ELCA NEWS SERVICE November 26, 2003 ELCA Publisher's Books and Authors Honored with Theologos Awards 03-221-DE*/JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Minneapolis, announced that two of its authors were honored with 2003 "Theologos Awards" from the Association of Theological Booksellers. They are the Very Rev. N. T. Wright, whose book, "The Resurrection of the Son of God," was named Book of the Year and Best Academic Book, and author Mark Francisco-Bozzuti and illustrator Jui Ishida, for "God Created," named Best Children's Book. In addition, the association named Augsburg Fortress Publisher of the Year. "We are delighted that our authors and our publishing program have garnered such recognition," said Beth A. Lewis, president and chief executive officer, Augsburg Fortress. "These acknowledgements reflect our continuing mission to publish materials of the utmost quality to enhance the faith, life, and well-being of the public we serve -- the institutions and people of the Lutheran Church and beyond." The fourth annual Theologos Awards were announced Nov. 21 in Atlanta at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature (AAR/SBL). The Theologos Awards represent the unique professional evaluations of people who sell academic religious books, according to a Nov. 25 Augsburg Fortress news release. There are five categories of awards: Best General Interest Book, Best Academic Book, Best Children's Book, Book of the Year and Publisher of the Year. Only the bookseller members of the association are eligible to vote. The Association of Theological Booksellers is a collaborative organization of diverse theological bookstores and publishers working together to enhance the quality and ensure the future of theological bookselling, the news release said. Wright, recently consecrated Bishop of Durham in England and widely acclaimed New Testament scholar, delivered the keynote address Nov. 24 at the Lutheran Professors' Breakfast held in conjunction with AAR/SBL. "The Resurrection of the Son of God," is the third volume in Wright's much-noted series, Christian Origins and the Question of God, published by Fortress Press, an imprint of Augsburg Fortress. Francisco-Bozzuti's "God Created," published by Augsburg Books, another Augsburg Fortress imprint, is a "lively and spirited expansion of the biblical creation account, brilliantly captured in Ishida's vibrant illustrations," the release said. -- -- -- Information about Augsburg Fortress can be found at http://www.augsburgfortress.org on the Web. *Deborah Erickson is marketing communications director for Augsburg Fortress. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news