October 17, 2011

News Roundup – the twitter feed edition

Posted by Phil Groom under Christian Book Trade, News | Tags: , , , , , |
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MY APOLOGIES to those readers who’ve missed the News Roundups over the last few weeks: life, as they say. The good news is that this trade of ours is at least as busy as I am, with as much going on as ever. Don’t forget, you can pick up on news as it emerges via the UKCBD twitter feed, which I’m using this time around, supplemented by my personal feed, Eddie Olliffe, Melanie Carroll and SPCK Publishing to liven things up a little. If you’d like to see your tweets featured here next time around, give me a nudge by mentioning @notbovvered or @ukcbd in any tweet you’d like me to highlight.

Whilst we’re talking social media, make sure you don’t miss the Christian Authors, Booksellers and Publishers facebook group: it’s a closed group, intentionally so, a space for anyone involved in the Christian book trade to meet online but away from the public eye, to exchange ideas and information and offer one another mutual support. Feel free to drop in and join the conversation — or start one!

Over to twitter: most recent first…
 

June 13, 2011

All Change at Integrity

Posted by Phil Groom under Christian Music, Christian Publishers, Christian Suppliers, News | Tags: , , , , |
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April 16, 2011

Social Media Update: Alban Books, Christian Bits, Christian Bookshop Ossett, CLC Inverness, CLC Wholesale and a note about security

Posted by Phil Groom under News | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
[6] Comments 

GOOD TIMES on the social media front with several new entrants from the Christian book trade. Without further ado, then, a warm welcome to:

Alban Books’ first tweet brings us a reminder that a certain wedding is imminent — an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone with a special souvenir edition of the King James Bible:

Christianbits

Christianbits

Lorna tells me that things are going well for them in Ossett, with around 30 children plus accompanying adults attending their first Easter holiday literary activity morning: congratulations to all involved!

CLC Wholesale would like your feedback on promotions — head on over to facebook to have your say: What kind of promotion would you like to see CLC Wholesale do?

Last but not least: have you secured your facebook and twitter connections? It’s a straightforward procedure on both facebook and twitter which will make your accounts much less susceptible to hackers. If you’re not sure whether  or not you’re using a secure connection, simply look at the URL in your browser’s address bar: if it begins https://, you’re secure; if it begins http:// — without the ‘s’ — you’re not.

On facebook, go to Account (top right in your facebook browser window) > Account Settings > Account Security > Change, select the “Secure browsing” checkbox shown in this screenshot, then click the Save button further down the page:

Facebook Security

Facebook Security

It’s a similar procedure on twitter.

 

September 1, 2010

In the Beginning: Soul Survivor ‘Bible in One Year’ starts today

Posted by Phil Groom under Bookshop Ramblings | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
[17] Comments 
Bible in One Year

Soul Survivor Bible in One Year

Have you done it? Read the entire Bible within the space of one year?

If not then perhaps now is the time to start, joining in with the thousands of young people across the country who have committed themselves to the Soul Survivor Bible in One Year project.

Even if you don’t plan to join in yourself, at the very least you should think about stocking this Bible, available from STL UK (hardback | paperback) or, of course, direct from HodderFaith; and if you’re not sure what it’s all about, here’s Soul Survivor’s Andy Croft on a mission to persuade:

I confess that I have my reservations about the project, and I tweeted as much from the LST Bookshop:

Finding it difficult to get enthusiastic about the Soul Survivor ‘Bible in One Year’ scheme when it’s based on the NIV *sigh*

But back came a reply in very short order, from @bexp66:

be enthusiastic, my kids are talking bout readin the bible!! Tho they wanted The Message version! What wud you suggest?

Said I:

I just wish Soul Survivor had got together with a range of Bible publishers instead of going for something as flawed as the NIV

and

This could have been such a wonderful opportunity for Bible publishers to work together!

Said she:

agreed, esp. with the flawed comment. Inclusive should have been essential as well.

There’s no doubt about it: the NIV is, to quote Tom Wright, “a visibly and demonstrably flawed translation”, biased in its translation “to make sure that Paul should say what the broadly Protestant and evangelical tradition said he said” — not only on justification, the particular topic Bishop Tom is referring to here, but also in terms of reinforcing misogyny rather than encouraging equality and inclusivity. If it had to be NIV-based, why not at least get into the early 21st Century with the TNIV??

But setting those reservations aside momentarily, it can surely only be a good thing for these youngsters to get to grips with the whole Bible rather than the decontextualised snippets most daily devotionals tend to offer. One can only hope that rather than spoon-feed them pre-packaged evangelical perspectives, the organisers will encourage their young (and not-so-young) conversation partners to read Scripture critically and intelligently, with their eyes wide open to its human origins and foibles: to not blindly affirm, “This is the Word of God” but to ask, “Is this the Word of God?” — and if it is, to ask, “What does it mean for us today?”

Andy Croft’s comments on today’s readings have even got Emma Jane going, and that’s definitely no bad thing. Nice one Emma!

 

January 14, 2010

Stronger Together – Weaker Apart: The Twitter Stream #stwa

Posted by Phil Groom under Book Trade Ramblings | Tags: , , , , |
[19] Comments 
ChristianResourcesTogether

ChristianResourcesTogether

Were you there? Was it worthwhile? Can we work together to ensure that this trade of ours has a viable future?

Certainly the feedback I’ve received so far has been positive, and the twitter stream emerging during the day looked hopeful: copied below. Now we watch and wait for the official lowdown; but in the meantime I find myself wondering why — with all the resources of CRE available — there was no official twitter stream, no blog, not even a facebook page to keep the vast majority of us who couldn’t attend informed.

Even now the official christianresourcestogether.co.uk website seems to be nothing more than a barebones holding page and I find myself, like SuperSimbo, wanting to shout “Wake up!” — social media are here to stay and if the UK trade fails to embrace them then we will go the way of the dinosaurs. Steve Mitchell’s final tweets on the day are particularly telling:

So #stwa is over, good sense of wanting to work together from all parts of the trade, nice to see people, who were kind to us ex STL folk. However I did get the sense that some are hanging on to the old world of traditional bookselling. They are in my prayers.

Related Reports

The #stwa twitter stream, most recent first | Go to the beginning

Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks @SCRMitchell hanging on to trad bookselling how? new old idea’s or just old old idea’s. or just general resistance to change? #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from web
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell However I did get the sense that some are hanging on to the old world of traditional bookselling. They are in my prayers. #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell So #stwa is over, good sense of wanting to work together from all parts of the trade, nice to see people, who were kind to us ex STL folk
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks Pipe dreaming, I’d like some sort b&m/online initiative, either collab. publisher driven ala crown site idea or poss eden @LSTBookshop #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from web
Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks @LSTBookshop Yep, now for follow on. One of the things I would quite like to see is less predatory pricing, or for at least matching% #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from web
Lstbookshop_normal LSTBookshop @unicorntreebks #stwa looking good so far, seems to be some joined-up thinking emerging…
12 Jan 2010 from Twitterrific
Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks so whats your thinking @LSTBookshop my good man on the idea’s of #stwa I have to say I like the idea of more author interaction
12 Jan 2010 from web
Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks #stwa tweet followers – shall we huddle and chat and share as well? not quite the same but nice and interactive. big thanks to Steve btw.
12 Jan 2010 from web
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Now breaking into small groups for futher discussion #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks #stwa it is great to see more motility between suppliers/booksellers/authors! be good to see bookseller/bookseller too! working together :0)
12 Jan 2010 from web
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Attendance split 50/50 retailers and suppliers#stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Utb_gen_normal unicorntreebks #stwa good idea about more interaction between authors & booksellers – I would love to do more events with authors & writing seminars/groups
12 Jan 2010 from web
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Question from floor about creating more dialogue between authors & booksellers, CRE asking are they going the right way? #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell RT @SCRMitchell: Association of Christian writer asking for more involvement in trade events. #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Open forum Q&A starting #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Martin_2_normal mdeadman Possibility of other trade events at other regional cre’s #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Martin_2_normal mdeadman Free entry to cre and fast track entry. #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Martin_2_normal mdeadman Evening includes buffet reception & awards- guest spkr rob parsons #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell There will also be a retailers day at CRE in Sandown park in esher the week after, Inc trade forum & rob parsons speaking #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Martin_2_normal mdeadman Retailers dAy at cre includes retailers & suppliers forum. #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Martin_2_normal mdeadman 150 spaces price £94 if booked by 19 march#stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Cost £94 before 19/3 for Ba members #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Martin_2_normal mdeadman Guest speakers & artists at high Leigh- cathy burton, eric delve #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Martin_2_normal mdeadman Some awards at high Leigh some at cre #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Agenda inc speakers, workshops, seminars, supplier presentations, prayer room, awards, devotions, communion, space/time to meet & chat #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Martin_2_normal mdeadman #stwa high Leigh retreat to include workshops, seminars, speakers and time for relationships
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Practical plans for 2010 being presented by steve briars, first up a bookseller/supplier retreat at high Leigh 4&5 may #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Great insight on church & trade from James Catford worth coming just for that #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Partnership needs be relationship first, business second, James catford #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell James Catford talking of consolidation, complexity & challenge, and the need for deep relationships to solve large problems
#stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Lstbookshop_normal LSTBookshop What’s happening? #stwa – that’s what’s happening. Thanks to those tweeting, esp @scrmitchell
12 Jan 2010 from web
Pew-bloggers_normal churchtimesblog Christian retailers and suppliers are meeting today at the launch of ‘Christian Resources Together’. Follow tweets via #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Tweetie
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Ian Metcalfe from suppliers group saying they want to support booksellers however they say they need it #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell mission statement to provide support, fellowship,training & opportunities for christian retailers & suppliers #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Lscriptorium-lambethguide96_normalLindScriptorium
#stwa Here 12 Jan 2010 from Tweetie
Img_0208_normalSCRMitchell Bible Society launching Christian Resources Together, a partnership working for retailers & suppliers, but not another trade body #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell Full room of Christian publishers and retailers, good attendance at #stwa. Colin Saunders from bible soc giving a welcome & introduction
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Lscriptorium-lambethguide96_normalLindScriptorium #stwa taxis lost!
12 Jan 2010 from Tweetie
Martin_2_normalmdeadman I’ve arrived at the trade meeting. #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from Echofon
Lscriptorium-lambethguide96_normalLindScriptorium #stwa In taxi enroute
12 Jan 2010 from Tweetie
Snowman2009_normal notbovvered @LindScriptorium bleugh, or something like that… hope you get there OK. @scrmitchell & @mdeadman are using the hashtag #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from web
Martin_2_normal mdeadman On my way to Christian trade meeting #stwa
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck
Lstbookshop_normalLSTBookshop @SCRMitchell #stwa sounds good to me. I won’t be there but @LindScriptorium and @mdeadman both plan to attend…
12 Jan 2010 from Twitterrific
Img_0208_normal SCRMitchell On route to Christian Trade meeting, maybe we should use hashtag #stwa ?? Who else is going?
12 Jan 2010 from TweetDeck

 

September 5, 2009

Day of Prayer: Thank you – please continue to pray #dayofprayer

Posted by Phil Groom under Book Trade Ramblings | Tags: , , |
[2] Comments 

Thank you to everyone who took part in Friday’s Day of Prayer.

This facebook note from GLO Bookshop seems, to me, to capture the spirit of the day:

Thanks to those who joined us during our morning prayer time, and also at the ‘Blokes Tour’ event in the evening, where we spent a time praying for the present difficult position for the Uk Christian Book Trade. We were also encouraged to give thanks for the current positive trading position at the Bookshop in Motherwell, and thanks is due to all the staff & volunteers who work so hard to put us in that postio. [sic]

Please keep praying for us, and other Bookshops up & down the country!

I was encouraged throughout the day by the #dayofprayer twitter stream, some of which I’ve copied below: my personal thanks to everyone who tweeted it out; and in response to Eddie Olliffe’s question in the stream I’d say, it doesn’t take a crisis to persuade us to pray (most of us, I suspect, are praying most of the time), but it does seem to take a crisis to bring us together!

Please feel free to leave feedback on how the day went for you either on this thread or on the Day of Prayer page; and please be sure to send your comments to Joy McIlroy, the Day of Prayer co-ordinator (dayofprayer AT christianbookshops.org.uk) and/or to Amy Boucher Pye (boucherpye AT ntlworld.com).


  1. 075_normal    eddieolliffe Today’s #dayofprayer for the Christian retail trade was worthwhile and well supported. So why does it take a crisis to persuade us to pray?about 13 hours ago from web
  2. Authmed_normalauthenticmedia Christian shops are an extension of the church, not just another retail outlet. #dayofprayerabout 20 hours ago from Seesmic
  3. Wesleyowen-1_normalwowalsall It has been suggested that we will take some time to pray at about 3:00 PM. Please feel free to join us in about an hour. #dayofprayerabout 20 hours ago from web
  4. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks @Christian_Life #Dayofprayer for the UK Christian Book Trade – please pass this info on and join with us in this. http://bit.ly/aj8C5about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  5. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks @Christian_Life #dayofprayer for the UK Christian Book Trade – please let others know and join with usabout 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  6. Patriotic_normalgarethwrussell “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” Saint Augustine #dayofprayerabout 22 hours ago from web
  7. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks #FollowFriday this one is not a tweep but still worth the follow – its a hash! - #dayofprayerabout 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  8. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks Actaully very likely #dayofprayer in one way at the least as they are all people I’d emailed and FB the day before to remind them of today!about 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  9. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks Have arranged a bookstall for 13th October! have had someone come in to talk about an article in Methodist linc-it, could it be #dayofprayerabout 22 hours ago from TweetDeck
  10. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks #dayofprayer must be working: 10am when I was set to join 2gether in prayer the counter was surrounded with people & had to wait till 10.30!about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  11. Utb_gen_normalunicorntreebks #dayofprayer for the Uk Christian Book Trade today – please join with us.about 23 hours ago from TweetDeck
  12. Green_6357_dscf0889e_normalcornerstonebks 7 of us began the day with prayer. Felt healthy and positive. #dayofprayerabout 23 hours ago from web
  13. Default_profile_normalperivalebooks rt @LSTBookshop Today’s the Day! The UK Christian Retail Day of Prayer: please pray with us!http://bit.ly/aj8C5 #dayofprayerabout 23 hours ago from web
  14. Martin_2_normalmdeadman rt @LSTBookshop Today’s the Day! The UK Christian Retail Day of Prayer: please pray with us!http://bit.ly/aj8C5 #dayofprayerabout 23 hours ago from web
  15. Wo-twitter_normalwesleyowen Today in the UK people are gathering for a#dayofprayer for the Christian book trade,please remember this important ministry in your prayersabout 23 hours ago from web
  16. Lstbookshop_normalLSTBookshop Today’s the Day! The UK Christian Retail Day of Prayer: please pray with us! http://bit.ly/aj8C5#dayofprayerabout 24 hours ago from web
  17. Patriotic_normalgarethwrussell “anything is possible”, “equal & opposite”, “we’re in this together”, I’m inspired by this track todayhttp://tiny.cc/TlZFB #dayofprayerabout 24 hours ago from web
  18. Philgreen_normalnotbovvered If you tweet today’s Day of Prayer, please use the hashtag #dayofprayer – thank you! h/t@garethwrussell http://bit.ly/aj8C5 #fb1 day ago from web
  19. Patriotic_normalgarethwrussell praying for the industry as a part of the national day of prayer #dayofprayer1 day ago from web
  20. Patriotic_normalgarethwrussell listening Imogen Heap song with the lyrics, “We’re In This Together”…appropriate considering tomorrows industry Day of Prayer #dayofprayer1 day ago from Seesmic
 

July 17, 2009

The Mission Ball: A Social Media Survey

Posted by Phil Groom under Book Trade Ramblings, Christian Suppliers | Tags: , , |
1 Comment 

Scripture MintsNeil Batty, purveyor of Scripture Candy and other fine Christian novelties, requested an opinion on another product he hopes to start bouncing around here in the UK: the Mission Ball.

Being a complete ignoramus when it comes to anything football related (tennis, however, I understand perfectly) I thought what better way to garner feedback than via twitter and facebook? I duly tweeted:

missionballtq

Here's an idea to kick around...

Replies came in thick and fast from deiknuo, krismorris and iRev on twitter…

The Mission Ball - twitter replies

The Mission Ball - twitter replies

… and a couple of longer replies came in on facebook:

Facebook responses to the Mission Ball

Facebook responses to the Mission Ball

My thanks to all who replied. Hardly a comprehensive or scientific survey, of course, but I think the response could safely be summarised as less than enthusiastic.

Any more for any more?

 

May 12, 2009

CBC/CRE: If you can’t be there, follow the event stream #CBC09 #CRE09

Posted by Phil Groom under Book Trade Ramblings, Christian Suppliers, Church Resources | Tags: , , , , |
[5] Comments 
CBC09

CBC09

This year’s Christian Booksellers Convention (May 12th – 15th 2009) combines with CRE (Christian Resources Exhibition) to explore the theme “Breaking the Mould – Embracing the Challenges of Change”. Can a trade show and a consumer show truly work side by side? One way to find out: be there!

But if you can’t be there, this year — for the first time in CBC’s history — you’ll still be able to follow some of what’s happening and join in live behind-the-scenes conversations via twitter.

To the best of my knowledge there is no ‘official’ CBC or CRE twitter presence, but as an increasing number of us embrace the challenge of this particular change, anyone can follow: either via twitter search (where you’ll find the odd post from the Craft Brewers Convention mixed in for good measure: they’re using the same hashtag) or via this tinker event stream, fed from twitter but with the Craft Brewers filtered out (just wish it was that easy to filter out another type of Brewer!!).

Tuesday’s Programme at CBC includes, amongst other things, Krish Kandiah from the Evangelical Alliance giving a keynote talk (whatever that is: I don’t think Krish knows either) at 2pm followed by a series of seminars and workshops and, to finish the day off, a Banquet and Awards Evening where the winners of this year’s CBC Awards will be revealed.

For those who are around during the day, I look forward to meeting and tweeting. Unfortunately I won’t be around for the evening: any fellow twitterers attending, I’m relying on you to tweet the results out, please!

 

April 25, 2009

The Lost Symbol and the Lost Hashtag #LBF09 #LBF

Posted by Phil Groom under Book Trade Ramblings | Tags: , , , , , , , , |
1 Comment 

It’s a tricky business getting to grips with new media, especially when you’re dealing with a two thousand year old story — always assuming, of course, that Dan Brown’s new novel, The Lost Symbol, actually does take up the plot where The Da Vinci Code left off rather than lose it completely.

twitterBut this post isn’t about Dan Brown’s lost symbol: it’s about the book trade’s lost opportunity at this year’s London Book Fair — about twitter and the humble hashtag. It’s about a failure to seize the day or, more precisely, the twittersphere — the dynamic, live and interactive world of millions of prospective book buyers. Not, I hasten to add, to lay accusations or blame at anyone’s feet, but rather to help us think ahead, to help us find a way to do better next time and in other places.

“What’s a hashtag?” you ask. Easy: it’s a word with a # in front of it. Like this: #LBF; or this: #LBF09; or even this: #LIBF. Essentially it’s a key word chosen or created to link related tweets, which allows people to track a particular topic; and if everyone tweeting that topic uses it, it takes off, to become a trending topic: a topic in twitter’s top 10. Then more people join the conversation and so it grows. Used intelligently, a hashtag is one of the most powerful tools in a new media maven’s marketing toolbox. Allow Mari Smith [1] to explain:

Dan Brown enters the story on Monday, 20th April, the first day of the fair. Or rather, he should have entered the story. According to this week’s Bookseller (lead news story, p.3), the Random House announcement of a publication date for his Da Vinci Code sequel The Lost Symbol was Monday’s “main talking point at the first day of the London Book Fair.”

Except it wasn’t: I know, because I was there, listening and talking and tweeting my way around the place, and the first I heard of it was when I received my copy of the Bookseller on Friday.

I admit that I was there with my own agenda as a Christian bookseller: but how is it possible that an announcement of what is more or less guaranteed to be the biggest publishing event of 2009 — impacting both the mainstream and Christian marketplace — could simply pass me by? My mistake, it seems: I was interested in this year’s London Book Fair, so I was tracking #LBF09 rather than the generic #LBF, and I was following @theBookseller as my source of news.

But the announcement entered the twittersphere via @PublishersLunch at 4pm under #LBF and whilst a few people RT’d (retweeted) it, the Bookseller’s twitter announcement didn’t appear until 5.26pm — and was posted with neither a hashtag nor any other mention of the Fair (also strange: the Bookseller’s news report of the announcement doesn’t mention LBF either). 

To quote @andrewspong: 

It says a lot about an industry when an event can’t decide what its hashtag is: #LBF #LBF09 #LIBF. Hint: next year, use #LBF10

… and what it says, it seems to me, is that the book trade — booksellers, publishers and marketeers alike — simply doesn’t get twitter yet. 

Wakey wakey @theBookseller!! And wakey wakey LBF and the wider book trade.

[1] Mari’s video discovered via Jon Reed’s hashtags and gladrags (@publishingtalk). Thanks Jon — even if you did suggest the ‘wrong’ hashtags!!

 

April 1, 2009

Authentic enter the Blogosphere – and more twits

Posted by Phil Groom under Christian Publishers | Tags: , |
1 Comment 

A warm welcome to Authentic, who entered the blogosphere on March 10th 2009 at authenticmedia.blogspot.com along with a whole team of twits (or should that be ‘twitterers’ — what do you think?) to keep us entertained and up to speed. A-Z by twitter username:

Apart from Robin, who appeared here in a guest post last year, I’m not quite sure what their individual roles on the Authentic team are — hopefully that will emerge on the blog, in their tweets or even in the comments here. Thanks to Michael Ward for pointing me to the blog — via twitter, of course.

 

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