The Steve Laube Agency is committed to providing top quality guidance to authors and speakers. Our years of experience and success brings a unique service to our clients. We focus primarily in the Christian marketplace and have put together an outstanding gallery of authors and speakers whose books continue to make an impact throughout the world.
Our Service Philosophy
Content
To help the author develop and create the best book possible. Material that has both commercial appeal and long-term value.
Career
To help the author determine the next best step in their writing career. Giving counsel regarding the subtleties of the marketplace as well as the realities of the publishing community.
Contract
To help the author secure the best possible contract. One that partners with the best strategic publisher and one that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
Recent Posts
Avoiding the Inferno: Navigating Burnout in the Pursuit of Publishing
Let’s sit down for a heart-to-heart about something many of us tend to overlook: burnout. Speaking as a recovering striver who’s donned the hats of a military spouse, mom, and author for the past two decades, I’ve danced dangerously close to the flames of burnout more times than I care to admit. So, grab a cup of coffee, find a quiet corner, and let’s unravel the intricacies of sidestepping burnout while pursuing our publishing goals.
The Crazy Tapestry: Military Life, Motherhood, and Writing
Imagine this: 13 houses, 5 duty stations, 2 PCS moves, a deployment to the Middle East, and a 365-day short tour in Korea without my husband. That’s been my life as a military spouse and mom for the last two decades. Amid the chaos, I decided to toss the pursuit of publishing into the mix. Crazy, right? Through it all–the constant unpacking and repacking, the juggling of parenting duties, and the pursuit of writing books–I learned some valuable lessons, especially about the lurking beast called burnout.
What Burnout Has Taught Me
Your family is the work, not a hindrance to the work. It might sound counterintuitive, but your family is not an obstacle standing between you and your work; they are the work. Understand the season of life you’re in. Are your kids in their formative years? Are you contemplating retirement after a long career? Prioritize the season over the goals. Your family is the heartbeat of your life; and the work will always be there, waiting.
Do one thing at a time. Now, let’s talk about the temptation to do it all at once: build a platform, launch a podcast, and pitch a book simultaneously. Seriously, just don’t. The art of sustainable success lies in pacing yourself. Start by writing and engaging an audience. Grow this audience with consistent time and investment. Then, and only then, consider diving into the world of writing a book. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither should your literary empire.
Work from a place of rest in the Lord. In the whirlwind of deadlines, promotions, and parenting duties, it’s easy to neglect the rest found in God’s Word and the quiet moments spent in His company. If your pursuit of success has become a blur and your relationship with God has taken a back seat, it’s time to reassess. If you’re too busy for a relationship with God, your priorities have skewed dangerously.
In the pursuit of publishing, it’s easy to get lost in the noise, to let the goals overshadow the season of life you’re in. Burnout is a real threat, but it can be sidestepped with mindful choices. Your family is your foundation, not a roadblock. Pacing yourself is a virtue, and spiritual rest is nonnegotiable.
Let’s make a pact to pursue our goals with passion but not at the expense of our well-being or the wellness of those we love. The journey may be challenging, but finding harmony amid the chaos is the true art of conquering burnout.
Leave a CommentWhat Do You Do When Your Technology Fails?
Today, I tell the story of an author’s tragedy. We had a client who lost their entire manuscript the day of their deadline. Poof. It was gone. Their thumb drive malfunctioned too; it was empty. Because they had borrowed a laptop, the author didn’t know it was programmed to empty the trash each time it was rebooted. The author had moved the manuscript to the trash after emailing it to the publisher because they needed to return the laptop. Unfortunately, the file that went to the publisher was not the final version but an earlier version containing only 20% of …
Fun Fridays – March 22, 2024
I love to find creative expressions by creative people. Today’s video is a duet playing “Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor” by Bach … on glass. Yes, the video is over 10 minutes long; but at least enjoy the first two minutes, which is the most familiar part of the music. Imagine if this were played instead of the organ in Phantom of the Opera. It would be a completely different experience! ShareTweet
The Unpredictable God
I spent most of my early years being told everything was predictable and orderly. If I lived a certain way or did something in a specific way, there was a guaranteed outcome consistent with my original plan. Even God was pressed into the predictability mix. Anyone who follows the Ten Commandments and does everything the Bible requires will live long and prosper. God always worked in logical, understandable ways that made perfect sense. Then life happened, and I saw things differently. The only things predictable about God are his trustworthiness, faithfulness, and perfect parenting skills of his children. Preparing for …
Gimme a RAH RAH RAH!!!
When writers approach me for representation, I love to see enthusiasm. Are they devoted to and excited about their: Words? Topic? Audience? Do they joyfully anticipate their writing time? Are they willing to persist in creating a book, then editing, revising, and revising again, for months? Do they have ideas for future works that can build a career? Find a Passionate Literary Agent Likewise, I must be passionate about the books I represent. Well, unless you think this is a great letter from an agent to an editor: Dear Editor: I’m attaching a proposal and complete manuscript for LOVE ON …