• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

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

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook
  • RSS Feed
  • Get Published
  • Book Proposals
  • Book Business
  • Writing Craft
    • Conferences
    • Copyright
    • Craft
    • Creativity
    • Grammar
  • Fun Fridays
Home » Marketing » Page 2

Marketing

Weirdest Book-Signing Experience

By Steve Laubeon June 3, 2024
Share
Tweet24
35

I came across today’s rather strange photo and thought it a good metaphor for the weird things that can and have happened at an author’s book-signing.

Over the years, I’ve either stood in line, organized, facilitated, or observed hundreds of author book-signings. Everything from popular celebrities to a local self-published author trying to make a mark.

Every once in a while, some fun things that have happened:

  • Author was asked to sign a teenager’s model airplane … on the wing.
  • Fan showed off a tattoo on their leg … of the author’s book-cover design.
  • I stood in line for over two hours (in 1987) to have Edith Schaeffer sign her new book The Art of Life. I always wanted to meet her. It took two hours to get to the front of the line because Edith drew a full-page piece of art inside each book and talked with each person for at least five minutes. Suffice it to say, that was highly unusual!
  • I watched a fan hand an author their Kindle and ask them to sign the back of the device.
  • Author, sitting behind a table full of books, being asked, “Do you work here?” (or me being asked, sotto voce, “Are you the author’s handler?”).
  • I was assigned to help the bestselling author Barbara Johnson with her book-signing at a major convention. When she and I got to the booth, I noticed the line of her fans went around the corner of the exhibit hall. She said, “Let’s go look and see how many are waiting.” We turned the corner, and the line extended the length of the building. At least 250 people. She gasped, turned to me, and said, “Let’s get busy.” She must have signed at least 300 books in that one hour.

I want to hear your stories. Without embarrassing anyone, tell us about your most unusual experience at a book-signing. It can be either as a fan standing in line, an author receiving an odd request, or an organizer.

Leave a Comment
Category: Career, MarketingTag: booksigning, Marketing

We Have a Failure to Communicate

By Dan Balowon April 25, 2024
Share
Tweet
15

Recently, I was listening to someone speak to a group of grade school children and was struck by how many words and phrases the kids likely had no idea of their meaning. Even if you speak clearly and slowly, a six-year-old will probably not understand the phrase “Take the left fork in the road,” and much less “substitutionary atonement.” It’s in the same communication category as traveling to …

Read moreWe Have a Failure to Communicate
Category: Book Business, Branding, Get Published, Pitching, The Writing Life, Writing Craft

People Over Platform: The Heartbeat of Authentic Authorship

By Megan Brownon March 7, 2024
Share
Tweet
15

Let’s talk about something that’s been the elephant in the room for many of us–the dreaded “P” word: platform. In the realm of publishing, it seems like everyone is fixated on the numbers: how many followers you have, the size of your email list, or the reach of your social-media presence. But what if I told you there’s a more authentic and meaningful approach …

Read morePeople Over Platform: The Heartbeat of Authentic Authorship
Category: Marketing, Platform, The Writing Life

Book Launch Secrets – Free Webinar, March 7

By Steve Laubeon March 4, 2024
Share
Tweet
5

Thomas Umstattd, Jr. and I have frequently made this presentation. I don’t want you to miss out. The first 30 days your book is for sale sets the tone for the lifetime of your book. Many physical stores stock new releases for fewer than 90 days. If they don’t sell, they return them to the publisher. If they sell out, the bookstores order more. The online store algorithms show books …

Read moreBook Launch Secrets – Free Webinar, March 7
Category: Agents, Book Business, Marketing, The Writing LifeTag: Book Launch

8 Productive Activities for Authors … After Finishing Your Manuscript

By Megan Brownon December 7, 2023
Share
Tweet
7

So, you’ve just completed your manuscript; and the exhilaration of typing “The End” is still coursing through your veins. But before you dive headfirst into the editing process, why not use this interlude to work on several vital activities that will set the stage for your book’s success? When I finished my first manuscript, the waiting was unbearable. After turning in my …

Read more8 Productive Activities for Authors … After Finishing Your Manuscript
Category: Career, Marketing

J Is for Just-in-Time

By Steve Laubeon October 30, 2023
Share
Tweet
9

The economics of bookselling are complex and ever-changing. There is a method of inventory control called “Just-in-Time” (or JIT) that revolutionized both the retail and manufacturing industries. When I began as a bookseller, there was no such thing as computerized inventory, at least not in the Christian bookstore business. We used a method called “Stack ’em high and watch ’em fly.” Because “If …

Read moreJ Is for Just-in-Time
Category: Book Business, Marketing, Publishing A-ZTag: Book Business, Economics, Publishing A-Z, Technology

Not Everyone Is Your Reader

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 18, 2023
Share
Tweet
12

As part of my voluntary continuing education, I’m reading books by authors celebrated during the past century. Many of these authors won significant literary prizes. Most sold millions of copies of their books while they were still writing. Yet, I only enjoy the work of some authors I’ve explored. Perusing the shelves of my local used bookstore, I have read the back cover copy of an …

Read moreNot Everyone Is Your Reader
Category: Marketing

Finding an Audience

By Dan Balowon September 27, 2023
Share
Tweet
16

Christian authors can find it challenging to determine an audience for their books, mainly because Christian books are aimed at something different than age ranges. Christian books are often aimed at a “psychographic,” rather than a demographic. This means Christian books are often aimed at readers who have certain values, beliefs, and lifestyles, rather than an age range of males or females. No …

Read moreFinding an Audience
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Marketing, Pitching, The Publishing Life

4 Tips for Surviving a Writers Conference

By Steve Laubeon June 12, 2023
Share
Tweet
20

I’ve had the fun of teaching at nearly 200 writers conferences over the years. In that time, I’ve noticed several common things that all writers face. Let’s explore a few tips that may help you survive at the next one you attend. Relax The most common mistake is viewing the conference as a make-it-or-break-it event. The stress folks place on themselves is palpable. I’ve had …

Read more4 Tips for Surviving a Writers Conference
Category: Conferences, MarketingTag: Get Published, writers conferences

You Gotta Have Friends … and Strangers Too

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 31, 2023
Share
Tweet
10

No one likes to see negative book reviews. However, if you earn a negative review or two out of many, don’t despair. This event likely means strangers who have no personal interest in you, but are reading books only for themselves, are engaged with your work. That’s great news! Where Are the Readers? Keep in contact with potential readers so they’ll be amenable to your books and eager …

Read moreYou Gotta Have Friends … and Strangers Too
Category: Branding, Marketing, Platform
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 23
  • Next
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · The Steve Laube Agency · All Rights Reserved · Website by Stormhill Media