Oprah’s production team has announced airdates for the recorded program Life Class that will feature Gary Chapman and his long-time bestselling book, The 5 Love Languages (Moody Publishers). The program will air on OWN on Sunday, February 10 and Monday, February 11. (Check local cable listings for times.) The program might re-air a number of times on OWN: it will also be available for viewing on www.oprah.com.
The Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and Brill Academic Publishers have terminated their 2002 co-publication agreement, effective January 1, 2013. Brill will no longer publish hardcover editions of new SBL titles but will continue selling backlist through December 31, 2013. After that, works originally included in the co-publication deal will be available only from SBL. Hardcover editions, especially for the library and institutional markets, will once again be part of the SBL publication program, along with paperback and digital editions. SBL’s paperback publication of a limited number of Brill titles each year is not affected by the termination. All titles SBL has already published in paperback will remain available from the Society, and at least ten new Brill titles will be added each year.
InterVarsity Press has been named a 2013 Best Christian Workplace, the only publisher to gain this recognition. The Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) is a research-based organizational and human resources consulting firm. To achieve certification, organizations must complete the Best Christian Workplaces Institute employee engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence.
The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is accepting entries for the 2013 Wilbur Awards until February 4. The Wilbur Awards recognize excellence by individuals in general media—print and online journalism, book publishing, broadcasting, and motion pictures—in communicating religious issues, values and themes. Past winners have worked for The Oregonian, Oklahoma Today, Entertainment Weekly, CBS News, Simon & Schuster, motion picture production companies; local radio and television stations; blogs; and other electronic media. The Wilburs, given since 1949, are named for the late Marvin C. Wilbur, a pioneer in religion public relations and longtime council leader. The awards will be presented April 6 in Indianapolis, Ind., during the council’s national convention.
Barbour Publishing title Wreath by Judy Christie has been named Pulpwood Queen’s 2012 Teen to Adult Crossover Book of the Year. The Pulpwood Queens book club was established in 2000 by Kathy Patrick, a licensed cosmetologist turned publisher’s rep. The club has grown to 550 chapters and 3,000 members, who vote annually for their Books of the Year. Winners for 2012 were announced in December and received their awards at the Pulpwood Queen’s annual Girlfriend Weekend, January 17-20, 2013, in Jefferson, Texas.
Baker Publishing Group has expanded its distribution partnership with MBS Direct Digital to include e-books from its Bethany House, Revell, Baker Books, Baker Academic, Chosen, Brazos Press, Cambridge Bibles, and GOD’S WORD® Bible imprints and divisions for the education market. MBS Direct Digital textbooks can be read on most e-readers, tablets and smartphones.
The Dove Foundation has added a books category for its reviews and endorsements. Dove’s “Faith Friendly” and “Faith Based” seals identify films that contain religious content; now books have been added and its Web site has been retooled to include the books category. Dove’s reviews of theatrical films and DVDs reach an estimated 1 million online viewers through www.dove.org and several syndication partners’ Web sites. Reviews and endorsements also are sent regularly via e-mail to approximately 80,000 supporters and subscribers.
