December 29, 2023
After an interesting introduction to Christian publishing, Diane Stortz served in the field for 50 years, enjoying success as an editor, freelance writer, and author. She retired in 2023. (Former Christian Standard editor Mark A. Taylor, who served with Diane at Standard Publishing for several years, wrote this article.)
September 24, 2019
On Friday, September 20, about 70 former employees of Standard Publishing and their spouses met to renew friendships and share memories, recalling the years they served together in Christian publishing. The gathering—organized by Sheryl Overstreet, Joann Van Meter, and Elaina Meyers—was held in the Community Room at the Christian Village at Mt. Healthy in Cincinnati, Ohio. The site was selected because of its proximity to the former Standard Publishing plant on Hamilton Avenue in Mt. Healthy. Standard Publishing, in fact, donated the property upon which the village was built in the early 1960s. “What a great evening!” one attendee wrote.
January 3, 2019
From After Class Podcast Despite record holiday sales, a titan of Christian merchandising is entering the new year in the red. Rumors of layoffs and closures at Living Path Christian Stores are growing. While sales on phone cases with crosses, waffle makers that burn the face of Jesus on batter, and “Save Your Breath” mints are up, executives fear their biggest moneymaker—the niche study Bible—has reached its saturation point. Living Path executive Jordan Gecko shared his vision: “Our goal has always been to put a targeted Bible into the hands of every seeker. So we try to follow cultural trends
October 20, 2014
By Jamie Snyder If you want to publish your work, the first decision to make is whether to self-publish or to pursue an agreement with a publishing company. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. If you have a smaller platform of influence, self-publishing will likely be your best option. Numerous self-publishing companies have websites; first, review their information, and then contact one (or more) to begin a conversation. If you decide to pursue an agreement with a publishing company, do not be afraid of rejection. Even the most successful authors have been told no more often then yes. If you
October 19, 2014
By Daniel Overdorf The heights of delight and vulnerability come when you tear open the cardboard box that holds your first book. For those who wish to pursue this strange mix of glee and embarrassment, I offer seven bits of advice. 1. Check your motives. Many want to have written; few want to write. Unless you relish the process””from the monotony of research to the tedium of rewriting and editing””you will never endure the meticulous work required to author a book and to convince a publisher it”s worth their investment. 2. Read good writers. Whether you connect best with Shakespeare,
October 19, 2014
By Dave Ferguson Since I had never written a book, I was flattered when I received an e-mail from a representative of a big publisher asking to meet me. I agreed to meet, and over coffee, we talked about me authoring a book. I was very excited about the possibilities! However, within minutes I could tell this rep had made a huge mistake. He thought he was meeting with Dr. David Ferguson, the counselor and Oxford scholar. Instead he was meeting with Dave Ferguson, the church planter. Oops! We had a good laugh, finished our coffee, and I left thinking,
June 25, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor What does it mean to write a Christian novel? To do Christian service? To add one”s name to a directory of Christian businesses? Must a work of art or some other endeavor be called Christian to be Christian? And does that mean what we don”t call Christian, isn”t? Lynn Gardner and the writers he quotes this week assert that everything the Christian does should be for the glory of God. (Read “Wholehearted Christians.”) They would surely agree with Rob Bell who told an audience in April he believes Christian “is a bit dodgy as an adjective.
March 5, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor How much do you care about staying connected with members of Christian churches and churches of Christ? What sense of identity do you have and want with them? What do you want to know about them and from them? How do you want to get this input, and how often? These are questions we ask in the important survey published this week in the print edition of our magazine. We”re praying that thousands of CHRISTIAN STANDARD readers will complete it. We eagerly seek to hear how you feel about being a part of this fellowship we
By Brad Dupray Matthew Lockhart joined the Standard Publishing family as director of product development last September. In his 15-year career in Christian publishing Matt has worked in product development at Serendipity House, spending the bulk of his time there in the role of chief operating officer, and more recently at Group Publishing as senior editor of adult and pastor/leader church resources and project developer. Matt and his wife, Kim, moved from Loveland, Colorado, to Cincinnati with their two children Logan (7) and Megan (5). What sets Standard Publishing apart from other Christian publishers? One of the things I appreciate
November 30, 2005
Standex International has decided to offer Standard Publishing for sale alongside other Consumer Products Group companies. Leaders say the move is strategic, not performance-related, as employees remain committed to “bringing the Word to life.”
November 6, 2005
By Mark A. Taylor The announcement took most of us by surprise. Randy Scott, president of Standard Publishing, told employees October 26 that our parent company, Standex International Corporation, had decided to offer our company for sale. Christian businessman John Bolten purchased Standard Publishing in 1955, the first acquisition in what would become an international conglomerate of 22 companies with operations in Australia, Europe, and North America. The resulting corporation, Standex International, has grouped its operations into five categories: Food Service Equipment, Air Distribution Products, Engineered Products, Engraving, and Consumer Products. Standard Publishing is one of three companies in that
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