Writing for the Lord Ministries - Give God the Glory! E-Newsletter Archives

August 1, 2008 | Back to Archives Main Page

Give God the Glory! e-newsletter

In This Issue

Quick Links

Our Website

Our Blog

Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference

August 7-9

National Christian Writers Conference

September 20th

Book Expo America 2007 Podcast

Book Expo America 2008 Podcast

Remaining Summer Events - 2008

2008 Christian Small Publishers Association Non-Fiction Book of the Year (presented at the International Christian Retail Show, Orlando, FL, July 2008)

August 6-8

Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference

Philadelphia Biblical University

200 Manor Avenue

Langhorne, PA 19047

Workshop leader: From Start to Finish for the First-Time Author

(three day continuing session)

Coming in September:

Release of book #6 in the Give God the Glory! series: Study Guide - Know God & Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life

Retail Price $15.00

Available everywhere that books are sold

National Christian Writer's Conference,

VA Beach, VA

(rescheduled from July 19th - Charlotte, NC)

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation,

Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

NEW STUDY GUIDE

$15.00

$8.00 pre-publication price

(thru 9/1/2008)

ISBN: 978-0-9705902-2-0

Edited by Hallagen Ink

8.5" x 11"

Paperback

About the Founder & Author

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Kevin lives in Clarksville, Maryland, with his wife, Gail, and three young sons. Johnson founded Writing for the Lord Ministries in 2000 and authors the Give God the Glory! series of books and devotionals. Kevin has earned 12 literary / media awards since 2001 and all books are distributed throughout the United States by two Christian book distributors:

a. Black Christian Book Distributors, LLC, N. Richlands, TX, (817) 240-1256, www.BlackCBD.com

b. STL Distribution of North America, Johnson City, TN, 1 8 MORE BOOKS, WWW.STL-DISTRIBUTION.COM

He attests everyday that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things! _________

The Give God the Glory! e-newsletter is researched, prepared, written, and distributed by Writing for the Lord Ministries.

_________

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

(1 Corinthians 10:31)

August 1, 2008

Well, summer is coming to a close soon. School is back in session in the state of Maryland on the 25th. Wow, how time flies!

This month, we enter into the final 30 days of our 90-day international pre-publication book campaign. Throughout this summer, we have communicated, either through technology or in-person, with key publishing colleagues in nine countries worldwide, including booklovers, book clubs, conventions, conferences, bookstores, distributors, wholesalers, churches, pastors, trade shows, and with industry executives. To this end, our simple goal is to share God's message of love and the ultimate importance of putting Him first and foremost in our lives.

Below are some photos to capture key moments from our three-city tour during the month of July. We selectively chose to participate and visit venues in Seattle, WA, Miami, FL, and the Islands of the Bahamas. Although we had the opportunity to visit several other cities, we chose to pass on other events/venues that were held during this past summer such as the National Black Book Conference (Houston), Harlem Book Fair (NYC), AKA National Convention (Washington, DC), NAACP National Convention (Detroit), National Book Club Conference (Atlanta), and the Black Writers Alliance Reunion (Tampa). God led us in a different direction, based upon past experiences, plus key advances in technology no longer necessitate personal appearances at all of these annual events. Thank God!

As always, I am exteremly thankful for your support and love for our book series. Great things are happening. May God continually bless and keep you.

Enjoy God's blessings!

Kevin Wayne Johnson

Founder and Author - Give God the Glory! series

Publishing Industry News

1. Standard names industry veteran Carpenter to top post. Standard Publishing announced that long-time industry veteran Larry Carpenter will be joining the company as president and publisher on Aug. 4. Carpenter, who currently serves as VP of marketing for non-fiction trade books at Thomas Nelson, has been involved in Christian book publishing and distribution since 1987.

In his new role, Carpenter will focus on reestablishing Standard Publishing's identity and expanding and elevating Standard Publishing's sales and marketing operations.
"The opportunity to work for one of the oldest and most respected Christian publishers is an honor for me," said Carpenter. "I look forward to helping Standard Publishing continue its legacy and maintain its close relationship with the community as well as churches and church leaders."

KWJ Commentary: Larry gave me an opportunity in 2001 after publishing my first book. He saw the potential and was the launching pad for the Give God the Glory! series of books and devotionals. I am forever grateful. Thank you Larry.

2. 90 Minutes in Heaven celebrates 90 weeks on NYT BSL. With the July 27 issue of the New York Times paperback non-fiction bestseller list, 90 Minutes in Heaven (Revell), by Don Piper, celebrates 90 weeks on the list, with more than half of that time spent at or above #10. The book charts on this week's list at #7. Defying traditional paths onto the list, the book first entered the list nearly three years after it was first published.

Currently, the original trade paper edition of the book has over 3.5 million in print with Spanish, hardcover, audio, gift and large print editions of the book all continuing to sell strongly as well. In addition, the book has a strong presence internationally with over 30 translations available in such languages as German, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, and Swedish.

3. Nelson announces One Million People Prayer Challenge. Thomas Nelson announced the One Million People Prayer Challenge in hopes of encouraging over one million believers to commit to pray during the 40 days leading up to the 2008 Presidential election. This unprecedented initiative orchestrates bookstores, ministries, churches, and individual believers together to create the greatest concert of prayer that America has ever seen-all for the purpose of petitioning God on behalf of the nation. The company is offering a prayer booklet entitled If My People, A 40-Day Prayer Guide for the Nation to help lead believers in prayer for the country. To learn more about the One Million People Prayer Challenge, call (800) 251-4000 ext. 2039 or visit www.ifmypeoplecampaign.com.

4. Christian Retail Show Has Dismal Attendance
by Jana Riess - Publisher's Weekly, Religion Staff Writer

After a lackluster International Christian Retail Show one year ago in Atlanta, the CBA was clearly hoping that a return to family-friendly Orlando in 2008 (July 12-17) would mean a jump in flagging show attendance. The organizers had good reason for optimism: when the meeting was held in Orlando back in 1999, a record-breaking 14,694 people came. However, the Disney magic did not materialize at last week's trade show, with total attendance of 7,448-the lowest numbers since the 1980s, and well off last year's already limp showing of 9,266. Professional attendance (which is mostly retailers, plus some industry professionals) was down to 2,386, 17% down from last year and about half as much as in New Orleans eight years ago.
Scaling Back, Pulling Out "When shows die, they die quickly," said one insider, voicing the concerns of many publishers who said that the show must radically reinvent itself or it will disappear.

Even on the first day-traditionally a bustling time with booth signings, giveaways, and floor events-traffic was light and the lines for many bestselling authors were only about 25 people deep. "Frankly, the traffic is extremely low," said Michael Thomson, sales director at Eerdmans. "We have done some good orders, but they're mostly orders we would have done anyhow." Order-writing was rare, as has increasingly been the case at ICRS. As Kim Shimer, marketing director for Judson, said, "we've grown to realize this show isn't about selling anymore. We've had to mentally prepare not to make a profit. For the visibility and networking, it's just something we've got to do." Still, Judson is considering a cutback from two booth spaces to one next year.
A number of publishers have already scaled back their booths. At NavPress, trade marketing strategist Jessica Chappell reported that the booth was 20' by 20' this year, compared to last year's 20' by 40'. She saw the smaller booth as a positive, however. NavPress equipped it with a comfy couch, a coffeetable and some conversation areas to facilitate greater intimacy with customers.

Recap of Our Summer Together

Fourth of July Weekend - Seattle, WA

1. The Links, Incorporated National Convention

Washington State Convention & Trade Center

Attendance: 10,000+

2. Joy Unlimited Christian Bookstore

3. Berean Bible and Love Fellowship Church

Qwest Field - Home of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks

Home of Amazon.com (across from Qwest Field)

Milwaukee1

The infamous "Space Needle" - near downtown Seattle

Kevin with author Linda Beed and bookstore manager Kathyrn, Joy Unlimited Christian BookStore, Inc., after booksigning event

My wife and I worshipped at Berean Love and Bible Fellowship on Sunday and enjoyed a great booksigning afterwards

July 25-27 - Miami, FL

1. Borders Books and Music (Friday)

2. Afro-In Books and Cafe, Incorporated (Saturday)

3. Community Church of God, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sunday)

Kevin with Diane McKee, store manager, after our booksigning in store

Afro-In Books and Cafe, Inc.

Family and Friends Day at Community Church of God with Pastor James Eubanks, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Presentation during Sunday 11:00am service and booksigning with videotaping followed service.