In the midst of a steady diet of bad news, it’s nice to come upon some encouraging signs. First, if PW’s Fall Religion Announcements (July 26 issue) are any gauge, publishers in the category are investing in a better time to come, with increased title output for that critical season. There are big books from major authors and a healthy crop of offerings in all of religion/spirituality’s multifarious subject areas. Second, according to Above the Treeline data released last week, in the first half of 2010 large indie bookstores—those with annual sales of more than $2 million—saw a 1% uptick in sales. Many religion specialty retailers are among the 51 stores that report. While small in the great scheme of things, that increase still moves religion books in the right direction, a sign of hope for all of us who care.