To help independent Christian retailers in the coming year, NavPress is launching the $5 Book Deal. Begining in January and continuing every other month through December 2010, independent Christian stores can purchase that month's preselected title for $2.75 and then sell it for $5. Every book in the program is a NavPress top seller by a well-known author.

The $5 Book Deal lineup includes The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges (January), Living the Resurrection by Eugene H. Peterson (March), Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald (May), Dark Blue by Melody Carlson (July), Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow (September), and Abba's Child by Brennan Manning (December).

"The $5 price has been the magic number over the past year or two in retail," explains Eric Helus, NavPress Sales Manager. "Our yearlong offering helps make a sampling of our best-selling titles available at a price point that will allow the reader who might not be familiar with or interested in buy and read these books. At the same time, retailers can cross promote the $5 books with the respective author's other titles to increase sales."

The first order for each book is required to be a minimum of 25 units. Retailers can sign up for all six titles in advance or purchase on a custom basis. Orders are nonreturnable; terms include free freight and 30 days. These bestsellers can be ordered by contacting NavPress or a Noble Marketing representative.

A month after its release, The Message//REMIX: Solo [Pink Edition] is having a positive impact on those dealing with breast cancer. NavPress has received numerous accounts of how the devotional Bible is a source of hope not only for those facing breast cancer, but also for their families and friends. A recent report from the Munce Group drives this point home.

“The Munce Group and our new initiative ChristianContest.com had an enter-to-win contest featuring Solo [Pink Edition] in early October," explained Graham Munce. "One of the five winners was Kristie, who sent an email telling us how encouraged she was to be receiving Solo [Pink Edition].”

According to Munce, Kristie wrote: “Thank you so much. This is perfect timing as my aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has already had surgery but has chemo yet to come. It will give both of us much needed guidance in this difficult time.”

“We're glad to hear how Solo [Pink Edition] is helping people at a time when they need support and God’s Word,” said Mike Miller, president of NavPress.

NavPress has developed a website to share people’s stories about dealing with cancer. Visitors to www.solopinkedition.com also can send ecards and view videos.

The Message REMIX//Solo [Pink Edition] by Eugene H. Peterson retails for $17.99. NavPress is donating a portion of the proceeds from every sale of the devotional Bible to breast cancer research.

NavPress is pleased to announce that two of its fiction books captured Book of the Year awards from the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Sharon Hinck won in the Speculative category for The Restorer’s Journey and Jenny B. Jones took home the award in the Young Adult category for The Big Picture.

“At NavPress/TH1NK, we’ve been honored to work with some of the industry’s best fiction authors and look forward to publishing more life-changing resources in the future,” says Rebekah Guzman, senior editor for NavPress.

The mission of ACFW is to promote Christian fiction through developing the skills of its authors, educating them in the market, and serving as an advocate in the industry. The group offers a variety of services and benefits to members in an effort to fulfill its mission to encourage writers of Christian fiction, develop their skills, educate them in the market, and provide fellowship for writers of like interests.

NavPress announces that Souvenirs of Solitude by Brennan Manning (releasing Oct. 15) will be part of the NavPress Blogger Review Program in October. Participants in the Blogger Review Program only need to follow a few steps to receive a free NavPress book to review online.

Souvenirs of Solitude guides readers into going deeper with God and waiting on Him in silence. Beloved author and retreat leader Brennan Manning shares his wisdom, stories, and heart from his own experiences in solitude. Souvenirs of Solitude also includes an eight-day retreat guide.

Also available in October are Thriving Despite a Difficult Marriage by Michael Misja and Chuck Misja, The God Who Smokes by Timothy Stoner, and Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.

NavPress has named Barry Sneed its new vice president. Sneed will focus on church and denominational relations and help with the development of core discipleship and spiritual formation models and tools.

“We are very excited to have Barry become part of the NavPress team,” said Mike Miller, president of NavPress. “His expertise and background make him the ideal person to help NavPress meet the needs of the church. His experience in understanding discipleship and spiritual formation processes will be critical as we connect with churches to assist them with their discipleship work.”

Sneed most recently was the Lead Church Consultant and Regional Director for Church Relations and Consulting of LifeWay Christian Resources. In this role he helped churches assess, strategize, and implement church health and ministry effectiveness. One of his greatest strengths is helping churches identify and achieve their potential. He has also served in the local church for more than 20 years and was director of LifeWay's Discipleship and Family Leadership Department. At NavPress, he will be a member of the company’s senior leadership team.

“When the offer came, it was a ‘spiritual no-brainer.’ My heart and passion lines up with the biblical mandate to make disciples and with The Navigators’ calling to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost. That’s as missional as it gets,” said Sneed.

Sneed is the co-author of Jesus By Heart and Transformational Discipleship (both LifeWay Church Resources).