Christian Novel Contest

I'm sure you know of this contest, but just in case you don't.

Jerry Jenkins Christian Writing
Guild Operation First Novel For Unpublished Authors
Entrant may not have had a book published or accepted for publication prior to the Wednesday, October 19, 2005 entry deadline.
Winners announced Febrauary 6, 2005.
You must be a member of Jerry Jenkins Christian Writing Guild to participate.
Click on the title and it will direct you to the official site.

Georgia News: Send the Light acquires Appalachian

STL BUYS APPALACHIAN AND APPOINTS CEO

Carlisle, England-based Send The Light Limited (STL) announced its subsidiary, Send The Light Inc. (STL Inc.) in Waynesboro, GA, signed an agreement yesterday afternoon to acquire Appalachian Distributors from its owner and founder Tom Torbett. The transaction is scheduled to close by the end of July.

Appalachian Distributors, who employs over 100 people in 100,000 square feet of warehouses, will continue to operate from its Johnson City, TN and Reno, NV facilities as a division of STL Inc. Torbett’s sons Tommy and Lance will continue working in the business.

Businessman and STL board member David Passman was appointed STL Inc. president and CEO.

Munce Marketing president Bob Munce, who originally introduced Torbett to STL said, “It’s not surprising that Tom, in wishing to retire, would pick [STL] to acquire his business.”

STL’s U.S. operation also includes FaithWorks, Great Value Books, Authentic Publishing, and Paternoster. U.S. sales revenues are projected to be $65 million in 2006 and STL Inc. will donate a percentage of earnings to support world missions.

In 2001 Word Entertainment sold its U.K. subsidiary to STL, which entered the U.S. market in 2003 when it purchased OM Literature from Operation Mobilization.

Earlier this year, STL acquired FaithWorks, the largest full-service Christian distributor, from National Book Network in Washington, D.C. These acquisitions provide a substantial presence for STL in the U.S., and complement its global strategy of advancing the Christian faith through literature distribution.

July Christian BestSellers List

Ranking Title Author/Publisher
1 (4) The Revelation Beverly Lewis, Bethany House, p
2 (6) Monster Frank Peretti, WestBow (Nelson), c
3 (7) The Shunning Beverly Lewis, Bethany House, p
4 (14) Soon Jerry Jenkins, Tyndale, c
5 (17) Moonlight on the Millpond Lori Wick, Harvest House, p
6 (22) Breaker's Reef Terri Blackstock, Zondervan, p
7 (27) The Rising Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins, Tyndale, c
8 (37) Redeeming Love Francine Rivers, Multnomah, p
9 The Warrior Francine Rivers, Tyndale, c
10 The Covenant Beverly Lewis, Bethany House, p
11 A Thousand Tomorrows Karen Kingsbury, Center Street (Warner Faith), c
12 Beyond Tuesday Morning Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p
13 Whence Came a Prince Liz Curtis Higgs, WaterBrook, p
14 Oceans Apart Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p
15 Sisterchicks Down Under Robin Jones Gunn, Multnomah, p
16 The Storekeeper's Daughter Wanda Brunstetter, Barbour, p
17 One Tuesday Morning Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, p
18 River's Edge Terri Blackstock, Zondervan, p
19 A Kingsbury Collection Karen Kingsbury, Multnomah, c
20 Redemption Gary Smalley & Karen Kingsbury, Tyndale, p

Numbers in ( ) denote Top 50 placement. / p designates paper; c, cloth

This list is based on actual sales in Christian retail stores in the United States and Canada during May, using STATS as the source for data collection. All rights reserved. Distribution and copyright ©2004 CBA and Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

The Business: Wal-Mart Picks Off Share from Christian Retailers

Dale Wolf of Context Rules Marketing writes:

"Independent retailers who attended the recent Christian Booksellers Association meeting were lamenting the loss of market share to Wal-Mart. Share dropped from 57% to 53% as Wal-Mart cherry picks the high volume SKUs for Bibles, faith-based DVDs and videos, books, crucifixes and choir robes."

If you are interested in scheduling a booksigning, please call 1-800-WALMART. Prepare for a long wait.

Dee