Christian Small Publishers Association Gets a New Name

This month, Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA) celebrates its 15^th anniversary and embraces a new name. The organization has changed its name to better reflect the current publishing landscape and the authors and publishers it serves. The association is now known as Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA).

Over the past 15 years, the publishing industry has undergone tremendous changes. According to R.R. Bowker, the official U.S. ISBN agency, the number of independently published books has grown by 156% over the past six years. Since CSPA’s membership is comprised of both small publishers and independently published authors, the name change was instituted to better reflect who is being served.

The mission and focus of the organization stays the same: To provide information, tools and resources to strengthen small publishers and independent authors, and to continue to represent this group to the larger Christian book industry.

Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) offers the same great benefits as CSPA, with new benefits being added for 2019. Membership benefits include:

• A monthly e-newsletter packed with marketing tips and industry updates.
• Cooperative advertising opportunities including a print catalog, magazine ads, and eblasts.
• Quick reference guides and on-demand seminars on publishing and marketing.
• List of radio and podcast media actively interviewing authors.
• Book Launch Marketing Checklist.
• Tradeshow representation.
• A book review program.
• Free title setup and revisions with IngramSpark.
• Free title setup with Lightning Source.
• Discount when ordering ISBN.
• Discount on Publishers Weekly subscription.

Membership in Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) is just $90 for the calendar year. You can join today at www.christianpublishers.net.

Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) will continue to sponsor the Christian Indie Awards for Christian books by small publishers and independent authors. Voting for the 2019 Awards opens February 1, 2019. Watch for the announcement.

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The Hidden Benefit of Winning a Book Award

Awards signal success to the world. Winning a book award provides numerous benefits including:

1. Increased visibility for the book and author.

All awards send out press releases announcing the winners. Having your book listed both in the press release and on the award’s website increases your visibility.

2. Increased opportunities for publicity.

Authors can also create press releases announcing that their book has won an award, garnering publicity. Media outlets are more likely to interview an award-winning author. In addition, announcing the award in your email newsletter, on your website, and on your social media sites brings you more exposure.

3. Increased perception of credibility of the book and author.

An award signals to book buyers, reviewers, and the media that your book is trustworthy and provides an excellent read.

4. Increased perception of the book’s value.

An award shows the public that your book is worth their time to read it and worth the money they will spend on purchasing it.

5. Increased sales.

Studies show that when presented with two similar books, book buyers will choose the one toting an award over the non-award winning book.

Book awards also carry hidden benefits. One big hidden benefit of winning a book award is increased author morale and confidence.

Winning a book award lifts an author’s spirit. It provides an author validation in a way that positive reviews cannot. It tells the author that their book stands out above others.
Increased author morale and confidence can have long-lasting effects:

• It can spur an author to write more books.
• It can provide an author the confidence he needs to launch a speaking career.
• It can help the author persevere in marketing and promoting her book.

Of course, you cannot win an award unless you enter your book into awards. Only one month remains for you to nominate your book for the Christian Indie Awards. The deadline to nominate a book is November 15, 2018.

The Christian Indie Awards exist to recognize outstanding Christian books by Indie authors and small publishers. Books published in 2017 or 2018 are eligible for nomination. Books can be nominated by an author or a publisher.

To nominate your book for the Christian Indie Awards, CLICK HERE.

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Photo courtesy of Hannah Olinger.

Book Awards Help Promote Books

We have so much information presented to us every day that we remember very little of what we encounter.

Hence, keeping your book in front of readers on a regular basis is required for readers to remember your book. Most authors find it challenging to consistently keep their books in front of prospective readers in a fresh new way. Book signings, author events, reviews, and readers’ testimonials all provide great fodder for putting out fresh news about books on your author website and social media accounts.

Fresh news about your book gives you a creative way to continually put your book in front of your target audience. Each time your audience hears something new about your book, their memory is refreshed and they are reminded that your book is worthy of an investment of their time and money—increasing the chances that they will make a purchase.

Did you know that nominating your book for a book award gives you a fresh piece of news about your book?

An independent author who recently nominated her book for the Christian Indie Awards included the following note with her nomination.

I would like to express my deep appreciation for providing me and other small Christian authors the wonderful opportunity to enter the Christian Indie Awards. You encourage by recognizing the gifts our Lord has given us. Just the chance to enter is a real honor.

I agree with this author. It is an honor to nominate your book. God has given you a message and now you have the opportunity to nominate it for further recognition. So, share this honor with your audience. After you nominate your book for an award, announce to your audience that your book has been nominated for the award.

Readers take notice of book awards. The mention that your book has been nominated for a book award is one way to raise the level of prestige for your book. You can use your nomination (even if you nominate the book yourself) in promoting your book. Of course, if you win the book award, your book’s reputation will rise to a new level and you will be handed more news and promotional opportunities for your book.

If you have published a book that promotes the Christian faith in 2017 or 2018, your book is eligible for nomination to the Christian Indie Awards. You can head on over to www.christianaward.com and nominate your book. Then announce to your audience via your website, newsletter, and social media that your book has been nominated for the Christian Indie Awards. It’s fresh news that allows you to keep your book in front of potential readers.

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Call for Nominations

The Christian Indie Awards recognizes Christian books by small publishers and independent authors. Nominations are now being accept for the 2019 Awards.

The Christian Indie Awards are open to any small publisher or independent author who has published a Christian book. To be eligible to nominate a title, you must meet the following criteria:

• Books must be Christian in nature, promote the Christian faith, and intended for the Christian marketplace.
• Books must be published with a 2017 or 2018 copyright and released for sale in 2017 or 2018. New editions of previously published books are eligible.
• Books must be printed in English and available for sale in the United States.
• The nomination of a title must be made by the publisher or author of the book.
• Eligible publishers must be small presses or independently published authors with revenues of $450,000 or less per year.

The awards are offered in 18 categories. To nominate your title visit the Christian Indie Awards website at https://www.christianaward.com. Nominations are accepted through November 15, 2018.

Check out these 10 Reasons to Enter a Book Award contest.

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Nominations Open for the Christian Indie Awards

“Winning a book award is probably the most rewarding experience that I’ve encountered as a first-time author.”

This statement was shared with Christian Small Publishers Association (CSPA) by a winner of the Christian Indie Awards.

Winning a book award is one of the best promotional tools an author can have. However, you can’t win a book award unless you enter a book contest.

Nominations are now OPEN for the 2019 Christian Indie Awards. Any Christian author or small publishers can nominate a Christian book published in 2017 or 2018 for the award. Nominations can be made on the Awards’ website at https://www.christianaward.com.

Of course, there are always reasons NOT to enter a book award. Here are ten.

 

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