"We are definitely seeing better entries each year as we go through," said Rick Hamm as he announced the winners of the 2010 Book Cover awards sponsored by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and Dickinson Press.

The nominated titles were "more focused" on connecting with different consumer groups and their interests said Hamm, director of RISC research at Marshall Marketing and judging manager for the program in its fourth year.

More than a dozen publishers submitted a total of 57 entries divided among four consumer groups: inclusives, profiled as those who value cultural and global awareness; pioneers, who are early adopters and seek emotional experiences; loyalists, who appreciate tradition and order; and individualists, who are aspirational and risk takers.

Winner of the category for publishers releasing up to 100 titles a year was Domesticated Jesus by Harry L. Kraus Jr. (P&R Publishing). It was chosen for its atypical imagery and "edgy design" appealing to pioneers, featuring a dog collar stamped with the book's title.

Selected top from publishers of 101-250 titles a year was 52 Things Every Kid Needs From a Dad by Jay Payleitner (Harvest House Publishers), aimed at loyalists, which was chosen for highlighting "simple truths" and a sense of responsibility.

Chosen first from entries by publishers of 250-plus titles annually was the revised and updated edition of Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller (Thomas Nelson). Judges appreciated the cover's "bold images" and designs targeted at individualists.

Michael Covington, ECPA's information and education director, said: "We believe in the power of covers to impact people's decision to pick up a Christian book, whether it's in print or digital, and to hopefully change their life."

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