Helping to Change the World…Word by Word
The Steve Laube Agency
Helping to Change the World Word by Word
One popular genre in Christian publishing right now is split-time fiction. Split-time fiction is when you tell two stories separated by time that are connected in some way, sometimes by a theme or an item. Some popular split-time books include The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck in the Christian market and The Nightingale by Kristin […]
You can listen to this episode How to Write Split-Time Fiction with Melanie Dobson on Christian Publishing Show.
You would like to think that as soon as you are done with your proposal and send it off to an agent that he or she is sitting there by the inbox ready to read it as soon as it comes in. If only. Before email became the submission method, agents and acquisitions editors threw unsolicited proposals into a stack in the corner of the office called the slush pile. Then, once a month or so, they brewed …
You would like to think that as soon as you are done with your proposal and send it off to an agent that he or she is sitting there by the inbox ready to read it as soon as it comes in. If only. Before email became the submission method, agents and acquisitions editors threw […]
You can listen to this episode How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney on Christian Publishing Show.
In the acknowledgments for her novel In the Midst of Winter, Isabel Allende reveals that she starts each new book on January 8. Isn’t that interesting? That little tidbit got me thinking (always dangerous, I know). So, I asked some clients to share any strange writing habits—quirks, superstitions, compulsions, etc.—they might have (also dangerous, I know). Here’s what they said: If I don’t …
Writing is hard. Writing during difficult times is even harder. And yet, it is persistence through adversity that separates successful writers from those that don’t make it. So, how do you write when the going gets tough? How do you do it with joy? We have a special guest to help us answer those questions. Our guest today is a podcaster, novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books. …
Writing is hard. Writing during difficult times is even harder. And yet, it is persistence through adversity that separates successful writers from those that don’t make it. So, how do you write when the going gets tough? How do you do it with joy? We have a special guest to help us answer those questions. […]
You can listen to this episode How to Write with Joy in Hard Times with Mary DeMuth on …
by Steve Laube
The ease of today’s social media communication brings a casual layer to the task of writing. Careful composition is trumped by the need for speed. For most “throw away” emails and posts that is the new normal. But it should never leak into the business of writing, either in craft or in delicate communication.
The other day I received an email query/proposal. There was a very …
The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ I am wondering about whether or not to use real names of places in my novel. Is it better to disguise names of towns and cafes or offices? What about popular franchises like MacDonald’s? When authors write about a town, most inhabitants are thrilled. I wrote Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina, and received a warm reception. I enjoyed …
Did you know that a question mark and exclamation point together (like so?!) is called an interrobang?! Did you also know it’s probably not a good idea to use an interrobang in your article or book? Now you do. You’re welcome. Last week I tried to answer some of the questions of my clients and writer friends (yes, I have friends) about writing or publishing terms and concepts they’ve wondered …
Recently, I heard a publishing “guru” talk about his approach to writing and marketing books. He publishes dozens of books each year with nothing more than quick proofread, which he does himself. He then promotes them using various Amazon hacks. This guy was breaking most of the book marketing commandments! While cranking out lots of poor quality titles may bring in money in the short term, it …
