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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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God’s Map

By Dan Balowon June 17, 2014
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“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

This has significant implications for authors and book publishers.

Over my career, I observe cases that prove that “your future is determined more by your successes than by your plans.” Anyone who knows me has probably heard me say that at one point or another, multiple times.

Of course, that statement is flawed, leaving out the “interruptive” work of God in our lives, but assuming that is always present, I have seen the successes/plans cycle play out more often than not. It would not be much of a reach to assert that our successes are part of God determining our steps, right?

Across all of the arts, there are actors, authors, singers, comedians, painters and composers who at one point early in their lives had dreams that were much wider or at least different than what they are currently experiencing, but their success in a certain arena has determined their future.

An actor who always wanted to play Shakespeare becomes famous for a specific role in a popular television sitcom that is nothing like Hamlet.

A singer who wanted a long diverse career has one mega-hit and is asked to sing it over and over and over for the rest of their life.

Composers who never intended to make a living writing commercial jingles, are doing just that.

An author who wanted to write a variety of novels, poetry and social treatises is making a good living writing just one of those types of books. (usually not poetry)

It’s all part of “We can make our plans but the LORD determines our steps.”

For authors, this principle can manifest itself in the effect a particular book might have and who benefits the most from it. Books are not tame lions. They go where they will.

You might set out to write a book to help young adults reach their potential. But soon it becomes apparent that it is primarily being read by people later in their lives who need a mid-course correction. Or the reverse can be true.

You set out to re-write the Bible so your children will understand it and you create a revolution in Bible translation.

The success principle plays out in geographical terms as well. Every author who has ever written a book sells better in some geographic areas than others. Even national bestsellers have sold well in some areas and not-so-well in others. Christian books are generally strongest in the Bible belt and weakest in the northeastern states, but when enough people in Burlington, Vermont decide you are their favorite author, you can start your book tour with a signing there.

Even more specific, your book might sell 80% of its copies in three cities and none of them would the area in which you live. Go figure.

Here’s a suggestion:

Don’t waste your time, energy and money promoting your book to people-segments or geographic locations where sales have been weak. If you want to double your sales, that will happen by doubling where you are strong, not improving where you are weak. Focus on your strengths…your future is determined by your success, not your plans or what you want to happen.

Sure, there are exceptions to all rules, but if you are waiting for lightning to strike in a certain place at a certain time, there will be plenty of people passing you by who are playing to their strengths and shifting their sights to where lightning is striking.

Finally, and most important, avoid over-thinking and over-planning. Especially for Christian authors, there is the underlying power of God who often makes no logical sense to us as to what He is doing, at least until we can see what His purpose really is. After all, we humans see God’s handiwork in the past…not as clear about today or tomorrow. Only God knows that.

More than anything, book marketing has become more reactive than proactive. Sure, plan your blog posts and social media strategy, but also be willing to set your plans aside when God begins his work of ordering your steps.

When have you seen this happen in your life?

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Category: Dan, TheologyTag: Christian, Planning, Theology

Fun Fridays – June 13, 2014

By Steve Laubeon June 13, 2014
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Angelina Jordan, eight years old, Wins the “Norway’s Got Talent” competition with this song in the finals. We featured her a month ago with her original audition and other performances. Ironically my wife and I just saw Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” at Gammage Theatre last week. The actress who sang “Summertime” was incredible. But little Angelina …

Read moreFun Fridays – June 13, 2014
Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

A Favorite Character Trait

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 12, 2014
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When I was younger, I felt that some of my friends allowed me to take on a disproportionate amount of expense when we did things together. Sometimes, I felt taken advantage of, even used. Now I don’t feel that way. Probably because I now have super friends and I have more money. But still, I had to learn how to navigate these minefields because I didn’t know how. Why? Because I was …

Read moreA Favorite Character Trait
Category: Personal, TamelaTag: Personal

The Power of Well Chosen Words

By Karen Ballon June 11, 2014
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While I was at the Write! Vancouver writers’ conference in Vancouver, BC a few weeks ago, a gentleman by the name of Wade Larson gave a talk in which he shared what have been called the most powerful speeches ever given: Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and Winston Churchill’s series of speeches. I thought he would tell us about those speeches …

Read moreThe Power of Well Chosen Words
Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

How Many Would Attend a Following Conference?

By Dan Balowon June 10, 2014
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I have been to many leadership conferences and seminars and read any number of books on the subject. Leadership is everywhere.  Books, videos, seminars, audios, websites, organizations and ministries are in place to help people in all walks of life lead better. But I have wondered if there would be as much excitement for a book or seminar that encourages faithful following? We follow Jesus, but …

Read moreHow Many Would Attend a Following Conference?
Category: Craft, Creativity, Dan, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

Fun Fridays – June 6, 2014

By Steve Laubeon June 6, 2014
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Next time you receive a rejection letter? Next time you receive a bad review? Next time you tell yourself you don’t have what it takes to be a writer? Next time you fail at what you know you are called to do? Watch the below video and remind yourself of the power of determination.

Read moreFun Fridays – June 6, 2014
Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

Where are the Worthy Characters?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 5, 2014
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I just finished reading a general market novel that left me wishing I had used that time to read a good Christian novel instead. I am not going to name the book because it isn’t my intent to offer a review. But the novel reminds me of many others in the general market. Well-written, well-received, heavy with social commentary. And populated with characters I didn’t like and …

Read moreWhere are the Worthy Characters?
Category: Craft, Reading, TamelaTag: Characters, Craft, Reading

What Language Do You Speak?

By Karen Ballon June 4, 2014
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Are you born again? Have you been slain in the Spirit? Have you walked the aisle to receive the baptism of the Saints? Are you washed in the blood, blessed by grace, favored for your labors? Have you testified, been sanctified, and placed a hedge of protection around yourself? Do you covet prayers? Are you blessed with singleness? Do you know folks who are lost, caught up in the world, …

Read moreWhat Language Do You Speak?
Category: Communication, Craft, Creativity, Karen, Language, TheologyTag: Communication, Faith, Language, Theology

And the Winner is…ME!

By Dan Balowon June 3, 2014
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Once upon a time, a man set out on the ocean in a small boat for a three-hour tour. The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew (of one) the boat would have been lost. The boat landed on an uncharted island and the man was stranded, but alive. Twenty years later, a larger ship happened upon the island and noticed a beautifully built …

Read moreAnd the Winner is…ME!
Category: Career, Communication, Dan, Personal, TheologyTag: Career, Communication

Marcher Lord Press is Rebranded with a New Name

By Steve Laubeon June 2, 2014
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by Steve Laube At the recent Realm Makers conference in Philadelphia I had the privilege to announce that Marcher Lord Press is being rebranded as Enclave Publishing. I am excited to officially reveal the new logo below (More thoughts after the picture). Notice the tip of the sword… Why the name Enclave Publishing? An enclave is essentially defined as a group of like-minded people in a place …

Read moreMarcher Lord Press is Rebranded with a New Name
Category: Book Business, Publishing News, SteveTag: Christian, Enclave, Enclave Publishing, Fantasy, Marcher Lord Press, science fiction
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