Book Business

TODAY is the Free Webinar: Ask a Literary Agent: Q&A With Steve Laube at 5 p.m. EST

By Steve Laubeon May 13, 2026

REMINDER: Our free webinar happens this afternoon.

Today, Thomas Umstattd Jr., and I are presenting a live webinar to answer the most pressing questions writers have and to share a little about my new book, Sacred Margins, which Amazon has started to ship early. Please don’t miss out on the FREE webinar.

Date: Wednesday, May 13–TODAY
Time: 5 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Thomas Umstattd Jr. is the host. He is the head of Author Media and has some of the most popular podcasts in our industry, including Novel Marketing, which just celebrated its 500th episode!

If you cannot attend live, the webinar will be recorded and available for free to all registered participants. But if you don’t register, you won’t have access.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will there be a replay?

Yes. Everyone who registers will receive access to the recording.

Can I submit questions in advance?

Yes. You’ll receive a link to submit questions when you register. Steve and Thomas will prioritize advance questions to cover as much ground as possible.

Do I need to buy the book to attend?

No. The webinar is free and open to all registered attendees. But if you want to delve deeper into the writer’s spiritual life, please order Sacred Margins.

Who is this webinar for?

Any Christian writer who wants to learn from one of the most experienced agents in the industry. Published authors, aspiring authors, and curious readers are all welcome.

REMINDER: Register for the Free Webinar: Ask a Literary Agent: Q&A With Steve Laube – May 13

By Steve Laubeon May 11, 2026

REMINDER, in case you missed last week’s announcement. Thomas Umstattd Jr. and I are presenting a live webinar to answer the most pressing questions writers have and to share a little about my new book, Sacred Margins, which Amazon is already shipping to customers. Please don’t miss out on the FREE webinar. Date: Wednesday, May 13–this Wednesday Time: 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) Thomas …

Category: Agents, Book Business, The Writing LifeTag: Book Launch

What Do Publishers Want?

By Dan Balowon May 7, 2026

For those authors desiring to publish with a traditional book publisher, the ever-present question will be, “What do they want?” We maintain detailed overviews of Christian publishers for agency use that are constantly updated, and you would be surprised by how often updates are needed. It is better to answer today’s question with things that are consistent across all publishers and editors, …

Category: Agents, Book Business, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life, Trends

Ask a Literary Agent: Writing Q&A With Steve Laube – Free Webinar, May 13th

By Steve Laubeon May 5, 2026

Thomas Umstattd, Jr. and I have periodically come together to discuss various topics related to the book world. We are going to do it again! I don’t want you to miss out on the FREE webinar. Date: Wednesday, May 13 Time: 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) We are planning an hour or more of conversation on the questions most pressing to writers and a little about my new book, Sacred Margins, which …

Category: Agents, Book Business, Marketing, The Writing LifeTag: Book Launch

My Pet Peeve Therapy Session

By Dan Balowon April 9, 2026

I have a lot of pet peeves. So many that this is the second time I’ve written about them. The first was three and a half years ago, when I vented about a host of things. Click here. I am not finished. Other peeves involve people who don’t wait for their turn. Like those who drive on the shoulder of the road to bypass traffic or those who try to get on the plane before their group is called. …

Category: Book Business, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

The Five-Year Test

By Dan Balowon March 26, 2026

When I review a proposal from a new or experienced author, I use several informal “tests” to evaluate whether the concept might be of interest to publishers. Remember, the agent’s role is to find books that might interest publishers. What we like doesn’t really matter. I’ve learned to like book proposals that sell. But that’s just me. Some of my ad hoc “tests” are: Editor Test: Can I think …

Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Marketing

Six Things That Changed the Publishing World

By Steve Laubeon March 16, 2026

Over the past thirty-plus years, several developments have changed the publishing industry forever. (The first two occurred in 1995.) Amazon.com Dan Balow wrote an excellent piece on this in 2015. It still is quite astounding when you think about it. In 30 years, this little online startup (founded in 1995) became the most dominant online retailer in the Western world. Bookselling will never be …

Category: Book Business, Book Business, TrendsTag: Book Business, Changes, Trends

Publishing Acronyms

By Steve Laubeon February 9, 2026

After being in an industry for a while, there is a natural tendency to speak in code. Acronyms flow freely and can be a foreign language to those new to the conversation. Below is an attempt to spell out some of the more common acronyms in the publishing industry and some specific to the Christian publishing industry. They are grouped by topic in a rudimentary way but in no particular order. If …

Category: Book Business, Book Business, Communication, Contracts, The Publishing LifeTag: Acronyms, publishing

Book Birthdays: 2026 Edition

By Dan Balowon January 29, 2026

Significant books are published every year. Here’s a personally curated list that I hope sparks some good memories and honors the work of the past: One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp (2011) – 15 years Kisses from Katie, by Katie Davis Majors (2011) – 15 years The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn (2011) – 15 years Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall (2006) – 20 years Wild at Heart, by John …

Category: Book Business

What Entered the Public Domain in 2026?

By Steve Laubeon January 26, 2026

I try to post something about this topic every year. This year is no exception. In the United States, under U.S. copyright law, works published in 1930 and earlier are now in the public domain. One can publish them or use them without securing copyright permission. In case you are wondering about the specifics, the Copyright Term Extension Act (passed in 1998) gave works published from 1923 …