(Updated 1/19/2026)
“Bring the books, especially the parchments,” is a sentence in 2 Timothy 4:13 that has teased readers for 2,000 years. What books did the Apostle Paul want to read while waiting for trial? Theology? History? How-to? (Maybe a little escape reading? Pun intended.)
Another writer chimed in a while ago by saying, “Of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). And if we read the statistics, he wasn’t kidding: 300,000+ books are published in the United States alone each year.
Yet there is an allure to the stories of great novelists and a fascination with the brilliance of deep thinkers. It is what drew me to the book industry in the first place, having been a lifelong reader and an insatiable collector of a burgeoning library. (My wife and I own somewhere close to 10,000 books.)
That personal allure and fascination remain unabated. I’ve had and continue to have the honor and privilege of working with some of our industry’s finest minds and talented writers. In the front part of my office, I have eight large bookcases holding a copy of every book our agency has represented. Another section of the office holds every book I edited for Bethany House Publishers (click here to find a complete list at the end of the page). And yet another section is every book I’ve overseen as publisher for Enclave Publishing. Literally hundreds of amazing books by amazing authors. Millions of words, untold numbers of lives touched. It is truly a wonderful and remarkable thing to be part of.
Meanwhile, I am still searching for the next great story, the next great concept, and the next great writer. So, to answer the question “What are you looking for?” I will attempt to clarify a few things.
Our Door Is Always Open
Unsolicited proposals are always welcome, to a certain extent. I sift through nearly two thousand inquiries every year (that is not a typo), and I represent very few of them (maybe one, maybe two). It is sort of like panning for gold in the Klondike. My only request is that each person do their best to follow our website guidelines. It would astound you how many fail that simple request. Unfortunately, those who don’t will gum up the works for everyone else, making me that much more suspicious of the next one.
Recently, someone photographed each page of their manuscript and sent a link to an online photo-sharing site. Then called to tell me about it. When I said I wouldn’t click on a link to an unknown photo site, the author cursed me with flagrant language and hung up.
We Primarily Serve the Christian Market
We make no apology for specializing in books written from a Christian worldview. That means we sell books wherever publishers are receptive to books from that perspective. Usually, those are Christian publishing companies. But we can sell books to the general market—if that publisher is interested in the content of the book our client has created.
We won’t represent books that are contrary to a Christian worldview. I once received a proposal claiming the novel included “vivid sex, graphic torture, romance, comedy.” Another writer proposed a nonfiction book that redefined sin as something unbiblical and should not be taught. Another claimed that Moses was “the greatest serial killer of all time.” Another had this sentence: “Jesus is not enough. The bible is not enough. We need something more.” These authors had not done their homework regarding our agency.
I’m Looking for Fiction
I am an eclectic reader, which reflects my work as an agent. I represent authors who write in the following genres: women’s fiction, romance, thriller, suspense, romantic suspense, Amish, literary, military, historical (all eras), contemporary, science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, YA–in other words, every genre published in the industry.
I’m looking for unique storylines with a well-refined craft. If something is 80% ready, I’ll probably reject it. In school, a grade score of 80 would be a low B. Our industry is looking for an A+.
I’m Looking for Nonfiction
The types of nonfiction books and authors represented also exemplify my eclectic tastes: Christian living, biography, apologetics, theology, Bible study, reference, health, finance, self-help, psychology, grief, suffering, marriage, family, women’s, men’s, philosophy, church life, devotional, inspirational, social issues, politics, parenting, music, and art. The subjects are vast, and the opportunities are endless.
If it is your personal story, like a memoir, please read this post first: “When Your Book Becomes Personal.” I am rarely successful in placing memoirs with major publishers.
I am looking for unique ideas from great writers. However, as the market has changed, so have some of the demands on the nonfiction author. Your project has to be more than an extended magazine article. It has to have something special to make a major publisher jump at the chance to invest in you and your work. It can be your platform. It can be the power of your idea. It can be that your writing is unique and compelling. And if you can bring all three, I’m confident we can find you a publishing partner.
A Limit to My Expertise
I tend to be limited when it comes to children’s picture books. Yes, I represent some wonderful authors in that category, but it is not a market where I typically sign debut authors. If you are already an established and successful children’s book writer or if you come highly recommended by one who is, I will gladly take a look. But, generally, this is not a category I am actively pursuing.
Please do not send me your cookbook ideas. I may look like I know how to eat, but it doesn’t mean I know the first thing about cooking.
A Limit to My Exceptions
It is aggravating when someone sends me their cookbook with this first sentence: “I know you say you don’t want cookbooks, but I think you will make an exception with mine.” (This happens more than you might realize.) Asking for an exception is bold, but it is also a waste of time for both the author and me.
How to Send Your Proposal
You can send your proposal to me via email. (Please read our guidelines! See that exclamation point?) Please do not expect a critique or even a suggestion. We are not a free editorial service.
Please note that it can take up to 12 weeks to get to your proposal (even longer if it gets buried in the email inbox). I am not always that slow, but please don’t expect a response in 48 hours. Please, do NOT call my office to see if your email arrived. (You won’t appreciate the “it might be somewhere” answer.)
While this may all sound arrogant and standoffish, it is simply a defensive mechanism. Imagine eight people lined up at your front door wanting to have you spend time with their writing. But you weren’t able to take visitors that day. The next day, eight more get in the back of the line while the others remain camped out. Eight more the next day. And eight the next. After 30 days, there is a tent city of 240 people wrapped around the block, all waiting for your time to open up.
Please understand that we are trying our best and plead for your kindness and patience with the process.
I don’t like to say “no” unless I’ve seen it. When I was an editor for Bethany House I told an author that a book like you describe would have a tough go of it in our market. That unpublished author wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. She got that book, SHADOW OF DREAMS, published elsewhere (in 2001). And now Eva Marie Everson is a highly successful novelist and the director of the Florida Writers Conference. She has the talent to make a story like that palatable for a wide readership. And that is the key.
Awww… 🙂
The next great book every pastor, and possibly lay person will want? A correction on the distortion of Faith in the Modern Church by William Partington. I hope your agency will want to represent this needed manuscript for the Modern era. (a shameless plug)
We do not work with screenplays. That is a highly specialized discipline with the need for a different network than we have.
How to submit a self-published book.
https://stevelaube.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-submit-my-self-published-book/
Steve, can you address getting a co-author or biographer to help get a manuscript together?
I’m a 76 year old disaster emergency manager (considerable & varied writing experience) living and working pro bono for nearly 4 years in Ukraine. My lifestyle is radically New Testament (in fact, my pastor is David Platt, author of Radical) which has been a most effective evangelizing tool here and among an unreached people group in Tajikistan prior to Ukraine.
Right now, just surviving the infrastructure breakdown keeps me from spreading the word on desperately needed resilience projects. I need to be mentoring more, at this point, but lack of helpers keeps me in the thick of battle (figuratively) to get the help to where it’s most needed.
I need to get the word out. I cannot make the time.
Can you give people like me some direction?
Blessings
The Steve Laube Agency is a completely separate entity and company from Enclave Publishing. Agents from the Steve Laube Agency have to submit proposals to Enclave just like anyone else.
Thus the needs of the agency are not the needs of Enclave Publishing. Enclave is a Science Fiction and Fantasy publisher.
The Steve Laube Agency represents all genres, fiction and non-fiction, that come from a Christian worldview.
It just so happens that I, Steve Laube, wear two hats. By “day” I am a literary agent who owns and runs The Steve Laube Agency.
As a side job, because I love the genre and have been invested in it for decades, I work with Enclave publishing opportunities.
Please do not mix the two.
Steve Laube
I wonder if this story
is one folks want to hear;
it’s testament to glory
amidst the thorns of fear.
It’s not about a cuddle-God,
but One who’s stern and straight,
and even though my life was flawed
and cancer is my fate,
in my heart He doth abide,
and walks beneath the blue-sky dome
always, always at my side
to speak of my eternal home,
and forsking all His dignity,
in the night He weeps for me.
That’s beautiful, Andrew.
Peggy, thank you.
What an amazing God! What other faith has a god named, “The Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort”? 2 Cor. 1:3-5.
Thanks again for sharing your testimony in impactful words, Andrew.
Thomas,
This post should answer your question:
https://stevelaube.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-submit-my-self-published-book/
Perhaps I’ll send my epic poem
that takes the reader to the stars,
a classy, hip, and streamlined tome
called ‘Beowulf On Mars”,
in which eponymous hero,
who gave ol’ Hrothgar all he had,
and whose energy’s now zero
comes to learn that Grendel’s dad
has done escaped Earth’s gravity
for the mystic Planet Red,
so for closure and finality
our Beo goes to make him dead,
but finding Monster in the end
learns the beast can be a friend.
Thank you for the update, Steve! It is good to know what you are looking for and that I should definitely send a hard copy of my children’s cookbook of messy and easily spilled meals: compiled by helpful and hungry dogs!
(1) This is awesome, but having read the guidelines I am daunted by the fact that I have no platform. A major reason for writing my leadership book was that the voices of the LED – the platformless – are largely absent from the genre. Needing to be famous before you even start means that first-time authors & self publishers are largely disqualified before they even begin. And those voices will continue to be absent. The gap will remain.
(2) I’m curious … is there a rationale behind the agency preferring to see three chapters on A4 sheets, rather than the sweet, polished-looking little paperback itself? I would so love to send in the finished-for-now product.
Rebekah,
We receive sample books all the time as “proposals.” But there is a risk.
1) if the packaging isn’t of a high quality (cover, typesetting, printing) it reflects on the professionalism of the author.
2) it mean’s it is already published and makes it harder to pitch as something “new, never before seen!” project.
Yes, platform is an issue. Except when it isn’t. A couple years ago I sold a non-fiction book from an author with very little platform. How? The author’s content was stellar. The topic was unique and filled a niche.
Have you thought of offering a short, even three line critique for a small sum of $50-$100. It would be helpful to know areas needing the most work. An agent probably would know after reading one submitted page whether there is any potential. Truth might be the most kind response.
Thank,you.
Joan
Joan,
That idea has been floated at me for many years. The problem is that there are too many scam artists out there who offer similar critiques.
One signal of an agent who may not be on the up and up is that they ask for money up front… like a reading fee. So I have kept our agency from ever getting into that world.
Think about it though. If we charged $100 for a few lines of critique on one quarter of the proposals my office gets we’d make an extra $50,000. But I think integrity is priceless and would rather have that then some extra cash. 🙂
Hi Steve,
Thanks for this post! I appreciate the clarity surrounding your submission guidelines, and I look forward to working within these parameters when the time comes. From what I can gather, your guidelines are the same from when I proposed my suspense novel to you a couple years ago, which simplifies the process for me (to a degree…proposing a project to an agent is never a simple task)! Again, thank you for post and for your hard work in this industry.
Tiffany,
Guidelines haven’t really changed in the 18 years our agency has been in business. Makes it simpler to sort out.
Hi Mr. Laube!
I’m a novelist from New Zealand, so I’m not sure how practical it would be for me to mail a hard copy proposal — would email be fine in this instance?
Also, I have downloaded and listened to your book-proposal course on the Christians Writers Institute — it’s an amazing course, and it taught me so much, thank you! And all the content on your blog is great; your post on ‘The Slush Pile, Enter at Your Own Risk’ made me laugh when I read some of the pitches you’ve had over the years!
I do have a question. I understand from reading this website that you have overseas authors you represent, including one from my country. As an overseas author who doesn’t live in America, will I be considered behind the game for not having speaking engagement or media experience? Only famous people in my country generally end up at conferences or on tv, and I’m just a young author from a small town who loves telling stories to the best of my abilities.
I feel bad because I want to make my book proposal the best it can be, but I have no idea how I’d arrange book tours or media coverage in America. I do have a lot of online marketing ideas, though.
Thank you for all the time you spend on this blog and helping authors understand the industry — the things you and your colleagues have written have educated and encouraged me, more than I can express.
Hadassah,
I have very similar questions given that I’m currently located in Brisbane, Australia. I’m from the US, but obviously, the Christian publishing realm is different on this side of the world. Thanks for posing these questions!
Hadassah and Tiffany,
The issue of overseas authors is a real one.
It can be overcome, but an author’s platform is the size of the book-buying public that author brings with them to the table. If it is too small then the publisher’s investment is at risk. They would rather invest their time and money on a book that will pay for itself and generate a profit. It is that simple.
Yes, our agency has authors in Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the UK. Each has their own unique challenges. Especially with travel restrictions.
Location is a factor, but not the only one. So if a book is really amazing, can overcome ocean-wide differences, and the author has a great following/constituency, then it will have a chance with the major publishers.
But those are some big mountains to climb in this competitive business.
That is why I am so grateful for the relatively inexpensive Indie options that authors can utilize with print-on-demand and ebook production. Allows for a book to be produced and minister, but without the need for a massive investment from a major publisher.
By the way, if you are from outside the US, you can still email a proposal. Happens every day in my assistant’s proposal inbox.
You’re welcome, Tiffany! And thank you for your answer, Mr. Laube.
Should I send my prologue along with the first 3 chapters, as well as the pronunciation guide (it’s a fantasy) that goes at the start of the book? Or should these be omitted? I think they both come under the front matter.
Thank you for all your replies. And I’m glad that email will work!
There are now no bright tales left
in my heart or soul;
something inside has been cleft,
and cannot be made whole,
but I will remain here
in this community,
that I may stand yet stand and cheer
other on to victory,
for cancer’s taught love’s value
and altruism’s worth,
and these in turn taught it is true,
that dying is rebirth,
and that the warmth of others’ glory
is fitting ending to my story.
What is strange Andrew, it sounds like you have thrown in the towel.
Stand and battle, fight on by doing what you love to don’t go into discourgement for one moment. Love you brother stay strong.
A.L.L.C., thank you so much for this grace, this encouragement.
I’m not throwing in the towel, but my time as a novelist has passed. I can’t physically use a standing or sitting desk for any length of time, and can’t speak clearly enough to dictate. All I do now is on a Smartphone.
It was fun; there are two novels out there, look under my name on Amazon if you’re interested. I like them.
There are a couple more that I just didn’t have the energy to bring to Kindle. One, that I maybe like best of all.
At any rate, there are no stories left. Fell circumstance has taken gentleness of narrative. What I can now write, I don’t want to write.
And so, the sonnets as blog-post comments (I don’t write them for any other purpose). I want all of you to succeed; I want to give you hope and laughter.
And I want to give you love.
Andrew, I came back after two years rehab of a bad surprise stroke. As newly here I missed you.
But now, glad to see you.
Carla Jo, it’s so good to see you back!!!!
What makes a story unique? I can only answer with the non-answer of “I know it when I see it.” What is one man’s treasure is another man’s throw-away. Thus is the subjective nature of this industry.
Examples of “unique” books by first-time authors that I was able to place include CHURCH ZERO by Peyton Jones and UNEXPECTING by Rachel Lewis and CAST OF STONES by Patrick Carr. (One nonfiction look at the church, one nonfiction about loss, and one fantasy novel.)
Thanks, Steve. What is your limit on fantasy? Would you consider a fantasy story of Jesus that accounts for his early years[ which is not in the bible ] up to his fulfilling his ministry
and a fantasy story of the unnamed sinner woman who wipes her tears off our Lord’s feet with her hair[ Luke], far too far-fetched?
Blessings.
Olusola,
What is being described here is not “fantasy,” at least not how the genre is defined. What you are writing is biblical fiction. “Fantasy” is better defined as a made up world, often utilizing magical elements within that world. In addition, it can carry allegorical elements, but not always.
Biblical fiction is the retelling of biblical stories which “fill in the blanks” where the narrative may not have the human drama depicted as an author can in a novel.
As for a story on the early years of Jesus? It has been done. In 1985, Marjorie Holmes published the book “Three from Galilee: The Young Man from Nazareth” as a follow-up to her “Two from Galilee.” She was roundly criticized for her depiction of Jesus as a boy and young man. In 2005, the brilliant Walter Wangerin, Jr. created a novel around the life of Jesus through the eyes of the Apostle John. It was called “Jesus: A Novel” and is still available. Since he tackled the entire life of Christ, the early years portion is but a small part.
Any attempt to portray this aspect of the life of Jesus is fraught with issues, both biblical and theological. I doubt one would find a Christian publisher today willing to tackle such a project, unless it were from a well-trusted author (like Walter Wangerin, Jr.). A general market publisher might, especially if it were salacious.
In case you are interested, two general market novels on the topic received considerable attention when published.
Ann Rice: “Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt (2005)
Ann Rice: “Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana” (2008)
I’ve a story of a hippie
that you might like to see.
His life had got too trippy,
and so he chose to flee
from the psychedelic show
that he found was just a sham,
and as a registered C. O.
went to Viet Nam
to tend unto the shattered men
in that bricky heat,
and it was only time ’till when
his journey came complete
and a second choice came clear:
pick up a gun, or die right here?
Wow, Andrew. That kinda hit me in the chest. In a good way. I mean, I probably wouldn’t read that genre, but it sure grabbed my attention, so who knows? haha!
I do read outside my preferred genre and have been delighted to find some great books. But I do have to be careful as I’m an empath, so I feel everyone’s pain. And some things tend to stay with me, which is uncomfortable (to say the least,) so I can’t/shouldn’t read/watch anything graphic.
People who know me know I have a special needs adult daughter, Anna. I’m not the only special needs mom by a long shot, but I felt God asking me to write about her. I assumed I should write a book, so I started it, wrote several chapters, and even brought my husband on board to get a dad’s perspective.
I hated every single minute.
When I showed it to my mentor, she asked me if I wanted to write this book. I said, NO!
She said she could tell by my writing, then asked me why I was writing it. I told her I felt God wanted me to. “Did He ask you to write a book?”
I shrugged. “What else can I write?”
She suggested I blog about Anna, so I did that. Know what? I loved it! I used what I had written for “the book,” and as things happen in Anna’s life, I blog about that.
So, when you talked about when your book becomes personal, I resonated with it. Blogging allowed me to get my thoughts down and out there. Others read it and learn about life with Anna. Other special needs parents get encouragement. It’s exactly what I needed, and I’m free to write books and short stories to my heart’s content.
So thankful for my mentor. Also thankful for all you teach us here on your blog, Steve!
I’ve heard about you as an agent for years and it’s become a running joke about one day having a manuscript rejected by “the Dreamcrusher” (or the Nightmare, as I suppose you’ve become XD). I’m not ready to start pitching my manuscripts, but one day I hope to attempt pitching here, and even if I don’t make it, at least I’ve had the pleasure of being rejected by the famous Steve Laube.
Very excited to see what comes from this next year from y’all!
Thank you for sharing this detailed piece about what you are looking for. I appreciate your honesty. I am blessed to be represented by your agency.
I am glad to know my wife and I are not the only ones to have countless tomes lying around the house and in the basement. I once had a patient who quit his job as a high school math teacher to sell used books on eBay. What didn’t sell after 4 weeks went to Goodwill. As an afterthought I gave him an outdated, obsolete text on surgical techniques for dental implants. It sold for over $60! (Signed copy, I believe.) There’s even a market for old college and high school yearbooks. He even gave me 30% of what he sold things for.
I recently found and gave away a priceless copy pf Charles Allen’s multimillion seller, “God’s Psychiatry”.
Now we’re in a bind: my book seller took a full time job at the Ford dealership.
Excellent information. Thank you.
What an amazing God! What other faith has a god named, “The Father of Mercies and the God of all Comfort”? 2 Cor. 1:3-5.
Thanks again for sharing your testimony in impactful words, Andrew.
I really appreciate the transparency in these blog posts and also the follow-up comments. Reading what everyone has to say is encouraging. Thank you all, and God bless!
Hi Steve,
I came to your blog to find the mailing address to submit my manuscript, but I see this has been updated! In your next update, please kindly leave a link to your guidelines. Thanks.
Well done, and thank you so much for all the hard work you do. We thank God for using people like you to ensure there is a Christian market.
Blessings,
Sophia.