Christian Retailing

'Enhanced' e-books of Christian best-sellers Print Email
Written by Eric Tiansay   
Thursday, 24 February 2011 02:58 PM America/New_York
Capitalizing on new technology, David C. Cook and Zondervan have released ''enhanced" digital books of two of the publishers' biggest best-sellers.

Cook is making available today an enhanced e-book of Francis Chan's first book, Crazy Love, which has sold more than a million copies and topped best-seller charts since it was released in May 2008.

Available for multiple platforms using the Zinio reader, the upgraded edition's features include a high-definition color display along with audio and video embedded directly into the pages, animation, clipping capabilities and social media connectivity. It is available at NOVOInk.com for $10.99.

The e-version of Crazy Love will be completely different from other enhanced e-books, said Ryan Dunham, senior vice president of sales and marketing for David C. Cook. "Previous Chan readers will experience Crazy Love in a totally new and more interactive way. Allowing deeper insight than the printed copy, the reader feels as if they are getting an opportunity to personally engage with Francis himself."

Meanwhile, Zondervan released in January an enhanced e-book of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life (PDL)—the best-selling hardcover nonfiction title in publishing history with more than 30 million copies sold since it was originally published in 2002. Retailing for $14.99, the enhanced version features added content and videos "based on eight years of reader interaction and personal reflection," company officials said.

"It provides a fresh new perspective to a perennial best-seller," said Verne Kenney, Zondervan's executive vice president of sales. "We see this as an opportunity to reach those who love PDL, and are interested in hearing new content from Pastor Warren, as well as a whole new audience of e-book readers."