Highlights From the International Christian Retail Show 2012

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Ambassador International ICRS Booth

Ambassador International ICRS Booth

For the last 15 years CBA’s International Christian Retail Show has been a mid-year marker for Ambassador International. This key show has presented us with many opportunities to get our product in front of important contacts nationally and international.

Below are some of the highlights of ICRS 2012, held last week in Orlando:

 

Author Signings

This year we had author of Marriage Triage, Stephen Goode; Florida’s very own Ruth Ellinger along with Cheryl Johnston and Ronni Scott contributors of the recently released Women of the Secret Place; authors John and Jo Crosby of the Called To

Ruth Ellinger's ICRS Book Signing

Ruth Ellinger’s ICRS Book Signing

series and Wherein the Lilies Grow and Bob and Kathy Basmadjian authors of children’s release Abraham’s Journey.

Each of the signings drew in a crowd and a lot of positive connections. A highlight being new contacts with the Florida Hospital System that could see a selection of our titles being used as resources in the hospital systems stores.

 

Author Interviews

In the weeks running up to ICRS our publicist is busy coordinating author interviews for each of the attending authors. ICRS 2012 interviews included Moody Radio, Christian Lifestyle Magazine, and Revelation Media Network.

 

Buyer Meetings

For me personally this keeps my days at the show occupied from early morning through to late in the evening. Meetings included connecting with our great buyers at Family Christian, Lifeway, Christian Book, Logos, Koorong Australia and Word Australia.

Ambassador CEO Sam Lowry

Ambassador CEO Sam Lowry

Although buyers are representing chains of all sizes in all regions of the US and far across the pond the common thread is eBooks — over the last few years buyers have all shared how they as retailers are stepping up to this shifting trend in reading. As publishers this excites us! With an extensive list of eBooks we’re thrilled to be able to be a part of this and make our product available in an instant to anyone, anywhere.

Next year we’ll head to St. Louis for ICRS.

Are you working on a book that needs launched to the world? Let’s us know. Submit your manuscript now and you could be with us at ICRS 2013.

3-Day Flash Sale: Buy 1 Get TWO Free

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buy1get2freeWe’re having a Flash Sale! Buy any Ambassador New Release and we’ll give you two free eBooks! Simply purchase your Ambassador book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, forward your receipt to [email protected] and let us know which two free eBooks you want from this selection:

Christian Living: Marriage Triage: A Guide to Healing for the Hurting Spouse, regularly $9.99

Christian Fiction: Crossing Values, regularly $9.99

Children’s: Chocolate Socks, regularly $9.99

You’ll receive two unique iTunes download codes worth a total of $19.98! Hurry, this incredible offer ends Sunday!

 

 

How Books Can Help You Live Like an Olympian

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AI_runningSome Olympic athletes seem to be designed to go for the gold. Take swimmer Missy Franklin– she has size 13 feet and a 6-foot-4 wingspan. But others are shockingly successful given what appear to be physical limitations. Forty-five year old Dana Torres narrowly missed competing in her sixth Olympics games, getting beaten out by swimmers 20 years younger. According to the Washington Post, in the past three Summer Olympics, 64 of the U.S. team’s 1,707 athletes have been age 40 and older — and they won 23 medals.

These inspiring stories are why I love the Olympics so much. I’m a runner, and although I probably won’t ever compete for the gold (or silver or bronze for that matter!) I am inspired and challenged to strive to improve my own personal bests. There is a lot that we can take from the Olympics and apply to our Christian lives.

One of the primary ways we can live like Olympians is through powerful, and often transformational, books. Of course we believe that the Bible is the best guidebook for being all that God calls us to be. And at Ambassador International we have many great biblically-based resources available to help you champion different areas of your life:

  • The Race by Sammy Tippit will help you to read the Bible through the eyes of a runner, building your character, strength and endurance, preparing your heart and mind for this life.
  • You can bring the gold standard to your marriage with the principles laid out in Marriage Triage. Author Stephen Goode will teach you to bring the dedication of an athlete to your relationship.
  •  If you wish to better your appearance we have What Is Beautiful — author Tica Tallent teaches the reader from years of experience on how to dress appropriate for their body type while giving glory to God.

If you’re aiming to better your personal best we have the titles to help get you in shape. Let us know what books have been game changers for you.

 

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Mississippi Nights Featured in Mississippi Magazine’s “Best of Mississippi 2012” Issue

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mississippi mag july aug 12The July/August issue of Mississippi Magazine features their compilation of the “best of Mississippi 2012.” And we’re excited to see Ambassador International fiction Mississippi Nights included in the issue. Mississippi Nights is the first of six books featured in the Heritage and Culture section of the magazine.

Mississippi Nights is the story of two brothers and one death. When Firefighter David Boyette’s fiancee dies in a car fire, he blames his brother, Sgt. Jeremy Boyette, for her death. Three years later, David returns home with a dark and devastating secret. With the help of family, a woman’s love, and a small child’s devotion, can David overcome insurmountable odds as he and Jeremy face the bitterness that enslaves him? Together the brothers must decide if the bond of brotherhood is stronger than resentment and hate.

Author DM Webb is a Mississippi native and she is passionate about her home state. She also drew from her experience as a volunteer rescue worker to write with conviction and accuracy. So if you’re looking for one of the best Mississippi authors, check out DM Webb’s Mississippi Nights.

Announcing a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale!

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BOGONow is the time to beef up your digital library with Ambassador International’s Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sale! Scoring your free eBook from iTunes is easy!

1. Purchase ANY Ambassador International book title from ANY online retailer. It could be a new release or an old favorite. Buy it from a major retailer (like Amazon or ChristianBook.com) or a mom and pop. You can snap up a hard copy or the digital version– just buy an Ambassador book now!

2. Forward your receipt to [email protected]. Show us proof of your purchase and let us know which FREE eBook you want. Choose from three HOT titles:

Christian Living:

Marriage Triage by Stephen Goode

Christian Fiction:

Crossing Values by Carrie Daws

Children’s:

Chocolate Socks by Holly Durst

3. We’ll forward you a promo code so you can download the eBook of your choice for FREE from the iTunes store! Quantities are limited so don’t wait! Offer ends July 31 or while supplies last.

Author Beth Marshall Spotlights Fallen Soldiers

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american widow projectBeth Marshall is a grief counselor and the author of A Time To Heal: A Grief Journal. Recently Beth had the opportunity to interview Taryn Davis, founder of The American Widow Project, a growing group of around 1300 young military widows. The average age of a service member killed is 26, creating a very young generation of military widows.

When Taryn was 21 years old her beloved husband, Michael was bravely serving our country in Baghdad, Iraq. Just 90 minutes after talking to her husband he was killed by a roadside bomb. In the wake of Michael’s death, Taryn didn’t know what to do with the unpredictable waves of sorrow she was feeling. She set out to find and talk with other young women who knew what it was like to be a young military widow. The American Widow Project has fulfilled a desperate need for these young widows. “By understanding how finite life is you can actually live a more fulfilling life,” says Taryn.

In honor of the Fourth of July holiday, we encourage you to listen to Beth’s moving interview with Taryn Davis. Beth’s book is a wonderful resource for anyone who has lost a loved one.

New Guidebook Equips Disaster Responders

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Chaplains of the BibleAuthors Hope to Prepare Chaplains and Volunteers for Crises

For immediate release: Record-breaking hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, mass shootings and more are becoming the new normal for our world. As an unprecedented number of people experience physical, spiritual and economic disaster, faith-based organizations are equipping an ever-growing army of chaplains and volunteers to meet the expansive needs of hurting people. Chaplains of the Bible: Inspiration for Those Who Help Others in Crisis (Ambassador International; May 2012; $12.99, paperback) is a new guidebook for those who want to be better prepared to serve the distressed.

Chaplains of the Bible teaches lessons in serving the hurting through leaders and prophets in the Bible including Moses, Nehemia, Elisha, Elijah and, of course, Jesus. “We may not think of these men as chaplains,” says author Richard Geyer, “but their experiences serving people in distress offer much in the way of biblical wisdom to guide us.” Chaplains of the Bible also includes a free bible study guide which makes it a great resource for churches and organizations working to prepare and equip chaplains and volunteers.

From Hurricane Katrina to the earthquake in Haiti, husband and wife authors Richard and Patricia Geyer have responded to dozens of disasters. But the Geyers know we don’t have to live in a hurricane zone or floodplain to encounter personal tragedies. “A friend who lost their job, a next door neighbor whose teen commits suicide or a loved-one diagnosed with cancer all need to experience the love of Christ,” says Patricia. “I believe Chaplains of the Bible can help prepare Christians to serve others in their hour of greatest need, wherever and whenever that may be.”

Patricia and Richard Geyer are senior chaplains ordained by the International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC). Patricia is also certified by the IFOC as a trainer and has received the Certificate of Specialized Training in Spiritual Care in Crisis Intervention and the Certificate of Specialized Training in Emergency Services from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Richard devotes his chaplain services to veterans. Dick and Pat have four children, seven grandchildren and three rescued cats.  They live on sixteen tranquil acres in Maryland.

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Win an Ambassador Children’s Book Library

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ChocolateSocks_CoverIn celebration of the launch of our new website we’re giving away an Ambassador International children’s book library! One lucky winner will receive copies of all of our latest children’s young adult titles including:

children's book giveawayEntering takes less than a minute! Simply head to our homepage and look for the graphic that says “Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long.” Enter your name and email address, then click “Enter Now.” You will not only be entered to win the Ambassador International children’s book library, but you will also be added to our email list so you can stay up-to-date about new releases, author news and specials. We’ll be collecting entries through the month of July so good luck!

Christian Publisher Ambassador International Launches New Website

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New and Improved Ambassador-International.com Features Full Social Media Integration

For immediate release: Christian publisher Ambassador International is excited to announce the launch of their new website, Ambassador-International.com. The new website includes many upgraded and fresh features:

  • Social Media Integration: Visitors can now comment, share, pin and tweet on every Ambassador book title or blog post.
  • Ambassador International Blogger Review Program: Bloggers are encouraged to sign up for the new Ambassador International Blogger Review Program as a way to receive free books in exchange for honest reviews.
  • Online Manuscript Submission: Potential authors can now submit manuscripts and information directly through the website.
  • Downloadable Book Media Kits: Media kits are now accessible directly through each book page. The PDF document can easily be saved or printed.
  • Book Databases Searchable by Genre, Author and More: Shoppers can quickly search for books by genre, author or even by what is most popular each week on the Ambassador website.
  • Direct Links to Retailers: Rather than operate an online store, Ambassador will now link shoppers directly to retailers they know and trust, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble, for buying Ambassador books and eBooks.

COO Tim Lowry says he feels the new website will be a great sales tool, but also an opportunity for ministry. “Our focus has always been to create content that changes readers’ lives,” says Lowry. “And now we hope this website will help put our content into the hands of even more readers.”

In honor of the launch of Ambassador-International.com, visitors are invited to enter to win an Ambassador children’s book library, featuring all of Ambassador’s recently published children’s and young adult books, a prize valued at more than $90. Entries will be accepted through the website until July 31.

Ambassador International was founded in 1980 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and expanded to Greenville, South Carolina in 1995. Ambassador International’s books and materials have been distributed in dozens of countries and are sold worldwide. For more information visit www.ambassador-international.com. You can also follow @AmbassadorIntl on Twitter or check out Facebook.com/AmbassadorIntl.

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