From Mike Hyatt's (President and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers) blog:
 
A Change in Our Trade Show Strategy

Today, we announced that we will no longer be participating in the two major trade shows in our industry: Book Expo America (BEA) or
theInternational Christian Retail Show (ICRS). As I said in our press
release, we have been discussing this move for some time. In fact,
it?s a conversation we have had every year since I have been at Nelson
(ten years).

But the current economic downturn is forcing us to re-evaluate every
marketing dollar we spend. This is not the reason for our shift in
strategy, but it is the catalyst. The reality is that these trade
shows provide very little return to us on a hugely significant
investment.

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From Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary:

MacGregor Literary is excited to announce that Sandra Bishop will be joining us as a literary agent, starting Monday, April 7. As someone with a lifelong gift for words, she is a perfect fit for our agency. Sandra's longevity in the industry, commitment to professionalism in her freelance career, and creative resourcefulness make her a welcome addition to MacGregor Literary. You can reach her at sandra@macgregorliterary.com.

Sandra began her career in the industry in the eighties, when a friend noticed her abilities with words and encouraged her to attend a writers' conference. That’s where she first realized writing could be more than a dream, but a real – and respectable – profession worth pursuing. After a few years learning the craft, pitching article ideas to magazine editors, and meeting deadlines, Sandra began to map out a career in publishing.

Read Full Article.

Reviews

Allie Pleiter's The Perfect Blend ~ Reviewed
The Perfect Blend
By: Allie Pleiter
Published by Steeple Hill
ISBN-13:978-0-373-87441-5

Back Cover: If I Brew It…They Will Come

Opening a Christian coffeehouse in Seattle—that was my dream. I wanted to call it Maggie Black’s Higher Grounds.

So when banker William Grey III denied my loan, I was crushed. But then Mr. Grey (who’s a tea drinker—figures!) explained that if I took his small-business course, the bank might reconsider my application. It would take the help of some of my fab coffee, but I was sure I could stay awake long enough to learn something. Besides, despite Grey’s stuffy façade, his velvety British accent could make even financial analysis sound interesting.

Review:

“This is not a case of if you brew it, they will come.”

Maggie Black doesn’t agree with William Grey’s assessment, even if she does find it funny. God has given her a plan, a five-year, no fail marketing plan, complete with all the details, right down to the napkins.

From the start, the concept of a heroine whose dream is to open a Christian coffeehouse in the heart of Seattle struck me as improbable and slightly hysterical. Yet with every page, I was drawn into the idea that even our most unlikely dreams become reality when placed in the hands of a loving and powerful God. That doesn’t mean there won’t be disappointments along the way, as Maggie and William quickly discover.

“I simply cannot believe,” he says as he bounds out of his car to hug me, “that God would bring you all this way, pull us together, place you in this class, do all this, only to have it go all wrong.”

This was a believable conflict that spoke to my very heart. Who hasn’t questioned God when circumstances send our dreams skittering out of reach? Yet it was the struggle of these characters to hang onto their faith while resisting the desire to fall in love that made them so much fun.

I admit it—I had to put this book down…long enough to grab a tissue to wipe the tears away because I was laughing so hard. Mixing spiritual truths with good humor, Allie Pleiter has brewed a book that kept this reader turning pages.

E

Dana Mentink's Trouble Up Finny’s Nose ~ Reviewed

Trouble Up Finny’s Nose
By: Dana Mentink
Published by Heartsong Presents Mysteries
ISBN 978-1-59789-507-1


Back Cover: TWO GRUESOME DISCOVERIES – HER DEAD HUSBAND’S SECRET NOVEL AND A BODY IN FINNY’S TOWN-SQUARE FOUNTAIN – NEARLY PUSH RUTH BUDGE TO THE EDGE OF HER SANITY.

But the final kicker comes when her hairdresser goes on vacation to Fiji, leaving Ruth to look like Dickens’ Miss Havisham. A crazy kaleidoscope of characters such as the uptight gallery owner, Napoleon Prinn; half-baked Dimple Dent, writer of fortune-cookie wisdom; Alva Hernandez, octogenarian newspaper boy; and Monk, the amorous town caterer, add to the chaos in the shadow of Finny’s nose until Ruth finds herself in the ultimate do-or-die situation.

Review:

Alva remained in his chair in the middle of the devastation, licking deviled egg from his fingers. “Yup,” he said, nodding, “never bet against a redhead.”

Not this redhead, anyway. Author Dana Mentink’s novel is scrappy, fun romp filled with engaging characters and well developed storylines. I chuckled over the plight of Ruth Budge and her not so fine, feathered friends. Weaving in everything from art to horticulture, Ms. Mentink created an enjoyable read perfect for a rainy afternoon.

And, okay. . .so Ms. Mentink’s hair may tend more toward brown than red. Still, this is one author whose sequel I’m not likely to bet against.

E

Christy Awards

PRESS RELEASE From Wynn Wynn Media

2008 CHRISTY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN ORLANDO—The ninth annual CHRISTY AWARDS dinner was held Saturday evening, July 12, 2008, at the Orlando Rosen Centre, in advance of the International Christian Retail Show. The Celebration of Christian Fiction featured a salon including esteemed publishing professionals Karen Ball, Dave Lambert, and Michelle Rapkin. Author, speaker, and radio personality Chris Fabry emceed the event. The evening was highlighted by the presentation of the Christy Legacy Award to Carol Johnson, former Editorial Vice President for Fiction at Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Johnson is a pioneering leader in the development of Christian fiction and a founder of the CHRISTY AWARDS.The CHRISTY AWARDS honor the best in Christian fiction in nine categories. The Christy Awards Advisory Board is pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 CHRISTY AWARDS.

Christian Book of the Year 2008

                                            




                                                                                      
       Winner: Bible                                    Winner: Bible Reference                           Winner: Children
                                                                                 & Study                                                    & Youth


                                                                                    
Winner: Christian Life                                     Winner: Fiction                                  Winner: Inspiration
                                                                                                                                                     & Gift


          Congratulations to all of this year's winners!!