National Press Release Contact: Andy Butcher and the popular Christian Retailing magazine plans article May 19, 2008 Black Christian
Book company Bridging the Gap
Between Black Publishers, Authors and the Book Trade ATLANTA, GEORGIA., May 19,
2008 - Black Christian Book Distributors of
Dallas, Texas, which
was founded in September of 2007, states its mission as: the marketing
and
distributing of quality Christian books written by black and white
authors to
every available outlet in the urban and rural areas across the United
States of
America and around the world. BCBD’s aim and purpose is to
reach
African-Americans and whosoever will with a clear presentation of the
Gospel of
the Lord Jesus Christ through the printed page, and with materials that
will
enrich their faith. Rev. Larry Stephenson,
BCBD's vice-president of sales, along with its fifteen employees,
believe that
black authors and books targeting the black community are not being
represented
as well as they should be in bookstores and other outlets. This
realization led
to the formation of Black Christian Book Distributors. In the words of the
company's CEO: “We believe that, if black authors and black
Christian books
were given the same opportunity as white authors, particularly in the
urban
areas of our country, that books by African-American authors would sell
just as
well, and sometimes even better. This has been proven.”
1.
That people in the book trade
would see in one
catalog the tremendous contribution to the world of literature black
Christian
authors have made. 2.
That many books written by
African-American authors
would be known and made available. 3.
To encourage all Christian
bookstore owners to at
least start an African-American book section. BCBD is reaching over
30,000 nationwide through the digital version of their catalog, with
over 3000
going to retailers and church bookstores, providing a fresh, new, and
unique
market for retailers and other outlets. BCBD also provides a listing of
over 400 African-American books along with the publishers' names, and
ISBNs in its
catalog as well. To receive an online
version or a hard copy of one of BCBD’s catalogs, or to place
an ad in the
digital version of the May-August 2008 Catalog,
please send an email to: info@blackchristianbookdistributors.com. Visit BCBD online at: www.blackchristianbookdistributors.com. You can view the catalog online in the Flip Book Format at this link: http://www.blackchristianbookdistributors.com/catalog/catalogmayaug08/ You can view the catalog online in PDF FOrmat at this link: http://www.blackchristianbookdistributors.com/catalog/catalogmayaug08/ Below are some of the questions asked by Andy Butcher and Christian Retailing magazine 1. When was BCBD founded and why? BCBD was founded in September 2007. BCBD was founded for the following reasons: A. The market for Black Christian literature is great now and the timing is great. 2. Where is BCBD based? BCBD is based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. 3. How many employers? We have 15 employees. 4. How big is the business? We sell over 400 products. The future growth potential looks great. 5. What is your full name and title? My name is Larry Stephenson. I am the vice-president of sales, and I serve on the advisory board as well. 6. When/why did you produce your first catalog? We produced our first catalog at the beginning of 2008, and the reasons why we produced the catalog is basically because of the same reasons given for question one. 7. How many were distributed? How many went to retailers? Over 30,000 total (over 3000 went to retailers, including church bookstores). 8. How are you supporting Christian retail stores in addition to selling direct to consumers? First of all, we encourage and assist authors in getting their book(s) with a distributor and into bookstores, simply because there are many in the black community who do not feel that an author is legitimate unless the author's book or books can be found in stores. In all of our promotions, we encourage readers to buy from their local bookstore and then to buy online. In other words, our philosophy is that brick and mortar bookstores get first priority, and then if you can't find a book there, go to an online store. Another thing that we do is through a sister site, we highlight a Christian and/or black retail store that carries Christian books by African-Americans. 9. Do you have any contact/association with other groups in the African-American area, such as CAABA (Christian African American Booksellers Association)? We do know about CAABA and the dear folks who run CAABA are wonderful people. However, we have not been led to join their fine organization as of yet. |
BCBD’s first catalog
was
printed January 2008 for the following three reasons: