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Ned Ryerson and the Startled Rodent

By Dan Balowon February 2, 2016

Much has been discussed about the growth (or shrinking) of digital book content delivery. I figured today was the perfect day to put in my two cents.

Here is what happened in the last few years, explaining why digital sales have slowed, as told through a little story I conjured up.

Avid book reader Barbara got up early one morning, made coffee and sat down to read with her e-reader. She noticed there was a special on eBooks, so she bought one she liked and added two more eBooks for free, happily loading all three so she could read them eventually.

The next morning, avid book reader Barb, got up, made coffee, sat down with her e-reader and her steaming cup of joe and noticed because she bought a book yesterday, she could get three books for free, she happily loaded them on her e-reader. She would read them…eventually.

The next morning, avid book reader Barb, got up, made coffee, sat down with her e-reader and her steaming cup of joe and noticed she could get three books for free, she happily loaded them on her e-reader. She would read them…eventually.

The print-loving world screamed with joy, “See, no one wants eBooks. We win!”

Authors and publishers pushed out so many books for cheap and free that e-readers are saturated, at least for a time. And sales of the various e-reader devices have flattened out because, frankly, not everyone can afford to buy one. Money doesn’t grow on trees you know.

Once we all get comfortable reading books on our smart phones like the other seven billion people in the world, digital will grow again.

Happy Groundhog Day.

Fun Fridays – January 29, 2015

By Steve Laubeon January 29, 2016

Imagine Mozart and Adele co-writing a song together. You might end up with something like this latest piece from The Piano Guys. A combination of Adele’s “Hello” and Mozart’s “Lacrimosa” from his Requiem in D Minor (if you want to hear Mozart’s original piece it is posted below). Below is Mozart’s “Lacrimosa” complete with translation …

Category: Fun Fridays

Deadlines: Pre-Emptive Strike

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 28, 2016

Last week I wrote about a process on how to manage deadlines. Despite our best efforts, events may put us awry. To avoid this, eliminate overconfidence. When you see a contract and the advance – one you may desperately need, you may be tempted to say, “You know what? I really don’t need to go to the beach this year. I’ll write all summer instead.” Or, “Sure, I can write 3,000 words a day, seven …

Category: Career, CraftTag: Career, Deadlines

Can You Handle the Edit?

By Karen Ballon January 27, 2016

There’s a lot about being a freelance editor that’s fun. But some things that just…aren’t. Like telling a writer that his manuscript isn’t ready to be edited. This happens most often before an editor agrees to do an edit, when they read the sample of the manuscript. There are times, though, when those first pages are pretty good, so the editor takes the project on. And then, when he’s deep in the …

Category: Career, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Writing Craft

The Grand Canyon is a Market Reality

By Dan Balowon January 26, 2016

Some Christian authors desire to one day write books for general market publishers rather than for those who focus only on Christian-themed books. The thought, which is well-intentioned, is publishers focusing on the broader market will reach unbelieving readers, piquing their interest in spiritual things, leading to further investigation and so on. But the strategy is flawed. Publishers don’t …

Category: Book Business, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Christian Publishing, The Publishing Life

Tossed by the Ocean of Emotion

By Steve Laubeon January 25, 2016

It is hard to be a writer or to work in the publishing industry. Everyone defines success differently and we strive to meet those expectations at every turn. Often we let “success” define us, especially when a writer is told “You are only as good as the sales of your last book.” Or an agent is told, “You are only worth the value of your last contract.” Henri Nouwen, in his book The Return of the …

Category: Art, Career, Get Published, RejectionTag: Career, Get Published, Rejection

Meet Deadlines with Simple Math

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 21, 2016

During your publishing journey you may have the delightful problem of too many deadlines. You may have to ask yourself if you can accept another contract because you’re so busy. I’ve advised many clients about this over the years, taking them from panic to peace. Simple math can help. Determine time Look at all your contracts and how much time you have to write the books. Calculate how many days …

Category: Career, CraftTag: Career, Deadlines

Give Yourself a Break

By Karen Ballon January 20, 2016

George Bernard Shaw said it best: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” Sometimes you just need a break from it all. A few minutes to distract your brain, or even—dare I say it?–have a bit of flat-out fun. For some that means making a beeline for some kind of snack, and that’s fine. But here are some other things you can try. (And one even lets you …

Category: The Writing LifeTag: Break, The Writing Life

Satan Speaks to Christian Authors

By Dan Balowon January 19, 2016

Throughout our lives, a great number of “voices” compete for our attention. Family, friends, co-workers, marketers, technology, and even your pets are vying for your undivided attention. Christians yearn to hear the voice of God in their lives and succeed because we have his words written down for all to read and hear, as well as the Holy Spirit reminding us of those words constantly. But the …

Category: The Writing Life, TheologyTag: The Writing Life, Theology

Hope to See You at a Conference This Year

By Steve Laubeon January 18, 2016

We are often asked which conferences we will attend and where. Below is a list for each of us with a link to each event. We all hope to see you in person some time this year. Someone from the agency will be in nine different states and Canada and in all four time zones at some time this year. Steve Laube: Feb 4-7 – Hershey, PA – Writer to Writer Conference March 18-22 – Mt. …

Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences