Led by sales of The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, which has sold more than 350,000 copies since it was released in July, evangelical Christian book publisher NavPress reported that revenues in the fiscal year ended August 31 rose nearly 30%.
The company, which is based in Colorado Springs, Colo., plans to use the funds from The Message to accelerate its growth. To accommodate its expansion, NavPress has restructured the company into three divisions, each with its own publisher. To head its NavPress Books division, the company has hired Dan Rich, formerly with Random House's Waterbrook unit, as publisher. Toben Heim has been appointed publisher of the Message Bible division, which NavPress created in May to expand its presence in the Bible market. And Peter Mayberry was named publisher of the periodical division.
Rich told PW his focus will be on increasing the number and quality of titles NavPress publishes for the CBA market. Rich envisions paying some higher advances to attract new authors, and he has also set in motion an effort to publish more titles for a young audience. Set to be released in February are the first titles in the eYS line, a series being done in conjunction with Youth Specialties, an organization that trains youth pastors to minister to teens. Rich plans to do 15 books per year in that line over the next three years. A second line, geared for 16—19-year-olds, is set to be launched in July. The centerpiece of the as-yet-unnamed line will be youth editions of The Message. Eight to 12 titles are set for 2003, and Rich would like to publish 12 to 15 titles on an annual basis. The move to publish "edgier" material will require new staff who are more attuned to the younger market, Rich said.
In addition to broadening its offerings for a young audience, NavPress is strengthening several of its traditional areas such as discipleship and women's interest. Rich said that while he would like to do more titles aimed at the ABA market, he first wants to evaluate that marketplace to determine where NavPress may have the best chance for success.
