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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 » Writing Craft » Book Business » Page 10

Book Business

Reviews: Friend or Foe?

By Karen Ballon February 18, 2015
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Writers are a fascinating blend of contradictions. Many are introverts who have to do extroverted things—speaking, booksignings, author appearances–and do them well. They are creative, expressive people who, most of the time, live in their heads. And when they are around people, they can seem withdrawn, even remote (mostly because they’re STILL in their heads). They come across as confident and authoritative, and yet many struggle with sometimes overpowering insecurities. And they love honest appraisals of their work…

Almost as much as they hate them.

I saw a post on Facebook a few weeks ago from an author who was taking a review to task for saying what he didn’t like about the writer’s book. Almost immediately people jumped into the fray, putting down the reader/reviewer, calling the person names, saying that person was stupid and should just shut up.

Okaaaayyyyyy.

Listen, I’ve been there. Had books I’ve written torn apart by those who clearly felt they could have done better. Or that I should have done better. I remember one review in particular that was so hurtful it derailed me for months. Every time I sat down to write, all I could think of was that person’s hurtful words. Anger. Frustration. Hurt. Discouragement. A sense of betrayal. It all simmered inside. I worked so hard, and this was the thanks I got??? The more I thought about that reviewer, the more angry and depressed I got. I wrote response after response, each one more blistering than the last. (All of which, thank God, I deleted.)

Because the hard truth is that being criticized is part of this crazy task we’ve taken on. We write. We pour our hearts into what we’re writing. And we pray for our work to be put in the hands of readers. We know, deep down, that not everyone will like or “get” it. And we tell ourselves that’s okay.

Until someone says they don’t like or get it. Or says something mean or bad about us (e.g., the old standby “How can this writer call himself a Christian?”) And when that happens? Boy howdy, look out! We’re not crafters of words for nothin’! Those bits of English suddenly become weapons, knives thrown with keen precision to cut our detractors down to size. Fools! How dare they say such things about my work! Who do they think they are???

Well…readers. That’s who. People with likes and dislikes and opinions to share. And if the Internet and Social Media have done nothing else, they’ve given everyone a platform from which to share said opinions. And you know what? They have a right to do so. Just as we have a right to disagree with them.

Friends, ours is a world overflowing with opinions. And with platforms to express them with impunity. Of course there are times we’ll be offended, or even hurt, by those comments. But I encourage you to not react. Don’t take people to task. Don’t run them down or mock or denigrate them. Instead, let it go. Seriously.

Let it go.

It’s one person’s opinion. Nothing more. Nothing less. And if you really want to rise above the crowd, focus on praying for those who “persecute,” rather than railing at them. It may make no difference at all to those folks, but it will make a huge difference for you. Because your focus will be on what matters most:

Pleasing the One who called you to the task of writing in the first place.

 

 

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Category: Book Business, Book Review, CareerTag: bad reviews, Career

Largest Christian Bookstore Chain Declares Chapter 11

By Steve Laubeon February 16, 2015
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In case you missed it, last week the Family Christian Stores chain declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (See this link for their press release.) This is newsworthy because Family Christian Stores (FCS) is the largest Christian store chain in the country (when counting number of locations, not necessarily sales revenue), 266 stores in 36 states. In 2014 the chain did $230 million dollars in …

Read moreLargest Christian Bookstore Chain Declares Chapter 11
Category: Book Business, Legal Issues, Publishing NewsTag: bankruptcy, chapter 11, family christian stores, retail, royalties

A Picky Reader

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 11, 2014
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Having a book rejected by an agent or editor is puzzling, especially when the agent or editor have stated they are seeking just what we’re offering. Almost every day, my office must decline books that should be a fit. Usually the reasons are concrete (too long, too short, writing doesn’t sparkle, insufficient platform). But sometimes we’re just picky. I’ve touched on this …

Read moreA Picky Reader
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Craft, Creativity, Get Published, RejectionTag: Rejection

Communicating to a Distra (Hey look at that!) cted Audience

By Dan Balowon December 2, 2014
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It is pretty clear that our modern society has more distractions than any other society in human history. Combine all the conveniences of modern day life that make acquisition of food and other necessities so easy and we end up with a lot of time on our hands, which we quickly use up with all our personal media options among other things. While I write this, I am traveling by train. Across from me …

Read moreCommunicating to a Distra (Hey look at that!) cted Audience
Category: Book Business, Communication, CraftTag: Audience, Communication

Déjà Vu All Over Again – Indie (AND) Traditional Publishing

By Dan Balowon November 18, 2014
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The discussion of indie versus traditional publishing has been bothering me lately. I know it is still a relatively new issue that everyone involved in publishing needs to sort out, but what has been bothering me is that I know I have heard this kind of discussion before and could not think when. After much brain-racking, it finally dawned on me. It was in the 1980’s when personal computers were …

Read moreDéjà Vu All Over Again – Indie (AND) Traditional Publishing
Category: Book Business, TrendsTag: Self-Publishing, Traditional Publishing, Trends

Another Day, Another Change

By Steve Laubeon November 10, 2014
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It is a long standing joke that if you think you know what a publisher is looking for, wait for Tuesday. Why? Because in one meeting everything can change. Suddenly they are looking for Texas NASCAR Romance but using an Urban Fantasy setting. Acquisitions often reflect the editorial and marketing staff of a particular publisher. And that too is another area of change. Tuesday… This past Tuesday …

Read moreAnother Day, Another Change
Category: Book Business, Book Business, Trends

Are You Being Too Transparent?

By Karen Ballon October 29, 2014
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Have you seen the show Blue Bloods? Great show—I mean, how can it not be with Tom Selleck? Do I hear an amen??—that focuses on solid family connections and deals with tough, current issues. The most recent episode made me sit back and go, “Wow. I needed that reminder.” So I’m going to share the gist with you, because it’s something we all need to keep in mind. In the show, Tom Selleck plays Frank …

Read moreAre You Being Too Transparent?
Category: Book Business, Career, Communication, TrendsTag: Communication, Social Media, Transparency

2014 Bestseller List – Exciting New Developments!

By Dan Balowon October 21, 2014
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A little over a year ago I explored the issue of best-seller lists for Christian books (“The Mystery of the Bestseller List”). However, in the last thirteen months, much has changed. The New York Times is adding some new niche-lists to their collection, which will affect Christian titles. A company involved in gathering book sales data sold their research group to another company who …

Read more2014 Bestseller List – Exciting New Developments!
Category: Book Business, TrendsTag: bestseller list, Trends

How Readers Make Decisions What to Buy

By Dan Balowon September 30, 2014
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I hope you aren’t disappointed in the promise that I appear to make in today’s headline… I do not have the definitive, magic formula to successfully convince people to buy your book.  Like building an author platform, the answer is actually boring and possibly frustrating if you are in a hurry to be a success at writing. (It is always a good idea to lower expectations at the outset of …

Read moreHow Readers Make Decisions What to Buy
Category: Book Business, Book Business, Book Sales, Branding, Marketing, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Book Sales, Word of Mouth

Who is Your Audience?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 21, 2014
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Recently I went shopping for a new watch. Thankfully, I later discovered I could have the old one repaired and am taking that route. However, since I’m a literary agent, I can relate everything to books, so here goes. At high end stores a salesperson was immediately available. While I was trying on watches, I was given statistics such as, “This watch is Swiss made. The band is solid 18 …

Read moreWho is Your Audience?
Category: Book Business, Branding, Craft, MarketingTag: Audience, Branding, Marketing
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