The Writing Life

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.

Also, Stop Doing These Things

By Dan Balowon April 23, 2026

When attending a conference, class, or seminar, I’ve disciplined myself over the years to not only take notes but also turn what I learn into action items. I’ll jot down something from the presenter, then create an action point and circle it in my notes so I don’t forget. Once in a while, I’ll even put something down that I need to stop doing. In a similar vein, fellow agent Bob Hostetler wrote …

Category: Conferences, Platform, The Writing Life

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

Uplifting One Another

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 8, 2026

When I was a romance novelist, a few authors who weren’t published looked down on me. They didn’t think I belonged in rarified air with authors consistently writing larger books. Interesting fact: I never felt slighted by those known as “big” authors when I was writing category romance. They understood the difficulty and work in being published. At. All. One of the best sayings attributed to St. …

Category: The Writing Life, Theology

Monday Moments – April 6, 2026

By Steve Laubeon April 6, 2026

Today’s moment is the second in a series of brief meditations I’ve created based on my new book, Sacred Margins: On the Spiritual Life of a Writer. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. The transcript of the video is below. If you cannot see the video, click through to our website or to YouTube, where you can view it. The book itself will be released on May 19th in paperback, …

Category: Sacred Margins, The Writing Life, Theology

Deadlines Born – Deadlines Made

By Steve Laubeon March 23, 2026

Deadlines. The bane of every writer’s existence. “A necessary evil.” “My nemesis.” I talked to an author who changed the internal time clock on his computer just so he could have three extra hours, claiming he was writing on the West coast (USA) instead of where his office was (East coast USA). Writing Without a Deadline (Deadlines Born) Not everyone, however, is …

Category: The Writing Life

Fun Fridays – March 20, 2026

By Steve Laubeon March 20, 2026

It’s springtime somewhere. The rabbits are eating your garden. Today, let them make you laugh. Or at least read these to your kids or grandkids. At least they will appreciate the puns! Funny Punny Bunnies What do you get when you cross a rabbit with a leaf blower? A hare dryer! What kind of books do rabbits read? Ones with hoppy endings. Where do rabbits work? At IHOP restaurants! I bought a …

Category: The Writing Life

Where to Begin?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 4, 2026

All novelists must decide where to begin. This decision may not be as easy as we think. Fresh readers won’t become fans if they never get past the opening. Even the first sentence must be compelling. Readers have a split-second attention span. Writers must hook them immediately. You may say, “But my novel is a slow burn story.” That’s fine. However, the writer’s challenge is even greater then. The …

Category: The Writing Life

Your Calling Is a Zig-Zag

By Guest Bloggeron February 23, 2026

Today we have a guest post from Will Parker Anderson, senior editor at WaterBrook Multnomah, both imprints of Penguin Random House Christian. He is also the founder of Writers Circle, a community to help Christian writers sharpen their skills and publish their work for the glory of Jesus. You can find his newsletter and podcast there. I recommend you subscribe to his Substack. There, he brings …

Category: Editing, Guest Post, The Writing Life, Theology