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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 » Career » Page 11

Career

Should You Write Short Stories First?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 20, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series

__________

What are your thoughts on writing some short stories before you jump into your first novel?

I don’t recommend writing short stories before jumping into your first novel IF your goal is to be a novelist. Writing where you don’t want your success to be is akin to the dieter craving a chocolate candy bar but eating a container of yogurt instead.

I’ve written articles, devotions, nonfiction books, novellas, short novels, and long fiction; and I can tell you that these projects have almost no relation to one another. For one, the shorter the project, the tighter the writing must be. And the longer the novel, the more intricacies and subplots you’ll need.

Also, the markets for each type of project differ. You’ll be pitching short stories to magazines and collections. You’ll be selling novels to book publishers. Most editors will be interested in demonstrated success in what you are writing for them, not someone else. A byline in a major magazine should be mentioned and is a plus, but a well-received magazine story doesn’t necessarily translate into sales of a novel. And even though book publishers publish novellas (typically around 30,000 words), generally editors choose the top authors from their list that they want to appear in any given collection and offer them the opportunity to write a novella for the set. A writer submitting a random novella probably won’t find a market in traditional publishing. The publishers who’ll consider a novella collection sent on its own by relatively unknown authors are few; and even then, those publishers won’t necessarily buy novels from their novella authors.

Some authors are successful across a kaleidoscope of projects. However, those authors started with one book; and for the most part, have a history of success and a large fan base willing to buy any book bearing their name.

Bottom line? Write where you want your success to be.

Your turn:

What authors do you see as being successful over many types of writing?

Who is your favorite nonfiction author who wrote a novel?

For the entire series, click here: “Your Questions Answered.”

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Category: Branding, Career, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

When the Gloves Come Off

By Steve Laubeon August 17, 2020
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Fist Slams Table in Anger

The publishing experience is rarely done in isolation. This means working with other people. And if their performances or efforts do not meet your expectations, conflict can occur. Over the years I’ve seen more conflict than you can imagine–of all types and variety. But the majority of issues boil down to four areas: Editorial Production (cover design?) Marketing and publicity Getting …

Read moreWhen the Gloves Come Off
Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, EditingTag: Career, Communication, Editing, Money

Curious About Agents and Publishers and Stuff

By Bob Hostetleron July 1, 2020
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A writer friend recently messaged me with a few questions about agents and publishers and stuff. The “and stuff” is my locution, not hers. So I thought for the benefit or outrage of all, I’d answer her in this space. See how generous I am? No? Okay, be that way. Here goes: I am curious about using literary agents vs. working with a publisher without agent representation. . . . I’ve noticed that …

Read moreCurious About Agents and Publishers and Stuff
Category: Agents, Book Business, Career, Rejection

Writing a Timeless Author Bio

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 25, 2020
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Hafwen Hostess surveys the conference classroom. She estimates about 100 conferees are there for Ava Agent’s class. At the stroke of one, Hafwen reads her introduction of Ava, which Hafwen pulled off the Internet just before leaving for the airport for the conference: A graduate of Liberty Baptist College, award-winning Ava Agent is the author of four novels and looks forward to the release of her …

Read moreWriting a Timeless Author Bio
Category: Book Proposals, Career

Goal-Setting (and Revising)

By Bob Hostetleron June 24, 2020
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I’m an inveterate goal-setter. From way back. I started setting yearly goals at the age of 19, maybe before. I remember that set of goals because that was the first time I formulated a “lifetime goal” to write a book. One book. I figured, how many people manage to write a whole book in their lifetime? I thought it’d be cool, whether or not I ever published. Within a few years, I revised that goal. …

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Category: Career

Responding to Criticism

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 18, 2020
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When someone tells me she’s not sure she wants me to read her manuscript, I know she’s not ready for publication. Such sentiment shows a lack of confidence and a fear of both rejection and criticism. Even though readers usually treat writers with respect, a critical word can puncture the heart.

Imagine the wounds delivered on Internet sites such as Amazon from readers who lack that respect. A …

Read moreResponding to Criticism
Category: Book Business, Career, Social Media, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Criticism, Rejection, Writing Craft

Multigenre Writing: Good or Bad Idea?

By Bob Hostetleron June 10, 2020
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One of this blog’s readers recently directed the following question to me: You’ve been a successful writer in several genres. Is that possible for someone starting out today? I could debate the accuracy of the adjective “successful,” but I’ll let that slip for now. It’s true that I have written and published books in a variety of genres (I was a writer long before becoming an agent and …

Read moreMultigenre Writing: Good or Bad Idea?
Category: Career, Creativity, The Writing Life

Barriers to Effective Communication

By Steve Laubeon June 8, 2020
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By Steve Laube

It has been said that ninety percent of all problems in the universe are failures in communication. And the other ten percent are failures to understand the failure in communication. In the publishing business, or any business for that matter, this is so true. There are a couple common barriers to effective communication, assumption and expectation.

But I Assumed

Often …

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Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, Writing CraftTag: Communication, e-mail, Gossip, Internet Usage

Industry Update for Authors During the Pandemic

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 6, 2020
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[A variation of today’s post was sent to our clients last week, but by request I was asked to update it and make these thoughts available to everyone.] __________ I hope this note finds you well among this global scourge which has affected us and our loved ones. As you hunker in your bunker for awhile, you may have wondered about the state of the publishing industry. Editorial For now things …

Read moreIndustry Update for Authors During the Pandemic
Category: Book Business, Book Sales, Career, The Writing Life

My Most Common Advice These Days

By Bob Hostetleron March 18, 2020
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I’ve been a published writer for more than forty years, an author for twenty-seven, and a literary agent for two-and-a-half years (not to mention a freelance book editor and a staff magazine editor at various points over the years, but I just did mention it, didn’t I?). So, whether via email or in person, I’m occasionally put in a position to offer advice. I’m usually surprised and amazed that few …

Read moreMy Most Common Advice These Days
Category: Career, Get Published, The Writing Life
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