Evangelical Christian Publishers Association
Mark Kuyper, President and CEO, ECPA
480-966-3998 ext. 210, mkuyper@ecpa.org
ECPA Announces 2009 Christian Book Award Finalists
Winners to be Announced at Open-To-Public Awards DinnerDuring 2009 Christian Book Expo
01/27/2009, Phoenix, AZ -- The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announces the finalists for the 2009 Christian Book Awards. Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Awards honor titles in six categories – Bibles, Bible Reference & Study, Christian Life, Fiction, Children & Youth, and Inspiration & Gift. For the first time, award winners will be announced during a multi-media event open to the general public.
“2009 marks a new program and a new day for the Christian Book Awards,” says ECPA President Mark Kuyper. “For the first time, the award winners will be announced in the presence of the reading public. This reader-to-author connection brings a new level of excitement and anticipation to the awards program.”
The 2009 Christian Book Awards Dinner will feature live author readings and the presentation, by authors, of the winners in each category. The dinner begins at 7 pm CT, on Thursday, March 19, at the Dallas Convention Center, Ballroom C. Tickets are $79 per person and can be reserved online at www.christianbookexpo.com/christianbookawards
Complimentary books and optional book signings will cap off the evening. The awards dinner will kick off the first-ever Christian Book Expo, which is ticketed separately and opens March 20 at the Dallas Convention Center.
During the awards dinner, donations will be accepted in support of the Global Publishers Alliance (GPA). GPA was established in 1993 to equip Christian leaders in developing countries with training and resources so they can publish Christian books for their own people.
ECPA member publishers submitted 218 books, all published in 2008, for award consideration. Each title was evaluated against category-specific criteria for editorial excellence by 72 expert judges. Five finalists have been selected within each category (six where there was a tie), and category winners will be announced on March 19 in Dallas. One title will be selected from the finalists to receive ECPA’s top honor: Christian Book of the Year.
The 2009 Christian Book Award finalists are as follows:
BIBLES
- ESV Study Bible, Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502415
- NKJV Study Bible: Second Edition,Thomas Nelson, 9780718020811
- NLT Study Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, 9780842355704
- The Grandmother’s Bible, Doris Rikkers, Jeannette Taylor, Editors, Zondervan, 9780310938019
- Zondervan NIV Study Bible Updated, Kenneth Barker, John Stek, Ronald Youngblood, Editors, Zondervan, 9780310938965
BIBLE REFERENCE & STUDY
- A Visual History of the English Bible, Donald L. Brake, Baker Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801013164
- Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings, Tremper Longman III, Peter Enns, Eds., InterVarsity Press, 9780830817832
- New International Biblical Commentary: Jeremiah, Lamentations, Tremper Longman III, Hendrickson Publishers, 9781565632240
- New Testament Theology, Thomas R. Schreiner, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801026805
- Rose Guide to the Tabernacle, Rose Publishing, Inc., 9781596362765
CHILDREN & YOUTH (six finalists listed due to tie)
- For Young Men Only, Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice with Shaunti Feldhahn, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781601420206
- Guys Like Girls Who…, Chad Eastham, Thomas Nelson, 9781400313006
- Lies Young Women Believe, Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh, Moody Publishers, 9780802472946
- Mean, Hayley DiMarco, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800732219
- Secrets Young Women Keep, Dr. Jill Hubbard, Thomas Nelson, 9780785228172
- Starlight Animal Rescue #1: Runaway, Dandi Mackall, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414312682
CHRISTIAN LIFE (six finalists listed due to tie)
- Following God with All Your Heart, Elizabeth George, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736905046
- Just Courage, Gary A. Haugen, InterVarsity Press, 9780830834945
- Living Water, Brother Yun, Zondervan, 9780310285540
- Love as a Way of Life, Gary Chapman, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781400072583
- Multiple Blessings, Jon and Kate Gosselin, Zondervan, 9780310289029
- Spectacular Sins, John Piper, Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502750
FICTION
- Home Another Way, Christa Parrish, Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764205231
- Less Than Dead, Tim Downs, Thomas Nelson, 9781595543073
- Riven, Jerry B. Jenkins, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414309040
- The Outsider, Ann H. Gabhart, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800732394
- The Shape of Mercy, Susan Meissner, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, 9781400074563
INSPIRATION & GIFT (six finalists listed due to tie)
- Holiness Day by Day, Jerry Bridges, NavPress, 9781600063961
- Hope...the Best of Things, Joni Eareckson Tada, Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781433502194
- My All in All, Robert J. Morgan, B&H Publishing, 9780805446630
- Reflections of God's Holy Land: A Personal Journey Through Israel, Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Fienberg Vamosh, Thomas Nelson, 9780849919565
- The Daily Bible ® Devotional, F. LaGard Smith, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736922111
- The Quotable Oswald Chambers, David McCasland, Editor, Discovery House Publishers, 9781572931947
ECPA has a broad marketing strategy in place for the promotion of the 2009 Christian Book Awards. National retail outlets are creating in-store and consumer promotions to increase awareness of the Christian Book Awards. The group of participants includes: Berean Christian Stores, Family Christian Stores, Lifeway Christian Stores, Parable Christian Stores, CBD/ChristianBooks.com, Amazon.com and Borders. Promotions include in-store and online presence.
In addition, INNOVATIVE, a national web-site company working with more than 700 Christian retailers, church bookstores and broadcast outlets, will partner with ECPA to present the Christian Book Award finalists and winners on their client websites.
The Christian Book Awards, established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and significance of contribution, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious in the religious publishing industry.
Finalists presented online at ECPA’s website at: www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/finalists2009.php
For more information, go to www.ecpa.org.
# # #