DEEP RIVER BOOKS WRITING CONTEST

The judges at Deep River Books are currently reviewing manuscripts from Christian authors, searching for the next Grand Prize winner of the publishing company's annual Writing Contest. The contest runs from November 1, 2013 through January 15, 2014. The winner will earn a free, full-service, royalty-based book contract from Carmichael Publishing. Authors can submit either a Fiction or Non-Fiction manuscript for consideration at www.deepriverbooks.com. Winners will be announced March 15, 2014. "Over the years, we have discovered many talented authors through the contest and published several books from among the finalists, in addition to the winners. I can hardly wait to read the manuscripts from emerging authors who have something significant to write," said Bill Carmichael, CEO and Publisher at Deep River Books. As in past years, Second and Third Place winners will be offered certificates to be used toward a discount on a partner-publishing contract with Deep River Books. Authors whose manuscripts do not win but are worthy of mention will be awarded a "Certificate of Merit." There is no obligation to publish with Deep River Books if an author wins any prize. Last year's Grand Prize Winner, Noelle Carle, said her experience in the 2012-2013 writing contest helped boost her confidence and shape her writing career. "Winning the DRB contest has been one of the most uplifting and affirming events of my writing life, encouraging me to carry on doing what I love!" said Carle, whose novel 'Waiting for Wren' will be released in Spring 2014. "The staff at DRB has treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism, and I value their experience and input into my novel." "Our mission at Deep River Books has always been and will always be to discover new voices among Christian writers," said Carmichael, "and this is a fun way for new writers to find out how they stack up against hundreds of other Christian authors." To learn more about the writing contest and to read a complete list of rules and guidelines, visit the publishing company's contest page at www.deepriverbooks.com/ contest.html Questions? Comments? Please contact Jami Carmichael: jami@deepriverbooks

TAN BOOKS ACQUIRES NEUMANN PRESS

TAN Books, the Publisher You Can Trust with Your Faith, announced today its acquisition of Neumann Press, a Minnesota publisher of classic Catholic titles for children and adults. The acquisition more than triples TAN's children's titles and provides a comprehensive homeschooling line. Popular books and sets acquired in the transaction include Angel Food for Boys and Girls, the Saints and Friendly Beasts series, and American Cardinal Readers. "In its 32 years of operation, Neumann Press and its late founder, Dennis McCoy, preserved hundreds of classic Catholic titles, treating them with the care and craftsmanship they richly deserve," said Conor Gallagher, vice president of publishing for TAN Books. "It is an honor to continue the work of Dennis and the McCoy family, keep Neumann Press alive, and bring its great selection of Catholic classics to a wider audience than ever." "Neumann Press is known and loved by thousands of families for preserving so many treasures of Catholic culture, especially vintage children's books and homeschooling resources," added Rick Rotondi, vice president of new business development. "It is a privilege to be entrusted with this legacy -- and together with TAN's resellers and distributors we will greatly increase the availability of Neumann Press titles."

NY TIMES BEST SELLER LIST - WEEK OF OCTOBER 27TH

•JESUS > RELIGION by Jefferson Bethke (Thomas Nelson) is #3 in paperback nonfiction; #14 in combined print & e-book nonfiction. •BREAK OUT! by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #3 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie and Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #2 in monthly hardcover business. •WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? by David Jeremiah (Tyndale House) is #5 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •SI-COLOGY 1 by Si Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #6 in hardcover nonfiction; #9 in combined print & e-book nonfiction. •THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #9 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #11 in hardcover nonfiction; #15 in e-book nonfiction; and #13 in combined print & e-book nonfiction. •TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #12 in monthly hardcover business. •AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben Carson with Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #13 in paperback nonfiction. •HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #19 in paperback nonfiction. •THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #21 in paperback trade fiction.

THE SECRET PLACE - 75TH ANNIVERSARY

For many readers across the country, a quarterly magazine called The Secret Place helps them walk with the Lord on a daily basis. A subscriber from Wrightsville Beach, NC declares, “I love The Secret Place so much that I can’t imagine a day without it.” The daily devotional, published by Judson Press, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The Secret Place quarterly magazine includes a Scripture passage, an original meditation, and a brief prayer. Written by Christian writers from across the nation, these meditations share comfort and inspiration found in life’s everyday details. More than 80,000 copies of the devotional are printed for each issue with nearly 12,000 individual subscriptions. The bulk of the orders go to churches. In honor of the anniversary, an individual subscription to the publication is $5.96, a discount of 20% off of the regular price. Information about how to subscribe is available at www.judsonpress.com or contact Judson Press customer service at 800-458-3766.

JERRY B. JENKINS 1SOURCE

Four established Christian publishing brands formed 1Source to offer authors the ability to work with seasoned editors, production, marketing, and distribution through a major wholesaler. The Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, Believers Press, Bethany Press, and Anchor Distributors are collaborating to help authors take their work from concept to distribution. Bill Myers (McGee & Me) with more than 8 million books sold, and best-selling novelist Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark “Seatbelt Suspense” titles and now writing her 28th book, recently signed to release a new novel through 1Source’s Jerry B. Jenkins Select Line in Spring 2014, along with at least four other authors. Sheets estimates 120 titles will be published through Christian Writers Guild Publishers and Believers Press by Spring 2015. Books are usually published within 90 days and available in e-book, audiobook, trade paper, and hard cover formats. The Christian Writers Guild, which had previously announced a strategy to create an independent publishing division, decided to join the collaboration because of the extended services. Jerry Jenkins, best-selling author with more than 180 titles to his credit, including the popular “Left Behind” series, said the collaboration gives authors more choice in selecting and using specialized services all along the publishing supply chain. Chris Robinette of Anchor Distributors said, “For independent authors, there is nothing like this type of opportunity to be part of a direct sales program with a print-on demand solution. Anchor VP Vice John Whitaker said the company has helped a lot of small publishers and ministries through the years and sees this new opportunity as an extension of that.

NY TIMES BEST SELLERS - WK OF OCT.21

•BREAK OUT! by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #1 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •THE DUCK COMMANDER FAMILY by Willie and Korie Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #2 in monthly hardcover business. •SI-COLOGY 1 by Si Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #3 in hardcover nonfiction; #5 in combined print & e-book nonfiction; and #25 in e-book nonfiction. •WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? by David Jeremiah (Tyndale House) is #4 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield/Moody) is #7 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach (Howard Books) is #10 in hardcover nonfiction; #11 in e-book nonfiction; and #12 in combined print & e-book nonfiction . •TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #12 in monthly hardcover business. •HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #14 in paperback nonfiction. •EMOTIONS by Charles F. Stanley (Howard Books) is #17 in advice, how-to & miscellaneous. •THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (FrontLine) is #17 in paperback trade fiction. •A TOUCH FROM HEAVEN by Neal Pylant and Christopher Pylant (Destiny Image) is #19 in e-book nonfiction. •AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL by Ben Carson with Candy Carson (Zondervan) is #19 in paperback nonfiction. •WALKING WITH GOD THROUGH PAIN AND SUFFERING by Timothy Keller (Dutton) is #18 in hardcover nonfiction; and #24 in combined print & e-book nonfiction.

RISE IN SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS.

Analyzing its ISBN data, Bowker counted more than 391,000 self-published titles in 2012–a 59 percent increase compared to the year before. The complete report will be available at the Self Published Author site next week. Measured against self-publishing figures from 2007, that is a staggering 422 percent increase. Out of all the ISBNs counted in 2012, 40 percent were self-published books. Back in 2007, only 11 percent of ISBNs were for self-published books.

NEW AGENT

Greetings, all: I am pleased to announce that Dave Fessenden has joined WordWise Media Services as a literary agent. After 30 years working as a writer and editor (most recently for CLC Publications), Dave recently took the plunge into independent consulting. He has written five books and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and edited numerous academic and popular books. He has a B.A. in journalism, and an M.A. in religion. He will handle sci-fi/fantasy and historical in fiction, plus theology, Bible studies, church issues, social/cultural issues, career/professional, and reference. Take a look at his blog, at www.fromconcepttocontract.com. Dave is quickly populating his stable, and will begin sending off queries and proposals in the coming weeks. If you just can’t wait to congratulate him on his latest move, or if you’d just like to get acquainted, drop him a line at dave@fessendens.net. I look forward to many fruitful projects together. Steve