NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 5

• HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the paperback nonfiction list; #2 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, the e-Book nonfiction list, and on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #11 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 #1 on the children's picture book list.
• CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #5 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• SEXPERIMENT by Ed and Lisa Young (FaithWords) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #5 on the hardcover nonfiction list, #7 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #8 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #12 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
• ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #6 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• RADICAL by David Platt (Multnomah) is #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• THE RESOLUTION FOR MEN by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Randy Alcorn (B&H Books) is #8 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• THE RESOLUTION FOR WOMEN by Priscilla Shirer (B&H Books) is #10 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (Charisma Media/FrontLine) is #10 on the paperback trade fiction list; and #27 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list.
• MADE TO CRAVE by Lysa TerKeurst (Zondervan) is #11 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #11 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..
• AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #20 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #30 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
• THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #33 on the paperback nonfiction list.

"BEST OF 2011" LIST

ECPA has published its "BEST OF 2011" lists which feature the top 50 books sold in multi-channel and in Christian retail. In addition, the Top 20 bestselling Christian authors are also listed. View lists at ChristianBookExpo.com.

HARLEQUIN ACQUIRES HEARTSONG PRESENTS

Harlequin announced the purchase of Heartsong Presents Book Club from Barbour Publishing, Inc. Heartsong Presents, a book club dedicated to providing its members with Christian romance novels, is an excellent addition to Harlequin's direct-to-consumer channel. The Heartsong Presents Book Club was founded in 1992, and its members receive four novels a month, with a focus on inspiration, hope and faith, written by leading inspirational authors. 

Founders Workshop - HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN

Science Writing Boot Camp

Powerful science writing can bring vital subjects into the light for young readers. Once children have that “Aha!” feeling and glimpse the creativity and insight that go into science, they are hooked. But first, dedicated writers must create books, articles, and other works with the potential to take kids on true adventures in science. Work alongside a vested science faculty that includes Catherine D. Hughes, science editor for National Geographic Kids and Little Kids magazines; Doug Wechsler, photographer and author of Marvels in Muck: Life in the Salt Marshes, winner of the Smithsonian Notable Book award for children; Andy Boyles, senior science editor at Highlights magazine and Boyds Mills Press; and the award-winning author of Fossil Fish Found Alive and Secrets of a Civil War Submarine, Sally M. Walker.

The work required to join the ranks of writers who take children on adventures in science is challenging but rewarding. Through lectures, one-to-one manuscript critiques, and ample writing time, this workshop will give you the tools and insights you need to advance on your path to success.
This workshop will help you

• develop critical skills for interviewing scientists and other experts;
• study a market to learn what editors want to publish;
• identify solid science story ideas for various children’s publishing markets;
• work with experts to improve the accuracy and depth of your writing;
• draw on your interviews and other research to write cohesive books, articles, or other works for young readers; and
• compose better photographs

List of special guests to come.

In addition to our Science Writing Bootcamp (April 19–22, 2012) we are also offering a Nature Writing Bootcamp (April 16–19, 2012). With a day to overlap, science and nature writers will have an opportunity to work together in our picturesque Pocono Mountain setting. Join us for one workshop or attend both for $1,200.00.

Read More

Go to: www.highlightsfoundation.org/content/science-writing-boot-camp

Workshop Information

April

19

with dinner 6PM (an optional tour of (an optional tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN® and Boyds Mills Press is offered at 3 PM)

through

April

22

after lunch

$765

Founders Workshop - HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN

Nature Writing Boot Camp

Will your writing ignite the love of nature in today’s young readers? Before children grow up and help solve the problems of the world, they need to make a deep connection with nature, and they need to understand how humans and the many other living things in their environment depend on one another. Join award-winning author Dianna Hutts Aston, An Egg Is Quiet, winner of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science award; Mark Baldwin, director of education at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History; Robert Hynes, who has created more illustration for the National Park Service, National Geographic Society, and the Smithsonian Institution than any other illustrator in the United States; and Andy Boyles, senior science editor at Highlights magazine and Boyds Mills Press. Through nature-journaling workshops, lectures, one-to-one manuscript critiques, and ample writing time, this workshop will give you the tools and insights you need to advance on your path to success. This workshop will help you

• use basic tools and techniques for nature observation and journaling;
• study a market to learn what editors want to publish;
• identify solid nature story ideas for various children’s publishing markets;
• work with experts to improve the accuracy and depth of your writing; and
• draw on your observations and research to write cohesive books, articles, or other works for young readers

In addition to our Nature Writing Bootcamp (April 16-19, 2012) we are also offering a Science Writing Bootcamp (April 19-22, 2012).  With a day to overlap, science and nature writers will have an opportunity to work together in our picturesque Pocono Mountain setting. Join us for one workshop or attend both for $1200.00.

Workshop Leaders

Dianna Hutts Aston

Dianna Hutts Aston is the author of many books for children, including the award-winning An Egg Is Quiet andA Seed Is Sleepy, both illustrated by Sylvia Long. The Moon Over Star, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, received a Coretta Scott Honor, 2009.

Read More

Mark Baldwin

Principal author of the Natural History Atlas to the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region, Mark has devoted the past sixteen years to the development of nature education programs for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. As director of education, Mark works with teachers throughout the country to infuse nature studies into their curricula.

Read More

Robert Hynes

Robert Hynes has been focused full time on illustration about nature for both children and adults for decades. During this time more artwork has been created for theNational Park Service, National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Institution than from any other illustrator in the United States.

Read More

Andy Boyles

Andy is the science editor at Highlights magazine and its trade book division, Boyds Mills Press. He used to write about psychiatry and molecules at medical centers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Galveston, Texas, but he hasn't done that since he joined Highlights seventeen years ago.

Read More

Go to: www.highlightsfoundation.org/content/nature-writing-boot-camp-0

Workshop Information

April

16

with dinner at 6 PM

through

April

19

after lunch (an optional tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN® and Boyds Mills Press is offered at1 PM)

$765

SHORT STORY CONTEST FROM THE WRITER MAGAZINE

Dear readers,

Our 2012 Short-Story Contest is open for entries, and we want to see what you can do! Submit a polished short story up to 2,000 words by midnight, April 30, and you'll have a chance to win cash prizes, publication in The Writer, online classes from Gotham Writers' Workshop, plus more. For details about this year's contest, go to WriterMag.com/storycontest. 

Don't forget: We're still looking for photos for our "Where in the world is The Writer?" gallery! Take a picture of yourself with a copy of The Writer in a fun setting or favorite place and submit it to us to post on WriterMag.com. Your picture could be chosen for publication in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

Martha Lundin
Newsletter editor
mlundin@writermag.com

THOMAS NELSON SETS RECORD

A record-breaking achievement for Thomas Nelson, Inc., the world’s largest Christian publisher, was revealed in the January 22, 2012 “New York Times” Best Seller lists-- Thomas Nelson titles hold 11 different best-selling positions.  This is the most the Company has ever held in a single week. More

Industry titles appearing on New York Times Bestsellers List, posted this week for January 29:

• HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, the e-Book nonfiction list, and on the paperback nonfiction list; #3 on 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.
• CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #3 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• SEXPERIMENT by Ed and Lisa Young (FaithWords) is #3 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #4 on the hardcover nonfiction list, and on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #11 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #8 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
• RADICAL by David Platt (Multnomah) is #7 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (Charisma Media/FrontLine) is #9 on the paperback trade fiction list; and #23 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list.
• ONE THOUSAND GIFTS by Ann Voskamp (Zondervan) is #9 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• ENTRELEADERSHIP by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #9 on the monthly hardcover business list; and #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) 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.
• HOW DO YOU KILL 11 MILLION PEOPLE? by Andy Andrews (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the monthly hardcover business list.
• EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #13 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #21 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #28 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
• DECEMBER 1941 by Craig Shirley (Thomas Nelson) is #23 on the hardcover nonfiction list.
• THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #34 on the paperback nonfiction list.

2012 MARKET GUIDES HAVE ARRIVED

Great News! The 2012 Christian Writers' Market Guides have arrived. If you have already ordered from me your guide will be in the mail today. If not, you can order off my Website at www.stuartmarket.com.

VALENTINE'S DAY WRITING CONTEST

Oregon Women’s Report (http://oregonwomensreport.com/) is hosting an exciting Valentine’s Day writing contest with three $50 cash prizes for the three top winners. The contest theme is “love” and covers a wide spectrum of ideas from family, kids, relationships, advice, romance, and friendships. Articles can be about life lessons, memorable family moments, acts of kindness, friendship, calls to community service, and other love-related topics. Original or previously published material is accepted.
Now is the time to dust of that great article you never submitted, re-open your old college creative writing papers or peek at that journal entry that recorded an important life moment perfectly. Turn your thoughts into something that can be seen and appreciated by others while earning $50 to splurge on whatever you wish. Most of all, you will have fun expressing yourself.

Deadline: Friday February 10^th 

Feature: Articles will be featured during Valentine’s week.

Requirements: Writers must be from the Northwest. Articles can be previously published but not currently published on the web nor intended to be used on the web for six months after the contest (personal blog material is okay). No size limits, but shorter articles (350 words or less) are preferred. No age limit. Submit all articles and questions to Oregon@oregonreport.com with subject line “Valentine Contest.” You can call us at 503-644-1300 if you have questions. Please provide your name (or pen name) along with the town you are from. If you have a title, blog, website or business you wish to associate with your name with, please include that as well. List the best way to contact you.

Oregon Women’s Report is one of Oregon’s largest online women’s magazines, reaching over 4,000 unique women visitors every month. Women’s Report is dedicated to providing a fun and encouraging place on the web for Oregon women to share and inspire each other.

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS - WEEK OF JANUARY 22

• HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list, and on the e-Book nonfiction list; #2 on the paperback nonfiction list, combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #8 on the hardcover nonfiction list.
• HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo. Illustrated by Wilson Ong. (Tommy Nelson) is #1 on the children's picture book list.
• REAL MARRIAGE by Mark and Grace Driscoll (Thomas Nelson) is #1 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield) is #1 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.
• EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #6 on the hardcover 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 #7 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #10 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #11 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #26 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
• HOW DO YOU KILL 11 MILLION PEOPLE? by Andy Andrews (Thomas Nelson) is #7 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• ENTRELEADERSHIP by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #9 on the monthly hardcover business list; and #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• NEARING HOME by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the monthly hardcover business list.
• THE RESOLUTION FOR WOMEN by Priscilla Shirer (B&H) is #13 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• THE RESOLUTION FOR MEN by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Randy Alcorn (B&H Books) is #15 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 #22 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
• DECEMBER 1941 by Craig Shirley (Thomas Nelson) #17 on the hardcover nonfiction list; and #25 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list.
• THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list; and #34 on the on the e-Book nonfiction list.
• THE HARBINGER by Jonathan Cahn (Charisma Media) is #28 on the combined hardcover & paperback fiction list
• LONGING by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #30 on the paperback trade fiction list.

BOOKSTORE SALES DECLINE

Bookstore sales had their steepest decline in the year in November, falling 8.6%, to $941 million, according to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The November drop followed a 6.6% decline in October and reflects the absence of Borders. The defunct chain closed its last stores in September and its going-out-of business sales helped to boost sales in August and September. Sales at college stores also helped to lift overall sales numbers in the late summer. With the drop in October and November, bookstore sales for the first 11 months of 2011 were up 1.2%. At the end of September sales were running 2.8% ahead of 2010.

For the entire retail segment, sales rose 7.0% in November and were up 7.9% in the year to date.

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS - WEEK OF JANUARY 15

• 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, and on the e-Book nonfiction list; #2 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; and #7 on the hardcover nonfiction list.
• HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FOR KIDS by Todd and Sonja Burpo. Illustrated by Wilson Ong. (Tommy Nelson) is #1 on the children's picture book list.
• THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES by Gary Chapman (Northfield) is #2 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• THROUGH MY EYES by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker (HarperCollins) is #5 on the hardcover nonfiction list; #6 on the combined hardcover & paperback nonfiction list; #9 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list; and #19 on the e-Book nonfiction list.
• EVERY DAY A FRIDAY by Joel Osteen (FaithWords) is #5 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• NEARING HOME by Billy Graham (Thomas Nelson) is #7 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough (B&H) is #9 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• ENTRELEADERSHIP by Dave Ramsey (Howard) is #9 on the monthly hardcover business list; and #12 on the hardcover advice & misc. list.
• CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski (David C Cook) is #11 on the paperback advice & misc. list.
• TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER by Dave Ramsey (Thomas Nelson) is #12 on the monthly hardcover business list.
• THUNDER DOG by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory (Thomas Nelson) is #16 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #24 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
• AN INVISIBLE THREAD by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski (Howard) is #18 on the e-Book nonfiction list; and #23 on the combined print and e-Book nonfiction list.
• BONHOEFFER by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) is #27 on the paperback nonfiction list.
• THE BOY WHO CAME BACK FROM HEAVEN by Kevin and Alex Malarkey (Tyndale) is #29 on the paperback nonfiction list; and #34 on the on the e-Book nonfiction list.
• THE SHACK by William P. Young (Windblown Media) is #32 on the paperback trade fiction list.
• LONGING by Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan) is #34 on the paperback trade fiction list.
• COURAGEOUS by Randy Alcorn (Tyndale) is #35 on the paperback trade fiction list.

CHRISTIANITY TODAY LAUNCHES E-BOOKS

The eBook industry has recently kept The Wall Street Journal in a state of openmouthed amazement. When Internet billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban published an eBook without the help of a traditional publisher, the Journal positively salivated over the potential revenue the social-media savvy Cuban could realize. And on Black Friday 2011, it reported, Amazon.com sold more than four times the number of Kindle e-readers that it had on the same day of 2010. There's no danger that the Kindle will turn into a Betamax. We, too, have noticed that the readership for eBooks is expanding enormously and that the publishing economics can be very different from those of traditional books. One growth area is the "natural length" eBook: something longer than a longish magazine article, yet significantly shorter than the typical print book. Sometimes it is the full version of a magazine article, with all the good bits restored that editors trim out because of space constraints. Sometimes it is several articles, published at various times, brought together for greater effect. The format allows you, the reader, to go deeper and learn more than you could from a magazine article, without committing the time or money demanded by a full-length book. Shorter books like these just don't make sense in traditional publishing. They need to be bulked up to a certain size—often padded with chapters that don't contribute much—just to make the economics of printing, shipping, distribution, and retail sales work. With eBook publishing, that has changed. A "natural length" book can be inexpensively produced and inexpensively priced, without regard for costs of printing, paper, and shipping. Christianity Today is pleased to launch a new series of natural length eBooks. We call them Christianity Today Essentials. You can purchase them through CTeBooks.com or at your favorite eBook supplier. Buying them won't break the bank—our first two titles are offered at a low introductory price. About those two titles. The first is How to Pick a President. It wraps previous Christianity Today essays about the principles of politics around this issue's cover story to provide a really good evening's read when so much political talk leaves a bad taste behind. The second, Faith and the American Presidency, brings together rich but out-of-print material from our former sister publication Christian History & Biography. Many American presidents have let faith play a key role in their policy decisions, regardless of their personal beliefs and pieties.

DAYTON BOOK EXPO

Dayton Book Expo Where book lovers connect  Greetings, Fellow Author! It's time for another exciting year of literary fun at the third annualDayton Book Expo (DBE). Our dedicated book lovers are looking forward to meeting you. This means an opportunity for you to showcase and autograph your books at this fabulous event where hundreds of book lovers connect! The photo above is an aerial view of last year's Dayton Book Expo! The all-day event - which is free and open to the public - includes panel discussions for aspiring authors, activities for children at the Kidz Zone, spoken word and book signings!   Valerie J. Lewis Coleman Dayton Book Expo, co-founder 888.802.1802                                                                               DaytonBookExpo.com Saturday, April 28, 2012 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sinclair Community College Ponitz Conference Center (Building 12) 444 West Third Street Dayton, Ohio 45402

Meet Dayton's Book Lovers A Call for Authors   Tables are only for authors. Set-up begins at 9:00 AM. Tables must be completely set-up by 10:30 AM. The DBE begins promptly at 11:00 AM.   NOTE: One author per table. Floor displays must be positioned behind the author table. Table-top displays cannot exceed 24" in height. Your participation includes One table (not skirted) and two chairs Listing in the DBE booklet (8.5" x 11" color) One access pass to the DBE Hospitality Room for breakfast and lunch One parking pass Event-day sales reported to New York Times Online presence at DaytonBookExpo.com Inclusion in the DBE Awards: Genre-specific winners - based on event-day sales - will receive a plaque, book medallions and listing for a year at DaytonBookExpo.com Titles distributed through Amazon.com will be posted on the DBE Virtual Bookstore. Annual top sellers will be spotlighted at the 2013 event. DBE is providing additional promotional opportunities including featured-author ads in the booklet, cover images on 10,000 postcards and new release celebration party.   Space is limited, so click here to register today and save $50!    Follow us online at             Twitter.com/DaytonBookExpo             FaceBook.com/DaytonBookExpo

A CALL FOR ARTICLES

Gospel Roads magazine is looking for articles! Would you please write for us? We're a bi-monthly, Christian periodical open to freelance submissions. We're not paying yet, but plan to become a paying market within a year. You can send new articles and even reprints for now. When we become a paying market, I'd like all our columns to be first runs. Our demographics are:

• 60% African-American; 40% other races
• 70% women (25-55), 30% men
• regular church attendees
• middle income earners

Please go to www.gospelroads.com and download our writers’ guidelines. I need articles for our second issue asap; the sooner the better. While you are on the website, take a look at some of the articles that appeared in our last issue.

  

Below you'll find our purpose and mission statements. Thanks for your consideration. Attach your article, a short bio (25-30 words), and your contact information to me atSElliott@gospelroads.com. Thanks in advance!

Love,

Sharon Elliott

Editor-in-Chief

Gospel Roads Purpose Statement: The purpose of Gospel Roads magazine (GOSPELROADS.COM) is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through uplifting editorial, video, and other relevant content. With the Bible as our basis of conversation, we intend to reach Christians and those interested in the Christian faith from across the denominational spectrum. We’ll focus on scriptural, financial, political, health, lifestyle, entertainment, and relationship topics as they pertain to Christianity. We strive to challenge everyday believers to advance their faith, strengthen their families, and encourage their communities.

Gospel Roads Mission Statement

Gospel Roads magazine exists so members of the body of Christ can be:

§         Energized in their walk with the Lord

§         Empowered in their worship of the Lord

§         Enlightened in their work for the Lord, and

§         Encouraged in their witness about the Lord.

Sharon Norris Elliott

E-BOOK SALES UP

E-book sales have increased by 81% during the last month. The 81% increase was the first time this year that e-book sales did not double over the same month in 2010. For the first 10 months of the year, e-book sales were up 131.1%, to $807.7 million.

 

Religious sales were up in the month at reporting houses, increasing 12.4%, but sales in the other print trade segments were down. Once again, the mass market paperback segment took a major hit, with sales falling 37.6% at reporting houses and sales in the segment were off 33.7% for the year to date. The trade paperback segment has a weak month, with sales down 16.9% and adult hardcover sales fell 7.8%. Children’s hardcover performed marginally better, with sales down 7.3% in October, while children’s paperback segment sales fell 2.4%.

 

Downloadable audio sales increased 15.6% at reporting companies, while sales of physical audiobooks rose 0.1%.

MAY WRITERS' CONFERENCE

Coming soon!

The seventh annual Antelope Valley Christian Writers’ Conference, May 4-5, is quickly approaching. If you enjoy writing, and you’d like to sharpen your skills and learn how the publishing business works, you are welcome to join us. Registration is now open.   Our keynote speaker will be author and mentor Cecil Murphey.  (You might know him as the author of Ninety Minutes in Heaven.) Meet agent Bill Jensen, grammar expert Kathy Ide, magazine columnist B.J. Taylor, novelist Kathi Macias, and more. Between them they have over a century of experience in training writers for today’s competitive market. You can attend workshops in a wide array of creative categories. A special program (with a discounted price) is offered for teen writers, age 12-17. Fellowship with other writers who share your calling. Receive a free critique for your latest writing project.  Pitch your book idea directly to our publishers and agents. Together, we can help you take your writing to the next level.   We’re located in the High Desert of Southern California, within easy driving distance from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Bakersfield, or Ventura County. Or you can also get here via the Metrolink commuter train from Downtown LA or Burbank Airport. Complimentary refreshments, a continental breakfast, and a catered lunch will be served. A special deal is available for any church or school sending five people or more.  Please have a look at our website, at www.avwriters.com. ; Or write to us atinfo@avwriters.com. We welcome you to join us for this time of refreshing in the desert. NEW CONTEST   Our friends at Deep River Books are looking for the next bestselling Christian book to publish and it could be you! A Grand Prize winner will be chosen from each category of Fiction and Non-Fiction and will be awarded a royalty-based publishing contract through Carmichael Publishing (a division of Deep River Books). One Second Place prize winner (chosen from either category) will be given a $1000 certificate to use toward a publishing contract with Deep River Books, and one Third Place prize winner will receive a $750 certificate to use toward a publishing contract with Deep River Books. Winners whose manuscripts do not win but are worthy of mention will be awarded a "Certificate of Merit." The contest deadline has been extended due to popular demand; all entries must be received no later than Tuesday January 31, 2012 at 11:59pm PST. To learn more visit www.deepriverbooks.com/contest.html

NEW MAGAZINE ON PRAYER

From: Jonathan Graf
Phone: 812 238-5504
E-mail: jong@harvestprayer.com
Message: 

A new magazine was launched in December. Prayer Connect is a bi-monthly print and digital publication entirely on prayer. It is published by Harvest Prayer Ministries and PrayerShop Publishing, and co-sponsored by America's National Prayer Committee, the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network and the International Prayer Council. I am the publisher (I was the founding editor of Pray! magazine, which folded in 2009), and Carol Madison is the editor. We are looking for writers and articles. Here is a link to both our website and a link directly to our writer guidelines.

http://www.prayerconnect.net

http://www.prayerconn ect.net/Profile/Write-for-Us

WRITERS' WORKSHOP - SC

Upstate SC

American Christian Writers

Workshop

Third Quarter Meeting

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012

 Inclement Weather – If weather conditions caused the roads to be slippery or dangerous, the event will be canceled. The plan would be to reschedule the meeting in March or April, if possible.  Notice of cancellation will be posted on our Facebook page and website.

Speaker:          Edna Ellison

Topics:             Writing Devotionals & Basic Writing Skills

Time:               2-5 pm

Place:              Horizon Church

                        1070 E. Butler Rd.

                        Greenville, SC  29607

Web:                www.upstatescchristianwriters.com

President:        Lynda Moldrem

Cell:                 (864) 918-0466

 TOPICS

Writing Basics: Ten ways to polish your style and become a first-class writer

Ever read a book that had misspelled words or murdered sentences? Editors prefer a first-class writer with a clean manuscript. This workshop will show you 10 ways to make your manuscript flawless. Includes three inside tips on terminology and proofreader marks.

Bible Study Series: Directions on how to search for, organize, and write a successful Bible study series. The market is wide open now for small Bible studies. This workshop led by the writer of 7 published Bible studies will explain how to ride the wave of Bible-study interest today and provide biblical small-group resources for every local church in America and around the world.

BIOGRAPHY

Edna Ellison, a humorist, mentor, and international speaker, has written 12 non-fiction books now in print, including best-seller Woman to Woman, Friend to Friend (a series), Mommy Pick-Me-Ups, and Deeper Still. Mentoring upcoming writers, she’s co-written two new Bible studies, Chosen and Cherished: Becoming the Bride of Christ and Women of the Covenant: Spiritual Wisdom from Women of the Bible. Another book by Women by Design (with whom Edna speaks) will be out in December 2009: A Passion for Purpose: A 365-day Missional Devotional.

    

Edna has trained students in missions at Southern Baptist Seminaries, taught Creative Writing at the University of Alabama, and served as the editor of a national women’s magazine, Royal Service (now Missions Mosaic). She has taught mentoring and creative writing at Ridgecrest, Glorieta, and other nationwide conferences. From Spartanburg, she always finds time to teach a weekly Sunday school class and to nurture her family, two adult children and one granddaughter.

Lynda Moldrem

Administrative Assistant

Horizon Church

286-9911