The first-ever Christian Book Expo (i.e., “CBE”) began yesterday in Dallas Texas. I’ve decided that I will post my daily activities, so that you who can’t attend can follow along vicariously. In case you missed it, I blogged about the details of this book festival a month ago.
Yesterday morning started out early with the GPA Invitational Golf Tournament. This is an annual event designed to raise funds for the Global Publishing Alliance (i.e., “GPA”). We played at the beautiful Tour 18 golf course in Flower Mound, Texas, just outside of Dallas.
I played in a foursome with Max Lucado. The tournament was a scramble format, and the weather could not have been better. Our score was not that great, but we had a blast. Hanging out with Max is always such a treat.
We finished up with lunch and then I came back to my room to catch up on email. I showered and then Gail and I met Mary Graham, who heads up Thomas Nelson’s Live Events group, which includes Women of Faith and Revolve. Mary is one of our very favorite people in the world, and it was good to spend a little time together.
We then met Tami Heim, our Chief Publishing Officer, and Wayne Hastings, our Senior Vice President of Bibles, Reference, & Curriculum. We took a cab over to the Dallas Convention Center for the 2009 Christian Book Awards. This event used to be held in conjunction with the International Christian Retail Show (the event formerly known as “CBA”). This year ECPA decided to do it conjunction with CBE, since we are trying to get more visibility with the reading public.
We had a lovely dinner and then the program began. Books were nominated in six categories. We had five nominations overall. The winners were:
- Bibles: The ESV Study Bible (Crossway Books & Bibles)
- Children & Youth: For Young Men Only by Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice (WaterBrook Multnomah)
- Christian Life: Spectacular Sins by John Piper (Crossway Books & Bibles)
- Bible Reference & Study: Dictionary Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, Writings (InterVaristy Press)
- Inspiration & Gift: Holiness Day by Day by Jerry Bridges (NavPress)
- Fiction: The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Multnomah)
In addition, The ESV Study Bible from Crossway won the prestigious “Book of the Year” Award.
This was definitely the year for small presses. None of the big three—Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, or Tyndale—won any awards. Personally, I was glad to see the ESV Study Bible win. It is a superb product and it deserved the accolades. Lane Dennis, the publisher, is also a good friend, and someone for whom I have the utmost respect.
Gail and I got back to our hotel room at about 10:30, and fell into bed about midnight—after I worked on this post, of course.
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Re "small" presses — Mike, isn't Waterbrook Multnomah owned by Random House?
Yes, but as far as I know, it operates as a free-standing business unit.
"In addition, The ESV Study Bible from Crossway one the prestigious “Book of the Year” Award." Do you mean won? Just curious…
Yes, sorry. I have corrected the typo in the post.
Well it's one of my favorites. :)
I'm glad Jerry Bridges won! I haven't had a chance to read that specific book but I've read many of his earlier titles. I had the privilege of being in a Bible study he led back in the summer of 2005 (at a collegiate Navs summer training program). He is such a wise man, very humble and still passionately pursuing Christ after decades of service in His name. He left quite an impression.
Sounds like you're having a good time. Wish I could be there too.
Greetings from the Authors Lounge at CBE! Michael, thanks for these posts! We are just sending people to your excellent blog, instead of writing about it on our sites. Mark Kuyper and everyone at ECPA are AMAZING and so gracious. We hope this event becomes a permanent part of the landscape for Christian authors and Christian publishers. Blessings, David & Lisa