March 16, 2025 Edition
Industry News
Died: John M. Perkins, who lived and preached racial reconciliation
(Christianity Today) John M. Perkins, a bold evangelical voice who proclaimed the gospel against racism, died on Friday at the age of 95. Perkins challenged Christians—especially white evangelicals—to repent of safe, narrow, and self-serving interpretations of the message of Jesus. He authored several books, the first with Baker Publishing: “Let Justice Roll Down.”
In 2008, Dr. John M. Perkins received the ECPA Lifetime Achievement Award and three of his titles earned finalist distinctions in the Christian Book Award (Gold Medallion) program: “Beyond Charity” (Baker), “Resurrecting Hope” (Regal), and “Dream With Me” (Baker).
ECPA Bestseller Lists for March to be released in new layout; Adds Hardcover & Paperback categories
The ECPA Christian Bestseller lists for March will be released tomorrow across 16 categories, debuting a refreshed layout and new nonfiction categories for Hardcover and Paperback. The updated lists will feature book covers, creating a more consumer-friendly visual presentation of the month’s bestselling titles, as reported by Circana BookScan. This enhancement is part of a broader upgrade to ECPA’s consumer website, ReadGoodBooks.com. Additional details about the website updates will be shared soon.
To receive the new bestseller lists in your inbox tomorrow and each month, sign up here.
Christian publishing leaders to be honored at 2026 ECPA Awards Celebration
Christian publishing leaders from across the industry will gather in Schaumburg, Illinois, April 28-29 for the ECPA Leadership Summit, culminating in the annual ECPA Awards Celebration dinner, where ECPA will honor the legacy of longtime publishing leader Robert Wolgemuth, announce the Christian Book Award winners, present the ECPA Chair Award, celebrate industry Milestones, and more.
Barb Roose to address leadership stress at ECPA Leadership Summit
The ECPA Leadership Summit, April 28–29 outside Chicago, will gather Christian publishing leaders for insight, connection, and conversation around the future of the industry. Among the featured sessions is “Keeping Stress from Making a Mess of Your Leadership and Relationships” with Barb Roose—Books & Such literary agent, speaker, leadership coach, and author. Roose will address the real pressures leaders face and share Scripture-based principles and tools for managing stress and overwhelm. Participants will gain practical insight for protecting their relationships and strengthening their effectiveness as leaders.
It’s not too late to register. Registration, schedule, sessions, and speakers are available at ECPALeadership.org.
Christy Award® submissions open through March 31
Submissions are now open for the 2026 Christy Award program, celebrating excellence in Christian fiction, and will be accepted through March 31 across nine fiction categories. Eligible titles are published between March 2025 and March 2026, traditionally or independently, that place matters of belief at the heart of the story.
IPG adds five publishers to its sales & distribution programs
Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is pleased to announce the addition of five publishers to its sales and distribution programs starting in April 2026.
Staff Announcements
IVP appoints Jon Boyd to VP of Editorial and names Cindy Bunch Senior Editor-at-Large
InterVarsity Press has appointed Jon Boyd as the new divisional vice president of editorial and associate publisher. IVP is also pleased to announce that Cindy Bunch has been named senior editor-at-large.
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Milestones
Tim Tebow’s “If the Tree Could Speak” becomes instant NYT bestseller, debuting at #6
“If the Tree Could Speak: The Story of the Cross That Saw It All” by bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur Tim Tebow has debuted at #6 on the New York Times Bestseller List. The book also debuted at #14 on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller List and #18 on Amazon’s Bestseller List.
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Jennie Allen’s latest book debuts at No. 7 on NYT bestseller list
Jennie Allen’s transformative new book, “The Lie You Don’t Know You Believe: How to Find It, Fight It, and Live Free,” debuted on the New York Times Best Seller List at #7 and at #8 on Publishers Weekly Bestseller List.
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“The King Is Coming” by John Bevere is instant NYT and USA Today bestseller
W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, today announced The King Is Coming: It’s Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ by John Bevere, became an instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller the week following its March 3 on-sale date.
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10Publishing’s “The Man on the Middle Cross” sells 1 million copies in English
Truth For Life and 10Publishing are pleased to announce that "The Man on the Middle Cross" by Alistair Begg has now sold more than one million copies in the English language since its release in September 2025.
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SPCK shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year at British Book Awards 2026
The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK Group) has been shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards 2026. The winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place at Grosvenor House, London, on Monday 11th May.
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The Selah Awards announce finalists
On March 3, 2026, Selah Awards Director Eva Marie Everson announced the titles and names of the finalists for this year’s contest from the nearly 650 entries.
Product News
Thomas Nelson Bibles partners with Hope Media Group
Hope Media Group and Thomas Nelson Bibles have formed a multi-year agreement that will result in more people engaging with the life-changing message of the Bible. As part of the deal, HMG will use Thomas Nelson’s New King James Version (NKJV) across its radio, streaming, and digital content. In addition, Thomas Nelson will provide English and Spanish Bibles for HMG to distribute its audiences.
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HCCP announces major five-book deal with Megan Ashley
HarperCollins Christian Publishing is pleased to announce the signing of Megan Ashley, the dynamic host of the fast-growing podcast In Totality, under a significant five-book agreement.
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B&H Publishing Group to release life portrait of artist-missionary Lilias Trotter
Author and artist Jennifer Trafton offers readers a portrait of faith, imagination and vocation in her latest book, “If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter,” releasing April 14, 2026, from B&H Publishing Group.
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FaithWords releases “Rediscovering the Forgotten You” by Joel Osteen on April 7
Pastor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen wants us to know that God has promised us that He will recover what has been lost and fix what has been broken in his latest release with FaithWords, “Rediscovering the Forgotten You.”
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Paraclete Press to release devotional to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary
Perfectly timed to release on April 7, 2026, a new 60-day devotional guide by Paraclete Press provides a daily roadmap for believers to offer prayer and praise, titled “God Bless America: Scriptures, Devotions and Prayers for Our Nation.”
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Leafwood Publishers releases Heather Cook’s “A Pace of Grace”
“A Pace of Grace” by Heather Cook (Leafwood Publishers) is an invitation to step off the treadmill of constant striving and into the steady, life-giving rhythm of God’s grace.
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Media Announcements
Friesens’ “I Love to Read Month” wraps up with author interview
For many years now, Friesens has been a proud champion of literacy, learning, and the lifelong value of reading by supporting schools, authors, libraries, and communities across Canada. That commitment comes to life every February during I Love to Read Month, a celebration we are proud to participate in year after year.
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BookSmarts Podcast with Joshua Tallent talks to ECPA president Jeff Crosby
Jeff Crosby recently joined the Booksmarts Podcast to discuss the history and mission of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), and the emerging challenges and opportunities facing Christian publishing—from AI and market consolidation to global growth in regions like Brazil.
Other News
Publishing
- Lakeside Book Co. Adds Three Publishers
- PRH Forms Global Technology Organization
- Circana: Book Sales Bolstered by ‘Passion Purchases,’ Interest in ‘Analog Living’
- Audible Expands Platform to 11 New Markets, Including Sweden
- Association of Writers & Writing Programs Takes on AI at recent Conference
- Can Audiobook Listeners Be Called "Readers?"
London Book Fair conversations
- Publishers Affirm the Value of Bibliodiversity, Community
- Publishers urged to improve chances of books being recommended by AI
- English-language rights shift would be ‘very dangerous’, says PRH UK chief
- Reading crisis bigger threat to book trade than AI, Pan Macmillan CEO warns
- Geopolitics Intrude, Audible Expands Globally, S&S Speculation Swirls
- To Survive the AI Age, UK Publishers Are Working Together
- Media Control and NielsenIQ BookData to Publish BookTok Charts for the U.K.
