Steve Laube

Veterans Day – 100th Anniversary

By Steve Laubeon November 11, 2018

Today, November 11, 2018, is the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was set to honor the end of World War I, which happened on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It became a legal holiday in the U.S. in 1938 and was renamed as Veterans Day in 1954.

It is our opportunity to thank and celebrate all those who have served our country in military service. Thank you for your service!

Below is a beautiful five-minute video put together last month by a high school student.

Fun Fridays – November 9, 2018

By Steve Laubeon November 9, 2018

Today’s video is designed to make you think more deeply about art. Especially the intentionality of great art. Understanding the use of light and shadow, which directs your eye when looking at art, can help you view book-cover design in a new way. Bad cover designs make you look at the wrong part of the cover. Great covers help you focus on what is most important. Let’s learn from the …

Category: Art, Fun Fridays

Announcing “The Christian Publishing Show”

By Steve Laubeon November 5, 2018

We are very excited to announce the launch of a new feature. “The Christian Publishing Show” podcast hosted by Thomas Umstattd Jr. Each week we will have a new 20-minute podcast for you to listen to online or with any device you’d like to use. Podcasts are a different way to access the great content our agency has to offer. We will be interviewing our own agents, have some …

Category: Agency, PodcastTag: Podcast

Fun Fridays – November 2, 2018

By Steve Laubeon November 2, 2018

Today’s cartoon shows how an author can control a free-spirited character. With hilarious results.

Category: Fun Fridays

A New Association for Christian Retailers

By Steve Laubeon October 29, 2018

Last week, in “response to changes in the industry,” one of which I addressed in the post “Rumbles in CBA,” a new retail association has been formed. The Munce Group has long been a strong collection of Christian retailers who used their combined buying power to market and sell more products in their local stores. With the uncertainty of the ICRS (International Christian Retail Show) and the …

Category: Book Business, Conventions, Publishing News

Fun Fridays – October 26, 2018

By Steve Laubeon October 26, 2018

This is fun! Watch the whole thing and see if you are a good observer.

Category: Fun Fridays

Changes in the Agency

By Steve Laubeon October 22, 2018

The Greek philosopher Plato, in quoting Heraclitus, wrote, “Everything changes and nothing stands still.” Some say it another way, “The only constant is change.” In 2016 Dan Balow started a small publishing company called Gilead Publishing, which he has been overseeing in his “spare time” while simultaneously being a great literary agent. After many long conversations, it became apparent, as …

Category: Agency

Fun Fridays – October 19, 2018

By Steve Laubeon October 19, 2018

Tim Hawkins is a favorite comedian. This new video is no exception! HT: Dan Balow (blame this one on Dan) For more video fun by Tim Hawkins, visit his site: https://timhawkins.net/blogs/video

Category: Fun Fridays

Of Making Many Books There Is No End

By Steve Laubeon October 15, 2018

This past week Bowker, the company that issues ISBN numbers for published books, released their annual statistics. They broke out the numbers for self-published books and revealed a stunning statistic. (If you want the history and explanation of the ISBN, read my scintillating post on the topic here. Each country issues their own ISBNs; Bowker is the one for the U.S.) The total number of ISBNs …

Category: Book Proposals, Marketing, Platform, Self-Publishing, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – October 12, 2018

By Steve Laubeon October 12, 2018

Stefan Xidas has Down Syndrome and a dream of singing the National Anthem before a Chicago Cubs baseball game. His wish came true a month ago. And, as promised, he now has raised over $20,000 for Special Olympics at this GoFundMe page. This one simply gave me a joy-filled smile. Hope it does the same for you. The full song is below in a second video. Dreams can come true.

Category: Fun Fridays