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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

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Start Writing Your Book

By Steve Laubeon January 30, 2023
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“I’m going to write a book someday” is a frequent statement heard by every editor, agent, or published author. I tend to believe the sentiment, but that is where it ends for many–a sentiment.

A survey done for Thriftbooks in late 2021 (link here) found that more than half of the respondents thought they had an idea for a novel. Of those, six percent were halfway done, and eight percent were finished. That means, of the other 86%, quite a number have yet to begin.

Sounds to me that one of the keys to writing your book is to start writing it. That may seem a silly thing to suggest, especially to this audience; but there is method to that obvious advice.

For those writing fiction, remember there is a craft to good storytelling. Everything from pace to characterization to dialogue to setting. Each piece creates a tapestry. It’s not easy, but it can be fun! A number of novelists try their hand at flash fiction or short stories (not necessarily for publication) to get a feel for the craft.

In nonfiction, consider short-form writing first: articles, blogs, guest posts, and more. Dozens of successful writers developed their writing by starting small. These shorter pieces can be used to attract readers and build a platform. Often nonfiction puts the author in a position of being a Subject-Matter Expert, a go-to person on a particular area of interest.

But none of this can happen until you start. How about today?

Stumped on where to start? JournalBuddies.com has a list of 64 writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing. (Example: “If the color blue could speak, what would it say?”)

 

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Category: The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – January 27, 2023

By Steve Laubeon January 27, 2023
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Today’s video is an oldie but a goodie: the Marx Brothers around a piano from the movie Animal Crackers. Can you believe this film is 93 years old? Silly fun that still can make you smile. (If you can’t see the video in your email newsletter subscription, click through to the site itself.)

Read moreFun Fridays – January 27, 2023
Category: Fun Fridays

Bestselling Christian Books in 1977

By Dan Balowon January 26, 2023
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Forty-five years ago this spring (March 12, 1978), The New York Times ran a story giving the best-selling books of 1977. They created the list by sampling 2,500 Christian bookstores affiliated with the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). While bestseller lists of Christian books are derived differently now, this list is interesting and shows how the Christian publishing market has …

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Category: Publishing History

Who and What I’m Looking for (Bob Hostetler)

By Bob Hostetleron January 25, 2023
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(Updated 1/25/2023) As the world turns and 2022 gives way to 2023, I have been a literary agent with The Steve Laube Agency for five-and-a-half years. In many ways, 2022 was my most surprising and successful year yet as an agent. My clients made me look good, and my boss so far hasn’t made me look for a new job; so I’ve got those things going for me. With all that in mind, let me offer an updated …

Read moreWho and What I’m Looking for (Bob Hostetler)
Category: Agency, Agents, Book ProposalsTag: Agency, Agents, Get Published

New All-Access Membership to The Christian Writers Institute

By Steve Laubeon January 23, 2023
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We are excited to announce a new, all-access membership option for The Christian Writers Institute! Keep reading to find out more. _____ In this agency blog, we often encourage you to improve your understanding of the craft and become involved in a writing community. Authors are often surprised to realize that writing isn’t the solitary “sit and stare at the computer screen 8 hours a day” job that …

Read moreNew All-Access Membership to The Christian Writers Institute
Category: Christian Writers Institute

Fun Fridays – January 20, 2023

By Steve Laubeon January 20, 2023
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Ten Perplexing Questions If tomatoes are a fruit, is ketchup considered a smoothie? Which orange came first – the fruit or the color? If you told someone to “be a leader and not a follower,” wouldn’t they become a follower by following your advice? What would happen if Pinocchio said, “My nose will grow now”? Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food? If a word is misspelled …

Read moreFun Fridays – January 20, 2023
Category: Fun Fridays

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

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 19, 2023
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(Updated 1/19/2023) 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 …

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

What I Am Looking For (Dan Balow)

By Dan Balowon January 18, 2023
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(Updated 1/18/2023) One of the great challenges for any agent is to figure out what publishers might be looking to publish. But it gets even more complicated when you consider they are looking for books to publish a year or more into the future. Add on the time it takes to write a book and get it ready to publish, and we are all in the guessing game of what people might want to read in 2024 and …

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Category: Agency, Book ProposalsTag: Agency, book proposals

Bring the Books (What Steve Laube Is Looking For)

By Steve Laubeon January 16, 2023
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Read moreBring the Books (What Steve Laube Is Looking For)
Category: Agency, Book Proposals, Creativity, TrendsTag: Agency, book proposals

Fun Fridays – January 13, 2022

By Steve Laubeon January 13, 2023
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On Friday the 13th, we must be reminded that there is always “that” backseat driver in the car. Don’t be “that” this year. (If you can’t see the video in your email newsletter subscription, click through to the site itself.)

Read moreFun Fridays – January 13, 2022
Category: Fun Fridays, The Writing Life
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