Baker & Taylor Publisher Services (btpubservices.com), a leading provider of sales and fulfillment services to book publishers, is pleased to announce the signing of a full-service sales and distribution agreement with the SPCK Group, effective July 1, 2021 – US/CAN only.

The SPCK Group is the one of the world’s leading Christian publishers, formed following the acquisitions of Inter-Varsity Press UK as well as Lion Hudson by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, a publisher founded in 1698. Under this arrangement, all three lists will be available from BTPS.

Lion Hudson (lionhudson.com) is a renowned Christian publisher that features an extensive list of award-winning books for adults and children under several imprints, including Lion Books, Monarch Books, Lion Scholar, Lion Fiction, Lion Children’s Books and Candle Books. Its mission is to “see literature that challenges, encourages and leads people to God, whatever their background, with titles that cover a broad spectrum of faith-based publishing. 

Inter-Varsity Press UK (IVP UK, ivpbooks.com) is an evangelical Christian publisher that arose from the Christian Union movement in the U.K. Its mission is to publish Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission throughout the world. 

SPCK Publishing (spckpublishing.co.uk) has been publishing Christian books since the 17th century and is best known for its work with such authors as N.T. Wright, Rowan William and Richard Rohr. SPCK aims to publish the best Christian books in a range of genres, including theology, biblical studies, Bibles and children’s. SPCK Publishing also publishes spiritual fiction titles under the Marylebone House imprint.

“This new partnership with BTPS is a significant step for the SPCK Group in ensuring availability of all our titles in North America and growing the sales of our authors,” said Sam Richardson, CEO of SPCK Group. 

“We are honored and privileged to partner with the SPCK Group, including Lion Hudson, IVP UK and SPCK Publishing, whose solid reputation for incredible adult and children’s books is known worldwide for helping people grow in the Christian faith,” said Randy McKenzie, sales manager of BTPS’s Christian Division. CR

Organizers of The Gathering 2009, the new winter event for the Christian products industry, are offering a Christmas gift to two Christian retailers.

The storeowners or representatives will be given scholarships to attend the Jan. 7-9 event in Kissimmee, Fla., being sponsored by Christian Retailing magazine. The packages include airfare, registration and two nights’ accommodation each.