Helping to Change the World…Word by Word
The Steve Laube Agency
Helping to Change the World Word by Word
BREAKING NEWS!
Startling industry news. HarperCollins will purchase Thomas Nelson by the end of this calendar year. HarperCollins already owns Zondervan (which they purchased in 1988). The combination will create the largest and most dominant Christian publishing company in the world.
Wow.
Here is the official press release.
I’ve been talking with writers who have another job as well as their writing to see how they juggle doing both. I was a social worker before my daughter was born and started writing soon after, but now that my youngest is off to college I’ve thought about getting back into the work force. I just don’t know how I’d balance the two yet.
The first thing I thought of was that I’d have to do some …
What Authors Learned from their Editors – This a flat out brilliant piece. Come back here and tell us in the comments what you learned from your editor. How to Find Free Photos for Your Blog – In case you wondered, we use iStockPhoto.com for the majority of our images. They are not free, but they are always of high quality. Are Writers Without Business Sense Doomed? – Wise words by Jami Gold. …
What is the best way to find out what is successful in the current market?
This is a good question because while as an author, you don't want to chase the market, you also don't want to write books that are so far off from the current market that they have no chance of selling. First and foremost, marketing advice from any source assumes that authors submit their best, most polished, highest …
Ten Ways to Irritate an Editor or Agent – I have to admit, this made me laugh and then cry because some of these have happened to me too!
What is it Like to be James Patterson’s Co-Author? – Perspective by Ned Rust.
Ebooks Don't Spell the End of Literature - Jonathan Jones on Art.
Shiny: The Firefly Guide to Creative Content – If you know what “Firefly” is, you are in unique company. If …
So many of you loved the August 12th edition of Fun Fridays that we must bring to you the next episode of Awesomeness.
I want to try it!
At a recent conference, a lovely writer who had finaled in a contest but wasn't chosen as the winner asked if she could still submit a proposal to me. I told her "Yes! Of course!"
Her question brought to mind the role contests play in a writer's career. I'm asked questions about contests at least once a month. I'll try to answer two key questions here.
Should I Enter?
When considering …
Inside Scoop on Publishing – Three editors bring a fresh take on the subject of today’s market
Your Book Still Has to be Amazing – Literary Agent Scott Eagan makes a strong case. He is right on the money. I quote“…this is probably the biggest change we are seeing right now in publishing. It isn't the fact that we see the e-reader technology taking over, but a change in the way the readers are …
What is Your Favorite Candy?
Need a break from a tough week? Play the Candy Smackdown game. Then tell us both your final four and your ultimate winner in the comments below.
In case you are wondering, last year's overall winner "Reese's Peanut Butter Cup" has been retired from the competition (placed in the Candy Hall of Fame) to insure there are no repeat winners.
Either click the …
The recent ACFW conference (attended by nearly 700 writers and industry professionals) has writers, agents, and editors in overdrive as we all attempt to follow up on conference proposal requests. Writers are working feverishly to get proposals to editors. Some are thinking, "Surely the editor who seemed so excited about my proposal is checking email at least once or twice a day looking for it. I …
