The Christian Book Expo

Next spring, everything about the marketing and selling of Christian books is going to change. The ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) is going to host the Christian Book Expo in Dallas, March 20-22. Modeled after the very successful Guadalajara Book Fair and the Los Angeles Festival of Books, I think this is going to be the next big thing for Christian publishing.

Why? Because of the direction the organizers are taking. Instead of being focused on retailers, the focus of this show is going to be on authors and content. The public will be invited, and the whole idea is to expose readers to authors and their work. Think about this: there are going to be 180 workshops at the Expo. They are planning readings, and performances, and dozens of speakers. There are going to be mini-events where authors discuss contemporary and theological issues. There will be activities for families, and an entire area dedicated just to children's books. They are planning 11 different panels, with world-class participants, to explore what the authors have to say about today's significant social issues. (The panels are going to be sponsored by Christianity Today.) And they're expecting major media, the participation of every ECPA publisher, as well as most general market publishers who produce Christian books. I think this event is going to raise the awareness of Christian publishing in this country. Best of all, this will be a books only event, meaning all of us get to focus on authors and their works.

Here's something that might surprise you: The Guadalajara Book Fair attracted 525,000 people last year. The LA Festival had 140,000 attendees earlier this year. The fact is, people are still interested in books. And since last year was the biggest year ever for selling religious books, it's fair to say that people care about Christian books (even  if CBA and their retailers convention is struggling to survive). So this is the perfect time.

A few days ago I got a phone call from Mark Kuyper, the President of ECPA, and had the chance to ask him about the Christian Book Expo. His enthusiasm for the event came through clearly. "This is an author show," he told me. "The focus will be on Christian authors and their ideas." Frankly, it was nice to hear the guy in charge of the organization talking about  books rather than talking about marketing. "We want to reach as many people as possible with the life-changing message of books," he said to me, before noting that this is going to be "a great opportunity for readers to interact with top authors" as well as to "discover up-and-coming Christian writers." Part of the overall plan is to drive people into stores to buy more books, and Mark mentioned that they are going to work with local bookstores and churches, making this show a catalyst for Christian publishing instead of just making the event itself a big selling opportunity.

Oh... And they're going to try and keep the cost to less than $20.

Frankly, I'm thrilled. CBE (I assume they're calling it "CBE," even if that's too close to "CBA") is no doubt going to see some involvement from music companies (since there are certainly musicians who write books), and from movie and entertainment companies (since many of them are translating Christian novels into film). But to think that somebody is trying to energize readers instead of retailers gives me hope for the future.

Yeah, I can already hear it... No doubt the people at CBA at upset with this plan. But they don't need to be. Theirs is a show for retailers. This is a show for authors and readers, and I think it has the potential to significantly re-shape the way we think about Christian books. Huge news. I can hardly wait.

Comments

[Mary]

Chip -- I've read your blog for some time and am intrigued with the whole CBA thing (for a lack of a better, more cool writer word). I'm a new Christian writer and just sold my first Christian non-fiction to Thomas Nelson. I would love to be at this event in Dallas, but I'm probably not appearing on the publishers' short list.

It sounds wonderful and I can't wait to see what happens. Who knows, maybe I'll make it to Dallas.

Thanks for keeping us all updated with the comings, goings, and happenings of the CB...uh, the Christian market.

Have a great one

[RefreshMom]

Mark should get you to write promo copy for the event Chip; you do a great job selling it! I might have to see what kind of excuses we can come up with to be in Dallas in March.

(And Mark, you've come a looong way since the Riley's Men's Dept. Congrats!)

[Brandt Dodson]

This IS going to be a big event, Chip. I plan on being there and I'm lookinf forward to a "hob knobbing" with other Christian writers and readers.

From your post, I can assume you'll be there too? :)

[Katy McKenna]

As a still-unpubbed author (but with my first novel finished and represented by a wonderful agent), I think the CBE sounds like the best vacation around--for READERS.

I'm in KC, but just may need to make the jaunt to Dallas. Thanks for the dates, Chip. I've got them on my calendar!

[M M Brown]

This sounds like a great idea. I am a Christian non fiction writer and have just published my second edition of On the Glory Road with God and His Angels. My book was God's idea and I had not envisioned ever writing about my visions and revelations of God and angels. How do we go about signing up for this event?

[Chip]

I'll be there. You can get more info by going to their web site -- ecpa.ORG and clicking on the Book Expo note marked "It's Your Event." Not sure if they're actually registering yet, but again, Mark tells me the cost is going to be less than twenty bucks. Amazing.

And one of the things I didn't mention in the blog is that the publishers are going to really push international reps to come -- so this could turn out to be similar to BEA, where there are a ton of foreign rights and subright deals being done.

So... Mark Kuyper used to work the men's department at Rileys?

[Cheryl]

Chip, you're going to make all of us want to try to get to this event :) I may be showing my ignorance with this question, but will this book expo be the kind of event where writers (even those who haven't had their first book pubished yet)will be abe to pitch their book ideas to agents and editors?

[chip]

It's only a guess at this point, but my guess is... Yes. Publishers will probably bring editors (since editors tend to gather if there are authors present) and that will mean agents will show up as well, Cheryl.

[Jennifer Griffith]

If you just watch the Olympic events without knowing the journey that brought each athlete to the competition, it's a bit flat. Like if you didn't know that Dara Torres was 41 and had competed in every Olympic games since 1984, her silver medals wouldn't mean nearly as much.

I use this example to say that this idea is wonderful. Readers want to know more about authors. The more personal contact, the more books will likely sell, keeping reading books alive and real for all involved. I agree, Chip. This turn of events in the industry is "good vision."

[sally apokedak]

This is great!

Maybe everyone has already seen this:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=9217185

but even though I'd heard about it all, it was a bit sad seeing it on the news like this. CBA changed "booksellers" to "retailers" so their name would reflect their product more accurately, but could it be that their mistake was not in having the wrong name? As if 'bookseller' turned people off and they needed to let people know they were selling a lot more than books. Could it be that they needed to change their product back to reflecting their original name?

I don't know about anyone else but I've never, ever, ever gone into a Christian bookstore to look for pajamas or candy. Unfortunately, I don't go into them looking for books anymore, either.

It would be nice to see them get back to their roots.

[Marci]

This is exciting news. Just reading about it makes me want to be there, as an author and as a reader.
:)Marci

[Dee Stewart]

I checked out the site. Is there any word will there be special author sessions with bookclubs?

[Danica]

Oh nice... I think you know where a lot of us will be in March.

[lisa DeLay]

Great post, of course.... and Congrats Mister!

I see Michael Hyatt lists you, of three, great agent blog to read.

I'm just stopping by b/c this is in the stratosphere of blogs. um no. I'm here constantly. . .picking around, rummaging, admiring the wise words . . .when I need to be staying on task, getting to my "breath-taking chapters." I'm sorry. Please, forgive me.

But really, I read his blog, and I thought, "Chip! My Chip!"

kudos. really cool.

-the "other lisa"
or to Jon Acuff "pa Lisa"

[Darcie]

Will this new structure affect book placement in stores? I'm still trying to figure out how a Christian writer can reach a target audience that doesn't shop the inspirational aisle or Christian bookstores.

How will a structure like this open to the public one work for young adult fiction? My audience is a Christian teen in a mostly secular world (public school etc) with little Christian support and her unsaved friends who love colorguard.

At the Colorado conference in May full proposals were requested by Christian houses, but as I'm looking at where books under the same label are placed, I'm wondering if I need to figure out a different route. Or, will a Christian house publish a book to be shelved in the general fiction area, or does the bookstore stick in in "inspirational" bases on the label alone?

I'm seeking some serious wisdom on this before ACFW. I also wonder if I should go ahead and submit my proposals to the three houses that requested it. Do I specify in the "target audience section" that my audience includes teens who don't know Christ?

Authors like Jenny B. Jones, Todd and Jedd Hafer and Adam Palmer write books I believe, will sell to a similar crowd if placed with general fiction/YA. I'd love to see Jenny next to Gossip Girl/Clique/A-List!

[Sue Dent]

"And they're expecting major media, the participation of every ECPA publisher, as well as most general market publishers who produce Christian books."

That's interesting wording. When did CBA ever recognize a general market mainstream publisher as a publisher who produced Christian books?

I think most general market publishers will stick with Book Expo and other venues. Book Expo America is expensive enough. I don't see many general market publishers finacially able to do both shows. And I certainly don't see them ditching BEA to attend something geared to a very specific market of Christians.

But you did say they were only expecting this. Nothing wrong with high expectations. :)