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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for Steve Laube » Page 5

Steve Laube

4 Conference Success Secrets

By Steve Laubeon March 3, 2025
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I have been on the faculty of nearly 200 writers conferences over the years. Some might say that is the definition of insanity… !?! But I would not be where I am today if it were not for the fine people I have met over the years at those events. I am a firm believer in the purpose behind a writers conference and what can be accomplished.

After a while it became clear which writers were going to have a successful conference and those who weren’t. Let’s look at some tips to achieve conference success.

1. Set Appropriate Expectations. More often than not, first-timers have visions of grandeur, thinking they are going to be “discovered” and in short order would be flying in a private jet paid for by their publisher.

It has happened (not the jet part), but it is so rare they can be counted on one hand. It is wise to set expectations very low. Likely you will meet a couple of editors. You will get to practice your pitch a few times. But you will learn a lot of new things from the classes and from listening to others talk about the writing profession.

2. Be Prepared. You never know when you will suddenly be confronted with that agent or editor you’ve always wanted to meet but couldn’t get an appointment with. I have experienced it firsthand, watching recognition flow across the writer’s face … accompanied by their sudden inability to talk coherently.

Remember, we agents and editors want to meet and talk with new writers. Otherwise, we would not be at the conference! We want to talk to you! Don’t worry that you’ve been caught off guard; but if we do ask, “What are you working on?” be prepared to answer. You can even say, “You want to hear my sound-bite pitch?” Of course, we do. Take a deep breath and let ’er rip.

Understand that a writers conference is a safe place to fail. Your pitch may be poorly framed. Your idea may need to be reworked. Your pet project may be an echo of one that we just sold to a publisher. That is okay. See #1 above. If you set your expectations to zero, hitting a 1 on a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is the bottom) is a victory, no matter how small.

3. Keep a Positive Attitude. Don’t let your anxiety, lack of sleep, jet lag, or information overload ruin your experience.

I once stood behind two women who were arguing about which one would get the last appointment left on the schedule–with me. I had come to the table to see what the appointment schedule was like and came upon this potentially ugly scene. They were starting to do a little hip-checking at each other and angrily saying things like “I drove six hours to get here to see him and I got here first.” The conference had not even started yet, and two people were already on edge.

I leaned in, lightly touched their shoulders, and said, “Maybe I can help.” One of them turned pale and wide-eyed. The other turned beet red. We all laughed nervously and figured out a way where they both could have an appointment.

Remember that while you are in public, there are eyes that may see you in action. Eyes that see how you treat conference staff or hotel staff or restaurant employees.

You have invested a lot of time and a lot of money to attend the conference. But while that is true, keeping a light heart and a willing smile will make the experience so much more enjoyable.

4. Ours Is a Small Industry. If you are going to regale those around your lunch table about how awful your editor is at So&So Publishers, be aware that there are others within earshot of your tale.

Awful rumors can start at conferences. I once had an editor call to find out why I was shutting down the agency; he thought we were successful. ??? After stammering for a moment, I had to ask, “Whatever gave you that impression?” It seems he had overheard someone at a conference saying something to that effect. I was quick to correct his error. I’m grateful he called to verify the veracity of the story and had not spread the rumor.

Remember that we agents and editors know one another, some with relationships that go back many decades. And we do talk to one another on occasion. So, be careful with your words and your complaints. Often what you say is not heard with precision, and the new version becomes the story that is retold.

Your Turn

Any secrets of success you want to add?

 

 

 

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Category: Career, ConferencesTag: Success, writers conferences

Fun Fridays – February 28, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 28, 2025
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Ten years ago, there were Llamas on the Lloose in a suburb of Phoenix! Enjoy the Llama Drama, set to very appropriate music. It’s Llike a Llittle Llost writer at a conference trying to find their cLlassroom. Fortunately, there was a local cowboy with a Llasso. Yes, Phoenix has cowboys.   HT: Trissina Kear

Read moreFun Fridays – February 28, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

How Do You Know What Will (or Will Not) Sell?

By Steve Laubeon February 24, 2025
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There is a mysterious magic embedded in the mythos of the publishing industry: the ability to pick successful books. I was recently asked, “You say ‘no’ so often, how do you know when to say ‘yes?’” I wish I could claim that every agent and publisher have a secret formula we consult to know what will sell. Ask any group of us for that secret and we will all laugh because there is no “secret.” We …

Read moreHow Do You Know What Will (or Will Not) Sell?
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Branding, Career, PlatformTag: Agents, book proposals, Career, Pitching, What Sells, Writers

Fun Fridays – February 21, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 21, 2025
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16 writing puns and jokes. I claim no originality nor responsibility. It’s not my fault! ________________ I’m a big fan of punctuation—period. I tried writing a story about flying, but it didn’t take off. Writing is the only write way to express myself. The manuscript was too long, so I had to cut to the chase. Why do writers always feel cold? Because they’re surrounded by drafts! What do …

Read moreFun Fridays – February 21, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

President’s Day – 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 17, 2025
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Today is President’s Day in the U.S. Originally established in 1885 as a recognition of George Washington’s birthday (February 22), it was later expanded to include Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and all other U.S. presidents. Over the centuries, there have been some amusing statements by various U.S. presidents. While you read them, think of how you might work humor into your nonfiction or your …

Read morePresident’s Day – 2025
Category: Humor

Fun Fridays – February 14, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 14, 2025
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Happy Valentine’s Day! It is well known that behind every man there is an even better woman. I am here to testify to that fact. My wife and I have been married for 43 1/2 years; and without her, I would be half the man I am today. She is what came to mind when I heard this classic song the other day:

Read moreFun Fridays – February 14, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

Fun Fridays – February 7, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 7, 2025
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Today’s funny: A pastor, a rabbit, and a priest walked into a restaurant. The rabbit says, “I think I’m a typo in this story.”

Read moreFun Fridays – February 7, 2025
Category: The Writing Life

Writer’s Block Becomes Writer’s Talk

By Steve Laubeon February 3, 2025
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Seth Godin once wrote in a blog post: No one ever gets talker’s block. No one wakes up in the morning, discovers he has nothing to say and sits quietly, for days or weeks, until the muse hits, until the moment is right, until all the craziness in his life has died down. What a liberating concept! It reminded me of a great book by Joel Saltzman, If You Can Talk, You Can Write. Of course, …

Read moreWriter’s Block Becomes Writer’s Talk
Category: Common Questoins, Craft, Creativity, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Writers Block

Fun Fridays – January 31, 2025

By Steve Laubeon January 31, 2025
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Are you like me and stunned that this is already the last day of January? Since our minds are blown, let’s enjoy some mindless fun with marbles playing music in today’s video.

Read moreFun Fridays – January 31, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

What Entered the Public Domain in 2025?

By Steve Laubeon January 27, 2025
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I try to post something about this every year. This year is no exception. In the United States, under U.S. copyright law, works published in 1929 and earlier are now in public domain. One can publish them or use them without securing copyright permission. In case you are wondering about the specifics, the Copyright Term Extension Act (passed in 1998) gave works published from 1923 through 1977 a …

Read moreWhat Entered the Public Domain in 2025?
Category: Book Business, Copyright Issues, Publishing History
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