Literary agency Alive Communications has launched a full-service digital company specializing in Christian and inspirational titles. Bondfire Books' debut list features e-book exclusives from authors including Karen Kingsbury and Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message Bible. Bondfire's e-books will be available via all major online retailers and downloadable on all digital readers.

"We aim to be a game-changer by working with other literary agencies and paying all authors a 50% net royalty, essentially double the industry standard of 25%," said Rick Christian, founder of Bondfire Books and Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Alive Communications. "We will also offer five-year renewable terms instead of the normal life of copyright."

Bondfire Books will be backed by a partnership with Rosetta Books, the digital publisher of authors such as Kurt Vonnegut and Stephen R. Covey.

"With Rosetta's support and extraordinary relationship with (online retailers), we can ensure an author's works are properly converted and well-advertised on all the major sites," Christian said.

Kirkdale Press, coming off its recent launch by Logos Bible Software, is accepting and reviewing for e-book publication manuscripts from established and up-and-coming authors. The new digital imprint's e-books are available through Vyrso, the Christian e-reader app from Logos, as well as through Kindle, Nook and other e-readers.

Meanwhile, DeeperCalling Media has started selling e-books on its Bookseller WebStore platform. All of DeeperCalling's customers will automatically receive a free upgrade to enable the sales of e-books.

"Our customers have been asking for a solution that sells both e-books and physical books," said DeeperCalling CEO Bill Goodyear. "With our new upgrades, we now provide booksellers with the tools necessary to sell books—whether they are physical or digital.

Click here for more information on Bondfire. Click here for more information on Kirkdale Press. Click here for more information on DeeperCalling Media.

For more on the growth of e-books, look for our news story in the forthcoming July issue of Christian Retailing.

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