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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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Appreciating Reviews

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 24, 2016
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While researching my St. Patrick’s Day blog, where I reminisced about writing a novella, I must confess I poked around and looked at the fate of a few other books I wrote as well.
I tell authors that a one-star review isn’t as bad as they think because that shows that your book is being read by impartial readers. I had to remind myself of my own advice as I read a few poor reviews. What writers feel that negative reviews are justified? I’d venture that none really do.
Needless to say, I enjoyed reading the favorable reviews.
Then, I felt truly humbled. People had taken time not only to read my books, but many shared what they liked about the plots. I couldn’t help but feel amazed that anyone would not only read my work, but discuss stories I’d made up. Just typing this brings back that awestruck feeling.
Even though I’m not writing books now that I’m an agent, I feel a sense of gratitude to those readers who felt strongly enough about my work that they shared those feelings with others. As you take your publishing journey, I wish for you many engaged readers, too.
Your turn:
What is your favorite comment anyone has made about your work?
What comments have you learned from?
Do you read all the reviews on a book before you purchase? Why or why not?
Leave a Comment
Category: Book Review, CareerTag: Career, reviews

What An Editor Does–Phase 2

By Karen Ballon March 23, 2016
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Next week, I promise, we’ll jump into the nuts and bolts of editing. But today I want to talk about what editors don’t do. Why do I bring these things up? Because I’ve encountered each and every one of them as a freelance editor. I’ve had clients say, “While you’re editing, can you do the copyedit?” or “Since you’re also an agent, would you be willing to pitch just this book to an editor?” Here …

Read moreWhat An Editor Does–Phase 2
Category: Editing, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Editor, Writing Craft

The Credibility Gap

By Dan Balowon March 22, 2016
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This was a tough post to write. I felt at times that I was arguing with myself on these issues, but maybe in today’s “journey” through the topic of author credibility you will sense the struggle that Christian authors confront and maybe some truth with be revealed in the process. If you were a mathematics professor at a junior college and had a revolutionary insight related to something about …

Read moreThe Credibility Gap
Category: Book Business, Career, Platform, The Publishing LifeTag: Career, Credentials, The Publishing Life

A Year of Reading Dangerously

By Steve Laubeon March 21, 2016
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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 move, over the next month, into the Spring, a time of renewal…and this week as we contemplate the Resurrection…think about the books you plan to read the rest of the year. What is on your to-read …

Read moreA Year of Reading Dangerously
Category: ReadingTag: Reading

In Honor of St. Patrick’s Day — My Trip to Ancient Ireland

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 17, 2016
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Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day, I thought it would be fun to revisit a story collection I wrote about ten years ago with my wonderful and talented friends, Pamela Griffin, Vickie McDonough, and Linda Windsor. Brides o’ the Emerald Isle was a lot of fun to write, and an enjoyable change for me since my story, A Legend of Light, takes place in 500 AD. Inexplicably, the volume of stories is available …

Read moreIn Honor of St. Patrick’s Day — My Trip to Ancient Ireland
Category: ReadingTag: Reading

Share Your Irish Blessings!

By Karen Ballon March 16, 2016
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I think there’s a touch o’ the Irish—or at least a touch o’ the Blarney Stone—in every writer. So what more appropriate way to celebrate tomorrow’s St. Patrick’s Day than to write your own, original Irish Blessing? Irish blessings can be: Long or Short May the Lord be between us and harm and protect us from the harm of the world. Heartwarming May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be …

Read moreShare Your Irish Blessings!
Category: Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Creativity

2020, Planning a Publishing Odyssey

By Dan Balowon March 15, 2016
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Books are the slowest and least “current” form of communication. News or short-turnaround events are best covered in articles carried in media that can reach an audience quickly. Sure, a book about the Super Bowl can be slammed together with pictures in a few weeks, but it won’t win any awards for literary quality. Indie publishing has given the impression to many authors that the seemingly …

Read more2020, Planning a Publishing Odyssey
Category: Book Business, The Publishing Life, TrendsTag: The Publishing Life, Trends

The Bookstore is Outnumbered

By Steve Laubeon March 14, 2016
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We had a client ask why their book could not be found in the bookstores. It is a common question. One that I tried to answer last year in a post about logistics. Today I’ll approach it from a different direction. The sheer number of books that are being published. Let me start with two sets of statistics. Barnes & Noble (B&N) is the largest retail bookstore in the U.S. Their stores …

Read moreThe Bookstore is Outnumbered
Category: Book Business, TrendsTag: Bookstores, Trends

Fun Fridays – March 11, 2016

By Steve Laubeon March 11, 2016
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This is the perfect illustration on the importance of “voice” in a book. The first version is the way it should be. The second version is how so many books sound to an editor’s ear. Beyond that, the video is simply a brilliant expression of what creativity sounds like! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLhJIFC8xkY HT: Trissina Kear

Read moreFun Fridays – March 11, 2016
Category: Fun Fridays

Turn Envy Upside Down

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 10, 2016
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Envy is one of the seven deadly sins and not easy to conquer. Who hasn’t felt jealous over someone else’s success, especially when it doesn’t seem deserved? Seeing an outright enemy succeed is even worse. It doesn’t have to be this way. Instead, take your feelings of envy and put them to good use. That is, make those feelings work for you so you can succeed. Here’s how: When someone in your sphere …

Read moreTurn Envy Upside Down
Category: Career, Communication, The Writing LifeTag: Career, Envy, The Writing Life
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