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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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Book Proposals I’d Love to See (What Tamela Hancock Murray Is Looking For)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 14, 2026
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(Updated 1/14/2026)

I’m thankful to the Lord that I’m a literary agent working for Him in Christian publishing. I’m grateful to the readers of this blog for being part of our writing community. As for approaching me with your work, let’s see if our passions match:

Christian Romantic Suspense and Suspense

Readers of Christian romantic suspense and suspense are a large and devoted fan base. I’m privileged to represent many significant authors in this space. I would like to see category novels and longer stories. The suspense author creates a realistic situation involving immediate, life-threatening danger that doesn’t diminish until the perpetrator is apprehended. Authors must know proper law enforcement procedures, weapons, and how criminals think and operate. The plot needs to be logical. The motive must be strong enough to justify the crime. The reader is waiting to see the reason for the crime, so a weak motive will diminish the reader’s enjoyment. But a twisty conclusion will encourage readers to become lifelong fans! Romantic suspense novelists should follow the above guidelines, but stories must feature a compelling and natural romance. The couple is in imminent danger. The romantic protagonists are appealing both inside and out, emphasizing personality and integrity over physical appearance.

Historical and Contemporary Christian Romance Novels

Christian romance readers love their authors and books. I’m honored to be an agent entrusted by many prominent authors to represent their work. I would like to see category romance novels, as well as longer novels. This author creates a fresh take on traditional plots for uplifting, inspiring stories. The author is an expert in the chosen setting, attitudes, and mores of the time. For example, to ensure accuracy, authors of Amish fiction should have a close connection with the particular community they’re portraying in their novels. When considering historical novels, choose an era you’re passionate about enough to spend numberless hours researching. Hone the discipline to include historical elements the reader needs to know and will enjoy while keeping nonessential factoids off the page. As with all Christian romance novels, the star couple is attractive inside and out, emphasizing sincere charm, temperament, and integrity over physical attributes.

Other Christian Fiction

I seek a tale well told that deserves a place in CBA. While novels not within a genre may have fewer guidelines, traditional publishers seek a word-count range. For example, a standalone 30,000-word novella and a 250,000-word novel from an unproven author are each likely to secure rejections from traditional publishers. Unfortunately, I must decline many submissions because of length.

Nonfiction

The importance of platform here is magnified a thousandfold in comparison with fiction. I need to see an author already connecting with a sizable number of potential readers. ​Nonfiction readers seek insight, help, knowledge, and encouragement. An author must show authority in the chosen topic when delivering a book to these readers. Dynamic writing is essential, even when the topic is intense. I love books that beg me to read them even when the subject doesn’t apply to me. Now that’s a well-written and engaging book.

Read Before Writing

Writers eager to be published must know the competition, so read what’s already available, preferably published within the last couple of years. Take notes to keep from repeating the same settings or ideas in fiction. The nonfiction author should make sure an author with an international platform has yet to publish a similar book. Visit publishers’ websites to discover their books. Some publishers offer submissions guidelines.

Hearing From Me

We aren’t perfect in our response speed. Please follow up if you don’t hear from us. Every submission we receive is reviewed. We attempt to respond to every offer. You can send proposals to ewilson@stevelaube.com. (Please visit the guidelines for specifics.) I look forward to hearing from you!

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Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Craft, Creativity, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Agency, book proposals

A Writer’s Prayer for This New Year

By Bob Hostetleron January 13, 2026
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Every year. Every single year. Christmas comes and goes, December ends, New Year’s Day arrives, and I think to myself: How can it be [fill in the year] already? Maybe it’s just me. But, seriously: 2026? How is that possible? Oh, well, as happens every year, the Charles Wesley lines come to mind: And are we yet alive, And see each other’s face? Glory and praise to Jesus give For His redeeming …

Read moreA Writer’s Prayer for This New Year
Category: Personal, Theology

A Year in Review: A Look Back at 2025

By Steve Laubeon January 12, 2026
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I always find it instructive to look back at the prior year. So many things are the same in the industry, and yet changes are still constant. The world, reveling in darkness and debauchery, continues to try to throw its shade over the glory of God, thinking they can somehow smother, suppress, or smash it into oblivion. We know different. The following is my annual attempt to review some things in …

Read moreA Year in Review: A Look Back at 2025
Category: Agency, The Publishing Life

Taking a Break

By Steve Laubeon December 26, 2025
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No new posts for the next two weeks. We are all taking a short break for the holidays. Back in the saddle starting January 12!

Read moreTaking a Break
Category: Personal

Christmas Blessings to Each of You

By Steve Laubeon December 22, 2025
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Thank you for being a loyal reader of our posts. We wouldn’t continue if it weren’t for you! We strive to bring a measure of insight to the conversation about writing, publishing, and all things between. Your feedback is appreciated! May you and yours have a blessed Christmas wherever you are. This will be our last post until January 12, 2026. We shall return with vim, vigor, notions, …

Read moreChristmas Blessings to Each of You
Category: Personal

Fun Fridays – December 19, 2025

By Steve Laubeon December 19, 2025
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Sometimes you can take a writing idea and approach it from a different direction, discovering something completely new, yet still familiar. Apply this idea to music. Listen to see how your favorite Christmas carols sound when put in a different key. The video is about five and a half minutes long. [If you cannot view the video in your email newsletter, please click through to the website and enjoy …

Read moreFun Fridays – December 19, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

Christmas Blessings to You!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 17, 2025
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Christmas is upon us, and after you read this, you’ll likely be wrapping gifts, mailing and receiving cards, and making plans for your Christmas feast. I’m grateful to be part of a community where Christ remains the center of all the festivities. Meanwhile, the news is filled with reports of “record-breaking” spending, “record-breaking” crowds, “record-breaking” online shopping, and on and on. And …

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Category: Personal

The 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide Is Here!

By Steve Laubeon December 15, 2025
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What are your writing plans for 2026? Is there a new publication where you want to send your article or devotion? Is there a conference you’d like to attend, virtually or in person? Do you need a freelance editor or a literary agent for your project? Experience has taught us that things can change suddenly. The publishing industry is no different. Each year, dozens of agents and editors move …

Read moreThe 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide Is Here!
Category: Book of the Month, Christian Writers Institute

Fun Friday – December 12, 2025

By Steve Laubeon December 12, 2025
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Be blessed by this great acapella trio for this Advent season. The blend is incredible! [If you are unable to view the video in your email newsletter, please click through to the website and view it there.]

Read moreFun Friday – December 12, 2025
Category: Fun Fridays

Proof Is in the Platform

By Dan Balowon December 11, 2025
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In many areas of business or ministry, before beginning to do something, staff members typically test whether the service, product, or approach can work in practice. At the very least, some level of research is conducted to ensure interest exists in what they are doing. Listening to feedback and identifying potential challenges is always wise before starting out. The only exceptions might be …

Read moreProof Is in the Platform
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, The Writing Life
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