The Steve Laube Agency is committed to providing top quality guidance to authors and speakers. Our years of experience and success brings a unique service to our clients. We focus primarily in the Christian marketplace and have put together an outstanding gallery of authors and speakers whose books continue to make an impact throughout the world.
Our Service Philosophy
Content
To help the author develop and create the best book possible. Material that has both commercial appeal and long-term value.
Career
To help the author determine the next best step in their writing career. Giving counsel regarding the subtleties of the marketplace as well as the realities of the publishing community.
Contract
To help the author secure the best possible contract. One that partners with the best strategic publisher and one that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
Recent Posts
When You Are on the Bench
The NCAA Basketball Tournament is upon us, with lots of drama accompanying March Madness.
As you watch a game, of any team sport, the focus is on the players in the contest. The camera follows the stars and their every move. What you rarely do is watch the bench or the players on the sidelines.
I find this to be a fascinating metaphor for the writing and publishing “game.” There are mega-stars with household names. There are the “up and comers” carving out their places. And with each publishing release, a new name steps forward, displaying their talent.
But what about those of us who are left on the bench? What do we do when someone else takes what we think is our place in the spotlight? Or what if we used to be on the starting team but can no longer get a new contract or the attention our books deserve?
I observe at least three types of writers who sit on the bench:
I have often observed the sneer of disdain when a famous author is being discussed. “Oh, their books aren’t that good. I couldn’t finish even one.” “I can write so much better than so-and-so.” You understand what I’m saying? And I have likely willfully participated in the criticism.
There is a legitimate place for critique and published reviews (both online and print). They provide a valuable service in helping us discover whether a book is worth the time to read. And yet I once looked up every review written by an individual on Amazon out of curiosity. (It is easy to look those up.) This particular reviewer did not like a single book they had reviewed. Not one. It made me wonder if they were being intentional about their criticism in order to bring other writers down.
If you are on the bench, be careful not to let the jealously bug bite and infect you with bitterness. Caustic words tend to burn the giver as well as the receiver.
The Student
Teams practice nearly every day. It creates a “muscle memory” for certain plays and for the interaction with other team members. They learn from one another and from their coaches.
It is the same in the writing world. This season may be one where you are on the bench. Use that time to improve your craft. Watch how other authors market their new books, and keep a notebook of ideas. Make note of promotional things that don’t work as well as those that do. Read widely in your genre and outside it. Your nonfiction may improve after reading a great storyteller. Or your fiction may have a new layer of fascination because of some nonfiction piece you read.
I have met a number of very famous authors in our industry who have attended a writers conference as a student. They were not there to teach or speak. They were not there to mentor. They were not there to critique. They were there, paying their own way, to sit quietly in the back and learn how to improve their craft.
So even if you are on the bench, you can still learn something. And be prepared for the day when your name is called.
The Cheerleader
The video at the end of this piece is absolutely delightful. See how the bench celebrates the success of the other players. It is inspiring. Why?
Because it is a lesson to the rest of us. No pasted smiles on our faces when our friend gets a contract and we don’t. You’ve seen the smile that doesn’t travel up to the eyes. No empty words like “I’m so happy for you” said with gritted teeth.
Instead, bring unbridled enthusiasm to the game. This is about changing the world. The nonfiction piece inspires and instructs thousands of people in far-flung places. That novel warms a heart or challenges a reader through a character who has come alive on the page. This miracle of the written word is something to celebrate, truly celebrate.
Of course not every book is made equal. That is why there are so many and why our tastes are so varied. But if you find yourself on the bench for whatever reason, take the chance to send a note of encouragement to that author. Not just gushy fan letters, but a note that only another writer would understand. Use your blog or Facebook page to celebrate those new releases. Let your network know there is an alternative to the drivel found on most TV stations and in movie theaters.
Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of March Madness and this video. Next time a new book hits a home run or scores a touchdown or sinks a buzzer-beater or gets past the goalie, celebrate like these guys from Colby College. (Watch past the logo at the “end.”):
Leave a CommentFun Fridays – March 15, 2024
So much beauty everywhere. Even in places too small to see. Enjoy today’s video and contemplate the depth and breadth of our world. ShareTweet
A Writer’s Lorica
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, which tradition marks as the day of his death. Some mark the day with parades, drinking, and other festivities. I think it’s a great day for prayer, especially for writers, since the famous prayer known as “St. Patrick’s Lorica” (or “breastplate”) is attributed to him. I’ve adapted the prayer numerous times (for my children, grandchildren, etc.), so here is “A Writer’s Lorica,” based on the Breastplate of St. Patrick: I bind to myself todayThe strong Name of the Trinity,Invoking the same,The Three in Oneand One in Three. I plead for my thinking and writing todayThe …
Story Structure Part #8
Welcome back to Story Structure. We’re still using our story we’re creating with Oliver and Sophia; and we’ve come to the beginning of Act 3, which includes the climax, falling action, and resolution. Let’s talk about the climax of the story. The climax is the moment of greatest emotional intensity, conflict, or suspense in the story. It’s a pivotal point where the main conflict reaches its peak that not only captivates the reader’s attention but also marks a significant turning point for the characters, leading to a resolution of the central conflict. The climax is crucial because it delivers the …
The Platform Predicament: How to Connect With Readers Off Social Media With Mary DeMuth
Learn how to navigate the author platform predicament and what you can do to help change the status quo in the publishing industry.