This is a perfect video for Mother’s Day weekend. Please read the story, then click through to the YouTube video. A Mother dances with her blind daughter in an absolutely beautiful way.
HT: Ann Voskamp’s “Only the Good Stuff“
Bookstore Economics 101
by Steve Laube
Understanding the economics of your local brick-and-mortar bookstore should help you understand the upheaval that is happening in our industry. So put on your math cap and let's take a ride.
This article focuses on the bookstore not the publisher or the writer. I spent over a decade in the Christian bookstore business, and while that was a long time ago the economic principles …
Fun Fridays – April 30, 2021
Before watching today’s video, I would never have guessed how many languages are spoken on Earth today. Amaze your friends with the answer! In the midst of the video, Tom Scott makes a point about words that have changed meaning in recent years (before and after the Internet). I thought of a few others: Spam. Follow. Handle. Like. Swipe. Tablet. Text. Virus. And even “Friend.” …
When the Outlook Is Bleak
by Steve Laube
In the constant ebb and flow of this industry we have authors celebrating and authors in tears. Ask any agent and you will hear the same. For every author excited about their new contract there is another experiencing bitter disappointment.
And I wish I could fix it.
To hear the anguish is difficult, but to be the one who delivers the bad news is heart-wrenching. Why is it …
Fun Fridays – April 23, 2021
Since the snow has finally melted for most of you and spring is in bloom, I thought it would be fun to look at the melting of snowflakes, in reverse. Start with the drop of water and see it turn into something of great beauty. Sort of like your writing. Each one of you is unique, no two alike. Nor are your books or articles or words. Ask two people to write a story based on a famous Norman …
Ten Years!
Ten years ago this week Tamela Hancock Murray signed an agreement to become a part of our agency. Ten years! I was honored then and remain honored that she is part of our team. From managing dozens of fabulous authors to successfully landing hundreds of new book deals, she works tirelessly for her clients. She has written nearly 500 blog posts, trying to help each of you grow as a writer. In …
Fun Fridays – April 16, 2021
Considering the topic of the post on Monday, April 5, today’s video is absolutely perfect. Are YOU a dedicated reader like this? (If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.) HT: Trissina Kear
Why Is the Book Proposal So Important?
This question has been raised many times: “Why do I have to jump through your hoops to create a proposal only to have it rejected with a form letter?” It’s a Job Application Your proposal is, in essence, an application to have a business (corporate or sole proprietor) to pay you to publish your book, to spend their money on your work in a effort to create a profitable product. …
A Shocking Tragedy
We at the Steve Laube Agency were shocked and so very saddened yesterday morning to learn of the tragic events that took the life of our client, Dr. Robert Lesslie, along with his wife, two of their grandchildren, and two others. We express our sincere prayers and our heartfelt condolences to all who knew, loved, and worked with Dr. Lesslie, who was highly regarded in his profession and in the …
Read “A Christian Reading Manifesto”
Last year David Steele created this document: “A Christian Reading Manifesto.” It bears review for those of us in the writing of books and those who believe in the power of reading said books. Given the efforts of our secular culture to redefine words and their meaning, his statement “Reading Forces Us to Reckon With Words” resonated. I’ve often said, “People of …