Marketing

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 officially releases a few days later. But Amazon is starting to ship books today!

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!

I invite you to join us on Wednesday, the 13th. Register now and post your questions.

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.

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

The Unintentionally Funny Headline

By Steve Laubeon November 24, 2025

Years ago, I came across the following headline in a publisher-related newsletter: Speculative Authors Fight Mental Illness I thought to myself, I know what they meant by the headline, but could it also be interpreted that authors who write speculative fiction are mentally ill? Some call science fiction and fantasy writers “weird,” but this headline was going too far. So I clicked the …

Category: Craft, Humor, Marketing, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Humor, Writing Craft

I Have No Book. What Do I Talk About?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 29, 2025

Many authors feel stymied by the dilemma of not having anything to talk about to build a platform and interest in a book that isn’t under contract. Yet as wordsmiths, authors can create entertaining and meaningful content to find a tribe. To wit: Talk about other people’s books. What are you reading? Why? What did you like about the book? Why is this one of your favorite authors? Author interviews …

Category: Branding, Marketing, Platform

How Many People Are Involved in Publishing Your Book?

By Steve Laubeon September 29, 2025

Depending on your publisher, there can be quite a few people involved in getting your book to market. Even if you self-publish, there are still many functions that you may not do yourself. Below is not an exhaustive list, but a rambling stream of consciousness when thinking about the various jobs and the people who are involved in the publishing process: author (kinda important) literary agent (we …

Category: Book Business, Book Business, Marketing, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Traditional Publishing

Too Early for an Agent?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 20, 2025

In speaking with authors and receiving proposals, I often learn that authors WILL: Establish a website Find endorsers Start a newsletter Start a blog Line up speaking engagements Hop on social media These plans are great. Unfortunately, they are plans. They are not what is already in place to show a publisher how the author will be a partner in selling the book. We prefer to: Visit an author …

Category: Marketing, Platform, The Writing Life

Act Now! Revolutionary Words for Your Publishing Success

By Steve Laubeon August 11, 2025

Did that headline get your attention? It was intentional. There are two key words in it, act and now, that are trigger words to make you read what I have written. When the words revolutionary and success are added, it targets the readers of this blog. And to top it off, it was made personal by using the word your. It is possible to make this “revolutionary” keyword work in several …

Category: Book Proposals, Branding, MarketingTag: Copy Writing, Marketing

Why Should I Follow Your Guidelines?

By Steve Laubeon July 21, 2025

Believe it or not, we once had someone write and say that forcing an author to follow our guidelines when submitting a proposal is the height of arrogance. An artist should be allowed artistic freedom of expression, and cramming ideas into a preprescribed format is squelching that creativity. While I understand the frustration and the amount of work involved in creating a proposal, there are …

Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Marketing, PlatformTag: book proposals, Get Published, Guidelines

Houston, We Have a Problem

By Steve Laubeon April 7, 2025

This week marks the 55th anniversary of the launch of the infamous Apollo 13 mission to the moon (April 11, 1970). Two days after the launch, an oxygen tank exploded, jeopardizing the lives of the astronauts and scrapping the mission. Their ingenious solutions and subsequent safe return on April 17 were later portrayed in the award-winning 1995 film Apollo 13. I couldn’t help but think that the …

Category: Book Business, Marketing, The Publishing LifeTag: Problems, publishing, The Publishing Life

Think Like a Marketer

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 19, 2025

When we submit a book to a major publishing house, we forget how much money we are asking them to invest in us. Consider the publisher’s commitment to pay top editors for several rounds of edits, artists for the cover design, and the sales team for marketing. I’m leaving out key people, but you get the idea. Emphasizing your marketing knowledge and ability helps a proposal shine. When writing your …

Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Marketing, Pitching