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The Steve Laube Agency

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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Agents » Page 10

Agents

Why I Wouldn’t Represent Bible People

By Dan Balowon September 6, 2016
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Taking a cue from the media ads for various prescription drugs, including a legal disclaimer in any communication protects everyone from legal jeopardy or in this case, condemnation.

God inspired the Bible and the thoughts expressed in it are exactly as God intended. No one shall add or take away anything. The following satire is intended for entertainment value only. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of any other person on the planet. If you take this too seriously, you need to get outside more.

I realize good satire doesn’t need to be announced ahead of time. But since I am not a writer of good satire, I feel compelled to do so, since our sound-bitten, share-a-phrase-out-of-context-on-Twitter communications culture could make me look pretty crazy after writing this post. And trust me, I don’t need to be made to look crazier than I am.

So, here we go… Why I, as a literary agent, wouldn’t represent various writers of Scripture and other Bible people:

Moses

Sketchy background. Accused of killing a man then fled the jurisdiction and never brought to justice. Claims to have spoken directly to God and hears from him regularly. Is relentless until he gets his own way. Nothing but negative comments from surviving members of Pharaoh’s court. Could be a very high maintenance author.

Joseph

An interesting man for sure, but for all the good stories he has to tell, there is still the unresolved charges brought by a Mrs. Potiphar. Frequent visions put his sanity in question. Complicated relationship with family could cause permissions issues with stories he might write.

Joshua

Strong personality but killed a lot of people.  Honestly, I’m a little afraid of the man. Claims to have stopped the sun from moving for a period. Sure, like that ever happened. Probably exaggerates wildly. I would question his honesty and integrity.

Daniel

Good guy but claims to have visions and makes frequent predictions. Authors who make predictions are difficult to work with. He might need to pass a drug test before anyone agrees to publish him. According to references in Babylonia, he doesn’t compromise what he believes in, which might make him difficult in the editorial process.

David

Where do I start? Famous guy with a super platform, but he’s got issues. Seems to be constantly making mistakes and apologizing. Would probably get a contract cancelled for some moral failing. Frankly, some of the things he has done would make Godly people embarrassed to read.

Solomon

Yikes. The wives, the concubines, the whole Ecclesiastes dark perspective and then the Song of Solomon project would be reason enough for a Christian publisher to never publish him. Some things should not be covered in a Christian book. Sure, a wise guy with deep things to say, but you just know one of his wives would do a tell-all book and blow it all up.

Matthew

Writing out of his field. Should be writing about finance and business ethics, not history. Based on his past as a tax collector, he probably has integrity issues.

Luke

Same general issues as Matthew. Should be writing about medical issues, not history. No platform for a book about Jesus’ life. Book of Acts is completely out of his area of expertise. Should not have been involved in the Bible project in the first place.

Peter

No theological credentials or platform. Should never be published. Emotionally unstable. Definitely a high-maintenance client. Might be your best friend one day and deny he knows you the next.

Paul

Potentially a best-selling author, but more trouble than he is worth. Really knows his stuff, but he invokes God’s leading at the drop of a hat, and there’s the issue of standing idly by as Stephen was martyred. Has all the credentials, but will be a problem for editors. Constantly in trouble with the law. A nightmare for publisher PR departments. Disappears on trips for years at a time. Nine-year period in Tarsus still unaccounted for professionally. Too high-maintenance.

 

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Category: Agents, Humor, PlatformTag: Humor, Platform

The Best Time to Submit to an Agent

By Karen Ballon August 3, 2016
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Thanks to Katie Powner for her question on my May 25, 2016 blog, which sparked this blog. There have been many changes in publishing over the last few years. In fact, it seems we just get used to some element of publishing, and wham! It’s turned on its head. But there is something that hasn’t changed. Something I don’t think will ever change. At least, I pray it won’t. Story trumps all. Oh, I …

Read moreThe Best Time to Submit to an Agent
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: Agents, book proposals, Get Published, story

Confusing Hindsight with Wisdom

By Dan Balowon August 2, 2016
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Book publishing is filled with people having substantial experience and who know a lot about how things work in the publishing world.  Authors, publisher staff, retailers and agents have a bevy of information and make informed decisions every day. But book publishing is a humility-building pursuit because a good amount of this great wisdom is nothing more than 20/20 hindsight. “I knew it wouldn’t …

Read moreConfusing Hindsight with Wisdom
Category: Agents, Book Business, Career, Marketing, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Hindsight, The Publishing Life

Why I Don’t Critique Your Work

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 30, 2016
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A fantastic blog post from Ramona Richards reminded me why I, as a literary agent, don’t offer critiques on rejected proposals. Believe me, as someone who used to write books, I understand the disappointment of the unhelpful rejection letter. So much that I blogged about it (click to read it). I appreciate writers who are looking to learn more about craft, style, and what will make their books …

Read moreWhy I Don’t Critique Your Work
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Editing, Get PublishedTag: Agents, book proposals, Editing, Get Published

Sending Your Submission to an Agent

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 4, 2016
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Submitting your work to an agent can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. A few simple steps will help you gain confidence, regardless of your method. Unsolicited submission This is when you are querying several agents and you have no connection other than seeing them on a list. I really don’t recommend the cold call submission, because it’s not likely you’ll find exactly the right agent for …

Read moreSending Your Submission to an Agent
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: Agents, Get Published, Submissions

Tell Us All the Gossip!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 29, 2015
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Sometimes writers hear wild, wild gossip about the industry. Sometimes that gossip is true. Sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is halfway true. As your agent, I want to hear it! You might say, “Wait a minute! Aren’t you a Christian agent? Doesn’t the Bible say not to gossip?” Yes. And yes. But I need to hear this gossip. Not because I love to gossip. I don’t. I don’t have time. For one thing, I …

Read moreTell Us All the Gossip!
Category: Agents, Communication, Get PublishedTag: Agents, Communication, Get Published, Gossip

Asking for a Reference – or Not

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 1, 2015
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Throughout my career I have occasionally heard that writers looking for an agent should ask an agent’s clients for references. My advice? Reconsider that advice. Why Not I don’t say this because I’m afraid of what my current clients will say to a potential client. I’m far from perfect, but I do hope that if there was a misunderstanding, we worked it out long ago so all of my clients would …

Read moreAsking for a Reference – or Not
Category: Agents, Get PublishedTag: Agents, Finding an Agent, References

I’ve Been There and Now I’m Going There – For You

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 13, 2015
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In this era of, “What can an agent do for you?” I thought a blog about the intangible benefits of visibility and relationships would be worth your time. As a literary agent, I am blessed to speak with a great number of talented authors. Many of them are where I once was — mothers with young children at home. They are lucky to have any time to write. Travel to a writers …

Read moreI’ve Been There and Now I’m Going There – For You
Category: Agents, Book Business, Career, Communication, Get PublishedTag: Agents, Get Published, Relationships

Your Agent’s Brand (And Why You Should Care)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 6, 2015
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I’ve been privileged to have a career as a literary agent for many years now, and early on, I developed a brand and stuck with it. No, I didn’t hire a consultant to sit down and figure out what my “brand” is. And it’s not a tag line I put on business cards, or even anything I say aloud or post on social media. But most people who study agents have an idea about me …

Read moreYour Agent’s Brand (And Why You Should Care)
Category: Agents, Branding, Career, Get PublishedTag: Agents, Branding, Get Published

Dear Abby

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 26, 2015
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In my current stage of life, I find it freeing not to feel compelled to share my opinion about every topic and to defend that opinion to the verbal death. I don’t feel the urge to prove my rightness through verbal sparring. Joy, indeed! In everyday life, a friend may ask any number of questions. “What do you think of this dress?” means you should say, “Wow! You look …

Read moreDear Abby
Category: Agents, Book Business, Get Published
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