• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

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

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook
  • RSS Feed
  • Get Published
  • Book Proposals
  • Book Business
  • Writing Craft
    • Conferences
    • Copyright
    • Craft
    • Creativity
    • Grammar
  • Fun Fridays
Home » Archives for Steve Laube » Page 10

Steve Laube

The Value of Book Awards

By Steve Laubeon August 26, 2024
Share
Tweet
7

This topic of book awards and their value is both subjective and nuanced. It is one reason I’ve not tackled it before since it can be easily misunderstood.

There are a lot of book awards in the industry, both in the general market and in the Christian market. Some are quite prestigious (the Pulitzer or the Nobel prize, for example) and others could be perceived as a scam to get unsuspecting writers to pay to enter.

Sometimes the publisher pays the entry fee. The rest of the time the author pays the fee. And there is a wide variety of costs for entry. This fee is legitimate and helps offset the significant expenses related to the management and processing of the entries. Ask your publisher which ones they will underwrite on your behalf. The others are the author’s choice.

Be sure to note the difference between being nominated for an award and being a finalist. One time a writer thought being nominated meant they were a finalist. In reality, nominated only meant the publisher had paid to enter the book in the contest and told the author about the entry.

What if You Win an Award?

Winning an award is great! At the very least, it is validation of the quality of your work. But it doesn’t always translate into new sales. The biggest reason is that awards presented this year, 2024, are for books published in 2023. So there is a lag time well after the initial marketing push when the book was new. (However, it does create an excuse to shout about it, especially on social media!)

Many times an award is presented, but the only ones who really know about it are those inside the industry. Compare the book industry to the music industry. You may hear the news of the top Grammy Awards, but did you know there are 91 Grammy Awards given out each year?

While not necessarily a fair comparison, I must ask the question, “Can you name two of the last five winners of American Idol?” (Fun fact: Kelly Clarkson won the first American Idol competition. But that was 22 years ago.)

Not all contests are equal in the eyes of the market or even in the industry. You may win a local writing contest in your small town (congratulations!), but does an award like that get your attention when considering the purchase of a new book?

Don’t get me wrong. I am glad there are organizations that work to provide recognition of great books. And it does look nice in your book proposal when pitching to an agent or an editor. But it is one piece of the larger picture. If your new proposal isn’t well written or on a topic of interest, it won’t matter how many past awards you have won; the answer will still be “no thank you.”

Also, let me be clear. We are very proud of the awards our authors have received. We have an entire page dedicated to those on our website. (Click here for our awards page.) It is a honor and a privilege to work with such amazing writers.

Should you enter contests? Absolutely. Will winning that award guarantee a massive book deal down the road? Unlikely. But it will give you an accolade that may encourage you to keep working on your writing gift.

Leave a Comment
Category: Awards

Fun Fridays – August 23, 2024

By Steve Laubeon August 23, 2024
Share
Tweet
16

I feel smarter just for watching this “Bohemian Gravity” video. I love the creator’s comments afterward, especially the understated, “Well, that took a while.” Yes, it does get weird. But then again, why are you surprised?

Read moreFun Fridays – August 23, 2024
Category: Fun Fridays

What Monday Looks Like

By Steve Laubeon August 19, 2024
Share
Tweet
5

The “to-do” list is rather steep today. Photo titled “Onwards and Upwards” by Frank Kunert. Found at https://www.instagram.com/p/CNvGeAeAYbb/ – posted April 16, 2021.  

Read moreWhat Monday Looks Like
Category: The Publishing Life

Fun Fridays – August 16, 2024

By Steve Laubeon August 16, 2024
Share
Tweet
10

I was going to do my own video of this activity, but decided to take a nap instead. There is a metaphor here, somewhere. Even world-class performers have to start with the basics. It is what they do with them that makes them world-class. See what you can do with a few words this coming week. Hop to it! You can stop after the two-minute mark as the rest is their logo on top of the music.

Read moreFun Fridays – August 16, 2024
Category: Fun Fridays

New Book Proposal Course

By Steve Laubeon August 12, 2024
Share
Tweet
4

I have some exciting news to share! The Christian Writers Institute has released an all-new edition of my “Elements of an Effective Book Proposal” course. Completely revised and expanded to provide even more value and insight. Why This Course Matters I have long taught that writing a book proposal is one of the most critical steps in securing a publishing deal. Whether you’re a …

Read moreNew Book Proposal Course
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Get Published, Pitching, Platform, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life, Writing Craft

Fun Fridays – August 9, 2024

By Steve Laubeon August 9, 2024
Share
Tweet
7

Today’s barbershop quartet is worth every one of the twelve minutes it takes to watch. It’s absolutely hilarious, and it’s made funnier because there is an explanation box on the screen to help the viewer understand the humor behind it all. To top it off, the score of their music scrolls below as they sing. It is breathtaking to see the tight harmonies and hear them at the same …

Read moreFun Fridays – August 9, 2024
Category: Fun Fridays

Know Your Genre When Making a Pitch

By Steve Laubeon August 5, 2024
Share
Tweet
7

Awhile ago I received a call that illustrates a common error a writer can make when making their pitch: the problem of not knowing the genre in which they are writing. The call went something like this: Writer: I’m calling to see if your agency handles westerns. Agent: That is a tough genre to sell in the current market, but a lot would depend on how well you can write it. Writer: Some …

Read moreKnow Your Genre When Making a Pitch
Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Conferences, Get Published, Marketing, PitchingTag: book proposals, Genre, Get Published, Pitch; Genre; proposals, Pitching

Fun Fridays – August 2, 2024

By Steve Laubeon August 2, 2024
Share
Tweet
6

The website mentioned in today’s video is real. Too funny!

Read moreFun Fridays – August 2, 2024
Category: Fun Fridays

Publishing Success Can Be Fleeting

By Steve Laubeon July 29, 2024
Share
Tweet32
48

Can you name the USA national college football champion in 2019? Or name the winner of American Idol in 2022? What was the best-selling Christian novel in 2023? Or, even harder, name two of the top five top best-selling Christian nonfiction books of 2019, only five years ago. My point is that success is fleeting. On top today, forgotten tomorrow. But that depends on your definition of success, …

Read morePublishing Success Can Be Fleeting
Category: Book Business, CareerTag: Career, Success

Fun Fridays – July 26, 2024

By Steve Laubeon July 26, 2024
Share
Tweet
6

It is time for the Summer Olympics! Today’s video shows the fill of victory and agony of the feet.

Read moreFun Fridays – July 26, 2024
Category: Fun Fridays
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Page 10
  • Page 11
  • Page 12
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 135
  • Next

Sidebar

Get Blog Updates

Enter your email address to get new blog updates delivered via email. You can unsubscribe at any time.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Grow as a Writer


Find Out More →

Popular Posts

Top Posts on Book Proposals
  • Hints for a Great Cover Letter
  • The Keys to a Great Book Proposal
  • What Steve Laube is Looking For
  • Book Proposals I’d Love to See – Tamela Hancock Murray
  • What I’m Looking for – Bob Hostetler
  • What I’m Looking for – Dan Balow
  • What I’m Looking for – Lynette Eason
  • What’s the Best Way to Submit My Self-Published Book?
  • What Is the Agent Doing While I Wait?
  • God Gave Me This Blog Post
Top Posts on The Business Side
  • When Your Book Becomes Personal
  • The Myth of the Unearned Advance
  • How Long Does it Take to Get Published?
  • What Are Average Book Sales?
  • Can You Plagiarize Yourself?
  • Never Burn a Bridge
  • Who Decides to Publish Your Book?
  • That Conference Appointment
  • Goodbye to Traditional Publishing?
  • Who Owns Whom in Publishing?
  • Ten Commandments for Working with Your Agent
  • Writers Beware! Protect Yourself
Top Series
  • Book Proposal Basics
  • Publishing A-Z
  • A Defense of Traditional Publishing
Top Posts on Rejection
  • The Slush Pile: Enter at Your Own Risk
  • Even the Best Get Rejected
  • Five Reasons Why You May Never Get Published
  • The Unhelpful Rejection Letter
  • Writers Learn to Wait

Blog Post Archives by Month

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · The Steve Laube Agency · All Rights Reserved · Website by Stormhill Media