Integrity Publishers, the Christian book publisher established by former Nelson/Word president Byron Williamson in summer 2001 as a division of Integrity Media, released its first 16 titles in the second half of 2002 and generated revenue of $4.1 million, slightly beating Williamson's target of $3.7 million. The company had six titles hit the Christian Booksellers Association bestseller list in those six months, led by God Will Make a Way and The Right Thing, both of which have sold more than 100,000 copies.
Williamson plans to build on the momentum created by Integrity's first list by releasing 36 titles this year, including a number of titles from well-known authors such as Larry Crabb and Ravi Zacharias. "I'm very pleased with the authors we've been able to sign," Williamson said, noting that perennially bestselling author Max Lucado is set to do his first book for Integrity next winter. Crabb's Soul Talk and Zacharias's Recapture the Wonder are due out this spring. Williamson also expects good things from a fiction title, The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson. To augment Integrity's adult list, Williamson has just hired Laura Minchew to develop a children's product line that will include books, videos and audios.
Minchew, who had been publisher at Tommy Nelson, joins a management team including Christian publishing veterans Joey Paul, publisher; Rob Birkhead, senior v-p, marketing; David Howell, chief financial officer; Betty Woodmancy, v-p general market sales; and Barb James, v-p Christian markets. Williamson said that nearly half of Integrity's sales come from the general market that the company reaches through a commissioned rep group. Aside from editorial and marketing activities, Integrity outsources back-office functions and uses its parent company for certain financial services.
Williamson has also tied in to Integrity's music operation to develop the book group's offerings. The music division's very successful Songs4Worship line has resulted in a book series that has done well, and the book group is developing titles, including a Bible, related to the music group's iWorship albums. Williamson estimated that about 25% of Integrity Publishers' list is related to its sister division.
Williamson said he intends to keep Integrity's list to about 48 titles a year, a count that includes approximately 12 children's books. "We want to keep a manageable list and not stretch our resources too thin," Williamson said, adding that he estimates that the book group's revenue will reach $8 million this year.
The book units' parent company reported that sales for 2002 fell 6.5% in 2002, to $66.3 million, and net income declined to $2.2 million from $2.8 million.
