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Fun Fridays – July 10, 2026

By Steve Laubeon July 10, 2026

The World Cup of Soccer is still going on with the teams whittled down to only a few still in the competition.

There was a particular match played years ago that was captured on film by those odd men whose group is called Monty Pyton’s Flying Circus.

This particular match between Greece and Germany is one that anyone with a modicum of philosophical knowledge will thoroughly enjoy. (The referees are Confucius, Augustine, and Aquinas.)

Have fun!

(If you cannot see the video in your email newsletter feed, click through to our website where you can enjoy it.)

HT: Dan Balow

Today, we wish a happy 125th birthday to the late British author Barbara Cartland, who died in 2000, just before turning 99. If you have never heard of her, it might be worth a minute or two to familiarize yourself with a very distinctive, flamboyant, prolific, and best-selling author. Photos of her and her home are alone worth a thousand words. She wrote romance novels in the historical and …

Category: Publishing History, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

The Romance of the Scam

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 8, 2026

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 …

Category: Book Business, The Writing Life

Monday Moments – July 6, 2026

By Steve Laubeon July 6, 2026

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, …

Category: Monday Moments

Fun Fridays – July 3, 2026

By Steve Laubeon July 3, 2026

With July 4th this weekend, we in the United States celebrate Independence Day. Today, be stirred by this rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Sandi Patty. First sung in 1986, it has become one of the most electrifying performances of all time. Turn up your volume, and stay through to the exhilarating crescendo at the end. (The video goes black for a moment after the opening …

Category: Fun Fridays

A Summer of Reading Dangerously

By Steve Laubeon June 29, 2026

Be careful what you read. It may change your life! Franz Kafka wrote that books can “wound and stab us … wake us up with a blow on the head … affect us like a disaster … grieve us deeply.” As we slide further into Summer, think about the books you plan to read the rest of this year. What is on your to-read list? Is there a book with which you know you will disagree? Is there one that could rattle …

Category: ReadingTag: Reading

Fun Fridays – June 26, 2026

By Steve Laubeon June 26, 2026

Today, abbreviated, is 6/26/26. Isn’t that fun? To thoroughly geek out about numbers, watch today’s video about the origin of the ISBN number. Yes. It is interesting. I’ve written before about this seemingly unimportant little piece of publishing. Enjoy these other articles: “I Is for ISBN” “The ISBN Turns 50” Then click on today’s video and enjoy a …

Category: Fun Fridays

Things Some Writers Think Are Positive, but Really Aren’t

By Dan Balowon June 25, 2026

Focusing only on the Christian book publishing world, here are some things an author might see as positive about them and their work, but those working in publishing do not view them in the same way. “Money isn’t important to me.” Maybe you feel compelled to mention this to show your priorities are in order. But if you truly believe it, you will be the only person in the entire book industry who …

Category: Career, Pitching

The Inciting Incident (Part 5)

By Lynette Easonon June 24, 2026

Hey, friends, here’s the worksheet I promised you. I hope you find it helpful. Your Inciting Incident Worksheet Print this out. Fill it in. Use it on every project. SECTION A: CHARACTER GROUNDWORK My protagonist’s name: Their ordinary world (daily routine, comfort zone): Their deepest wound (what happened in their past): Their greatest fear: Their strongest desire: Their weakest point: SECTION B: …

Category: Writing Craft

How to Read More in Less Time

By Steve Laubeon June 22, 2026

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I have the privilege of reading for a living. Someone once asked, “What do you do for a living?” I replied, “I read.” Then they asked what I did for fun. And I replied with a huge smile, “I read.” But not all reading is alike. There is immersive reading of a technical nature. There is escapist reading of a great thriller. And there is cursory reading where you …

Category: Book Business, Book Review, Reading, TrendsTag: Reading