Official press release:

BET Networks is producing a new show that will search the country to find the best and most inspiring gospel singers for the launch of, "Sunday Best: The Search for America's Next Great Gospel Star!"

Many stars, from Patti Labelle to Mariah Carey, began their careers singing gospel hymns in church. Across America this Sunday, wherever gospel is sung п future superstars are belting out the blessed word. "Sunday Best" aims to find them -- and help them share their gift with the world.

Gospel music transcends all colors, backgrounds, socio-economic classes and musical styles. Its influences are present in Blues, Rock and Roll, Country, R & B, and many more genres. Some of the most successful artists today credit gospel music or singing in the church choir as being a huge inspiration in their lives and music careers.

Building off of American Idol's immense popularity Sunday Best will aim to reach the masses. We will not only showcase traditional gospel, but expand to include contemporary, Christian rock, Christian rap, and praise and worship music as well.

The final contestants will have a complete makeover done to their church, get a record deal and cash prizes.

... (More)

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With the release of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, many were shocked to discover the Harry Potter finale brought to light the Christian symbolism percolating in the series all along. The Wall Street Journal proclaimed the blockbuster fantasy series by J.K. Rowling “subtly but unmistakably Christian,” in the tradition of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. (Some Potter fans, in fact, complained on http://mugglenet.com that they spent all these years reading a series that, in the end, they felt was trying to convert them.)

Further reading:
J.K. Rowling, Inkling? (On Religion)
Harry Potter for grownup believers (of all kinds) (On Religion)
The Gospel According to J.K. Rowling (Christianity Today)
Encouragement from Harry Potter (Marlo's Book Blog)
The Finale Is Magical, Even for Muggles (Wall Street Journal)
Harry Potter: Plenty of Stuff for Fans and Haters (Fantasy Fiction for Christians)

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Our friends at TitleTrakk.com are proud to announce a new addition: Every week they will be featuring The Miller Sisters comic strip on the home page!

Erica Well's online comic strip The Miller Sisters continues with Part 5, #5. Julia's inherited superpowers are revealed -- so, what does a Christian college girl do now?

Catch up on the story at The Miller Sisters Archives.

Visit Erica at myCCM.org/EricaWell
Visit TitleTrakk at myCCM.org/TitleTrakk

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Bethany House Publishers and author Robin Parrish have made available the first issue in a four-part Web-only comic story, "Guardian," based on characters from Parrish's Dominion Trilogy books Relentless and Fearless.

"Guardian," available at www.bethanyhouse.com/dominiontrilogy, fills in the gap between Relentless and Fearless, which released this month, and introduces a threat that takes a larger role in Fearless and in the final book of the series, due Summer 2008.

"Guardian" is written by Parrish with art by Tim Bates, and a new chapter in the four-part series will appear every two weeks.

ABOUT THE NOVEL
As earthquakes, fire, disease, and floods pummel the earth, its citizens watch in horror. But in the darkness there is hope—an anonymous but powerful hero the public dubs “Guardian” emerges from the wreckage. He is Grant Borrows, one of the chosen few who walk the earth with extraordinary powers, determined to uncover the secret behind this world-shattering cataclysm.

But when signs of a dangerous ancient prophecy begin coming true, dark questions arise about secrets Grant might still be harboring. The world teeters on the brink. But some refuse to let it fall. They are: Fearless.

“Robin Parrish is the kind of writer who understands how to entertain from the word go.His stories are sure to shape fiction for years to come.” —Ted Dekker, bestselling author of Saint and Showdown

“[Parrish] stands without question among the greatest writers of our generation.” —James Byron Huggins, bestselling author of The Scam and The Sorcerer

For years Robin Parrish has covered the world of Christian culture—music, books, film, comics, and more—as a journalist. Currently he serves as the founder and editor-in-chief of Infuze Magazine, a cutting-edge online magazine positioned at the intersection of art, culture, and faith. He and his wife live in North Carolina. Visit www.robinparrish.com.

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Posted by Brandilyn Collins on Forensics and Faith:

“While revenue in other sectors of the book industry remains flat, YA is booming.”
—Los Angeles Times*

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Teens are reading like never before with books like Eragon and the Harry Potter series fueling the Young Adult market. The growing rate of teenage readers, who want entertaining books that meet their spiritual needs, can now look to Zondervan. In May 2008, Zondervan will launch their Young Adult line with fiction titles by three of the top five selling Christian YA authors: Melody Carlson, Bryan Davis and Bill Myers.

“Book sales to teenagers are booming in the secular market. But there is very little out there for Christian teenagers,” explains Alicia Mey, vice president of marketing for Zonderkidz. “We’re excited to be able to fill this gap with the best authors in the business: Bryan Davis, Melody Carlson, Bill Myers, Robert Elmer, Brandilyn Collins and DJ Reynolds.”

To meet the interests and spiritual needs of a growing youth market, Zondervan will publish in a variety of genres, including chick lit, supernatural, adventure and fantasy for teenagers 12 to 15 years old. Readers can look forward to books by bestselling fiction author Brandilyn Collins. Collins will make her debut in 2009 bringing her trademark “Seatbelt Suspense” to the YA market. Author DJ Reynolds, the author of Scarlet MoonMidnight Pearls, recognized as an ALA 2005 Popular Paperback for Young Adults, will debut in 2008.

By entering this market, Zondervan will bring their family-friendly, Christian values to a group that is searching for the influence of Christ-centered books. In a recent study by the Barna Group, two-thirds of all born-again Christians make a profession of faith before age 18. Zondervan intends to publish ten titles a year to help provide the resources necessary for teenagers making this profession and commitment.

Added note: Brandilyn and her teen daughter Amberly are co-writing the three-book Rayne series, featuring Shaley O'Connor, 16-year-old daughter of a mega rock star. In the first book, Shaley discovers a body backstage. Worse, the victim is her closest friend on the tour.

Books 1 and 2 will be published together in spring 2009. Book 3 will come out that fall.

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Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy recently received a 2007 ESPY Award for "Best Coach," and  the Indianapolis Colts was named "Best Team." Dungy, the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl when he led the Colts to win the NFL championship in February, recently published his spiritual memoir Quiet Strength (Tyndale House Publishers).

Related link: MAN OF INFLUENCE

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Given the impending release of the final Harry Potter book, today's Washington Post reports on the explosive growth of Christian fantasy:

Christian fantasy, which had been a slow seller, has caught fire recently, industry analysts say, ignited by the success of the Potter series, which has sent some Christian readers looking for alternatives. Secular and Christian publishers are churning out titles aimed at the lucrative and growing audience of readers, who are snapping up an estimated $2.4 billion in Christian books a year -- about a 30 percent increase in the past four years.

Of course, the paper continues, the growth in Christian fantasy is actually part of the overall growth in Christian fiction:

The growth in Christian fantasy books is part of the recent escalation in sales of Christian fiction. Stirred by the success of the apocalypse-themed Left Behind series, publishers are producing works of Christian suspense, thrillers, sci-fi, romance, horror (the devil is a prominent figure), mystery and -- the latest trend -- "chick lit."

"Fiction has probably been the strongest category within the Christian book explosion," said Jana Riess, religion reviews editor for Publishers Weekly. "It's definitely leading the way."

NOVELISTS ON MYCCM.ORG
Creston Mapes
Marcia Laycock
Mary DeMuth
Amy Wallace
TL Hines
Robert Elmer
Tricia Goyer
Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Sta Akra Thriller Writers
Chris Well
Karen Kingsbury
Marlo Schalesky
Christa Banister
Eric Wilson
RobertLiparulo
Michelle D. Starr
Brandt Dodson
Mary Connealy
Rachel Hauck
In Memory of Jane Orcutt (1960-2007)

SIGN UP FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COPY OF THESE CHRISTIAN NOVELS!
A SHRED OF TRUTH Book Giveaway!
LEAPER Book Giveaway!
LIKE ALWAYS Book Giveaway!

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Erica Well's online comic strip The Miller Sisters continues with Part 5, #4. Julia's inherited superpowers are revealed -- so, what does a Christian college girl do now?

Catch up on the story at The Miller Sisters Archives.

Erica on myCCM.org

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There are now TWENTY-FIVE entries in  The Great Fake "CCM Magazine" Cover Contest vying for your votes! You can vote once a day! (There is still time to upload your own entry!)

STOP CALLING ME DAVID CROWDER

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From our friends at TitleTrakk:

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – In a unique twist on the film option process, THOMAS NELSON has announced that their leading thriller author Robert Liparulo (COMES A HORSEMAN, GERM) is partnering with director Andrew Davis (THE GUARDIAN, THE FUGITIVE, HOLES) on a new thriller to be developed into both a movie and a novel. Mike Medavoy’s Phoenix Pictures (ZODIAC, STEALTH, THE SIXTH DAY) has optioned the movie rights for the yet-to-be-titled project, which Thomas Nelson will publish.

“Robert Liparulo and Andrew Davis is a match made in storytelling heaven,” says Liparulo’s publisher Allen Arnold. “Liparulo writes extraordinarily exciting suspense and action stories and few filmmakers have done better in that genre than Davis.”

Liparulo and Davis will co-write the screenplay, which Liparulo will solely pen into a novel. The plot centers on a military construction project in Illinois where evidence of the oldest known settlement in the Western Hemisphere is uncovered. Soon after, the lead archeologist makes an even more startling discovery: the remains of a recent murder victim. Fearing that an investigation will jeopardize the archeological treasures of the site, he and his team - accustomed to piecing together clues to solve mysteries - decide to investigate on their own. What they uncover is a conspiracy bigger than they could have ever possibly guessed, one that threatens thousands of lives and the U.S. government itself.

“Thomas Nelson is focused on entertainment driven properties,” Arnold continued. “This project is a natural given Liparulo’s acclaimed writing and the connection with top Hollywood talent who are committed to making this into a movie before it is even written.”

Read our interview with Robert Liparulo here.
Read our review of Germ here.

Related links on myCCM.org:
myCCM.org/RobertLiparulo
myCCM.org/StaAkra
myCCM.org/TitleTrakk

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Dreamland Chronicles creator Scott Sava is writing a new family-friendly project called Pet Robots, coming soon from Blue Dream Studios. Here is Blue Dream's description of Pet Robots:


Comics news site Newsarama has a 29-page preview online in three parts:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

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Comics creators, take note:

DC Comics is starting up a new website, Zuda Comics, to search for and buy the greatest web comics. Artists are able to submit up to an eight panel comic to be judged by DC editors. Starting October, Zudas editors will select 10 entries each month for which the community can vote. Each monthly winner will be awarded a one-year contract (52 issues) to produce their comic. Details at Zuda Comics.

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If you are a recording artist, you have the opportunity to be in the running for a spot on The CCM New Music Collection, Vol. 2!

For those of you just joining us, here’s a quick refresher: CCM Magazine is now providing two annual sampler CDs to our subscribers (just think along the lines of Paste Magazine). To that end, the “official” copy we now using on all marketing materials reads: New in 2007: A one-year paid subscription now includes 11 monthly issues, plus TWO sampler CDs totaling over 30 full-length songs of the year’s best new music!

Yes, to clarify, CCM is now publishing 11 issues rather than 12. This fall, there will be a combined November/December DOUBLE issue which will include the year’s 2nd sampler CD (The CCM New Music Collection, Vol. 2) stitched into the magazine (again, think Paste Magazine). What’s more, the CD will be stitched into the magazine IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO-PAGE SPREAD HIGHLIGHTING THE ARTISTS/CUTS FEATURED ON THE CD! This is the CD for which we are now accepting submissions.

There is no cost to artists or labels to be included on this sampler CD. If your cut is selected for inclusion, it’s on the CD free of charge. However, we will require gratis/promotional use permissions for the cut. Thus, we’ll require your help and participation in getting permissions from publishing arms, labels, and any other interested parties.The deadline for submissions for the Nov/Dec sampler CD (The CCM New Music Collection, Vol. 2) is Wednesday, August 1, 2007.

Furthermore, for all cuts chosen for inclusion on the CD, we will require masters and final clearances from artists, labels, and publishers no later than Friday, August 17.

So, when you’re sending in submissions, please be cognizant of the second date—August 17. If you know that you cannot provide clearances/permissions by August 17 for a particular cut, please do not submit the cut at this time. There’s always the next sampler CD!

Now, let the games begin! Please feel free to submit the cuts you’d like us to consider for this sampler CD (with a maximum of 2 cuts from any one project). You may send over CDs or email (addresses below) digital tracks (with emailing digital tracks being the preferred option for this first part of the process).

Here are a few other items you may want to keep in mind:

* The sampler CD may include cuts both from established artists and newcomers—it really doesn’t matter because this CD is all about the music.

* Artists may be signed to major labels, indie labels or may be truly independent—again, it really doesn’t matter because this CD is all about the music.

* Those who send in complete albums must identify a maximum of two cuts to be considered from the album. Submissions from those who fail to follow this guideline will not be considered. Period.

* Again, please only submit cuts for which you’re sure you can obtain clearances by August 17.

* Did I mention the deadline for submissions is August 1?

For a better idea of what this sampler CD will be like, please refer to our current CD. Haven’t yet seen or received a copy of The CCM New Music Collection, Vol. 1? Check it out online: http://www.ccmmagazine.com/releases/11538712/

Send music to:
CCM Sampler Submission
104 Woodmont Blvd, Ste 300
Nashville, TN 37205
ccmcontest@salempublishing.com

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Erica Well's online comic strip The Miller Sisters continues with Part 5, #3. Julia's inherited superpowers are revealed -- so, what does a Christian college girl do now?

Catch up on the story at The Miller Sisters Archives.

Erica on myCCM.org

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CCMmagazine.com's "Fake CCM Cover Contest" is in full swing -- be sure to vote!

Here are some entries that best capture the spirit of the thing (go the actual entries to read all the fake coverlines!):















See all the entries (and add your own!) at CCMmagazine.com. You can vote once a day!

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As an indie artist, how do you get your music in the hands of like-minded audiophiles? One of the best ways is via CCM Magazine’s special “myCCM Independents’ Day” advertorial section in the upcoming September issue. Featured indie artists will be asked to send in album cover art and a 50-word description of their music. Links to artists’ myCCM.org profile pages will also be featured prominently—which means CCM Magazine readers will be able to find you online immediately! (Check out the “myCCM Independents’ Day” spread in CCM’s July issue to see what we’re talking about!) In addition to all this, we’ll set up a special feature page on myCCM.org with your “myCCM Independent’s Day” listing—to which we’ll link direct from the CCM Magazine Digital Edition and in a CCMmagazine.com Newsletter. The best part? You get all this publicity and exposure for only $150. That’s right … only $150.

The catch? Time is of the essence! You must get in touch with us ASAP! The September issue will be going to press soon—so all participants must be finalized by Monday, July 23! Plus, there’s limited availability. So, if you want to be included, please EMAIL us TODAY at Indies@SalemPublishing.com.  Again, the magic email address is Indies@SalemPublishing.com!

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