Publishers give religion reporters food (for thought) at journalists' annual conference

by Marcia Z. Nelson, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 9/24/2008

Those who think the news is grim in publishing as sales stay soft and heads of houses revise resumes need to know it could be worse: you could be a religion reporter working for a newspaper. The atmosphere was sober (except at the closing night party) and buyouts were the subject of many a conversation at the 59th annual conference of the Religion Newswriters Association held Sept. 18-21 in Washington, D.C.

Religion publishers pitched tents and titles in an exhibitors room to reporters whenever journalists took a break from panels about religion and the 2008 elections, new media and blogging, and writing with nuance about Islam. Jossey-Bass, Baylor University Press and HarperOne all held press conferences for a captive and well-fed audience to promote or debut key titles. Chris Korzen and Alexia Kelley, co-authors of A Nation for All: How the Catholic Vision of the Common Good Can Save America from the Politics of Division (Jossey-Bass, May), offered background analysis and answers about what is looking to be the crucial Catholic vote in the fall elections. Baylor University religion sociologist Rodney Stark was principal presenter of new findings and topics from a series of Baylor surveys of American religious beliefs and practices, the results of which are summarized in Stark's What Americans Really Believe: New Findings from the Baylor Surveys of Religion (Baylor Univ., Sept.).

HarperOne debuted The Green Bible (Oct.), a "green-letter" edition that highlights more than 1,000 verses dealing with caring for God's creation. The environmentally friendly edition features a cotton-linen cover, recycled paper and soy-based ink, as well as an introduction by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and essays by environmental scholars and leaders. Zondervan feted religion columnist Cathleen Falsani to introduce her Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace (Sept.), already going back to press. Other publishers reeling in reporters, or trying their best: Baker Publishing Group, Paraclete Press, SkyLight Paths/Jewish Lights, Westminster John Knox, and Islamica publisher Tughra, which set out a seductive platter of Turkish delight for browsers.

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