B&H Publishing Group, LifeWay Christian Resources and Sparrow Records have provided new book and music releases for Christian retailers who want to further the message of Grace Unplugged, a major motion picture appealing to teens. In the film, in theaters starting Oct. 4, a young girl longs to make a name for herself musically and escape the shadow of her one-time music-star father. 

B&H introduced in September two new books related to the movie—Grace Unplugged, a novelization of the screenplay by Melody Carlson, and Own It, a nonfiction work by Michael and Hayley DiMarco that encourages readers to develop their own personal faith.

Howard Books will be releasing three additional books from members of the Robertson family, stars of A&E’s hit show Duck Dynasty.

Faith in the Duck Blind (tentatively scheduled for a March 2014 release) will be the first book from older brother Jase Robertson. The Women of Duck Commander (April 2014) will feature stories from the ladies behind the now famous bearded men. Phil-osophy, the second book by family patriarch Phil Robertson, is expected in stores in October 2014.

Tyndale House Publishers and WAY-FM have kicked off the “World’s Biggest Small Group,” an eight-week promotion for The Wayfinding Bible (Tyndale), which released Oct. 1. More than 1 million listeners of WAY-FM stations now have the opportunity to read through The Wayfinding Bible together through the program.

Recording artists such as Casting Crowns, Building 429, Tenth Avenue North and Steven Curtis Chapman are also participating in the promotional event.

A lone gunman entered an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pa., shot 10 schoolgirls, and then turned the gun on himself Oct. 2, 2006. Seven years later, Oct. 1, Marie Monville—former wife of the shooter—released her memoir about the horrific massacre that gripped the nation and devastated a community.

Monville’s book, One Light Still Shines: My Life Beyond the Shadow of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting (Zondervan), has garnered national media attention in the build-up to its release.  Nightline, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, CNN and The Washington Post have all covered her story, while she has been interviewed by Piers Morgan, Katie Couric, The 700 Club and People magazine.

Almost 50% of all consumers believe their smartphones are more useful than store associates in helping them make buying decisions, according to a new study from Motorola. A study from Red Ant—a consulting company focused on using technology to help retailers drive experiences—revealed similar issues on the employee side of brick-and-mortar retailers.

In the Red Ant survey of more than 1,000 retail associates in the UK, 47% of employees revealed that they were unfamiliar with the products they were selling. The survey also found that 67% of consumers were disappointed by poor product knowledge, while 40% preferred shopping online in order to avoid shoddy customer service.

Wayne MacBeth has assumed the responsibilities of publisher of Wesleyan Publishing House. Wayne Richards has assumed the newly created role of director of publishing ministries, focusing on the WPH direct-to-church market.

MacBeth has worked in higher education for 25 years, with experience in a variety of roles including vice president for enrollment and marketing, vice president for student life, advancement, and chief operating officer. He has served at Houghton College in New York, Global Partners in Indianapolis and Kingsley College in Melbourne, Australia.

A new survey from home-fashion chain HomeGoods found that home décor can impact a person’s mood. Released Sept. 24, the survey shows that 93% of Americans felt a room’s décor can positively or negatively affect someone’s mood, of which 77% had at least one room in their homes that needed attention.

The survey also found that boosting one’s mood doesn’t have to come at a price. Fifty-four percent of Americans said they haven’t made the décor changes they want because of expense. Nearly all (99%) of those surveyed felt that simple décor updates, such as improved lighting, stylish organizational solutions or decorative accents, could make them feel happier without breaking the bank.