Atlanta-based pastor and author Louie Giglio makes his debut on PW’s Religion Nonfiction Bestsellers list with his May release, Goliath Must Fall—a reinterpretation of the story of David and Goliath that likens the giant in the story to threats such as rejection, fear, and anger, according to the W Publishing Group. Marketing and publicity for the book included a partnership with the Bible reading app, YouVersion, to create a seven-day reading plan for users based on content from Goliath Must Fall, which attracted 200,000 initial subscribers, the publisher told PW. Additionally, pre-order and launch promotions took place at retail outlets including Christian Book Distributors, Barnes & Noble, and Lifeway Christian Stores that featured special pricing, a free video message from Giglio, and instant access to free digital chapters from the book.
Shauna Niequist returned to the Religion Nonfiction list at #7 with Present Over Perfect after slipping off the charts in April. A publicity push for the 2016 book surrounding Mother’s Day included top placement in Target as well as a promotional videos featuring Niequist which played in stores. Further, Niequist recently appeared in the first issue of the Magnolia Journal, HGTV star Joanna Gaine’s new quarterly lifestyle magazine.
Rob Bell, author of 2011’s controversial Love Wins (in which he argues that hell does not exist), also debuted on the Religion Nonfiction chart at #8 with his latest, What Is the Bible? A pre-order campaign included free bonus materials including content that was cut from the final version of the book. Promotional excerpts, quotes, reviews, and book trailers were posted to Facebook First Reads, Facebook Live, and more. Ads were also placed in Relevant magazine, Sojourners, and Progressive Christianity, and Bell attended bookstore events in eight cities, including two ticketed, sold-out events at Anderson’s Bookshop in Chicago and Powerhouse Books in Brooklyn.
Novelist Richard Paul Evans topped the list in Religion Fiction with The Broken Road, the first book in a new trilogy that explores “redemption, grace, and second chances,” according to the publisher Simon & Schuster. Promotion for the book included digital ad placement on Hallmark.com and Pandora, regional radio and television advertising in the author’s home market of Salt Lake City, a five-city book tour, and coverage in print and digital media.
