The Greek philosopher Plato, in quoting Heraclitus, wrote, “Everything changes and nothing stands still.” Some say it another way, “The only constant is change.”
In 2016 Dan Balow started a small publishing company called Gilead Publishing, which he has been overseeing in his “spare time” while simultaneously being a great literary agent.
After many long conversations, it became apparent, as Gilead Publishing has grown (released 30 new titles this year alone), that Dan could no longer do both with excellence and has decided to depart The Steve Laube Agency at the end of this month.
We have already begun transitioning clients to new management in-house, and with Dan’s help the process has been very smooth.
I will personally miss having Dan to kick around on a regular basis. Seriously, for the last five years he made a significant mark with his insights, support, and continued commitment to our industry and helped shepherd dozens of new books into the market.
Dan’s final official blog post will run tomorrow.
_____
We lose one agent, we gain a junior agent! Thomas and Margaret Umstattd had their first baby last week! (A baby girl.)
Congratulations to their family. An exciting time for them.
Pray for the baby’s health and Margaret’s recovery. As for Thomas? Pray for sleep.
Fun Fridays – October 19, 2018
Congratulations to Margaret and Thomas. And, Dan, I’m sad to see you go but pray God’s blessings on you and Gilead Publishing.
Change can be hard but necessary. Blessed to have gotten to know you a little, Dan. God bless your future.
And congratulations, Thomas and Margaret! Thomas, I hope to visit with you in the near future … after you are a bit more rested.
Congratulations to the new parents and prayers for God’s presence as they grow as a family.
Dan, we’ll miss you! Praying for your continued success with Gilead Publishing.
Dan, it was a blessing to have you as my agent, and I will always owe you a debt of gratitude for your dedication, your kindness and your Christian compassion. I pray our paths will cross again.
I vaguely remember my first child’s birth, and yes, Steve’s prayer for the new Dad definitely rings a bell. Congrats to all.
Looks to me like Dan was staging a coup. Steve found out. Dan is now in exile. Probably plotting a return to power.
Or…another explanation could be I couldn’t take one more day with your puns. I just can’t compete with your humor.
The “free of charge” post was the last straw.
This agency isn’t big enough for the two of us.
Congrats to Dan and to Thomas and Margaret. Good things are happening for all of them. I wish them all the best!
Some say I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone;
some say I’ve swallowed it whole.
But up this morning, and hold the phone!
Big changes on the roll.
Dan the Man’s off to the pub-house zone,
and you’ve welcomed a wee new soul!
Sometimes our lives are as fair Athlone,
where time forbears its toll;
but good-bye can raise a heartfelt moan,
and “Hi, Baby!” melts Heart of Troll.
So Thomas and Margaret, fair winds (and sleep),
and Dan, tend joyously your writer-sheep!
Andrew you always come up with the best words 🙂
Blessings and hope you are having some great days.
Claire, thank you so much!
Andrew, you are a marvel. Blessings, my friend.
Thank you, Judith! Blessings back!
Change no longer sits on the horizon. It stands in front of us–and it’s all good. Congratulations, Dan! God’s best to you as you dive further (or shall I say “full”?) into the publishing arena. Who knows? We may cross paths again in the fiction world. And Thomas, a beautiful girl–yeehaw! Grab those zzz’s and moments for the memory bank. You’re a rich, rich man.
I’ve very much enjoyed your blog posts, Dan. Such wonderful news that Gilead continues to grow!
Happy news on the Umstadtt family growth as well. May God smile on all of you.
Best wishes to Dan Balow in continuing adventures! And happy parents indeed for Thomas and Margaret Umstattd. Those early parenting moments are hard but so special.
Dan, Best wishes for success in your new venture. I’ll miss your blog posts!
Congratulations to Thomas and Margaret on their little miracle. Enjoy this special time of life.
I will miss Dan’s insightful posts and wish him the best. The people I’ve met from Gilead have been great and I pray for further and greater success in the future.
And congratulations on the addition of a precious little girl. Such a special time for the Umstattd family.
Congratulations and best wishes to Dan, a talented agent. And to Thomas and Margaret–well, you know your lives will never be the same, right? You have just eaten your last hot meal for the next five years. And sleep? You will learn to live on less than you ever imagined. You may even fall asleep while talking on the phone. Take it from one who raised a large family and lived to tell about it.
Seriously, Thomas and Margaret, our congrats and best wishes. You must be very happy.
-Roberta Sarver
Congratulations to all!
Dan, I will truly miss your posts on here, having learned so much from you. I am so thankful to have met you in person this summer.
How exciting to see how God uses you and your gifts and strengths on a different side of things now.
What an adventure!
Aww precious baby! I don’t know about you, but newborns (this is grandma speaking!) have that clean slate baby smell (unless they have a full nappy, then not so much). Was that a granny TMI lack-of-filter moment?
For Dan, we will miss his posts but bid him blessings for Gilead. God leads and He is always good, even when we don’t know or understand the adventurous path He sets before us.
Sugar and spice and everything nice congratulations on your new little girl.
To Dan, well done you! Blessings as you guide your Gilead ship to oceans of success!!
Congratulations to Dan. He’s leaving the agency for a great reason. Though, I suspect, Steve, that the relationship you two share won’t end on Oct 31st.
And, congratulations to the Umstadtts. That’s so exciting!