Blog

Why C.S. Lewis Matters Today

By Steve Laubeon November 22, 2013

Today marks the 50th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’ death (and also the 50th anniversary of death of both John F. Kennedy and Aldous Huxley). After a half a century it is Lewis’ legacy that continues to grow.

It is worth the time to watch this 24 minute documentary about Lewis. (It was written by one of our clients, Devin Brown.) It includes comments and observations from people like Tim and Kathy Keller, Chuck Colson, Doug Gresham, and Eric Metaxas.

Starting at the 8:30 mark is a section called “Rediscovering Christian Imagination.” (the section is only 5 1/2 minutes in length) We in the publishing industry should have this reminder placed before us on a regular basis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egYTTe4w0tk

Your Writing Team: Make Accountability Partners Work for You! (Part Two)

By Karen Ballon November 20, 2013

Thanks for your feedback on having accountability partners (or, as I’ll call them from this point on, APs). As I researched this issue, I realized there are a couple of things to consider:
What you need to have/do for this to work
What your AP(s) need to have/do for this to work
And I also realized there is a LOT involved in those two things, so we’ll tackled them over the next few weeks. So …

Category: Career, Communication, Creativity, KarenTag: Career

E-Readers, Tablets and Bears, Oh My

By Dan Balowon November 19, 2013

The latest data from the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project released this Fall and confirmed in solid data what we all know to be true…that e-Book readers and tablets are becoming more prevalent in American society.

In a scientific survey conducted five times since May, 2010, the Pew Research Center concluded as of September 2013 that 24% of Americans age 16 and older have a dedicated …

Category: Book Business, Dan, E-Books, TrendsTag: E-Books, readers, Technology, Trends

Happy 85th Birthday Mickey Mouse!

By Steve Laubeon November 18, 2013

by Steve Laube

On this day in 1928 the film "Steamboat Willie" made its debut. The main cartoon character (almost named Mortimer!) was featured and Mickey Mouse was born.

You might ask, "So what? Other than fun trivia, what does this mean to me as a writer?" Actually the success of Mickey Mouse and the Disney empire cuts to the heart of today's copyright laws which affect you and your work. …

Category: Book Business, Copyright, Legal Issues, SteveTag: Book Business, Copyright, Legal

Fun Fridays – November 15, 2013

By Steve Laubeon November 15, 2013

Book domino fun! A new world record. SUBLIME!

Below this video is another domino record. Words are hard to describe.

Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

Your Writing Team: Accountability Partners (Part One)

By Steve Laubeon November 13, 2013

by Karen Ball Okay, everyone out there who has:

tried, over and over, to be accountable to someone or something, and failed…
started any number of wonderful endeavors, only to have the energy/motivation/time commitment fizzle out…
set a word count, then revised…and revised…and revised…and…yeah, you get the idea…
given yourself a deadline to finish your …

Category: Career, Craft, Creativity, Writing CraftTag: Career, writing team. accountability

Decoding Publishing Terms

By Dan Balowon November 12, 2013

I looked back some of my Tuesday blog posts and thought I might be getting too serious, so I wanted to lighten it up a bit with some practical, helpful information that should help you navigate and understand the complicated world of publishing.

Here are words you might hear in relation to publishing or describing a particular book and its real meaning:

“A must-read” – Acquisitions editor …

Category: Creativity, Dan, Get Published, HumorTag: Humor, publishing

A Weekend with C.S. Lewis and Friends

By Steve Laubeon November 11, 2013

by Steve Laube

This past weekend I had the privilege, once again, to attend and participate in the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s Fall retreat in Houston.

Not a typical writers conference it focuses on the extraordinary contribution of Lewis and his fellow Inklings and ultimately a celebration of the Arts in light of the incarnation of Christ. The speakers were extraordinary. They included:
Devin …

Category: Conferences, Get Published, Personal, SteveTag: C.S. Lewis, Conferences, Get Published

Fun Fridays – November 8, 2013

By Steve Laubeon November 8, 2013

Two reactions to today's video.
First. "Are you insane? Football on concrete?"
Second. "Oh to be young again."

Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

Why Not Take a Chance?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 7, 2013

Often I receive queries and proposals in which the author will say his submission is out of the box. I'm not opposed to groundbreaking work, but I have to decide what will and what won't work for me. I am the first to admit, this process is subjective. Our own Steve Laube is routinely teased by a couple of his successful author friends he turned down. If an agent as wise as Steve Laube misses a …

Category: Agents, Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Platform, TamelaTag: Agents, book proposals, Editors, Get Published