The biggest single publisher event of the week brought out a large crowd to hear authors like Ted Dekker and Philip Yancey-forcing organizers to send out for more food for all the guests.

Several hundred turned out for FaithWords' Author Reception, a big-name gathering in sharp contrast to the trimmed-back promotions of most other publishers-including one that decided not to bring a leading author in for a signing at the show because it did not want him to be disappointed by a small turnout.

FaithWords' reception featured several A-list authors who had launched or were launching their first FaithWords titles after arriving from other publishers.

"We are publishing our strongest list ever this fall, and naturally we want the retailers to take note of its significance as well," said Hachette Book Group Director of Publicity Shanon Stowe. "CBA retailers are very important to us, and we wanted them to have the opportunity to meet these authors and hear about their new projects from them firsthand."

Dekker, whose The Bride Collector released from Center Street in April, described how his passion to communicate spiritual truths to young people had led him to explore themes some older people considered to be "dark."

Twice referencing another forthcoming novel-Immanuel's Veins, due out in August from Thomas Nelson-during his remarks, Dekker appealed for retailers' support in reaching out to younger readers by "the recasting of redemptive history," telling stories in language they understood.

Yancey described his forthcoming October release, What Good is God?, as the culmination of his career as a journalist and writer, exploring how Christian faith can help people transcend even the most difficult situations and circumstances.

Also speaking about their forthcoming releases were Charles Swindoll (The Church Awakening, September), Jill Kelly (Without a Word, September) and David Jeremiah (The Coming Economic Armageddon, October).

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