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Religion Update February 2013: Morality and Satire: Erin McGraw
In her newest novel, Better Food for a Better World (Wipf and Stock/Slant), Erin McGraw says she continues to delve into the theme of what it takes to be a good person. But this time she uses a new approach: satire.
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Religion Update February 2013: Regency Pioneer: Julie Klassen
What’s so Christian about the stories of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters?
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Religion Update February 2013: The God of Second Chances: Katie Ganshert
The general plot of Katie Ganshert’s second novel, Wishing on Willows could easily be a feature story in any small town American newspaper.
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Religion Update February 2013: The Faith of Pastors’ Wives: Lisa Takeuchi Cullen
It’s still a bit new for Lisa Takeuchi Cullen to be the subject of an interview. She is accustomed to being the interviewer; until 2009 she was a foreign correspondent and staff writer for Time magazine, and before that worked for Money, Financial Planning, and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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Religion Update February 2013: Tea and Empathy: Lisa Samson
After 20 years of writing and publishing novels, Christy Award–winner Lisa Samson decided to take an extended break.
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Religion Update February 2013: Cat on a Mission: Jim Kraus
To say that Jim Kraus’s life is enriched by the animals who share his family’s home—a miniature schnauzer named Rufus and an “ill-tempered” Siberian cat named Petey—would be an understatement.
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HC Christian Publishing CFO Steps Down
Stuart Bitting, CFO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, has resigned. Stepping in as interim interim finance team leader is Troy Edens, SVP and controller.
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Short Takes: Religion Publishing News Briefs, January 2013
Love Languages author to be on Oprah; SBL and Brill end co-publishing agreement; IVP a Best Workplace; Religion Communicators accept awards entries; Barbour title a Pulpwood Queens favorite; Baker expands e-book offerings for the education market; Dove Foundation now reviews books.
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Religion Editor’s Note, January 2013
There was good news on the bookselling front this month: the Christian chain, Berean, is expanding. And, while facing challenges as all of publishing does these days, Christian fiction is still thriving, multiplying genres, and inspiring new imprints.
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February 2013 Christian Bestsellers: Adult, Children’s and YA, Bibles
Your guide to the mega-sellers in Christian books.
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Jerry Jenkins Launches Self-Publishing Company
Bestselling Christian author Jerry Jenkins (Left Behind), a long-time critic of do-it-yourself books, has launched Christian Writers Guild Publishing to help authors publish their works. The program includes education and mentoring.
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PW Talks with Laurel Snyder: Kids' Books Are Not Just for Kids
Laurel Snyder has a new picture book for kids based on the story of Passover, The Longest Night, illustrated by Catia Chien. Snyder spoke with PW about how her own children affect her process and why children’s books are for adults too.
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Reviews of New and Forthcoming Religion and Spirituality Books, January 2013
A starred review for an exploration of the Garden of Eden; bestseller Kyle Idleman’s newest; and Web Exclusive reviews.
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It Is Written: News in Bibles and Sacred Texts, January 2013
A new children’s Bible from Lion; an update to a classic kids’ Bible from B&H; Nelson’s Bible for African-American women; daily readings from the NRSV from Harper.
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Christian Publishers Association Names Top Books and Authors for 2012
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced its top 50 Christian books sold in 2012 in both Christian retail and general outlets. The association also named the 20 top-selling authors for the year.
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Author Adam Hamilton Speaks at Inaugural Prayer Service
Pastor and author Adam Hamilton delivered the sermon at the 57th Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service at the National Cathedral. Hamilton is the author 13 of books, with combined sales of almost a million copies.
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Losing Their Religion
Call them “nones”; call them “unaffiliated.” The “young and the secular” fits well, too.
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Berean Christian Chain Poised for Growth
Berean Christian Stores announced today that it will double it store count in 2013.
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Margaret Feinberg: Finding Joy
Musicians have their signature sound, and authors have their central themes. For Margaret Feinberg, a favorite refrain is the simple desire to find joy in following Jesus.
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Muslim Group’s Meeting at Church Stirs Controversy—and Book Sales
An Episcopal priest's interfaith stand has provided an unexpected platform for his debut book—and an opportunity for him to personally demonstrate its message at a controversial event.



