Steve Laube

Fun Fridays – August 21, 2020

By Steve Laubeon August 21, 2020

Who knew this could be a Guinness World Record? Pam Onnen spells 56 words backwards in one minute! Shattered the old record by 17 words.

I can’t even spell “radar” backwards one time. Oh, wait.

The words are chosen at random. If you’d like to watch the interview with her after, keep watching the video.

Wouldn’t it be wild to have a character in your novel or screenplay based on someone with this ability? Imagine with me. “The world’s worst bank robber walks up to the counter and declares, ‘Kcits em pu!'”

Or a spy using it as a code? “Yps a ma I.”

Sorry, I can’t claim to be clever or original.

Now, uoy od ti.

When the Gloves Come Off

By Steve Laubeon August 17, 2020

The publishing experience is rarely done in isolation. This means working with other people. And if their performances or efforts do not meet your expectations, conflict can occur. Over the years I’ve seen more conflict than you can imagine–of all types and variety. But the majority of issues boil down to four areas: Editorial Production (cover design?) Marketing and publicity Getting …

Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, EditingTag: Career, Communication, Editing, Money

Fun Fridays – August 14, 2020

By Steve Laubeon August 14, 2020

We all need a smile break. What better than a puppy train? But since this is a blog about the writing industry, which one is the editor? Which one is the agent? Which one is the writer? Which one is the reader? And why? (Don’t forget the person behind the camera!) Smile!

Category: Fun Fridays

12 Steps to Publication

By Steve Laubeon August 10, 2020

It takes 12 strikes to achieve a perfect game in bowling. (See last Friday’s video.) It made me think there are 12 things that need to happen in the publication process. Each must knock down all the pins to achieve publishing success. With that simplistic idea in mind, I came up with the following: Idea – A book has to start somewhere Write chapter – if not the whole book …

Category: Book Proposals, Common Questoins, Editing, Get Published, Marketing, Pitching, Platform

Fun Fridays – August 7, 2020

By Steve Laubeon August 7, 2020

A perfect game in bowling is a score of 300. To achieve that you have to roll ten strikes in a row, then roll two more in the bonus. A total of 12 strikes. It is really, really, really hard to do. This guy, Ben Ketola, rolls 12 strikes in a row, in less than 90 seconds. Watch and be amazed. It does give me a moment to brag on my grandfather who bowled a perfect 300. He had the gold belt buckle to …

Category: Fun Fridays

When Your Publishing World Shifts Under You

By Steve Laubeon August 3, 2020

It is easy to forget that traditional publishing is a business. And businesses are run by people doing a variety of tasks. Sometimes those people change tasks … and even change companies. Our agency keeps a living document in a shared folder that allows us to keep up with the various editorial changes in our industry. There are times when we make adjustments every week. I continue to produce …

Category: The Publishing Life, The Writing LifeTag: Change

Fun Friday – July 31, 2020

By Steve Laubeon July 31, 2020

Worst year ever? Watch today’s video, and vote for your favorite. {Believe it or not, this video was posted almost FOUR months ago.} [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: Tamela

Category: Fun Fridays

A World of Similitudes

By Steve Laubeon July 27, 2020

Please indulge my ponderings today. I was recently reading a novel where the author* was describing the dream-state of the main character. As part of his musings, the phrase “a world of similitudes” was used. I had to stop reading for a minute; think about that phrase; and ask the question, “Is this what we are all experiencing today? A world of similitudes?” To understand, let’s first define a …

Category: Personal, Theology

Fun Fridays – July 24, 2020

By Steve Laubeon July 24, 2020

An extraordinary musical event is our feature today. 17,572 singers from 129 countries came together to perform Eric Whitacre’s “Sing Gently” in a virtual choir. At the end, all 17,000+ singers are shown on screen. You simply must watch to experience it. The song is a little over three minutes long, the credits last for seven! (They list every singer involved.) Below …

Category: Fun Fridays

Misunderstanding the Written Word

By Steve Laubeon July 20, 2020

Back on June 8, I wrote “Barriers to Effective Communication,” attempting to look at some things that get in the way in relationships, business, and writing. I’ve continued to reflect on this topic, particularly with regard to the written word. Not only in books and articles, but also in our emails and social-media posts. Author Intent Have you ever been upset by an email from a …

Category: Communication, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Criticism