Christian retailers looking to increase their book business might take a lesson from many libraries, says one of the leaders of a faith-based arts and entertainment company.

Steve Blount, COO of Kingstone Media Group based in Central Florida, says that libraries have been adding both comics and graphic novels to their shelves to draw different groups of readers-citing increases in circulation of 40% or more as a result.

"The popularity of these formats cannot be denied, as they represent one of the fastest-growing categories for publishing and bookselling," he writes about the category in the April issue of Christian Retailing magazine. "And with Christian books one of the fastest-growing genres in all bookstore channels, faith-based comics and graphic novels represent a potential 'sweet spot' between these two high-growth areas.

Launched "in response to the opportunities presented by these contemporary formats," Kingstone's comics division includes titles like the biblical epic "Babylon," "The Christ" and "Lion of God" series with overt religious content and others--like 2048, a sci-fi thriller--that "read and look very much like mainstream material, while having a definite faith theme."

Blount advocates stores research the category, learning about the difference between the formats. Comic books engage the reader "through the character's dialogue," while graphic novels are "a longer version of a comic book with a more complex storyline."

In addition, Blount says in-store placement is important. "Consider positioning near your store's music department or another area that already naturally attracts young customers."

Read the complete article in the April issue of Christian Retailing.

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