One booth is hosting authors not to sign copies of their books, but to tell retailers about a new program intended to help stores sell more fiction.

Members of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) are manning the group's booth to talk about its free online guide to the category, www.fictionfinder.com.

The Web site provides information about authors and their books, including the genre, what social issues may be addressed in the story and its level of intensity.

"We feel that if the frontline people in the bookstores have a tool that can make them feel more confident and knowledgeable about Christian fiction, they will be able to hand-sell more books to the customer," said Angie Breidenbach, ACFW publicist.

Since the site was launched earlier this year, more than 600 authors have posted information about their books. The site also provides links for bookstores to place orders direct with publishers.

Breidenbach said that the service to stores was particularly helpful at a time when Christian fiction was growing and genres and styles were changing. "People want hope, and we are giving stores a way to help people find it," she said, adding that it was important for consumers to be given some sense of the book's impact.

Now in its 11th year, the ACFW has more than 2,100 members from prospective writers to established authors.

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