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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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Home » Book Proposals » Page 14

Book Proposals

Thomas Umstattd, Jr. Joins The Steve Laube Agency

By Steve Laubeon October 1, 2018
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I am very excited to announce that Thomas Umstattd, Jr. has joined the agency as our newest literary agent.

We continually look for ways to increase the services our agency provides to current and potential clients. I have known Thomas for 12 years; and by adding him to our agency, we can expand our role in helping to maximize our client’s sales through his extensive experience in marketing, branding, and technology. Thomas’s strengths are his understanding of book marketing and what it takes to market yourself as an author. Our agency team has expertise in all facets of the industry: writer, bookseller, editor, marketer, agent, teacher, indie author, consultant, executive management, and publisher.

For many years Thomas helped authors build their websites via his Author Media company. When he was the marketing director for Enclave Publishing, their sales doubled in 18 months. He most recently was the marketing director for Fahrenheit Marketing, which focused on brand development for both corporations and individuals. He is a veteran podcaster with multiple ongoing shows, including the very popular “Novel Marketing” cohosted by Jim Rubart. He has also served as a board member for several nonprofits, including the Texas Alliance for Life. You can find out more on his personal website at www.thomasumstattd.com.

Thomas is a regular speaker and has spoken at dozens of writers conferences all over the world (including Scotland, Canada, and Hawaii). In addition, he also indie published his book Courtship in Crisis, using a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch it.

I am glad to add that he will also become the Vice President of The Christian Writers Institute.

He is married to Margaret, and they are expecting their first child this month! He will be working from his office in Austin, TX.

We will be eventually integrating Thomas’s insights into our regular blog schedule. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

You can find a description of the kinds of proposals Thomas is looking for here.

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Category: Agency, Agents, Book Proposals

Brainstorming: How and With Whom?

By Steve Laubeon August 13, 2018
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Brainstorming is one of the fun parts in the development of a book. The key for the author is a willingness to hear other ideas. The second, and most critical key, is discovering those with whom you should brainstorm. Those people need to be willing to have their ideas rejected in the discussions and be willing to let an idea they created to be used by someone else. It takes a special …

Read moreBrainstorming: How and With Whom?
Category: Book Proposals, Writing CraftTag: brainstorming, Creativity, Editors, Ideas, Pitching, Writing Craft

Don’t Write Your Bio, Write a “Why Me?”

By Bob Hostetleron August 8, 2018
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Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, writers who were pitching their articles or books to editors and agents included in the query or proposal a “bio” paragraph. These writers would include such things as their education, previous publishing credits, and whatever other claims to fame they could cite. Some still do that, but for many years now my recommendation has been not to write a “bio” …

Read moreDon’t Write Your Bio, Write a “Why Me?”
Category: Book Proposals, Branding, Marketing, Pitch, PitchingTag: Author Bio, book proposal, Pitching

The Slush Pile: Enter at Your Own Risk

By Steve Laubeon August 6, 2018
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The publishing world is divided between those who have read the slush pile and those who have not. If you have, then you can understand some of the cynicism and jaded eyes you see behind the glasses of an editor or an agent.

If you have not, then it is difficult to comprehend the unbelievable variety of ideas that can cross our desks.

Read moreThe Slush Pile: Enter at Your Own Risk
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Book Business, Editors, Get Published, Pitching, Rejection, Writing Craft

The Ultimate Sound Bite

By Steve Laubeon July 16, 2018
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Can you boil the essence of your novel or non-fiction book idea into twenty-five words or less?

This is one of the keys to creating a marketing hook that makes your idea sellable in today's crowded market.

You have less than a minute to make that hook work.

It is also called creating the "elevator pitch" or the "Hollywood pitch." The goal is get the marketing department to exclaim, "We …

Read moreThe Ultimate Sound Bite
Category: Book Proposals, Marketing, Pitch, Platform, Writing CraftTag: book proposal, Marketing, pitch, Pitching, Proposals, Rejection

Create Magic with Words

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 12, 2018
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Years ago, I took my five-year-old daughter to Toys R Us to meet “Barbie.” “Barbie” turned out to be a cute and charming teenager who, yes, looked like the classic blonde image of the doll. She wore a pretty pink gown. I expected a lot more fanfare around this event. Like, maybe some cheap swag, a chance to win a Barbie doll or Barbie convertible, or at least a throne for Barbie. Maybe a stage …

Read moreCreate Magic with Words
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Creativity, Marketing, Pitch, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Creativity, Marketing, Writing Craft

Is It Okay for Me to Resubmit?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 28, 2018
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When approaching agents and editors, sometimes even veteran authors are unsure if there is some unwritten rule they may unwittingly violate. I assure you, all of us in the industry appreciate your thoughtfulness. But we don’t want fear to cause you to miss an opportunity! Over the past few conferences, one statement I heard often is: “I was already turned down by someone else at your agency. I …

Read moreIs It Okay for Me to Resubmit?
Category: Book Proposals, Pitch, PitchingTag: Agents, book proposals, pitch

How an Agent Reads

By Bob Hostetleron June 20, 2018
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I’m seldom at a loss for words (though often at a loss for something of value to say), but the question took me aback for a moment. I was on an agents-and-editors panel at a writers’ conference within a few months of becoming an agent. I’d done this sort of panel before, both as a magazine editor and author, but this was the first time I’d been asked this particular question: “How do you read a …

Read moreHow an Agent Reads
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Get Published, Marketing, PlatformTag: Agents, book proposals, Get Published

What Does Your Reader Need?

By Bob Hostetleron June 13, 2018
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I attend many writers’ conferences, as an author, speaker, and agent. As a result, I meet and become friends with many fine people and outstanding writers. At a recent gathering, I enjoyed a spirited and stimulating conversation with an aspiring author who has a passion for reaching readers with the good news of Jesus Christ. I identify with that. But I’m not sure we ever got onto the same page, …

Read moreWhat Does Your Reader Need?
Category: Book Proposals, Conferences, Pitch, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: Audience, book proposals, pitch, Pitching, readers

Author Says / Agent Hears

By Dan Balowon June 12, 2018
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Many aspiring authors communicate things they think are positive, or at least in the spirit of honesty and transparency, but end up being understood entirely different than the intended message. In an attempt to show commitment, an aspiring author says, “I’ve been working on this book for ten years.” An agent hears, “I am an extremely slow writer and once finished, enter a protracted spiral of …

Read moreAuthor Says / Agent Hears
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitch, Pitching, The Writing LifeTag: Agents, book proposals, Get Published, pitch, Pitching
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