Representing just 6% of the total trade book market, the science fiction/fantasy segment will grow 3.4% in 2011, reaching $578.6 million, despite the overall market’s expected 5.2% decline. According to a report published by media and publishing forecast firm Simba Information, the science fiction and fantasy categories experienced double-digit increases in title output, along with stronger ratings on the consolidated bestseller list in 2010.

According to the report, the science fiction/fantasy segment is gaining market share, adding half a percent in 2011 compared to 2010, as it more than triples its 1% growth rate from the past two years.

“The sci-fi/fantasy segment has been a stable growth segment for the past few years,” notes Michael Norris, Simba Information’s senior trade analyst.

USA TODAY has expanded its coverage of books with its new online destination books.usatoday.com. The new site allows consumers to discover, discuss, share, preview and purchase books online. It is available on computers, smart phones and tablets.

Books.usatoday.com provides readers with an interactive experience to browse books across a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction and children’s books; read reviews; and, share personal recommendations in conversations that also allow for tweeting about books or responding to other readers’ comments.

Unique to the books.usatoday.com site is the opportunity for consumers to now preview a book from the USA TODAY Best-Selling Books list and purchase it from a vendor of their choice, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the iBookstore or IndieBound, an association of independent booksellers.

USA TODAY’s respected Best-Selling Books list ranks the 150 top-selling titles each week, based on analysis of sales from such U.S.

Christian writer and New York Times’ bestselling author Cec Murphey will for the second year sponsor ten writers with full scholarships to the OC Christian Writers Conference. In addition he is sponsoring two writers with scholarships to the intensive pre-conference workshops. The conference will be held on April 29 & 30, 2011 in Irvine, California.

Author and Pastor Max Lucado has 100 million products in print since his first book was published 25 years ago. Lucado’s writings have been published in a wide variety of formats including trade books, gift books, children’s books, study Bibles, devotionals, commentaries, animated children’s videos, calendars, greeting cards, teaching curriculum and licensed gift products.

Of the 100 million products in print, 80 million are books.

The Burning Land: A Novel

In a clash of heroes, the kingdom is born. At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in ill health; his heir, an untested youth.