Evangelical Christian Publishers Association

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade association whose member companies are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide.^[1]

ECPA was cofounded by Hugh Revell Barbour and his brother Bill through a partnership with Christian publishers^[2] and has operated since 1974,^[3] with what the organization describes as a focus on "building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry".^[4]

Since 1978, ECPA has presented the annual Christian Book Awards (formerly Gold Medallion Book Awards) in several categories, including Christian Book of the Year.^[5][6][7] ECPA also presents the annual Christy Awards for Christian Fiction,^[8] the Top Shelf Awards recognizing book design excellence,^[9] and the industry's Milestone Sales Awards.

In 2021, ECPA created a Diversity & Inclusion Standing Committee and hired Jeff Crosby as president and CEO to succeed Stan Jantz.^[8][10]

Programs and services ECPA provides include Christian bestseller lists,^[11][12] and a weekly news publication, Rush to Press, that recaps industry news.

References

1. "ECPA Member Directory - ECPA". www.ecpa.org. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
2. Grossman, Cathy Lynn (May 10, 2023). "Hugh Revell Barbour, Innovative Christian Publisher, Dies at 93". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
3. Merritt, Jonathan (August 28, 2017). "The rise and fall of the Christian bookstore". The Week. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
4. "About ECPA". Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
5. Grossman, Cathy Lynn (May 6, 2021). "'Be the Bridge' Is ECPA Christian Book of the Year". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
6. Charles, Ron (May 5, 2015). "Rick Warren's weight-loss plan named Christian Book of the Year". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
7. Brewer, Robert Lee, ed. (2014). 2015 Writer's Market: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published. Writer's Digest Books. ISBN 978-1599638607.
8. Grossman, Cathy Lynn (April 28, 2021). "Jeff Crosby Named to Lead ECPA". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
9. "Top Shelf Book Cover Award Winners Announced". Publishers Weekly. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
10. Grossman, Cathy Lynn (July 13, 2021). "Stan Jantz Reflects on Leading ECPA". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
11. Sun, Eryn (30 December 2011). "Bestselling Christian Books of 2011: Burpo's 'Heaven is for Real,' Chan's 'Crazy Love'". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
12. Shellnutt, Kate (March 8, 2017). "Farewell, Jesus Junk? Christian Retail Finds a Deeper Purpose". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

External links

• Official website