Always an insightful commentator on industry trends, book agent Chip MacGregor offers some more food for thought with his vision of the future.

Looking ahead five years, he speculates on the implications of the still-unfolding digital revolution.

Among his predictions, that the Web will replace trade shows and book catalogs. " The big book shows are dying--too expensive and not enough return to keep going," he says. "They'll be replaced with smarter, more cost-effective company events or Web-based specialty events. And publishers will soon buy into the green movement by doing away with printed book catalogs and going to web-based catalogs that are always accessible and easy to correct and update."

MacGregor also foresees a new role in publishing houses. "Creative content editors" will be needed to handle the "convergence of words and images" that he expects to come to the world of books--interactive features, downloadable extras, video clips and author interviews.

MacGregor's list also includes a wish-that the culture's fascination with short messages on Facebook and Twitter will mean a renewed interest in short stories. "Okay, this may not happen... but I can dream," he says. "Short stories are my favorite form of literature, and they are almost impossible to sell in book form these days. But perhaps the next generations' interest in all things short will mean a renewed interest in short stories. "

Find his 10-point vision of the future in the June 21 posting at http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com, and let us know what you think...

In early June, Sparrow Records and Steven Curtis Chapman sent out a call to his listeners for pictures to submit for a special Father's Day video of his song, "Cinderella." Listeners were asked to send father/child pictures for use in slideshow videos, which are featured below.

Also, on Father's Day, the Huckabee show on Fox News will be re-airing portions of a video interview with Steven and his wife Marybeth on Sunday evening at 8 pm EST and 11 pm EST. The couple discuss issues of faith and family following the tragic loss of their youngest daughter Maria Sue in May 2008.

A tie may be a classic gift, as LifeWay Christian Stores notes in an email promotion, but the chain and other retailers suggest Bibles may make a more meaningful gift for Father's Day.

LifeWay offers a $10n saving on The Ryrie Study Bible: Expanded Edition, NASB, which usually sells for $39.99. It also prices Tony Dungy's Uncommon at $19.99 ($5 off) and John Eldredge's Fathered by God at $11.99 ($3 off).

Family Christian Stores offers the same $5 saving on Dungy's book, while presenting three Bible bargains. The Life Application Study Bible is on sale for $44.97, down from $69.99, while Manual: The NIV Bible for Men is reduced from $36.99 to $29.59. An $8 saving is available on the Personal Size Mossy Oak Giant Print Bible, priced at $31.99.

Family's announcement also includes an exclusive pre-buy offer on Mark Schultz's forthcoming release, Come Alive. The chain is giving away a free copy of the singer's Closer DVD with each $11.97 advance purchase.

Mardel Christian & Education Supply knocks a sizable $50 off the regular price of The Archaeological Study Bible, reducing it to $29.99. The chain also offers a $20 saving on the new Men's Devotional Bible (priced at $19.99) and patriotic tee-shirts for $5 each.

Mardel's mailing also promotes Music Madness on Saturday, June 9, when CDs and tee-shirts regularly priced $16.99 or under are on sale for $7.99 each.

Parable Christian Stores' Father's Day promotion offers The Dad's Bible-NCV: The Father's Plan at 50% off, for $20. The email special includes an online-only, $5 off coupon on orders of $40 or more, through Saturday, and a Summer Fun Pack Giveaway drawing of $650 worth of "books, music and more."

“Lies,” “deception”.....strong words for a marketing campaign, especially one from the world's largest Christian publisher, Thomas Nelson. Warranted or not, the accusations are flying on company CEO Michael Hyatt's blog over a viral marketing campaign where readers can generate a fake news page to present themselves as co-authors of best-selling author Donald Miller's new book, A Million Miles In a Thousand Years, releasing in September.

I remember my first trip to a University of Tennessee football game in Knoxville, Tenn. Fear gripped my heart when I realized I hadn't worn any team colors, fretting I'd be the biggest oddball of the bunch in the big, orange sea of supporters questioning my knowledge of the team's history.

I can’t imagine when a music artist cuts a CD that he or she ever imagines the far-reaching impact it could have or the distance it might travel.

If you would have told worship leader Matt Maher that his CD Empty & Beautiful (Essential Records/Provident-Integrity Distribution) would be played during a NASA mission in space one day—not only once, but twice—he probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Some of gospel music's biggest stars are participating in A Gospel Tribute to President Barack Obama ($12.99, ATF Records/Central South Distribution), releasing June 9. The disc will include selections from Donnie McClurkin (“King Inside of Me”), Israel Houghton (“Send Me to the Nations”,” Jerard Woods (“I'm Gonna Make It”) and William Murphy (“Changes”).

Christian Retail Offers for the week of May 18

LifeWay Christian Stores has announced a one-week sale on Bibles, with may leading editions half-price through May 23, while stocks last.

Among the offers are The Archaeological Study Bible (reduced from $49.99 to $24.99), the NIV Study Bible ($39.99 to $19.99) and the NIV Audio Bible ($99.99 to $49.99).

Others titles whose prices have been slashed are The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV ($39.99 to $19.99), The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB ($49.99 to $22.49) and The NIV Adventure Bible ($21.99 to $10.99).

In addition, LifeWay is offering special prices on low-cost Scriptures for evangelism, with The Invitation HCSB New Testament available in case lots for 50 cents a copy. Almost 20 other bulk evangelistic editions are available, including The Atheist Bible, for $1.75 a copy.

While digital music-only releases have mostly been the products of experiments by independent artists, Amy Grant's recent iTunes exclusive release EP, She Colors My Day, is a sign of a new strategy from the Christian music pioneer, said her manager Jennifer Cooke.

Christian Retail Offers for the week of May 4

With Mother's Day just a few days away, moms are naturally the focus for all the major promotions, from gifts to books.

Mardel Christian Education & Supply focuses on Willow Tree's new "Roses in My Garden" line of figurines representing children of different ages and persinaltiires. The individual pieces are on sale for $12 each. Mardel's emailing also presents Love Takes Wing, the latest Janette Oke book to make it to DVD, for $14.99 (down from $22.99) through May 9.

Family Christian Stores offers The Love Dare: Legacy Edition for $18.39, reduced from $22.99, and the movie edition of the Fireproof tie-in for $11.99 (instead of $14.99). The special collector's DVD edition of the film is on sale for $19.99 (usual price $24.99).

Parable stores present "Music for Moms," with Francesca Battistelli's My Paper Heart 20% off for online purchases at $8.39. Kari Jobe's self-titled debut is priced at $10.49. The Parable promotion also spotlights Kate Gosselin's book, Eight Little Faces: A Mom's Journey (Zondervan), with an online price of $12.97 ($14.99 regular).

LifeWay Christian Stores features resources from speaker and author Beth Moore, including Praying God's Word Day by Day (reduced from $14.99 to $11.99) and A Woman's Prayer Life, down from $14.99 to $9.99.

CLC Christian Bookcenters presents a tabletop glass "mom" heart from Dicksons for $10.99, reduced from $15.99 among its gift specials. The Women of Faith Study Bible is reduced from $34.99 to $27.99, while Joyce Meyer's Never Give Up is the Deal of the Week, available for $14.99 ($21.99).

Christian band Rush of Fools stopped by the Christian Retailing office in Lake Mary, Fla., for a visit yesterday. I got to meet the Midas Records artists, pictured to the right, with myself and co-worker Felicia Mann, who is the Christian Retailing Web editor.

Rush of Fools is most well-known for their Christian radio hit "Undo," from their 2007 album Rush of Fools (EMI CMG Distribution). Their most recent album is Wonder of the World, which was released this past September.

For more information on Rush of Fools, visit their Web site.

Thomas Nelson is offering a free PDF of the New Testament from its upcoming The Expanded Bible, which releases in August. On his blog, Off the Shelf, publisher Wayne Hastings notes that the release is the latest in a series of “landmark” Bible products from the publisher in the past few years. He also explains the uniqueness of the Bible:

• It meets the needs of the contemporary student of the Bible by combining devotional reading and in-depth study in a completely new way. Users can now study the Bible while they read with study aids and resources placed in-line with the text of the Bible.

• It joins Bible text with traditional wordings, explanatory comments, additional wordings, literal meanings and expanded word definitions, all integrated within the text of the Scripture.

• It offers readers a unique Bible study experience by making them a part of the process and decisions made by scholars while developing a translation

The PDF download is available through Hastings' blog or by clicking here.

As I was looking through galleys of forthcoming titles recently, I came across a book that I thought looked interesting from a small but long-established publisher. It sounded like it might at least earn an online mention and so, before I assigned the review, I looked through more carefully. Centering on a “bucket list”-type theme, the book offered a set number of activities to do before you pass away (“hug someone,” “plan your own funeral”). Morbid topic but the book livened it up a bit.

Dubbed as “Gospel music's biggest night,” the Dove Awards are the time when the industry gets all dressed up to celebrate the year's achievements – group of the year, artist of the year, etc.. I've spent many years killing time backstage, waiting on winners to grace the press conference stage so we can ask them questions that range from the production of the album to what they think of Y2K.