as well." "EPA has been a significant part of my professional growth for several years," said Maher, "and the invitation to serve is both humbling and exciting. Previous directors leave remarkable footprints and their collective investment inspires gratitude." She added, "While challenges exist for media, I find hopefulness within EPA's membership. Members are unleashing extraordinary creativity, exploring solutions, and sharing innovations. There's no better time to be affiliated with EPA." In making the decision the search committee and board were impressed with Maher's commitment to and tenure in EPA, leadership roles with such organizations as the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) as well as her publishing experience. In addition to her service on the board, Maher has served on several convention committees, including one as chair. Maher will work with Lamar Keener, whose role as EPA's Business Manager has been expanded to Chief Financial Officer, in which he will oversee and manage the business and financial side of EPA as well as strategic partnerships. "The selection of D'Arcy and Lamar in their respective positions doesn't come as a surprise," said Doug Trouten, the outgoing Executive Director, who is passing the leadership baton May 31, after 11 years in that role. "D'Arcy is an experienced editor with a strong background in association work and event management. And Lamar is an experienced publisher and had already taken over the business side of EPA. They will be a good team." He added, "I continue to believe in EPA and to hope for a bright future for the organization," he added.           With a strong belief in the future of evangelical publishing, Maher will focus on developing programs, growing membership and resources across all levels to reach their full potential. She has been described as one of those unique individuals with both left and right brain capacity, who is creative and analytical with the leadership skills necessary to broaden EPA's influence in the publishing world and relevance to its members. Maher holds an M.Ed. from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. She has 15 years of association leadership experience and 12 years in magazine and book publication. In addition, Maher has experience in implementing comprehensive membership strategies, creating membership engagement opportunities and fundraising. Keener holds B.S. and M.A. degrees from Liberty University and is a licensed minister. He brings 25 years' experience in publishing and a decade in higher education administration. He has added a strategic perspective to the EPA's financial management, analysis and administrative functions. Maher and her husband, Tom, live in Colorado Springs.

WINNERS - BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD

Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA) is pleased to announce the winning titles for the 2013 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 twelve categories. 

The winners in each of the twelve categories are:

Fiction
Muted Grey, Dianna L Young, Wildflower Press, 9780983533207

Romance
Sarah's Gift, Skye Wieland, ShadeTree Publishing, 9781937331184

Christian Living
Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life, Carl Kerby, Genesis Publishing Group, 9781933591094

Bible Study / Theology
God's Wake-up Call, Dr. Rick Metrick, ShadeTree Publishing, 9781937331221

Devotional
Daily Readings for Difficult Days, Jennifer Carter, Hope Books, 9781908567000

Biography
If Today Is All I Have, Linda Nordyke Hambleton with Todd Hillard, Florida Hospital Publishing, 9780983988106

Relationships / Family
Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ, Renee Gray-Wilburn and Dianne E. Butts, Pix-N-Pens Publishing, 9781938092176

Children's (age 4 to 8)
The Christian Alphabet Book: Teaching Children about Jesus, Prayer, and the Bible, Tracy Sands, Love the Dove Publishing, 9780985792800

Children's (age 8 to 12)
Where the Crickets Sing, Rosie Boom, Boom Tree Publishing, 9780473205034

Young Adult (age 12+)
Is Your Fruit Sweet or Sour? A Teen Girl's Guide to Christian Living, Karen Finn, Precept Publishing, 9780984665709

Gift Book
Billy Tucci's A Child is Born, Billy Tucci, Apostle Arts, LLC, 9780983835240

eBook Exclusive
Equip Your Mind with the Word of God, Volume 1, Barney Browne, MindEquip, 9780980139952

The winning titles can be viewed at www.christianbookaward.com. 

BARBOUR COMMITS TO FICTION

Barbour Publishing is pleased to announce the strategic development of a dedicated in-house fiction team. With fiction continuing to be one of the company’s strongest categories, the goal of the team is to take the Barbour fiction line to the next level by providing targeted direction and leadership in the area of acquisitions, as well as partnering with talented writers and helping them to further develop their craft. More

WRITING & BOOK MARKETING SYMPOSIUM

Christian Writers Guild of Santa Barbara

invites you to the

2nd Annual Writing & Book Marketing Symposium

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Community Partner Center

15 E. Carrillo Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Cost:  $30 - includes Teaching Materials, Light Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks, and Light Snacks

Buddy System:  Bring one friend for $20 more - Save $10!  (full benefits)

We are limited to 30 attendees so register early.

Visit our website for more information:  www.CWGSB.com

NEW GENRE

New Genre for Books

Posted on April 4, 2013

I have not yet seen a section for this new book genre in a bookstore or a library. However, I think that it will begin to appear within the year.

The latest genre of book types to gain popularity is the New Adult category. This new category, is a spin-off from the Young Adult category.

Booksellers recently found that Young Adult books were by-and-large being purchased and read by adults. The Young Adult category, aimed at youth 12+ years of age, has been appealing to a wide audience.

To better address and reach this older age group reading Young Adult books, publishers have begun to introduce New Adult books. These books, aimed at the 20+ crowd, contain more mature themes and are meant to appeal to this age group’s needs.

The term, New Adult, was first coined in 2009 by St. Martin Press, but did not catch on until recently. Although bookstores and libraries have not yet designated shelf space for this genre, Goodreads reports that the number of readers identifying, reviewing, and rating New Adult books has spiked in recent months.

If you are penning or publishing a book for this 20+ crowd, consider giving your book the New Adult genre label. Doing so may appeal to the younger adult age group you are trying to reach.

NEW MENTAL HEALTH MAGAZINE

How's your mental hygiene? To help you get a clean bill of health, mind health that is, a new, free online magazine has been launched. 

Former award-winning veteran journalist and entrepreneur Denise Sharpton has launched the website Mind Health blog.com. Mind Health blog.com is a free online magazine providing Spiritual Principles of right thinking to help discipline your mind for right thoughts, actions, choices and decision-making regarding Career, Business, Finances, Health, Relationships and everyday challenges. 

As it relates to health, a lot of focus is given to physical fitness but not so much focus when it comes to mental efficiency, Sharpton says. Adding, "We must have good mental hygiene to achieve mind health. And mind health is predicated on having good thought habits and being spiritually minded." 

"Faith, a spiritual principle of right thinking, has propelled me to defy tremendous odds and achieve great personal and career success. In fact, when an ABC-TV news executive told me I wouldn't be able to break into the news business without going back to college for a journalism degree, I employed faith, and defied those odds. 

"Without a journalism degree, I became a news anchor/reporter in two of the nation's Largest media markets -- Dallas and New York, and have authored more than 500 magazine, newspaper and book review articles," says Sharpton. My magazine's purpose is to help people apply Spiritual Principles to their thinking to enhance their mind's health and help them develop a mindset to achieve desired outcomes in all areas of their life. 

Mind Health blog.com kicks-off with a featured interview with nationally renowned pastor, Bishop James D. Adams, in a 5-part series: "Role of Spirituality and Mind Health." 

www.mindhealthblog.com

NEW YOUNG ADULT IMPRINT - ZONDERVAN

Blink, a new imprint from Zondervan targeting an audience in search of compelling young adult literature, launches today. The new imprint will publish authentic and immersive content that engages and inspires readers with cutting-edge plotlines, from fantasy to romance and contemporary classics. Blink will appeal to both teen readers and the growing audience of adult readers looking for innovative and exciting reads. More

WRITE TO PUBLISH CONFERENCE

Write to Publish Christian Writers' Conference, June 5-8, 2013.

Theme: Your Key to Getting Published.

Conference fee: $485

Housing & Meals: $280 for a double room, $360 for a single room.

To register: Go to www.writetopublish.com and click on Registration.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Craig von Buseck

Plenary Speaker: Bob Hostetler

Banquet speaker: Joyce K. Ellis

WRITING CONTEST FOR DADS

I am submitting for your consideration a free writing contest sponsored by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy that may be of interest to your readers/writers.

The “Devotedly, Dad” letter contest is open to America’s fathers and grandfathers as an opportunity to encourage a love of reading and writing in their homes. We’re asking dads to write a letter to a child or grandchild about the importance of literacy and learning.  Write from the heart, the head or the funny bone and simply sign it … “Devotedly, Dad.” 

Winners will receive a prize package including an autographed copy of “All the Best, My Life in Letters and Other Writings” by President George H.W.  Bush.

Contest Rules:

•        Entry is free

•        Original letters (maximum word count 800) must be submitted by fathers or grandfathers

•        Deadline for submissions– May 30, 2013, 5 p.m. EST

•        We’re looking for letter writers across America – two letters from each state will be winners

•        Winners will be notified through email by Father’s Day, June 16, 2013. Winning letters will be featured on our website atwww.BarbaraBushFoundation.com

•        All entries, upon the sole discretion of the Barbara Bush Foundation, may be published in full or excerpt form, online or in print/broadcast form via the Barbara Bush Foundation, news organizations or other publications

For more information or to submit online, visit www.BarbaraBushFoundation.com.

Would you please include us on your website, on Twitter, Facebook, in your next newsletter, e-blast, or other vehicle you use to communicate with your readers en masse?

Thank you for your consideration!

7Hills Communications, LLC is a public relations firm that represents the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (www.7hillscom.com).  I am handing this account personally.  Please contact me at 850-212-8460 if you have questions or if I can serve you.

Best regards,

Scott VanDeman

CEO