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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 77

The Writing Life

Is Your Glass Half Empty?

By Steve Laubeon June 12, 2017
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Over the decades it has been interesting to listen to and read the various pundits regarding the publishing industry. Typically those who spell out doom and gloom get the attention (fortifying the idea that “if it bleeds, it leads”). At the same time there is the optimist position which is often derided for being unrealistic. After awhile I’ve learned to smile and simply get back to work. It has always been hard in Christian publishing, we just have to adapt to the new challenges and hurdles. We learn to maintain an even keel.

But on a more personal note I have to admit that difficult news can be a heavy load to bear. I find myself on certain days feeling like my glass has a leak. It becomes half-empty rather quickly. Despondency, dismay, and distress cloud my thoughts and my spirit.

Take one recent week:
–In one day three publication boards turned down three different book proposals for three different clients. I was the bearer of bad news.
–Royalty statements arrived from a publisher but the accompanying check was 40% less than the same period a year before.
–A potential major client chose a different agency to represent their work.
–Had to drop a client after repeated misunderstandings which made the working arrangement no long fruitful for either party.

Yet, on certain days I find myself on the top of the world. Feeling like the glass is going to overflow with joy and excitement. That jubilation brings with it a glowing smile and a confidence that anything is possible.

Take that same recent week:
–A publisher took a client’s single book proposal and turned it into a two book offer. And we were able to negotiate the best contract this author has ever received.
–Landed a debut non-fiction author his first book deal. A strong publisher with strong contract offer.
–A client received an endorsement from a major author for their new book release.
–Negotiated five other new contracts for clients.
–A royalty statement arrived from a publisher and the accompanying check was 40% greater than the same period a year before.
–Signed two new clients to the agency.
–A client won a significant award for their book.

So which is it? Glass half empty or glass half full?

It’s both isn’t it? In that described week there was enough to sink into depression but also enough to climb to the highest heights.

We have to learn to be grateful for two things:

1. That we have a glass
2. That there is water in it

All of life is full of ups and downs. Disappointments and victories.

I am grateful for having a job that I love. To have an incredible team to work it with. To have amazing clients to serve. And to have publishers and editors who strive for the same goals, to publish books of significance. I’m grateful for a family whom I love and who love me in return. And so much more. It is good to rehearse those things for which we are grateful.

Therefore, the next time you get the bad news from your agent, your editor, your family member, or your workplace, count the times when you got the good news too. Both have come and will come.

Ultimately however, remember in the midst of it all, for those who are in Christ, God gave Himself so that you may “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19) If you are “filled with all the fullness of God” there isn’t any room left for you, for me, for disappointment, for rejection, for sorrow, for acceptance, for contracts, for victory, for riches, or for complaint. You are already full….the glass is Full. And that is enough.

 

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Category: Christian, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Personal, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Encouragement, Faith, The Publishing Life

Lies and More Lies

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 8, 2017
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Recently Karen Ball wrote a superb blog about lies other people tell us and lies we tell ourselves as writers.  I’d like to talk about lies people tell us. Christians working through a legitimate disagreement is not the same as what Karen means. She is talking about being attacked, partly because of who you are. And who the attacker is. I’m appalled by the things people say to each other when …

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Category: The Writing Life

Show Me the Money!

By Karen Ballon June 7, 2017
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I’ll never forget the Sunday I was getting ready to leave church, and the pastor’s wife came up to me and touched my arm. “Karen, my son can’t find a job, so he’s decided to make some fast money by writing a book and having it published. Do you have any counsel for him?” I’m so proud of myself that I didn’t guffaw in her face. Not so proud that I fixed her with a hard look and replied, “Do me a …

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Category: Economics, Money, The Writing LifeTag: Economics, Faith, Money, The Writing Life

The Writer’s Responsibility

By Dan Balowon June 6, 2017
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When you decide to pursue writing as a career or even an avocation, you probably are unaware of the responsibility bestowed upon you by the decision. There is no official ceremony involved, but there should be. This responsibility will change the way you interact with friends and relatives. It could even cause some friction between you and those close to you. Here’s the promise you make, which is …

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Category: Encouragement, The Writing LifeTag: Discouragement, Encouragement, The Writing Life

A Green-Eyed Obstacle

By Karen Ballon May 24, 2017
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I know better. And yet I did it anyway. Not my fault, really. I never would have given in if I hadn’t seen that best-seller list. With that name. That author who started years after I did. Who was getting all the accolades, all the lists, all the awards… I mean, I’d had a book on the bestseller list. So what if it was years ago? So what if the book that mattered most to me got panned by an …

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Category: The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Jealousy, The Writing Life

The Challenge for the Debut Author

By Steve Laubeon May 15, 2017
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What are the chances of a debut author getting a contract with a major publisher? What if the author does not have an agent? It’s always hard to get the first contract for any author. It’s a little like “American Idol” with hundreds, if not thousands, of people in line hoping for their chance. In non-fiction it can be a number of things that help with the process. The “Platform” is crucial for …

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Category: Agents, Genre, Get Published, The Writing LifeTag: Agents, Get Published

The Lies That Bind

By Karen Ballon May 10, 2017
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 Years ago at a writer’s conference I was confronted by a pastor who demanded to know why I promoted lies to God’s family. As you can imagine, I was somewhat taken aback at this accusation and asked the irate man to explain what he meant. “Those books you write. Those novels. They’re lies!” I pointed out that if I was lying by telling stories, then so was Christ seeing as He did the same with the …

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Category: Career, The Writing Life, TheologyTag: Career, Faith, The Writing Life

Are You Sure You Want to Write Great Literature?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 27, 2017
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“′Classic′ – a book which people praise and don’t read.” – Mark Twain At my college preparatory school, our vacations weren’t unfettered thanks to “Summer Reading” that required us to read four books during break. Our list going from seventh to eighth grade was limited to four books so we had no choices. I only remember two – Pride and Prejudice and The Oxbow Incident. I’m sure none of …

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Category: Reading, The Writing LifeTag: Reading, Writing Craft

Obstacles are a Pain

By Karen Ballon April 26, 2017
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You may have noticed that my blog was missing last week. That’s because I’ve been fighting with today’s obstacle: chronic pain. I’ve had a series of headaches and migraines that have made it hard for me to think, let alone write a blog. I’ve dealt with pain before, but this…this ice pick in the temple that doesn’t let up…this assault on the body that had me hiding under the covers in my bed, …

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Category: Personal, The Writing LifeTag: Obstacles, The Writing Life

Five Lessons from the Road to Publication

By Guest Bloggeron April 24, 2017
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Our guest post is by Ginny L. Yttrup who is the award-winning author of five novels including her latest, Home, which released earlier this month. She writes contemporary women’s fiction and enjoys exploring the issues everyday women face. “Publishers Weekly” dubbed Ginny’s work “as inspiring as it is entertaining.” When not writing, Ginny coaches writers, …

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Category: Conferences, Get Published, The Writing LifeTag: Get Published, The Writing Life, Writing Conference
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