Christian publishers are doing better at creating book covers that appeal to their target audience, according to the leader of the annual program honoring the best designs.

“We are definitely seeing better entries each year,” said Rick Hamm as he announced the winners of the 2010 Book Cover awards sponsored by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and Dickinson Press.

The nominated titles were “more focused,”  said Hamm, director of consumer research group Marshall Marketing and judging manager for the program in its fourth year.

Winner of the category for publishers releasing up to 100 titles a year was Domesticated Jesus by Harry L. Kraus Jr. (P&R Publishing). It was chosen for its atypical imagery and “edgy design” featuring a dog collar stamped with the book’s title.

Selected top from publishers of 101-250 titles a year was 52 Things Every Kid Needs From a Dad by Jay Payleitner (Harvest House Publishers),  chosen for highlighting “simple truths” and a sense of responsibility.

Chosen first from entries by publishers of 250-plus titles was the revised and updated edition of Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller (Thomas Nelson), for “bold images” and designs.

Search engine giant’s electronic bookstore not ‘digital book solution’ for industry, CBA’s leader says

Industry leaders, publishers and retailers are enthusiastic about Google’s entry into digital book sales as another avenue to market Christian books. But the head of CBA does not see the online search engine giant as “the digital book solution” for Christian retailers and the association’s e-book efforts for the industry.

Launched in December, Google’s long-awaited Internet bookstore, called eBooks, draws upon a portion of the 15 million printed books that Google has scanned into its computers. About 4,000 publishers are also allowing Google to carry many of their recently released books in the new store.

Tony Campolo seen as ‘naïve,’ ‘ungrateful’ in his claims about the Religious Right’s control

Publishing and retailing leaders have dismissed a claim by veteran author Tony Campolo’s that the industry is controlled by a “tyranny” of the Religious Right.

The well-known speaker who has written almost 40 books for a range of leading Christian publishers made his assertion in a post-election commentary for the online newspaper, The Huffington Post.

Writing that the Religious Right would continue to dominate politics because of the way it was able to use the media to stir opposition to those with whom it did not agree—in some cases causing speaking engagements to be canceled—Campolo said that “this same kind of tyranny has taken over the Christian publishing business.”

A handful of complaints raised about some authors that Religious Right evangelicals considered “dangerous” would “have the books written by such authors sent back to the distribution houses of the publishers,” he added. “It doesn’t take these publishers long to recognize whose books they should put in print if they want Christian bookstores to put their books on the shelves.”

Fatherhood drama ‘Courageous’ to arrive in theaters Sept. 30

Courageous, the widely anticipated follow-up from the makers of the hit movie Fireproof, will release in theaters nationwide Sept. 30.

The Sherwood Pictures film will debut on around 800 screens on the same opening weekend as 2008’s Fireproof—whose DVD release and associated books were huge best-sellers—and its 2006 predecessor, Facing the Giants.

E-book update of best-selling translation made available three months ahead of print editions

The much-anticipated update of the New International Version (NIV) Bible has been made available for purchase in digital form, three months ahead of its arrival in stores.

With print editions to go on sale from next month, Zondervan launched its NIV eBook Bible on Dec. 21—believed to be the first time a new translation has been offered in digital format before print publication. 

Cost-cutting moves offset drop in revenues as group looks to make ICRS ‘shifts,’ service changes

Despite a drop in income, CBA finished its 2010 fiscal year in the black, announcing a revamp of its summer show and online services.

In a one-page report to members “to support transparency and accountability to members and the industry,” association Chairman George Thomsen revealed that CBA ended the 12-month period “strongly,” generating an operating net income of $350,000. This was despite total revenues decreasing 7%, a drop offset by reducing operating expenses by 28%. Cash increased 113% over the previous year.

Christian retail sites ‘have to be prepared to compete’ with Internet giants

Christian chain stores have been been putting an emphasis on their online presence during the past year, as  some also saw brick-and-mortar expansion.

Groups like Cokesbury and CLC Christian Bookcenters both identified the Internet rather than other physical channels as their greatest challenge for business, with leaders from both groups citing examples of customers coming into outlets to research resources before then ordering online.