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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

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Home » The Writing Life » Page 42

The Writing Life

How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on October 13, 2020
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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 a pot of coffee and in a few hours went through hundreds of proposals and manuscripts. Although the slush pile moved to the email inbox, the response is the same: Usually, every manuscript gets rejected. But sometimes a proposal jumps out and grabs the agent’s or editor’s interest and goes on to get published. 

So, how can that lucky proposal be for your book? Well, luck has nothing to do with it. There is a way to get out of the slush pile, and our guest today will tell us how.

Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish (Affiliate Link), went from slush pile, to book, to major motion picture. Twenty-six years and more than forty books later, she’s still creating stories that touch hearts and lives.  

Deborah Raney, welcome to the Christian Publishing Show!

Links: 

  • DeborahRaney.com
  • Show, Don’t Tell With Tim Shoemaker
  • How to Write Cinematic with Deborah Raney

Sponsor: Christian Writers Market Guide

The Christian Writers Market Guide 2020 is the most comprehensive and highly recommended resource on the market for finding an agent, an editor, a publisher, a publicist, a writing coach, or a place to sell whatever you are writing. Wherever you are on the writing spectrum–from beginner to seasoned professional–the Guide will help you find what you are looking for. Over 1,000 curated listings, including more than 200 book publishers, 150 periodical publishers, 40 agents, 200 freelance editors and designers, podcasts, and much more. Includes a denominational index.

You can get it in Print or online. 

The post How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney appeared first on Christian Publishing Show.

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Category: The Writing Life

How to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on October 13, 2020
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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.

Read moreHow to Get Out of the Slush Pile – With Deborah Raney
Category: The Writing Life

Strange Writing Habits

By Bob Hostetleron September 30, 2020
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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 …

Read moreStrange Writing Habits
Category: Creativity, The Writing Life

How to Write with Joy in Hard Times with Mary DeMuth

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on September 29, 2020
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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. …

Read moreHow to Write with Joy in Hard Times with Mary DeMuth
Category: The Writing Life

How to Write with Joy in Hard Times with Mary DeMuth

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on September 29, 2020
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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 …

Read moreHow to Write with Joy in Hard Times with Mary DeMuth
Category: The Writing Life

Diligence Is Rewarded

By Steve Laubeon September 28, 2020
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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 …

Read moreDiligence Is Rewarded
Category: Book Proposals, Communication, Craft, Pitching, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Communication, Craft, Diligence, Writing Craft

May I Use Real Names of Places in My Novel?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 24, 2020
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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 …

Read moreMay I Use Real Names of Places in My Novel?
Category: Copyright, Craft, Legal Issues, The Writing Life, Your Questions Answered Series

Learn the Lingo, Part 2

By Bob Hostetleron September 23, 2020
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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 …

Read moreLearn the Lingo, Part 2
Category: Editing, The Writing Life

The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on September 22, 2020
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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 …

Read moreThe 10 Commandments of Book Marketing
Category: The Writing Life

The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on September 22, 2020
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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 […]
You can listen to this episode The 10 Commandments of Book …

Read moreThe 10 Commandments of Book Marketing
Category: The Writing Life
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