INCREASE IN RELIGIOUS E-BOOK SALES

Faith-based publishers reported a 7.9% increase during the first four months of 2013 in religious e-book sales compared to the same period last year, according to the latest figures available from the Association of American Publishers (AAP). From January-April this year, religious hardcover sales were down nearly 3.6%, with sales of $93 million. In contrast, religious paperback sales experienced an 8% increase during the same date range versus January-April 2012, with sales of $54.2 million. Overall, book sales from religious publishers for the January-April period compared to the same time frame last year saw a nearly 2% increase to nearly $193.2 million. With nearly 1,200 publishers reporting, AAP's Monthly StatShot report includes data from Crossway, Gospel Light, Moody Publishers, David C Cook, Thomas Nelson and Tyndale House Publishers, among others represented by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.