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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray

Tamela Hancock Murray

I’ll Probably Ask to See Your Work

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 5, 2026
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If you have an appointment to meet with me at the ACFW conference later this month, thank you. I love meeting with authors! I know you have many options at the conference, and I appreciate you for choosing to meet with me.

What Can I Expect?

My goal is to get to know authors and, hopefully, make a great impression on all the authors I’m privileged to meet. The appointments are necessarily limited to a few moments, so I don’t look at the consultation as a chance to make a firm decision then and there about an author’s career. Don’t worry about practicing a pitch in front of a mirror for hours. Just be yourself and see if you’d like to work with me.

Are You Looking for Lots of New Clients?

I don’t expect to walk away with a new client after each appointment. Rather, I’d love to interact with you, talk about you and your work, and perhaps offer a few tips to help you be as successful as possible.

Will You Ask to See More?

Unless you’re writing in a genre or category I don’t represent, the probability of my asking to see a full proposal and manuscript is high. This is because I want to go back to the office and review your entire proposal and work rather than being taken away by your sparkling personality (This happens often for me with authors!), a brilliant concept, or social media presence alone. Editors are depending on me to perform due diligence, and I owe them – and you – that process to make the most of everyone’s limited time.

What if I’m Not Ready?

If you’re not ready to send me a proposal, let’s kick back and enjoy our time together. I love talking with authors at every stage, whether they are attending the conference to see if they even want to write, are breaking in, have written for some time, or have sold many books.

The Main Thing…

Enjoy this treasured time with other Christians.

See you soon!

 

 

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Category: Conferences

The Romance of the Scam

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 8, 2026
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Many people have written about book scams, but I was surprised to receive a letter about an old title of mine, More than Friends. At the moment, I have no plans to re-enter the writing world. I love being a literary agent so much that I wasn’t tempted. I’m sharing this because the tactic employed is the same as that in a romance scam. Rather than a love affair promised to a lonely person, this is …

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Category: Book Business, The Writing Life

Yes, Write Your Memoir

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 3, 2026
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Do you feel deeply and passionately that you should write your memoir? Though I am not actively seeking memoirs, judging from the submissions my office receives, many people do. Please know this discussion does not include biographies. They are different from memoirs because not only are they written by a biographer, but the subject has been determined to be of great enough interest to warrant a …

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Category: Memoir, Pitching

Letters I Hate Writing and Letters I Love Writing

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 6, 2026
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At my office, we make every effort to respond to serious queries and proposals. Now, maybe the manufacturer of metal pins based in another country is serious, but we send those emails to the trash bin. Or more accurately, the image of a trash bin on the computer. At least that trash bin doesn’t require Hefty citrus-scented trash bags and is in no danger of attracting hungry bears. And by the way, …

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Category: Agents

Uplifting One Another

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 8, 2026
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When I was a romance novelist, a few authors who weren’t published looked down on me. They didn’t think I belonged in rarified air with authors consistently writing larger books. Interesting fact: I never felt slighted by those known as “big” authors when I was writing category romance. They understood the difficulty and work in being published. At. All. One of the best sayings attributed to St. …

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Category: The Writing Life, Theology

Where to Begin?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 4, 2026
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All novelists must decide where to begin. This decision may not be as easy as we think. Fresh readers won’t become fans if they never get past the opening. Even the first sentence must be compelling. Readers have a split-second attention span. Writers must hook them immediately. You may say, “But my novel is a slow burn story.” That’s fine. However, the writer’s challenge is even greater then. The …

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Category: The Writing Life

Eliminate This Dangerous Thinking Now!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 4, 2026
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Comparisons are odious. This quote has been attributed to many since the words are so true.  Competition can lead to dangerous thinking that must be eliminated in 2026 and beyond. I’m not as good as that author who’s been writing for decades. Are you sure? That author might have many published books, yet earns barely enough money to meet monthly bills. How can I compete with dead people? Rather …

Read moreEliminate This Dangerous Thinking Now!
Category: The Writing Life, Theology

Book Proposals I’d Love to See (What Tamela Hancock Murray Is Looking For)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 14, 2026
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(Updated 1/14/2026) I’m thankful to the Lord that I’m a literary agent working for Him in Christian publishing. I’m grateful to the readers of this blog for being part of our writing community. As for approaching me with your work, let’s see if our passions match: Christian Romantic Suspense and Suspense Readers of Christian romantic suspense and suspense are a large and devoted fan base. I’m …

Read moreBook Proposals I’d Love to See (What Tamela Hancock Murray Is Looking For)
Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Craft, Creativity, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Agency, book proposals

Christmas Blessings to You!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 17, 2025
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Christmas is upon us, and after you read this, you’ll likely be wrapping gifts, mailing and receiving cards, and making plans for your Christmas feast. I’m grateful to be part of a community where Christ remains the center of all the festivities. Meanwhile, the news is filled with reports of “record-breaking” spending, “record-breaking” crowds, “record-breaking” online shopping, and on and on. And …

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Category: Personal

The Section Most Often Omitted in a Book Proposal

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 19, 2025
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When I receive proposals from authors new to me, they often omit the “Comparables” segment. I understand that authors may not be aware this section is needed, or that including it may seem like fluff. However, this portion is an essential piece of the proposal puzzle for editors and agents as we consider an author’s work. What do I need to include in my overall proposal? First, to be sure your …

Read moreThe Section Most Often Omitted in a Book Proposal
Category: Book Proposals
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