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Monday, October 09, 2006
Loyola Press Spreads the Word about The Shoemaker’s Gospel
Contact: Joseph Durepos
Acquisitions Director
773-281-1818 ext. 355
durepos@loyolapress.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2006 (Chicago, IL)—This month, Loyola Press will launch The Shoemaker’s Gospel: A Novel ($16.95, hardcover), by Daniel Brent, its first original work of fiction, by sending out over 3,500 complimentary copies of the book. No advertising is planned, and rather than mail hundreds of copies to reviewers and journalists, Loyola Press will send books to pastors, deacons, and directors of religious education across the nation. The move is unprecedented for the small Catholic house. Acquisitions editor Joe Durepos describes this as “putting our money where our mission is. At $16.95 per book, the 3,500 books have a retail value of over $59,000.00.”
Approximately 900 of the books sent out will be the Spanish-language edition of the novel, El Evangelio del Zapatero: Un Relato, which is being released simultaneously. As Loyola Press’s Spanish-language editor, Miguel Arias, explains, The Shoemaker’s Gospel brings to life the story and person of Jesus, an experience meant for people of all languages and cultures.
The book originated when Brent’s daughter challenged him to name a short list of historical figures with whom he would most like to have lunch. Jesus easily topped the list for Brent, a lifelong Catholic. But the notion of meeting Jesus stuck with Brent long after the conversation with his daughter, eventually inspiring him to let his thoughts and his faith take shape as a novel.
Brent specifically took up the challenge posed by St. Ignatius of Loyola in The Spiritual Exercises and sought to project himself, through rigorous contemplation, solitary prayer, and creative expression, into the events of the Gospels. While stories about Jesus have been explored in modern settings in best sellers from Dinner with a Perfect Stranger to Joshua, The Shoemaker’s Gospel revisits Jesus’ life and ministry from the realistic perspective of an early follower, a humble and curious shoemaker from Capernaum. According to author Daniel Brent, the goal of the book is to take readers back in time in order to move them forward in their faith.
Loyola Press already has had success in 2006 using unorthodox methods of promotion. From mid-July through October 1, banners on the exterior of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church have promoted the press’s best-seller My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ, to drivers on Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway. The concept of using outdoor advertising to promote Catholic spirituality titles was relatively unheard of, but Loyola Press now counts it as an innovative and exciting way to reach its readers.
Loyola Press believes that The Shoemaker’s Gospel will stimulate readers’ minds while igniting their faith. While sending out complimentary copies is a significant mission-specific end in itself, the press is hopeful that recipients will be genuinely moved by the story and, as a result, will want to spread the word to their friends and family.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
Acquisitions Director
773-281-1818 ext. 355
durepos@loyolapress.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2006 (Chicago, IL)—This month, Loyola Press will launch The Shoemaker’s Gospel: A Novel ($16.95, hardcover), by Daniel Brent, its first original work of fiction, by sending out over 3,500 complimentary copies of the book. No advertising is planned, and rather than mail hundreds of copies to reviewers and journalists, Loyola Press will send books to pastors, deacons, and directors of religious education across the nation. The move is unprecedented for the small Catholic house. Acquisitions editor Joe Durepos describes this as “putting our money where our mission is. At $16.95 per book, the 3,500 books have a retail value of over $59,000.00.”
Approximately 900 of the books sent out will be the Spanish-language edition of the novel, El Evangelio del Zapatero: Un Relato, which is being released simultaneously. As Loyola Press’s Spanish-language editor, Miguel Arias, explains, The Shoemaker’s Gospel brings to life the story and person of Jesus, an experience meant for people of all languages and cultures.
The book originated when Brent’s daughter challenged him to name a short list of historical figures with whom he would most like to have lunch. Jesus easily topped the list for Brent, a lifelong Catholic. But the notion of meeting Jesus stuck with Brent long after the conversation with his daughter, eventually inspiring him to let his thoughts and his faith take shape as a novel.
Brent specifically took up the challenge posed by St. Ignatius of Loyola in The Spiritual Exercises and sought to project himself, through rigorous contemplation, solitary prayer, and creative expression, into the events of the Gospels. While stories about Jesus have been explored in modern settings in best sellers from Dinner with a Perfect Stranger to Joshua, The Shoemaker’s Gospel revisits Jesus’ life and ministry from the realistic perspective of an early follower, a humble and curious shoemaker from Capernaum. According to author Daniel Brent, the goal of the book is to take readers back in time in order to move them forward in their faith.
Loyola Press already has had success in 2006 using unorthodox methods of promotion. From mid-July through October 1, banners on the exterior of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church have promoted the press’s best-seller My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ, to drivers on Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway. The concept of using outdoor advertising to promote Catholic spirituality titles was relatively unheard of, but Loyola Press now counts it as an innovative and exciting way to reach its readers.
Loyola Press believes that The Shoemaker’s Gospel will stimulate readers’ minds while igniting their faith. While sending out complimentary copies is a significant mission-specific end in itself, the press is hopeful that recipients will be genuinely moved by the story and, as a result, will want to spread the word to their friends and family.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
