Calvin Miller, author of The Singer Trilogy, a retelling of the New Testament story “in the spirit of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien,” died August 19 at the age of 75. The Singer, the first book in the trilogy, was published in 1975 and sold more than a million copies; books two and three were The Song (1977) and The Finale (1979). Miller--a pastor for twenty years at Westside Church in Omaha, Neb., and writer-in-residence at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., where he served since 2007--also wrote more than forty books of popular theology and Christian inspiration, ten of them published by InterVarsity Press, including such recent books as Letters to Heaven, The Path of Celtic Prayer, Letters to a Young Pastor, and his memoir, Life Is Mostly Edges.
Oasis Audio has announced the winner of its “Living The Vow” contest. The winning entry was "25 Years and Counting" by Susan Blackwell of Lombard, Ill., which took the grand prize of a weekend getaway in for two in Chicago. The story will be recorded by Oasis. The Vow is thebestselling true story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter that inspired one of the highest-grossing movies of 2012. To celebrate the release of The Vow audio book, Oasis Audio, in partnership with B&H Publishing Group, asked Facebook fans to submit their own real-life stories of exceptional love and commitment. Beginning in early May, hundreds of entries poured in; thousands of Facebook users voted for their favorite stories throughout July on www.facebook.com/OasisAudio. The top 10 entries receiving votes were named finalists, and Blackwell’s story came out on top.
Kregel Publications is producing a live Web cast, “Women Redeemed: Addressing the Issues No One Wants to Talk About,” on September 20 at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The Web cast introduces a new line of books from Kregel that deals with issues such as miscarriage, abortion, and abuse.The interactive event will feature authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused).
Tyndale House Publishers will release in October the 20th anniversary edition of A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. The first book in Rivers’ bestselling Mark of the Lion series will feature a foreword from the publisher, a letter from Rivers and the text of an interview with her, a color map, an illustrated glossary, and discussion questions suitable for group and personal use. The novels of Francine Rivers have won numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Rivers has published 27 Christian novels (26 of them with Tyndale); her Tyndale books have more than 7 million copies in print.
Thomas Nelson author Michael Neale and Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., (where Neale is artist-in-residence) are presenting The River Experience, a multi-media event, on August 31, in anticipation of the release of Neale’s novel, The River (Sept.). Christ Fellowship draws 20,000 worshipers each week to its five campuses; another 15,000 view its services online. All proceeds from ticket sales for The River Experience will benefit Hope for Freedom and its efforts to end human trafficking. Media and retailers are invited to a reception hosted by Thomas Nelson prior to the 7 p.m. show. Originally self-published, the book was picked up by Nelson in May.
