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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Don’t Write the Book Without the Blueprint

By Megan Brownon June 8, 2023
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What came first? The chicken or the egg?

So many people have reached out and shared their amazing ideas for books with me. They have told me about everything from health and wellness to comics or cookbooks. But they’ve made the rookie mistake of writing a book without a proposal, believing a proposal can be easily constructed on the back end of writing a manuscript. No matter the concept or focus, a book proposal is the first step to bringing a book to life.

What is a book proposal?

A book proposal is a prepared document that casts the vision of your book. It clarifies:

  • who you are as an author
  • who your reader is
  • why your reader needs your book
  • how you, as the author, are going to meet the need the reader is feeling.

The proposal outlines the concept of your book, along with all of the important details a publisher (or you, if you are self-publishing) will need. Some of the details include the estimated date of manuscript completion, approximate word count, and type of book (Bible study, workbook, etc.). Other specifications introduce your author platform, your bio, and your unique qualifications or certifications.

Lastly, a book proposal comprises your total outline of the book, including a table of contents, individual chapter summaries, and sample chapters. It also contains a list of comparable titles–books that are similar in nature to yours.

I never begin writing a book before completing the process of concept development and writing a full book proposal. If you wanted to build a new home, you wouldn’t start without a blueprint.

This tool will also be the means with which you attempt to attract an agent, editor, or publisher. Depending on where you are in the process of developing a concept or assembling your thoughts, a proposal can take anywhere from three weeks to three months to compose. And it is integral to take your time and complete this task well. A poor proposal will end up in the ye-old-slush-pile in a flash if it is hastily made or feels disjointed.

So, once your concept is well developed, polish the daylights out of your proposal and your pitch. Just remember, hitting the “submit” button is a small act of surrender and worship to the Lord. If you know you’ve done the work, pray that He will do the rest.

 

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Category: Book Proposals

Worst-Case Scenario Survival Guide for Authors

By Dan Balowon June 6, 2023
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In 1999, Chronicle Books published the first in a series of rather unique books, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook; and it sold ten million copies, launching a multimedia franchise. Over a dozen books followed, as well as games, TV series, and other merchandise. Authors Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht built the books around extreme, need-based topics, like how to jump from a moving train …

Read moreWorst-Case Scenario Survival Guide for Authors
Category: Humor, The Writing Life

Let’s Talk About Money

By Steve Laubeon June 5, 2023
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Hope that headline got your attention! Those of us who work with authors find that an area of consistent turmoil is when money is the topic. A major challenge is teaching authors when to talk about money and when not to talk about money. Let’s explore some of these challenges. And first, let’s assume you already have a literary agent. When to Talk Money With Your Publisher/Editor Never. That is …

Read moreLet’s Talk About Money
Category: Book Business, Money, The Writing LifeTag: Book Business, Money

The Secret to Becoming a Successful Christian Author: Church

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on June 3, 2023
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Find out why attending a local church in person can benefit your physical and spiritual health as well as your book sales.www.NovelMarketingConference.com Support the show

Read moreThe Secret to Becoming a Successful Christian Author: Church
Category: The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – June 2, 2023

By Steve Laubeon June 2, 2023
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I’m sorry about today’s video, but it made me laugh. The title is so appropriate: “When You’re Overqualified for the Job.” Stick with it till the one-minute mark and be amazed. This drummer just had to let loose! Sometimes you simply have bills to pay. Ever feel this way, metaphorically?  

Read moreFun Fridays – June 2, 2023
Category: Fun Fridays

20 Books That Molded Me

By Bob Hostetleron June 1, 2023
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I’ve read thousands of books in my lifetime. I’ve written on this blog about why I read and about my annual reading plan. I’ve posted about how to read more. So, yeah, I read a lot. Wanna make something of it? Where was I? Oh yeah. Over the course of my decades of reading, I’ve even kept a record of the books I’ve read. So, not only can I tell you (if not by memory at least by a quick …

Read more20 Books That Molded Me
Category: Personal, The Writing Life, Theology

You Gotta Have Friends … and Strangers Too

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 31, 2023
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No one likes to see negative book reviews. However, if you earn a negative review or two out of many, don’t despair. This event likely means strangers who have no personal interest in you, but are reading books only for themselves, are engaged with your work. That’s great news! Where Are the Readers? Keep in contact with potential readers so they’ll be amenable to your books and eager …

Read moreYou Gotta Have Friends … and Strangers Too
Category: Branding, Marketing, Platform

Fun Fridays – May 26, 2023

By Steve Laubeon May 26, 2023
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When a picture says a thousand words:  

Read moreFun Fridays – May 26, 2023
Category: Fun Fridays, HumorTag: Rejection

Voices of Experience: Why Mature Christian Writers Are Important

By Dan Balowon May 25, 2023
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This is the sixth and final in a series of posts on various types of writers worth giving our attention to. Those with military and missionary service in their backgrounds, young writers, creative writers, and humble writers can each contribute to the conversation within the church as they each have valuable perspectives. Many writers are a combination of these types, and today’s focus can also be …

Read moreVoices of Experience: Why Mature Christian Writers Are Important
Category: The Writing Life, Theology

The Writer Who Doesn’t Know What They Don’t Know

By Lynette Easonon May 24, 2023
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Dan Balow has been posting a series of blogs on different types of writers. I’ve been reading the posts with great interest, and I wanted to add one other type of writer I’ve come across: The writer who doesn’t know what he/she doesn’t know. I’ve been going to conferences and attending or speaking to writers groups now for over fifteen years. At these conferences, we have these things called …

Read moreThe Writer Who Doesn’t Know What They Don’t Know
Category: Inspiration, The Writing Life, Writing Craft
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