Zondervan’s Symtio offers retailers ‘extremely high-return rate with very low investment’

Unveiled at the International Christian Retail Show in July, Symtio features credit-card-sized book tokens that can be purchased in Christian retail stores, which allow consumers to download audio versions of the titles at home.

Book-signing event at largest mall in the country ‘raises awareness’ about inspirational fiction

Sponsored by Barnes & Noble and Northwestern Book Stores, the two-hour signing Sept. 20 was held in conjunction with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference and Awards Banquet in Minneapolis.

Larry the Cucumber has become a creative big shot. Mike Nawrocki—VeggieTales co-creator and the voice of numerous characters for the anthropomorphic vegetables, including Larry the Cucumber and LarryBoy—has been named vice president of development by Big Idea. In the newly created position, Nawrocki will oversee all creative projects and production for the Franklin, Tenn.-based studio, including the VeggieTales and 3-2-1 Penguins! series.  

Grass-roots campaign helps ‘Fireproof’ light up the box office

Author Shannon Ethridge encourages readers to get back to basics

Editorial Unilit will release a series of five devotional books this month, encouraging women to get back to the foundational truths of the faith. The “Ama a Jesús sin límites” (“Loving Jesus Without Limits”) series, was written by best-selling author Shannon Ethridge and was originally published in English by WaterBrook Press.

“The series gives a good overview of the basics of Christianity—like prayer and forgiveness—just from a different angle,” said Rick Heyer, manager of U.S. sales and key accounts at Editorial Unilit.
The first and longest book in the series, Suya por completo: Ama a Jesús sin límites (Completely His: Loving Jesus Without Limits, 978-0-789-91692-1, $10.99), released in English in June 2007. The remaining four titles expound on the themes in the initial book, each of them including 30 days’ worth of readings.

Bookstores across the country are taking part in a second national day of prayer for their mission, March 26, with an appeal for churches to pray for their local Christian retail outlets during Palm Sunday services two days later. There are also separate plans for a two-day retreat May 4-5 for industry leaders.

Debut Author: Bonnie Grove (Talking to the Dead/David C. Cook); Liz Johnson (The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn/Steeple Hill); Kirk Outerbridge (Eternity Falls/Marcher Lord Press); Jill Eileen Smith (Michal/Revell/Baker Publishing Group); and Dan Walsh (The Unfinished Gift/Revell/Baker Publishing Group).