• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer

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

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Twitter
  • FaceBook
  • RSS Feed
  • Get Published
  • Book Proposals
  • Book Business
  • Writing Craft
    • Conferences
    • Copyright
    • Craft
    • Creativity
    • Grammar
  • Fun Fridays
Home » Writing Craft » Conferences » Page 7

Conferences

What You May Not Know Before Going to a Conference

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 7, 2016
Share
Tweet
7

Have you ever been surprised by what you’ve learned at a conference? A couple of my meetings I’ve had over the years surprised me. To wit:

Theology

A few years ago, I interviewed a novelist at a fifteen-minute appointment. I read through her summary, and realized that the theological position of the story wouldn’t fit with most CBA houses. I made several suggestions on how to bring the story in line.

Her eyes widened. “I can’t do that.”

“Well, then I don’t think your writing is a good fit for the Christian market. I think you should try the secular market.”

I braced myself for an argument, but instead, the tension left her face. “I had a feeling. Thank you.” Her step showed a noticeable bounce as she exited.

So even though the conference wasn’t a success as far as finding a publisher or agent, she was successful in firming up her place in publishing. I would count this as time well spent.

Agent or Editor?

At another conference, a sweet young thing came to her appointment with me, saying she had nothing to pitch. She wanted to find out what it’s like to be a literary agent.

I was happy to share my thoughts with her.

After I concluded, I asked, “So, do you think you’d like to be an agent?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s too much business. I want to play with words.”

I couldn’t put up a good argument that agents primarily play with words all day. The way we play with words is quite different than the way a full-time editor or writer plays with words. Sweet Young Thing and I ended the appointment with (I think) both of us feeling we had accomplished much.

Sometimes, you really do need to know what you don’t know. A conference can be part of the process of finding out.

 

Your Turn:

What is the most surprising discovery you have made at a conference?

Has going to a conference caused you to alter your career path?

 

Leave a Comment
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

What Editors Wish You Knew about Meeting with Them at Conferences

By Karen Ballon June 29, 2016
Share
Tweet
26

Thanks to Becky McCoy for requesting advice for conference meetings with agents and editors at conferences. You can find a lot of counsel for meeting with agents on the different agency blogs, but I thought I’d supplement those posts with advice from some of the in-house editors you’ll find at this years’ conferences. So I emailed said editors and asked them to share their wishes with you. Here …

Read moreWhat Editors Wish You Knew about Meeting with Them at Conferences
Category: ConferencesTag: Pitching

Once You’re at the Conference…

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 9, 2016
Share
Tweet
26

Conferences are fun and busy. Here are some tips on how to enjoy them even more! Be Mindful of What You Eat Since many conferences have plenty of delicious food, it’s easy to overindulge. I find that if I don’t overeat, I feel better. It’s extremely important for those with allergies to avoid food with mysterious ingredients. You don’t want to find out too late that you accidentally ate a food …

Read moreOnce You’re at the Conference…
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

Preparing for a Conference

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 2, 2016
Share
Tweet
34

When getting ready for a conference, writers agonize over creating the perfect one-sheet sales pitch, polishing manuscripts, and how they’ll conduct themselves when meeting with agents and editors. But not every preparation is writing-related. I’ve been on faculty at many conferences and I’ve learned a few tricks to help make each conference a happier one. Get plenty of rest before the conference …

Read morePreparing for a Conference
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, Preparation, writers conferences

How To Make Agents’ Blogs Work for You

By Karen Ballon June 1, 2016
Share
Tweet
6

We at the agency love it that so many of you come here every day and read what we share with you. And we do everything we can to ensure that what we share here informs, enlightens, and uplifts you brave souls navigating the publishing world. So last week, when I read some of the questions you’d like addressed, I thought I’d give you a tip on using this blog to its best advantage. And that tip is: …

Read moreHow To Make Agents’ Blogs Work for You
Category: Agency, ConferencesTag: Agency, Blog, questions, Research

The Blue Ridge Writers Conference 2016

By Steve Laubeon May 30, 2016
Share
Tweet2
19

Last week was spent in beautiful mountains of North Carolina at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest. Since I wrote in my last blog about why I go to a conference I thought it might be interesting to run those four points against last week’s experience. Teaching This was answered with a resounding yes! I taught three elective classes (on what an agent does, on contracts, and …

Read moreThe Blue Ridge Writers Conference 2016
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

Why Do You Go to Conferences?

By Steve Laubeon May 23, 2016
Share
Tweet
15

A great question was sent the other day and thought it would help explain the other side of the table, so to speak. Steve? Why do you go to conferences? You have big agency with a lot of clients already. That is an excellent question and one that I get asked rather often, at conferences! (…Why are you here?) 1) Teaching I enjoy teaching and the opportunity to train writers in how this …

Read moreWhy Do You Go to Conferences?
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: writers conferences

Don’t Waste Your Time

By Karen Ballon February 3, 2016
Share
Tweet
93

Some days…those rare, out-of-the-blue, once-in-awhile days…God speaks an amen that reminds me all this is worth it. This past Saturday was a day like that. I spoke at a writer’s conference and had a delightful time. At the closing sessions I spoke on passion and why we Christian writers do what we do. How the goal can’t be publication, but obedience to the task God has given us. How writing for …

Read moreDon’t Waste Your Time
Category: Career, Conferences, Get Published, TheologyTag: Get Published

Hope to See You at a Conference This Year

By Steve Laubeon January 18, 2016
Share
Tweet
17

We are often asked which conferences we will attend and where. Below is a list for each of us with a link to each event. We all hope to see you in person some time this year. Someone from the agency will be in nine different states and Canada and in all four time zones at some time this year. Steve Laube: Feb 4-7 – Hershey, PA – Writer to Writer Conference March 18-22 – Mt. …

Read moreHope to See You at a Conference This Year
Category: Conferences, Get PublishedTag: Get Published, writers conferences

What Keeps You from Following Up?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 14, 2016
Share
Tweet
26

You’ve been to a conference, probably at great expense and some trouble. You’ve met a few agents and editors. And you probably got at least a couple of requests to follow up with a manuscript. Now you’re home. And it’s time to follow up. Will you? If not, why not? Fear Fear is a natural emotion. In fact, if you don’t feel any fear, maybe it’s time to be scared. Or at least, worried. When you …

Read moreWhat Keeps You from Following Up?
Category: ConferencesTag: Conferences, Follow Up
  • Previous
  • Page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 12
  • Next
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Interview with Steve Laube
    • Statement of Faith
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Guidelines
  • Authors
    • Who We Represent
    • Awards and Recognition
  • Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Christian Writers Market Guide Online
    • Christian Writers Institute
    • Writers Conferences
    • Freelance Editorial Services
    • Copyright Resources
    • Research Tools
    • Selling What You Write
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · The Steve Laube Agency · All Rights Reserved · Website by Stormhill Media