Writing Craft

Bestseller List News – October 3, 2011

By Steve Laubeon October 3, 2011

Some of our authors have recently hit the bestseller lists! Congratulations to all.

Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall hit #22 on the tradepaper fiction New York Times extended bestseller list for August 28st. And is #2 on the ECPA “Multi-Channel” bestseller list for October.

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee (Center Street) hit #17 on the hardcover fiction New York Times bestseller list for October 2nd and will be #31 on the extended list for October 9th.

Log Cabin Christmas an omnibus of novellas (Barbour) hit #34 on the tradepaper fiction New York Times extended bestseller list for October 2nd. The collection included our clients Kelly Eileen Hake, Liz Tolsma, and Deb Ullrick.

Still House Pond by Jan Watson (Tyndale) is #10 on the ECPA Christian Fiction bestseller list for October.

A Whisper of Peace by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Bethany House) is #15 on the ECPA Christian Fiction bestseller list for October.

Double Trouble by Susan May Warren (Tyndale) is #16 on the ECPA Christian Fiction bestseller list for October.

Loving to Laugh

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 29, 2011

At least once a week I'm asked if romantic comedy is currently marketable. While sometimes this category seems hot and then cold, I'd say that sharp, witty, well-executed romantic comedy can find a good home no matter what the publishing season. Note that I take the adjectives I used seriously. This is not a category that most writers can whip off with little effort. Successful writers of romantic …

Category: Book Proposals, Craft, Genre, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Ideas, Pitching, Romantic Comedy, Tamela, Writing Craft

What Makes a Christian Book “Christian”? (Part Two)

By Karen Ballon September 28, 2011

So what are some of the answers I’ve been given to the question "What makes a Christian book Christian"? Consider the following:

Written from a Christian world view
Story offers hope
Core of the story shows importance of faith in Christ

Similar to the things you all wrote in your comments (though I think your responses went far deeper.) But I’ve also been peppered with the following …

Category: Book Business, Get Published, Karen, TheologyTag: Book Business, Get Published, Ideas, Karen, Theology, Trends, Writing Craft

ACFW 2011 Report

By Steve Laubeon September 26, 2011

This past weekend nearly 700 novelists, editors, agents, and industry professionals gathers in St. Louis for the 10th annual American Christian Fiction Writers conference.

It is always invigorating to be with so many highly creative people and to be a part of the discovery and development of tomorrow's bestselling authors.

I had over 30 one-on-one appointments and editor meetings, taught …

Category: Conferences, Get Published, SteveTag: convention

Save Your Inbox!

By Steve Laubeon September 19, 2011

Like you, I have a love-hate relationship with email.
I love it because it allows for quick and easy communication.
I hate it because the flood in the inbox can be overwhelming.

(I also get irritated with that hyphen! email or e-mail?)

A "solution" may be at hand! Some pretty smart folks have created "The Email Charter." Please do yourself a favor, click this link to The Email Charter, …

Category: Book Business, News You Can Use, Steve, TrendsTag: Book Business, News, Trends

Nameless Waterfalls

By Steve Laubeon September 5, 2011

by Steve Laube During a recent vacation we visited a place in Alaska called the Tracy Arm Fjord. The picture above was one that I took during that visit. As we past through these amazing waters it was bitter cold (note the icebergs in the water), in the early morning around 6 a.m., and with a chilly wind to accompany us. But rather than be frozen by the weather I was mesmerized by the number of …

Category: Encouragement, Get Published, Personal, Steve, Writing CraftTag: Personal, Rejection, Writing Craft

En-TITLE-ment: Finding the Perfect Title (Part Three)

By Karen Ballon August 31, 2011

Remember that old adage for retailers, “The customer is always right?” Well, for novelists seeking the perfect title, that should be “The audience is always right.”

Tip #4: Remember Your Audience! Novelists do a great job, on the whole, of keeping their audience in mind as they write. But sometimes when trying to come up with a catchy title or cover image, they go a bit far afield of that …

Category: Book Business, Craft, Creativity, Get Published, Karen, Marketing, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Karen, Titles

A Matter of Perspective

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 25, 2011

During a recent visit to my local bank, I produced a document bearing the Virginia State seal. The banker commented on how terrible the seal is for men.

What an odd thing to say!

Mrs. Judith Gue taught third grade at the small private school I attended in a bucolic part of Virginia. Mrs. Gue was a plump woman who favored silk dresses, kept a paddle on her desk as an unspoken and ever-present …

Category: Book Business, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Writing Craft

En-TITLE-ment: Finding the Perfect Title (Part Two)

By Karen Ballon August 24, 2011

First, here are the answers to last week’s questions:

Name That Tone!
The Boneman's Daughters--chilling
Redeeming Love--romantic
The Shunning--Amish
The Riddlemaster of Hed--fantastical
A Vase of Mistaken Identity--whimsical
Without a Trace--suspensful
Three Weddings & a Giggle—humourous and romantic
Name that Genre!
Kidnapped--adventure
Sister Chicks Down Under—witty women’s …

Category: Book Business, Creativity, Get Published, Karen, Marketing, Writing CraftTag: Karen, Marketing, Proposals, Titles

En-TITLE-ment: Finding the Perfect Title (Part One)

By Karen Ballon August 17, 2011

One of the most difficult—and important—things we did when I worked in the publishing house was come up with titles for our authors’ novels. Sometimes it was a breeze, either because the author’s title was spot-on or because the story lent itself organically to a certain title. But more often than not, it was a long process of back-and-forth with the author, marketing, and sales. So how can you, …

Category: Get Published, Karen, Marketing, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Craft, Karen, Pitching, Titles, Writing Craft