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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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Congratulations on Your Rejection!

By Bob Hostetleron March 5, 2025
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You say you got a rejection from an editor, agent, or some other unenlightened knuckle-dragger? Congratulations!

No, seriously. I mean it. Congratulations. Because, though rejection feels crummy, being rejected means something. Something good. “What?” you might ask. Let me list the ways.

Rejection means you wrote something. Good for you!

Rejection means you demonstrated faith in yourself and your writing. Yowza!

Rejection means you put something out there, rather than hiding it under a bushel. Well done, you!

Rejection means you’re behaving like an actual writer. What a marvel you are!

Rejection means you conquered—at least for a moment—the fear of rejection. Congratulations!

Rejection means you received feedback of some kind. Maybe about the quality of your writing or your piece, sure, but perhaps more so about the timing of your submission. Or the state of the marketplace. Or the agent, editor, or house to which you submitted. You are rocking it!

Rejection means you have more information than before, perhaps to help you revise or restrategize, which may lead to an acceptance! Give yourself a hand!

Rejection means you haven’t given up. Way to go!

Rejection means you’ve shown God (and perhaps your family or writers group) how serious you are about this writing thing. Outstanding!

Rejection means you belong! You’re part of the club. You’re one of us (because we’ve all been rejected). Nicely done!

Rejection means you’re being trained in righteousness. In patience. In reflection. Faith. Perseverance. And more. How do you do it?

And, finally (though readers of this blog will surely offer more):

Rejection means you survived being rejected. Look at you go!

 

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Category: Rejection

4 Conference Success Secrets

By Steve Laubeon March 3, 2025
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I have been on the faculty of nearly 200 writers conferences over the years. Some might say that is the definition of insanity… !?! But I would not be where I am today if it were not for the fine people I have met over the years at those events. I am a firm believer in the purpose behind a writers conference and what can be accomplished. After a while it became clear which writers were going to …

Read more4 Conference Success Secrets
Category: Career, ConferencesTag: Success, writers conferences

Fun Fridays – February 28, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 28, 2025
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Ten years ago, there were Llamas on the Lloose in a suburb of Phoenix! Enjoy the Llama Drama, set to very appropriate music. It’s Llike a Llittle Llost writer at a conference trying to find their cLlassroom. Fortunately, there was a local cowboy with a Llasso. Yes, Phoenix has cowboys.   HT: Trissina Kear

Read moreFun Fridays – February 28, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

Commercial Writing (The Word Count Question)

By Dan Balowon February 27, 2025
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One of the common questions I get as an agent relates to how long a book should be. Many aspiring authors think about a target number of pages and chapters when they need to focus on word count. Using pages as a metric for book length likely comes from those who self-publish and are accustomed to being charged per page for their book. Depending on the type of project, there is an optimum word …

Read moreCommercial Writing (The Word Count Question)
Category: Book Proposals, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: word count

How Do You Know What Will (or Will Not) Sell?

By Steve Laubeon February 24, 2025
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There is a mysterious magic embedded in the mythos of the publishing industry: the ability to pick successful books. I was recently asked, “You say ‘no’ so often, how do you know when to say ‘yes?’” I wish I could claim that every agent and publisher have a secret formula we consult to know what will sell. Ask any group of us for that secret and we will all laugh because there is no “secret.” We …

Read moreHow Do You Know What Will (or Will Not) Sell?
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Branding, Career, PlatformTag: Agents, book proposals, Career, Pitching, What Sells, Writers

Fun Fridays – February 21, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 21, 2025
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16 writing puns and jokes. I claim no originality nor responsibility. It’s not my fault! ________________ I’m a big fan of punctuation—period. I tried writing a story about flying, but it didn’t take off. Writing is the only write way to express myself. The manuscript was too long, so I had to cut to the chase. Why do writers always feel cold? Because they’re surrounded by drafts! What do …

Read moreFun Fridays – February 21, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

Evaluating Surprise Contract Offers

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 19, 2025
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If you don’t work with an agent and you receive unexpected interest in your books, here are guidelines that may keep you from signing a contract that doesn’t further your career: Make no hurried promises over the phone or email. Take the time you need to assess the offer and interest. Legitimate book publishing normally moves slowly, so anyone demanding immediate decisions should be regarded with …

Read moreEvaluating Surprise Contract Offers
Category: Contracts, Get Published, The Writing LifeTag: Scams

President’s Day – 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 17, 2025
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Today is President’s Day in the U.S. Originally established in 1885 as a recognition of George Washington’s birthday (February 22), it was later expanded to include Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and all other U.S. presidents. Over the centuries, there have been some amusing statements by various U.S. presidents. While you read them, think of how you might work humor into your nonfiction or your …

Read morePresident’s Day – 2025
Category: Humor

Fun Fridays – February 14, 2025

By Steve Laubeon February 14, 2025
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Happy Valentine’s Day! It is well known that behind every man there is an even better woman. I am here to testify to that fact. My wife and I have been married for 43 1/2 years; and without her, I would be half the man I am today. She is what came to mind when I heard this classic song the other day:

Read moreFun Fridays – February 14, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

Upon Further Review

By Dan Balowon February 13, 2025
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Every author or publisher assumes that the response will be positive when they send an about-to-be-published book out to professional book reviewers in the media. This is partially correct since many media outlets won’t comment on or publish a negative review. To illustrate, years ago I recall hearing from a book reviewer at a major Christian periodical that they would not publish a review because …

Read moreUpon Further Review
Category: Reviews, The Writing Life
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