Steve Laube

Fun Fridays – May 14, 2021

By Steve Laubeon May 14, 2021

Today’s video had me laughing out loud. It was far too close to what can really happen in an interview with an author. Enjoy Bob Newhart at his best during this six-minute comedy sketch.

At a writers conference years ago, I met someone who claimed they had a worm in their backyard that whispered great truths. Plus this person claimed to be able to control the weather. You never know what an author might spring on you!

(If you cannot see the embedded video in your newsletter email, please click the headline and go directly to our site to view it.)

When Your Proposal Doesn’t Sell

By Steve Laubeon May 10, 2021

by Steve Laube

It happens. Despite all efforts and good intentions not every proposal we shop will end up being contracted by a major publisher. Of course our agency tries our best to keep that from happening. We carefully choose which projects and authors we represent. And our success rate is extremely high.

But that success rate is not 100%.

Here are a few examples of projects that …

Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Self-Publishing, The Writing LifeTag: book proposals, Get Published

Fun Fridays – May 7, 2021

By Steve Laubeon May 7, 2021

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“

Category: Fun Fridays

Bookstore Economics 101

By Steve Laubeon May 3, 2021

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 …

Category: Book Business, Book Sales, TrendsTag: Book Sales, Bookstore, Economics

Fun Fridays – April 30, 2021

By Steve Laubeon 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.” …

Category: Fun Fridays

When the Outlook Is Bleak

By Steve Laubeon April 26, 2021

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 …

Category: Book Business, Career, TheologyTag: Career, Encouragement, Outlook

Fun Fridays – April 23, 2021

By Steve Laubeon 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 …

Category: The Writing Life

Ten Years!

By Steve Laubeon April 19, 2021

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 …

Category: Agency

Fun Fridays – April 16, 2021

By Steve Laubeon 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

Category: Fun Fridays

Why Is the Book Proposal So Important?

By Steve Laubeon April 12, 2021

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. …

Category: Book Proposals, Pitch, Pitching