Seven Secrets to Power Praying, written by Les Stobbe’s client, Jane Glenchur, was one of the sixteen book covers selected as winners of ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Awards, which celebrate the art and science of good book design. ECPA presented the Top Shelf Book Cover Awards among the industry’s design elite during a PUBu session at Wheaton College.

“The Top Shelf program highlights book design excellence, intelligence and beauty, and we are grateful to all who participated in the program with their quality entries,” announced ECPA President/CEO Mark Kuyper. “We also thank Faceout Studio, Color House Graphics, and the 2014 judges for hundreds of volunteer hours that drove this program.”

One of the features of the program is to allow the judges to truly select the top designs regardless of the number. Last year 10 designs were chosen. This year, 16 stood out as best of the best.

“Like words on a page, the visual cover story is meant to inform, inspire, and entertain readers. The cover is a first impression. A first introduction. When done well, it compels a reader to respond—to pick up the book and read it,” introduced program manager Torrey Sharp, Principal of Faceout Studio and PUBu design community captain. “We’re all in the business of telling stories that matter. It’s exciting to see ECPA publishers wrapping their stories with amazing covers that are engaging and meaningful.”