Steve Laube

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.”

Can you think of some?

(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 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

A Shocking Tragedy

By Steve Laubeon April 9, 2021

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 …

Category: Personal

Read “A Christian Reading Manifesto”

By Steve Laubeon April 5, 2021

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 …

Category: Book Review, Career, Christian, Theology

HarperCollins Buying Competitor?

By Steve Laubeon March 29, 2021

Over the weekend a rumored purchase (now confirmed, see below) has surfaced in The Wall Street Journal (link). The word is that News Corp (owner of HarperCollins and The Wall Street Journal) will be buying the consumer division (HMH Books & Media) of educational publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. If this goes through, it means classic books by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and George Orwell …

Category: Book Business, News You Can Use

Fun Fridays – March 26, 2021

By Steve Laubeon March 26, 2021

Try not to blink. As today’s video illustrates, our Creator made a universe nearly beyond comprehension. In the blink of an eye. Think about it today, every time you blink. “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or …

Category: Fun Fridays