English is a crazy language to be sure! It ought to be taught and read with careful enunciation.
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Why an In-the-Know Agent is Your Best Partner
Even in the tightest market, new opportunities develop. Not only can authors keep up with these opportunities by being well-connected themselves, but this is just one part of your career where partnering with a great agent is key. Why? Because editors don’t always put out a call to every writers’ loop when they need proposals. Most don’t have time to become inundated with lots of …
Writing That is Powerful, Not Preachy!
Thanks to Shirley Buxton for asking in the comments of my blog on writing that sings, “Can someone help me understand how to show spirituality without being preachy?” Why, yes, Shirley, I can. At least, I can tell you my perspective. It’s the difference between telling people how they ought to live, and showing them. It’s not spouting Scripture when someone is hurt or struggling, but coming …
What About Medium Stuff?
Today I stand in support of medium stuff. There is no argument that big important things deserve our undivided attention. There seems to be some disagreement over small stuff…do we sweat it or not? According to the Stan Jantz and Bruce Bickel’s book, God is in the Small Stuff, we probably need to be paying close attention to those things. I am concerned with those things in the middle…the medium …
Fun Fridays – April 4, 2014
I think we have found the way to save the Book Publishing Industry! Watch carefully. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZXUq7Pln3g
The Core of Writing Well
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I’m trying to learn how to make latte art. I’ve got the moves down…kinda. Hey, I’m a racquetball player—was, in fact, one of the top players in college—so I can do wrist action like a pro. But guess what I discovered? Having the moves doesn’t do you any good without the perfect foam. That’s the core of the beauty and creativity in latte art. But foaming milk, my …
Laube Agency Signs Saul of Tarsus
(Phoenix, Arizona) Steve Laube, founder of the Steve Laube Agency announced today that the agency has signed Saul of Tarsus to write in various Christian book categories starting with his debut release in Fall 2014. Saul will be writing under the pen name of Paul, a name with special meaning to the author, given him after a dramatic personal experience several years ago while on an international …
Fun Fridays – March 28, 2014
A delightful performance by a surprise contestant on the Italian version of “The Voice.” To really appreciate what the judges are saying make sure to click the “cc” button (close captioned) for an English translation. (The “cc” button appears after you click play.) The emotional reaction of the first judge and the expression of the singer of why she sings (at …
Should I Respond to a One-Star Review?
Have you ever received a one-star review? Or do you dread the day that might happen? Or perhaps you are hoping to be published so you can get a review. Any review. When you start receiving reviews, some of them might not be as stellar as you had hoped. So what, if anything, should you do? Good, Bad, Indifferent? When I look at reviews of sites such as Amazon, I think it’s healthy to …
Chapters: How Long is Too Long?
I’ve had a number of people ask me lately how long their chapters should be. My answer has been: “As long as they need to be.” Now, it would be nice if I could give folks the “industry-standard” answer: “Chapters should be no less than xx and no longer than xxx,” but the truth is there isn’t a real standard in the industry. And frankly, I think that’s a good thing. I’ve never been one to …