Blog

A Time to Share

By Karen Ballon May 30, 2012

I’ve been thinking for awhile that I’d like to do some mini workshops on this blog. Now, I have a boatload of topics I could teach on. After all, I’ve taught or keynoted at writers’ conferences all over the country for the last 30 years. But here’s the thing, I don’t want to teach just another workshop. I want to help you with the issues you’re facing in your writing. So here’s your chance to open up and share.

What struggles or questions are bugging you the most? Is there some element of the craft that you’re arm-wrestling lately? Or is finding and maintaining creativity your bugaboo? Are you losing sleep wondering about proper etiquette at writers’ conferences or trade shows? Whatever you most need as a writer, share that here. I’ll gather the responses and put together workshops to help you figure it out.

Sound good? Okay then.

Share!

News You Can Use – May 29, 2012

By Steve Laubeon May 29, 2012

Self-Publishing: Under 10% Earn a Living - An article out of Australia makes a bold claim. I would claim, however, that only 10% of traditionally published writers earn a living too. Of course that depends on your definition of "a living."

100 Best First Lines from Novels - In honor of the last two weeks where we talked about "first lines" I found this article from the American Book Review that …

Category: Craft, Grammar, Marketing, News You Can Use, SteveTag: commas, copyediting, Editing, Grammar, podcasting, Self-Publishing

Fun Fridays – May 25, 2012

By Steve Laubeon May 25, 2012

This has been around for five years. It still makes me smile every time.

"When it comes to a good book, Stephen King's resume just can't compare."

Category: Fun FridaysTag: Humor

Keys to a Great Synopsis

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 24, 2012

When I posted my ideas on some Keys to a Great Book Proposal, a few writers said they were challenged to write a synopsis. I agree that writing an interesting synopsis is difficult. However, it’s not an element you want to omit from your proposal because a synopsis orients the editor to the book’s contents. Here are my answers to often-asked questions: 1.) Do I need a …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: book proposals, synopsis

What’s MY Line? (First Lines – Part Two)

By Karen Ballon May 23, 2012

I loved reading your favorite first lines last week. Isn’t it amazing how the right first line sets the stage, how it can pull readers out of reality deep into the story that’s being woven around them? I’m always awed at the power of the written word.

As I said last week, a group of writer friends likes to share the first lines of their works in progress. JUST the first line. Not the first …

Category: Craft, Karen, Writing CraftTag: first lines

News You Can Use – May 22, 2012

By Steve Laubeon May 22, 2012

Where is Publishing Headed? – This it a great article! Read is carefully and you will want to read more. I recommended John Thompson’s book Merchants of Culture last year (my review is here). Now it is in paperback for $17 (retail price) and for either the Kindle or the Nook for around $10. If you are serious about understanding the book business you owe it to yourself to buy this and …

Category: News You Can Use

A One Year Anniversary Announcement

By Steve Laubeon May 21, 2012

by Steve Laube

A year ago we welcomed Tamela Hancock Murray and Karen Ball to our agency. I couldn't be more pleased.

These two ladies are amazing people. They both work very hard to serve their clients with passion and excellence. I am blessed to have them as part of our team.

Next week will be the eighth anniversary of the founding of The Steve Laube Agency. We have had some …

Category: Agency, Get Published

Fun Fridays – May 8, 2012 -The Chaos of English Pronunciation

By Steve Laubeon May 18, 2012

Fun Friday - May 18, 2012

Quoted in its entirety from The Better Spelling Society (read their article the history of this piece). My favorite is the last stanza that reads "which rhymes with enough? Though, through, bough, cough, hough, sough, tough??"
The Chaos - by Gerard Nolst Trenité
This version is essentially the author's own final text, as also published by New River Project in 1993. A …

Category: Fun Fridays, GrammarTag: Grammar, spelling

The Keys to a Great Book Proposal

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 17, 2012

"I think book proposals are one of the most difficult things to write, second only to obituaries."

When I received this email from one of my authors, Sherry Gore, (and yes, I have permission to quote her), I could relate. I've never written obituaries, even though writing one's own is a popular goal-setting exercise. But I have written and read many book proposals so I know they aren't easy to …

Category: Book Proposal Basics, Book Proposals, Branding, Get Published, Marketing, TamelaTag: book proposals, Get Published, Marketing

In the Beginning…First Lines of a Book

By Karen Ballon May 16, 2012

I don’t know about you, but I love great first lines. First lines that intrigue or challenge, that captivate and spark strong emotion or curiosity. Some writers spend hours, even days crafting that perfect first line to draw readers into the book. For others, the line is just…there.

A group of author friends loves to play the first-line game, where we share the first line from our WIPs. I like …

Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, first lines