I am very excited to announce that Thomas Umstattd, Jr. has joined the agency as our newest literary agent.
We continually look for ways to increase the services our agency provides to current and potential clients. I have known Thomas for 12 years; and by adding him to our agency, we can expand our role in helping to maximize our client’s sales through his extensive experience in marketing, branding, and technology. Thomas’s strengths are his understanding of book marketing and what it takes to market yourself as an author. Our agency team has expertise in all facets of the industry: writer, bookseller, editor, marketer, agent, teacher, indie author, consultant, executive management, and publisher.
For many years Thomas helped authors build their websites via his Author Media company. When he was the marketing director for Enclave Publishing, their sales doubled in 18 months. He most recently was the marketing director for Fahrenheit Marketing, which focused on brand development for both corporations and individuals. He is a veteran podcaster with multiple ongoing shows, including the very popular “Novel Marketing” cohosted by Jim Rubart. He has also served as a board member for several nonprofits, including the Texas Alliance for Life. You can find out more on his personal website at www.thomasumstattd.com.
Thomas is a regular speaker and has spoken at dozens of writers conferences all over the world (including Scotland, Canada, and Hawaii). In addition, he also indie published his book Courtship in Crisis, using a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch it.
I am glad to add that he will also become the Vice President of The Christian Writers Institute.
He is married to Margaret, and they are expecting their first child this month! He will be working from his office in Austin, TX.
We will be eventually integrating Thomas’s insights into our regular blog schedule. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.
You can find a description of the kinds of proposals Thomas is looking for here.
Janine Rosche
Welcome, Thomas!
Brennan S. McPherson
Woah! Did NOT see that one coming! Fantastic news, Steve. Will he be representing fiction as well as non-fiction?
Steve Laube
Later this week we’ll post Thomas’ “what I’m looking for” article.
For now he will be focusing on non-fiction. In addition he will look at children’s picture book proposals too.
Brennan S. McPherson
Thanks, Steve!
Elaine McAllister
Congratulations and welcome!
Vannetta Chapman
I’m just NW of Austin, so it’s great to see another Texan here. Welcome to the agency!
Loretta Eidson
Congratulations! Welcome, Thomas!
Gail Helgeson
That is great news! Congratulations.
J.D. Wininger
Welcome Mr. Umstattd. I look forward to growing with and learning from you sir.
Melissa Henderson
Welcome! Congratulations!
Carol Ashby
Welcome, Thomas. Looking forward to all we’ll learn from you!
Deborah Clack
Wonderful news!!! Welcome, Thomas!
Cele LeBlanc
Welcome Thomas! I’ll look forward to your blog.
Robert Treskillard
Congrats, Thomas!
Tiffany Price
Thanks for sharing, Steve! Thomas, I pray your transition to The Steve Laube Agency is a smooth one! Congrats and welcome!
Jim Rubart
Stellar choice.
Brennan S. McPherson
You’re a bit biased, JIm. 😉 But I agree. Thomas is fantastic. I’d love to have him represent me (if I were pursuing a traditional pub deal).
Tony Tovar
Congratulations, Thomas! ????
Angela Breidenbach
Welcome, Thomas 🙂
Jan Cline
What a fantastic addition to the Laube agency! Thomas…you will rock the place.
Bob
Sounds like a great addition and a complement to the present agents with the agency. Congrats to all.
Shirlee Abbott
Exciting news! Thomas, we await your insights with eager anticipation.
Mary DeMuth
SOOOOOO excited, Thomas! Congratulations!
Jamie Foley
Whaaaaat?? How awesome!! Thomas will make an epic literary agent. For real. Congrats to Thomas and the agency!
Rebecca Barlow Jordan
Welcome, Thomas! I can say I knew you back when… Is there anything you don’t do? 🙂 I’m sure you’ll do a great job.
Judith Robl
Great news all around! Bravo!!!
Megan DiMaria
Wonderful! Yay for the agency, and yay for the clients!
Catherine
A wonderful new dimension! Congratulations!
Mary Hampton
Congratulations Thomas! Well done Steve! You have a great eye for talent of all types.
Andrew Dickson
Yay, hongera sana Thomas! Such a pleasure to have met Thomas in Austin recently while attending New Media Summit.
David Rawlings
Congratulations and welcome to the family Thomas!
Nanci Rubin
Welcome and congrats. The best Agency in the business.
Janet Ann Collins
Yay! You couldn’t have made a better choice.
Roberta Sarver
Welcome, Thomas and best wishes as you add your part to this already wonderful agency.
Jenny Leo
Great news! You will be an awesome agent. Congrats!
Julie Sunne
Congratulations, Thomas! Looking forward to gleaning from your experiences.