• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook
  • RSS Feed
  • Get Published
  • Book Proposals
  • Book Business
  • Writing Craft
    • Conferences
    • Copyright
    • Craft
    • Creativity
    • Grammar
  • Fun Fridays
Home » Archives for Steve Laube » Page 73

Steve Laube

Variety is the Spice in an Agent’s Inbox

By Steve Laubeon October 23, 2017
Share
Tweet
22

The other day a writer asked me, “Describe a typical work day for you.” I choked back a laugh and said, “There is no such thing as ‘typical’ in the day of a literary agent.”

There are many things that repeat. Royalty statements, new deal negotiations, contract evaluations, reviewing client proposals, and the unsolicited inquiries. But within those is a constant variety.

I wrote down a sample of “some of the things I did” during a recent week. Maybe it will paint an Impressionistic picture of a Week in the Life of a Literary Agent.

__________

Helped a number of clients with their new proposals. Kicked them back to the client with revisions so we can make the pitch stronger.

Sent a non-fiction proposal to multiple publishers for their consideration. Then answered questions from two editors who asked for further information right away. This means it got those editor’s attention immediately, which is a good thing.

A fiction editor asked some questions about a full manuscript they are reviewing and wanted to hear the author’s vision for the cover.

Discussed the translation rights for multiple projects with a publisher in Europe.

Email from client mentioned a new ministry opportunity, then discussed two ideas that could be developed into books that fit that new platform.

A number of clients called to ask some business questions and touch base.

Received a half dozen calls from local (Phoenix area) unpublished writers who googled “literary agent” and called the first number they saw in the search engine results. Each had to be asked to please visit the agency’s web site first. No, we can’t have coffee and explain how the whole publishing “thing” works. No, we don’t represent movie scripts or stage plays. No, we do not have a “package price” for the cost to publish your book. No, we are not an agency to book actors. All were innocent inquiries but much could have been answered by reviewing our site.

Reviewed the artwork/portfolio from a possible illustrator for a client’s children’s contracted picture/devotional book.

Answered interview questions from a journalist writing for an industry periodical.

Had to declare a publisher in breach of contract for failing to publish a contracted book in the agreed upon period of time (18 months). Publisher agreed to the conditions. Author keeps the advance monies and all rights have reverted. (If you are wondering, this rarely happens.)

Accounting: Reviewed the royalty statements from multiple publishers. Made sure everything lined up correctly with the royalty checks included. Received advance payments on many projects. Made sure the monies lined up with the contractually agreed amounts. Approved the deposits for each and made sure each agent in our firm was properly credited for their work.

Wrote a bunch of rejection letters…Talk about variety.
Everything from fiction genres as diverse as dystopian, romance, thriller, historical, fantasy, contemporary women’s, literary, business parables, and science fiction proposals to non-fiction on topics as varied as: The tension between Arminianism and Calvinism; Pregnancy loss; Loss of Spouse; Breast cancer; Alzheimer’s; How to Follow Jesus when you don’t know how; Naval history; Nine volumes on a self-improvement project; How “Truth” is an evolution like magnetism between cells… etc.

Signed agency agreements for three new clients.  And finalized contract negotiations on five new projects. Tamela, Dan, and Bob are busy too!

Helped client navigate a conversation with the editor and the editorial director in relation to the direction of a book currently being written.

Counseled a client who had to pull the plug on a potential collaboration project. Fortunately, all that was lost was some time.

___

Believe it or not, it was a relatively quiet week.

Therefore my point about there not being a “typical” day holds true. But variety is an apt description. I suspect this week will hold many of the same, but different, things. I look forward to the tasks at hand!

 

 

 

Leave a Comment
Category: Agency, Agents, Book Business, The Publishing LifeTag: Agency, Agents

Fun Fridays – October 20, 2017

By Steve Laubeon October 20, 2017
Share
Tweet
13

A change of pace today. Do yourself a favor. Set aside 10 minutes. Turn up your speakers. Quiet your mind and heart. Close your eyes. Then play this video. The song “Alleluia” by Eric Whitaker is performed. (There is nothing to watch, only the album cover is displayed.) While you let the music wash over you, pray. Lift your burdens before the One and Only One who can help you carry …

Read moreFun Fridays – October 20, 2017
Category: Encouragement, Fun Fridays, Personal

10 Publishing Related Facts About Winnie-the-Pooh

By Steve Laubeon October 14, 2017
Share
Tweet
13

Winnie-the-Pooh turned 91 years old today, Saturday, October 14, 2017! The book, Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, was first published on October 14, 1926. Our family celebrates the day each year. Even with our kids all grown up and married, my wife still bakes Pooh cookies and decorates them. Here are some fun publishing related facts about Winnie-the-Pooh: ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ was …

Read more10 Publishing Related Facts About Winnie-the-Pooh
Category: Humor

Grammar and the Singular “They”

By Steve Laubeon October 9, 2017
Share
Tweet
40

Yesterday I opened a can of worms. There were many worms in the can; some male and some female. I discovered that a few of the worms were married to each other. One couple was having a marital disagreement. They were arguing about grammar, of all things. The fight was about the proper use of gender pronouns. Here is the sentence under dispute:

“When a spouse greets a partner with derision …

Read moreGrammar and the Singular “They”
Category: GrammarTag: Grammar, pronouns

Fun Fridays – October 6, 2017

By Steve Laubeon October 6, 2017
Share
Tweet
9

“Destroy a Book Title with One Word” A fun game to play today! This hilarious pun-related exercise has been around for years but thought we might have fun with it today. Below are some Christian book titles which either have a word added, a word changed, or a letter added or changed, with bizarre results! The first nine are my own creations and the rest are ones I’ve come across …

Read moreFun Fridays – October 6, 2017
Category: Fun Fridays, Humor

When Does a Book Become Public Domain?

By Steve Laubeon October 2, 2017
Share
Tweet
22

Writers frequently ask about whether they need permission to quote from another book. The answer is usually yes. But if the book is in the public domain that permission is unnecessary. I don't want to tackle the issue of "Fair Use" today, but instead provide a few links that you can use to find out if a book is in the public domain, or not.

First, use this form …

Read moreWhen Does a Book Become Public Domain?
Category: Copyright, Legal Issues, Writing CraftTag: Copyright, Legal Issues, public domain

Fun Fridays – September 29, 2017

By Steve Laubeon September 29, 2017
Share
Tweet
14

Every. Single. Action movie trailer in one short visual instruction kit. While hilarious in it’s send up of cliches, it should make every author think of how they are pitching their current book to an agent or a publisher. This “formula” is a form of your competition for people’s attention. Enjoy

Read moreFun Fridays – September 29, 2017
Category: Fun Fridays

Tamela Hancock Murray Named Agent-of-the-Year

By Steve Laubeon September 25, 2017
Share
Tweet
79

We are very excited to announce that during the recent ACFW (American Christan Fiction Writers) annual event, Tamela was named Agent-of-the-Year! ACFW has the largest gathering of Christan fiction authors in the country. I can personally attest to Tamela’s abilities and her success. She is an extremely hard worker who loves her clients and her job. There are few in this industry who can match her …

Read moreTamela Hancock Murray Named Agent-of-the-Year
Category: Agency, AwardsTag: Agency, Awards, Tamela Hancock Murray

Fun Fridays – September 22, 2017

By Steve Laubeon September 22, 2017
Share
Tweet
8

Wish your publisher thought this way about you?

Read moreFun Fridays – September 22, 2017
Category: Fun Fridays

Marketing vs. Publicity

By Steve Laubeon September 18, 2017
Share
Tweet
18

by Steve Laube

Recent I have run into a common misunderstanding. Some writers use the words "marketing" and "publicity" (or P.R. "public relations") as synonyms when actually one is a subset of the other.

There are marketing departments that have a publicity division or a marketing department that outsources their publicity. The two go hand in hand and should compliment each other.

The …

Read moreMarketing vs. Publicity
Category: Book Business, Marketing, SteveTag: Book Business, Marketing, Publicity
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 71
  • Page 72
  • Page 73
  • Page 74
  • Page 75
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 134
  • Next

Sidebar

Get Blog Updates

Enter your email address to get new blog updates delivered via email. You can unsubscribe at any time.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Grow as a Writer


Find Out More →

Popular Posts

Top Posts on Book Proposals
  • Hints for a Great Cover Letter
  • The Keys to a Great Book Proposal
  • What Steve Laube is Looking For
  • Book Proposals I’d Love to See – Tamela Hancock Murray
  • What I’m Looking for – Bob Hostetler
  • What I’m Looking for – Dan Balow
  • What I’m Looking for – Lynette Eason
  • What’s the Best Way to Submit My Self-Published Book?
  • What Is the Agent Doing While I Wait?
  • God Gave Me This Blog Post
Top Posts on The Business Side
  • When Your Book Becomes Personal
  • The Myth of the Unearned Advance
  • How Long Does it Take to Get Published?
  • What Are Average Book Sales?
  • Can You Plagiarize Yourself?
  • Never Burn a Bridge
  • Who Decides to Publish Your Book?
  • That Conference Appointment
  • Goodbye to Traditional Publishing?
  • Who Owns Whom in Publishing?
  • Ten Commandments for Working with Your Agent
  • Writers Beware! Protect Yourself
Top Series
  • Book Proposal Basics
  • Publishing A-Z
  • A Defense of Traditional Publishing
Top Posts on Rejection
  • The Slush Pile: Enter at Your Own Risk
  • Even the Best Get Rejected
  • Five Reasons Why You May Never Get Published
  • The Unhelpful Rejection Letter
  • Writers Learn to Wait

Blog Post Archives by Month

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · The Steve Laube Agency · All Rights Reserved · Website by Stormhill Media