Archive for publishing

Jan
28

New Hope Publishers Marketing Strategist Position Open

by newhope

We are delighted to post a new position for New Hope Publishers. Please email HR@wmu.org for more information or to submit a resume.

Job Title: New Hope Publishers Marketing Strategist
Role: to serve as a member of the New Hope Publishers (NHP) Team, and to provide strategic direction to all marketing activities.
Responsibilities:
• Develops and implements strategic direction for marketing activities in collaboration with the NHP Team including marketing elements of http://NewHopeDigital.com/.
• Leads the NHP Team in the development of titles and covers, including research, testing, and evaluation.
• Reads manuscripts for key selling features and makes recommendations related to product specifications, quantity, and pricing.
• Directs the planning and management of marketing budgets and evaluates the return on expenditures. Guides the work of independent contractors.
• Plans sales initiatives with sales representatives and equips sales team with tools to successfully sell NHP books.
• Prepares for and represents NHP at trade shows for strategic sales initiatives including the NHP booth, sales goals, and promotions.
• Prepares metadata for the Master Products List, book and eBook distributors; and retail accounts.
Qualifications:
• Undergraduate degree in marketing, business, or a related discipline.
• One to three years progressive work experience.
• Skilled in communication (written and verbal), organization, project management, and strategic planning.
• Detail and multi-task oriented.
• Understanding of and involvement in a Christian community
• Knowledge of the publishing industry and experience using word processing and spreadsheet computer software, preferred.
To submit a resume to Human Resources:
email: HR@wmu.org
fax: (205) 995-4827
Address: 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242
For More Information about WMU, Visit:
http://wmu.com/
0 Categories : Blog
Jul
1

July 2011: Christian Publishing, the First Amendment, Church Planting Movements, and Reaching the Next Generation

by newhope

This month on NewHopeDigital.com we’ll be focusing on discipling tomorrow’s leaders, the youth of today. We return to the word discipling, echoing June’s theme related to disciple making at home and abroad. We want to disciple young people to grow into the men and women God wants them to be, so they will disciple others who disciple others who disciple others. A vibrant, infectious, obedient, joyful, domino-like cascade of people worshipping the Father in spirit and truth.

This is the key to spiritual renewal and kingdom expansion in our country and around the world. It’s the critical concept driving the explosive growth of the church today among certain peoples in China, India, and other regions. Because disciples can be lovingly nurtured, taught, and mentored in all kinds of contexts (a church building, yes, but also in homes, caves, prisons, factories, and slums) with no financial resources required, the movement is unstoppable. The way God planned it.

All that’s necessary is one willing and faithful believer, another person to disciple, God’s power released through prayer, and His Word (whether that’s in print; on tape, CD, or MP3; or hidden in the heart and retold.)

This is our critical commission and the ingredients necessary to begin. Pretty simple. Pretty daunting. So, if all that’s necessary for reaching the next generation is believers, the Bible, and prayer (my assumption is that they will group together into New Testament churches), then why blog, tweet, podcast, write, speak, and publish?

It is true that the requirements for fanning the flame of faith in the next generation are wonderfully simple. We should deeply consider this truth and focus on what is most critical. Returning to Christ’s methods for kingdom growth will surely require some changes in our current church culture.

But that does not mean all Christian publishing should cease. Far from it. The way I see it, we have a responsibility to heap more and more fuel on the fires of faith so the flames will rise higher and higher, reaching more and more people.

On what basis do I say this? First, in the US context, we enjoy the free exercise of religion, as well as freedom of speech and of the press. (Happy July 4th!) We must steward these freedoms for the advancement of the gospel. They are not ours to squander on our own comforts. Making wise and strategic use of our resources, we should publish as much God-honoring material as possible in as many ways/formats as possible to reach as many generations as possible.

Second, I trust our authors are called to teach and write and speak. I trust they have received these callings from God. They can be used by Him to encourage, bless, sharpen, comfort, and convict readers and listeners. They can spur us on to good works in Christ. They can help us see and savor Jesus. They dare not neglect their calling.

Therefore, we will continue to publish gospel-centered, missions-driven material. I hope you will be strengthened by this month’s content. Some highlights are:

1 Categories : Articles, Columns, Randy Bishop
Jun
15

What Is a Christian Book?

by newhope

This week Jason Dukes, author of Live Sent, led a workshop based on one of my favorite verses, 2 Corinthians 3:3. As a publisher, my favorite version of this verse is found in The Message. “Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.”

The Apostle Paul wrote these words in defense of his ministry. Christ was transforming those to whom Paul had been preaching. Paul was a great missionary, but he knew that only God could make Himself visible in the lives of these believers. God’s mark on their lives was divine, a permanent mark, a life changing mark, a deep and abiding mark, so visible that Paul wrote, “You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you” (2 Corinthians 3:2 MSG).

So what was God carving into the lives of these believers? Most certainly, it was a new moral order with new desires, new relationships, and a new worldview. Most certainly, it was peace, love, and joy etched into their hearts, and as a result they exuded fairness, generosity, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, honesty, humility, and work ethic like nothing seen before in their communities. Whatever was taking place, these believers were an open book for the world to read and their lives were so unique, so set apart in attitude and behavior, that the only explanation possible was the living Spirit of God carving God’s character into the depth of their souls.

This brings me to publishing. Books that have spiritual value are written by authors being transformed by God. When I look at a New Hope book, my mind doesn’t leap to the message of the book, but rather to the author who penned the book. If we have published someone’s book, it is because we saw evidence of the Christ-life in the author, and God’s living Spirit in the message the author was speaking and writing.

We publish what God is doing in and through His people. This is the value of a New Hope book. And I believe the only value of any book that claims to be “Christian” is found in what God has already done. Believers are who they are because of Christ. And Christian authors write books worth reading because God’s living Spirit has already written God’s message in their hearts.

0 Categories : Blog
Dec
23

Digital Publishing-Amazing!

by Andrea Mullins

Just when I think I have a grip on the morphing world of publishing, I realize I can’t begin to comprehend the creative application of all the methods that are now available to communicate. At times it seems that content is taking shape so fast that it is already available to the world before we can complete a contract.  And content that has been with us for hundreds of years can be shared in ways unknown to the authors so long ago.

Take the story of Jesus birth, for instance. Picture and story books, movies, cartoons and animation have been used to tell this story. But now the story can be told using the same social media we are engaged with everyday. Enjoy this little video and think about your book, your story, your message. What an exciting time we live in, for who knows what tools we will have to tell the story tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!

Andrea

0 Categories : Blog
Nov
14

New Study on the Growth of Digital Publishing

by Andrea Mullins

NOOKcolor screenA recent article in Publishing Perspectives by Edward Nawotka quoted a recent report from a study commissioned by the Forum d’Avignon and compiled by Bain & Co. that states that e-readers and other digital reading devices could be used by 15 to 20% of the developed world by 2015.  This means “an unprecedented opportunity for publishers and authors” as “digital formats are likely to represent 20 to 28% of industry profits in the medium to long term.” Wasn’t it just a few short months ago that digital revenue was in the low single digits?

One interesting finding in the study is that “men have outnumbered women as early adopters. Buyers of e-readers tend to have higher than average incomes, aged between 20 and the early 30s. Many are already avid readers, and more than 40% (52% in the United States) report reading more now than they did prior to owning a device. As the market expands, growth is expected primarily among women age 35 and older.” For New Hope, these demographics are perfect for who we are and where we are going. 

As a print publisher, I was glad to read that the biggest obstacle “to adopting a digital device, cited by 41% of respondents, is the unwillingness to abandon the paper experience.” I was talking to my daughter this week, an avid reader, who voiced her love of holding a book, of enjoying the way the book’s pages turned, how the paper felt, and how the print looked on the page. She can’t yet imagine giving up the joy of holding and reading a print book. Yet, according to the study, as e-readers evolve and have the ability to duplicate the experience of reading a paper book, the Bain report predicts that e-readers could capture as much as a third of the market.

I look forward to seeing how New Hope will evolve as we bring great content not only in digital form but enhanced formats to readers hungry for Bible study, personal growth, and quality fiction. The challenge of Great Commission publishing becomes more thrilling with every passing day. I’m so glad to be on this journey with my team and our authors.

0 Categories : Blog
Nov
8

New Hope Publishers Partners with WORDsearch

by Andrea Mullins

I’ve had a desire to provide more women’s titles through a Bible software program. As a user of the WORDsearch program for many years, I knew this would be a great resource through which we could begin to make available women’s books and Bible studies. I am copying the press release here for you. Please share this good news. If you are not using a Bible software program, I encourage you to consider the value of having your theological library with you wherever you go.

New Hope Publishers Partners with WORDsearch

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.)—November 4, 2010—New Hope Publishers has entered into an electronic publishing partnership with the software company WORDsearch. Included in the agreement are the “Called and Accountable” series by Henry and Norman Blackaby as well as a library of books and Bible studies by Jennifer Kennedy Dean, author of the best-selling Live a Praying Life Bible study.

Another element of the agreement is a new section for women. Women’s Bible studies, leadership, women’s issues, spiritual growth, mentoring, and parenting are some of the topics that will be available. “I have been using the WORDsearch program for years, and often noticed the need for more titles that appeal to women and women’s study groups,” commented Andrea Mullins, publisher for New Hope. “I look forward to partnering with WORDsearch to provide books that meet women’s needs and can be used in women’s Bible study groups.”

“It was my wife’s involvement in a small-group Bible study that first drew me into the Bible software field, yet most of our products today are aimed at pastors,” said Randy Beck, president of WORDsearch. “I’m looking forward to doing a better job of providing products for women’s study needs through our new partnership with New Hope.”

About WORDsearch

WORDsearch has been producing software and electronic books for the Christian market since 1987. The company’s products include WORDsearch 9, a powerful professional tool for pastors; Bible Explorer 4, the easiest Bible software available; LESSONmaker 8, a tool for small-group Bible study leaders; and InstaVerse, a tool that pops up Bible text when you point to a verse reference; plus a library of more than 4,200 volumes of electronic Christian books. For more information, visit www.wordsearchbible.com.

0 Categories : Blog
Nov
4

Digital Publishing-The Best Questions to Ask

by Andrea Mullins

I recently read an article that suggested two important questions to ask as we venture into the new world of publishing. “How does digital affect books?” or, “What does digital mean for the core ethos of publishing?” As a Great Commission publisher, the answer has to begin with the potential impact a book can have on a reader. I recently saw a Bible study on an iPad that included not only the book’s content but video, interactivity, and just about everything a reader could imagine wanting. As for me, I’m delighted to be reading on our Nook, touch a word and have instant access to a dictionary definition without having to break from reading my story.

But the question I believe is most important for New Hope Publishers in this digital age is, What can we do with the content that will bring the greatest spiritual value for the reader? If we answer this one question then it will of necessity include the issues of interactivity, community, entertainment, and accessibility.

I read several bloggers who are leading voices in the digital age of publishing. Some recent comments have been regarding the devaluing of book content. For instance, I shared the pain of one blogger to think a book that our authors, editors, and marketers have invested their hearts and time in would be delivered to a reader via pdf format. I agree with the blogger that this is cheating the reader as well as everyone involved in the creation of the content.

I also agree with another blogger who recognized the paradox that readers are expecting to pay less and less for content while they are willing to invest hundreds of dollars in the platform on which they read a book. His question and mine are, Do you think readers have any concept of what it takes to develop a good book?

So today let’s begin a discussion. This particular post is asking, Where do book ideas come from? How did you get the idea of a book you wrote? What happened in your life that caused you to want to write a book? Is this where a book begins?

I look forward to hearing from you.

0 Categories : Blog
Sep
23

Looking Back and Learning Forward

by Andrea Mullins

The New Hope Publishers staff spent yesterday looking back and learning forward as we reviewed our 2009 and 2010 seasons of books. We discussed acquisition, topic, author, content, cover and packaging, marketing and sales, and whatever else we identified that needed to be reviewed. The day was a day of affirmation, discovery, recovery, reflection, questioning, rethinking, relooking, planning, and just delighting in our wonderful books and authors.

We also discussed our future. We discussed our mission, our operating principles, our publishing plan, and our overall work. God’s faithfulness is evident in more ways than we can begin to give Him thanks. Wow, He is at work!

The day before we met I participated in a seminar for nonprofit managers and discovered a new way to approach our goals and measurements as a nonprofit with a mission that can’t be measured in dollars alone. I can’t wait to have a little time to explore our goals for 2010-2011 through a new process. This will give new meaning to our goals, and I believe we will be even more engaged in the outcomes because we will be connecting the dots between our mission and our vision as never before. Isn’t that what we want for our work and ministry?

Thank you to the many, many friends who sent birthday greetings today. I am deeply grateful for you.

0 Categories : Blog
Aug
6

Thriving Under Pressure

by Andrea Mullins

 

I walked through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens recently. The energy and creativity of God in nature is a perfect way to reflect on the mission and vision of New Hope Publishers and WorldCrafts.  I wasn’t alone but there weren’t many braving the nearly 100 degree temperatures that have been everyday occurrences all summer.

At first I wasn’t sure how many flowers would be blooming in the heat, but I discovered that in every difficult environment there are always a few who thrive.

Every flower on this bush had died except for this one branch. The other blossoms had given in to the heat, but these few buds continued to thrive. The branch caught my attention because of the yellow where all I had seen was green. Do you think that those who thrive under pressure become more visible as the crowd around them dwindles?

Thriving isn’t about size. So what is it about? These little flowers were jewels of white adding color in the summer heat. I probably wouldn’t have stopped at this spot but I saw the dangling strings of white calling out from below. Each flower was so delicate. Do you think the fact that they hang together gives them stamina even though they are small?

I came around a curve and there by the path were leaves of the same kind but one plant was white and one was red.

Apart they were nice, but beside each other they were stunning.

The variety of color caused me to want to see how I could put color together in my garden. Since I don’t have a garden, this will be a plan for the future. Meanwhile, how do we add color to the mission of New Hope and WorldCrafts?

The roses were abundant. I believe roses love the sun. I had to choose from the variety of colors so I wandered from bush to bush enjoying the options.  Do you have a favorite color? Whatever your color I am sure you would have found them in the rose garden.  This rose garden has accomplished its mission. How do we fulfill our mission?

While I was walking, a grandmother, mother, and two granddaughters crossed my path. People are our focus at both New Hope and WorldCrafts. We are thriving under pressure and perhaps because of this we will be ever more successful in fulfilling our mission.

2 Categories : Blog
Jul
16

Set Someone Free!

by Andrea Mullins

Set1Free Video
You would be surprised at how easy it is to set someone free from exploitation. WorldCrafts provides an opportunity for you and me to provide dignity, hope, and freedom to women and children around the world who face being sold, being used, being abused, or being trafficked and exploited for someone else’s needs. The Set1Free video helps tell the story of hope for freedom that WorldCrafts is committed to giving.

When we choose to invest our dollars in Fair Trade products we have assurance that those who are making the items are given an opportunity to participate in the global economy of commerce. We insure that those who are making the products are given fair wages, have decent working conditions, and a sustainable income to build for the future.

Women on every continent are in situations that restrict them from having many of the opportunities available to most of us. Join WorldCrafts in our Set1Free commitment.

Kazakh Egg Project

A group of ten women in a village south of Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan, have started a company called Ymit, which means “hope.” One of the ladies is Russian. She buys the well-known wooden eggs from St. Petersburg and then she and others hand-paint them with traditional colors and designs. Through this project, our contact hopes to help the women develop their small business so that they can support their families and their fellowship. Help your sisters in the former Soviet Union by purchasing one of these collectibles today!

See more stories and the beautiful handmade crafts that represent hope from around the world at http://worldcraftsvillage.com.

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0 Categories : Blog
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