1986
Max Lucado publishes his first book, On The Anvil
(Tyndale House Publishers), created from a collection of writings published in
his church newsletter.
1990
The Applause of Heaven (W
Publishing Group), is the first Lucado title to hit a national bestseller list.
At least one Lucado title has appeared on the Evangelical Christian Publishers
Association (ECPA) list each month since July 1990, more than 12 years. In the Eye of the Storm (W Publishing
Group) earns Lucado the first of ten eventual ECPA Gold Medallion Book Awards.
1992
Lucado publishes his first children’s book, Just in Case
You Ever Wonder (Tommy Nelson).
Lucado launches his national radio broadcast, “UpWords,” currently heard
on more than 1,100 radio stations on three continents, the largest listenership
of its type.
1994
11 of Lucado’s 12 published works appear simultaneously on
ECPA Bestseller lists.
1995
Lucado serves as general editor for a best-selling and
award-winning Bible, The Inspirational Study Bible (W Publishing Group). When God Whispers Your Name (W
Publishing Group) wins the Charles “Kip” Jordon Christian Book of the Year
Award from ECPA.
1996 Lucado wins his second Charles “Kip” Jordon Christian Book of the Year Award, this time for In the Grip of Grace (W Publishing Group).
1999
Lucado serves as keynote speaker for the National Prayer
Breakfast in Washington, DC; Lucado is profiled in a half-page USA Today
feature story. With Just Like Jesus
(W Publishing Group), Lucado becomes the first and only author to win a third
ECPA Jordon Christian Book of the Year Award.
2001 Lucado is the featured speaker for a national television special, “He Chose the Nails,” which airs on national and cable networks. Lucado embarked on his first speaking/concert tour, “He Chose the Nails Live Concert Tour,” along with several Christian music artists. Five partners have licensed more than 27 He Chose the Nails products to date.
2001 Lucado’s total
books in print reaches 25 million units—he has written trade books, children’s
books, gift books, Bible study guides, and served as general editor of The
Inspirational Study Bible.
2001 Traveling
Light releases in September and hits The New York Times
bestseller list—a first for Lucado.
Releasing alongside the book is the Traveling Light Devotional
Journal, a Spanish edition and an audio book edition. Seven partners publish more than 20 Traveling
Light licensed products to date.
The Traveling Light licensed music project features artists such
as Amy Grant, Mac Powell and Jaci Velasquez.
Lucado is featured in many interviews including “Larry King Live”
immediately following 9-11.
2002 July—Lucado
titles have generated more than 700 foreign editions in 18 languages, which
have sold more than 460,000 copies worldwide.
Lucado holds more foreign edition licenses than any other author within
Thomas Nelson Inc. July—Lucado receives
his tenth ECPA Gold Medallion award, this time for Traveling Light.
--more--
2002
September—release of A Love Worth Giving: Living in the
Overflow of God’s Love (hardcover, Spanish and audio versions). October—release of a paperback holiday book
entitled A Love Worth Giving to You at Christmas. November—Lucado tours with music artists
Michael W. Smith and Third Day (Come Together and Worship tour) in 16 major
markets. A wide array of national media
including “NBC Nightly News,” The New
York Times, and USA Today cover
the concert and the controversy about the sponsorship by Chevrolet.
2003
February—Lucado has 18 titles on five of the ECPA February
2003 monthly bestseller lists, including hardcover non-fiction, paperback
non-fiction, children’s, mass market paper back, gift book.
2003 Spring—Experiencing
Jesus workbook releases, February 2003, becoming one of the fastest sellers
in the history of Nelson Bibles. The Devotional Bible releases in March
2003. Hallmark and Dayspring
introduces Max Lucado licensed greeting cards in retail stores. Lucado tours again with Smith and Third Day
for the Come Together and Worship tour.
Lucado is interviewed twice on “Larry King Live” as a source of comfort
after the Columbia shuttle explosion.
2003 Fall—Lucado
releases Next Door Savior from W
Publishing Group. Lucado’s first
Read-Along DVD releases in the Wemmick product line. His full-color Christmas book, The Christmas Cross, is in production as a motion picture entitled
“The Christmas Child” (Impact Entertainment).
September—Publishers Weekly
profiles Lucado for their “Innovators” series; he is the first religious
author interviewed within this series.
PW says “there aren’t many authors bigger than Lucado.”
2004 Lucado is
profiled in a major featured article with the Associated Press. The article with accompanying photos is
syndicated to more than 1,550 newspapers and 5,000 radio and television stations
in the US. Internationally, the story was syndicated to more than 8,500
newspaper, radio and television subscribers in 112 countries. The March 2004 issue of Christianity Today magazine also profiles Lucado calling him
“America’s Pastor.” Lucado’s It’s Not About Me hits The New
York Times bestseller list.
2004 Summer—Total books in print
exceeds 39 million units. W
Publishing Group commissions marketing research that confirms Lucado’s
popularity: 1 in 10 Americans have read a Lucado title and his name recognition
is second only to Billy Graham among spirituality/Christian/Spirituality
authors. Fall—Lucado’s adult title, Come
Thirsty (W Publishing Group) releases alongside a multi-city media
tour. The book is also serves as the
theme of a series of teaching seminars lead led by Lucado
and Michael W. Smith during early fall.
As of June 2004
*ECPA=Evangelical Christian
Publishers Association