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Fun Fridays – March 17, 2017

By Steve Laubeon March 17, 2017

Truth in Advertising. An eleven-year-old girl scout wrote a well crafted letter which was read on a popular podcast. Listen to Mike Rowe read the letter. Below the video is a “rest of the story” for you.

As you listen, think of your own writing. Does it convey your voice? Is it structured to build the reader to a conclusion? Is there a turn of a phrase or a word choice that makes it electric?

This went viral on Facebook with over 9.7 million views. Ended up on network TV.

As of a month later Charlotte had sold 23,000 boxes of cookies. A girl scout record.

HT: Dan Balow

The Ambitious Author

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 16, 2017

Recently my office received an unsolicited submission from an author unfamiliar to us. Of course, this is not unusual. But here is a list of what is unusual: The submission was openly cc’ed to 185 agents. The author sent writing samples for 28 books. The author said she wants to write across all genres. At least one entry offered graphic detail of a sexual encounter. The author stated her age as …

Category: Agents, Book ProposalsTag: book proposals, Queries

Facing Down Obstacles

By Karen Ballon March 15, 2017

This writing journey is, for many of us, a challenge. There are so many obstacles to doing what we believe God has asked us to do through our writing. Everyday distractions, family issues, illness, grief, and on and on the list goes. Things that we can’t control come charging in to derail our work and efforts. So what can we do about it? Here’s one thing—in fact, I believe it’s the most important …

Category: The Writing LifeTag: The Writing Life

Fake News and the Christian Author

By Dan Balowon March 14, 2017

Most book authors do not work their way up through the ranks beginning with a college degree in journalism. Because of this, many have no exposure to the best practices of career writers and journalists. Sure, book authors might be very creative, insightful and able to recite large sections of Strunk & White or the Chicago Manual of Style, but they are not as familiar with what makes for a …

Category: Editing, Legal Issues, The Writing LifeTag: Journalism, Research, The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – March 10, 2017

By Steve Laubeon March 10, 2017

This is an incredible invention. Should revolutionize safety on our roads and highways. Try it for yourself! Tell everyone you know! Kudos to this Indiana State Trooper for his excellent service.

Category: Fun Fridays

WHAT Were They Thinking??

By Karen Ballon March 8, 2017

You know, one of the things I’ve learned since becoming an agent is that people have an odd sense of what’s appropriate. Happily, quite a lot of what I receive is well prepared and enjoyable to read. But I’d have to say that anywhere from a fourth to even, on a bad week, a third, of what comes in falls squarely in the “I don’t THINK so” camp. So here, just to help you avoid such things, are some …

Category: Book Proposals, Humor, PitchingTag: book proposals, Pitching

Author Platforms Can Destroy Your Life (aka Making Money from Friends)

By Dan Balowon March 7, 2017

American society contains a very interesting subculture built around using your friends and relatives to make money, either as a primary or secondary source of income. I must admit it bothers me when an individual will view those around them mainly as a revenue source instead of relationships to experience and serve. It is also interesting that a number of the most successful multi-level marketing …

Category: Book Business, Branding, Marketing, Platform, Self-Publishing, Social Media, The Writing LifeTag: Book Business, Marketing, Platform

A Ghostwriting Masterpiece

By Steve Laubeon March 6, 2017

The Christian Writers Institute has just released a marvelous book by Cec Murphey, Ghostwriting: the Murphey Method. It is a wonderful look behind the scenes in how so many bestselling books are created. Cec is the writer who helped craft many bestselling books including Gifted Hands by Ben Carson and 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. In the book he turns back the curtain and through dozens of …

Category: Book Business, Book Review, Christian Writers Institute, Contracts, Reading, The Writing LifeTag: Book Review, Ghostwriting, Reading

Fun Fridays – March 3, 2017

By Steve Laubeon March 3, 2017

Pixar-in-a-Box “The Art of Storytelling” is a free online course in storytelling is available here. Their three minute introduction is our Fun Friday for today. Enjoy!

Category: Craft, Creativity, The Writing Life