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The Steve Laube Agency

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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Get Published

Get Published

Endorsements: How Important Are They?

By Steve Laubeon July 17, 2023
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How important are endorsements? (Those “blurbs” on the back of a book that exclaim, “A real masterpiece!”)

Let me answer with a question. When browsing a book title, do you look at the endorsements or notice who wrote the foreword or the introduction? I suspect you do without realizing it. And if you are unfamiliar with the author but you know the endorser, then you are more likely to give this new writer a try.

When The Shack by William Young was originally self-published (2007), it gained tremendous benefit from a glowing endorsement by Eugene Peterson, author of The Message. When I saw that accolade, it made me pause and think, If Eugene Peterson makes such a claim, then maybe I should pay attention. So, as a fan of Eugene Peterson, I paid attention. I believe that endorsement is still on the cover of the book.

Is One Endorsement Enough?

How many endorsements should you get? One or two meaningful ones are best. Get them from the folks you know. The more recognizable the name, the better. It can be awkward to ask your agent for access to their “famous” clients since many restrict access. Your publisher may be able to help, too, but don’t feel entitled to access.

Will an Endorsement Help Sell My Proposal?

The earlier in the creative process, the better. Years ago, while an editor for Bethany House, I presented a proposal at a pub board meeting. Unfortunately, I did not get a good initial reception from the team. Then I asked the group members to look at the endorsement page in the proposal. This writer had secured endorsements from James Montgomery Boice, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur, each a highly recognized author and speaker respected within the evangelical community. The pub board members exclaimed, “Who is this guy?” They had never heard of the writer of the proposed book, but they knew the endorsers. Those endorsements turned the tide in favor of offering a contract to the author!

Recently, I talked to a well-known author who gets about four or five unsolicited requests for forewords or endorsements weekly. I read somewhere about a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who receives nearly 40 requests for endorsements each week, most of them for books by writers she does not know.

Claiming an Endorsement Before You Get One

Whatever you do, don’t (please don’t) claim in your proposal that you can get endorsements from Rick Warren, Max Lucado, Beth Moore, or Frances Chan unless you already have them in hand. Many visible leaders have tough restrictions from their board of directors regarding their endorsements (especially those who are part of a Christian ministry). They don’t want their name associated with a book that could ultimately negatively affect the author or their organization.

And if you are frustrated by that policy, let’s make it more personal. Imagine you had endorsed a book by Bernie Madoff (later sentenced to 150 years in jail for fraud). What would your endorsement of his book say about you?

We frequently see book proposals with a veritable laundry list of famous people the writers claim they will approach. This is fine if the writer is well-connected to that community; otherwise, it doesn’t present well in the proposal.

What Is the Value of an Endorsement?

Endorsements imply a promise that what is in the book is worth your time. Thus, endorsements that only use initials (“A.E. from St. Louis”) are all but useless. So are endorsements from your dentist unless your book is about dentistry. An endorsement from your minister is fine but doesn’t really “sell the book” unless yours happens to be a well-known author.  (What if your minister doesn’t like your book and refuses to endorse it? Will you still want to attend services?)

Can you sell your proposal without endorsements? Of course. But in today’s market, every little bit helps. This is an uphill challenge for the new writer. If you can’t get endorsements, don’t worry about it. It doesn’t mean the death of your proposal.

I recently bought a book with no endorsements because the title was interesting and the promise of the content was compelling. In addition, I read a couple of pages, and the writer was quite good.

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Category: Book Proposals, Writing CraftTag: Endorsements, Get Published, Proposals

4 Tips for Surviving a Writers Conference

By Steve Laubeon June 12, 2023
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I’ve had the fun of teaching at nearly 200 writers conferences over the years. In that time, I’ve noticed several common things that all writers face. Let’s explore a few tips that may help you survive at the next one you attend. Relax The most common mistake is viewing the conference as a make-it-or-break-it event. The stress folks place on themselves is palpable. I’ve had …

Read more4 Tips for Surviving a Writers Conference
Category: Conferences, MarketingTag: Get Published, writers conferences

Who Decides to Publish Your Book?

By Steve Laubeon May 1, 2023
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The editor you met with at a writers conference liked your proposal and asked you to send it to her after the conference. She was already talking about format and promotional ideas. Or you submitted a proposal and received an enthusiastic response from the acquisitions editor. Four (or maybe six to eight) months later, a rejection letter showed up in your inbox. What happened? No matter how much …

Read moreWho Decides to Publish Your Book?
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Career, Get Published, Pitching, The Publishing Life, The Writing LifeTag: book proposals, Get Published, Publishing Decision

Who and What I’m Looking for (Bob Hostetler)

By Bob Hostetleron January 25, 2023
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(Updated 1/25/2023) As the world turns and 2022 gives way to 2023, I have been a literary agent with The Steve Laube Agency for five-and-a-half years. In many ways, 2022 was my most surprising and successful year yet as an agent. My clients made me look good, and my boss so far hasn’t made me look for a new job; so I’ve got those things going for me. With all that in mind, let me offer an updated …

Read moreWho and What I’m Looking for (Bob Hostetler)
Category: Agency, Agents, Book ProposalsTag: Agency, Agents, Get Published

Three Myths About an Agent’s Acceptance

By Steve Laubeon December 5, 2022
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You’ve worked hard. You wrote a great book. You pitched it just right, and the literary agent has called you saying they want to represent you and your project. Hooray! But there are some misunderstandings or myths about what happens next. 1. Your Book Will Soon Be Published Just because an agent has said yes doesn’t guarantee success. Nor does it speed up the inexorable process. Remember that …

Read moreThree Myths About an Agent’s Acceptance
Category: Agents, Book Business, Career, Communication, Get Published, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Get Published

Five Reasons Why You May Never Get Published

By Steve Laubeon November 14, 2022
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[I posted a version of this article 521 weeks ago. Amazing how true the principles remain unchanged.] There are many factors that go into the acquisition, development, and sale of a new book. But the majority of ideas never get to that point. I thought it might be helpful to review some of the most common issues we’ve run into. 1. You Won’t Do the Work Writing a novel, a nonfiction …

Read moreFive Reasons Why You May Never Get Published
Category: Book Proposals, Craft, Writing CraftTag: Get Published

The Myth of the Unearned Advance

By Steve Laubeon September 12, 2022
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[I wrote much of this article back in 2011. Upon review, I stand by the analysis. I’ve left the past comments to accentuate the discussion.] ______________ A common myth permeating the industry is that a book is not profitable if the author’s advance does not earn out. I would like to attempt to dispel this myth. First, let’s define the term “advance.” When a book contract is created between …

Read moreThe Myth of the Unearned Advance
Category: Book Business, Career, Money, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Book Business, Contracts, Get Published, Money, Traditional Publishing

Rejection: A Fact of the Writing Life

By Steve Laubeon August 15, 2022
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Rejection is a fact of life. Especially the writing life. As one crusty publishing veteran said: “Welcome to the industry that will break your heart.” Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, doesn’t it? But let me put a little perspective on it. I admire writers. You put your souls on a few pages and send them to strangers and pray for acceptance. How do you do that, day in and day …

Read moreRejection: A Fact of the Writing Life
Category: RejectionTag: Get Published, Rejection

4 Questions a Fiction Proposal Must Answer

By Steve Laubeon August 1, 2022
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Last week we dealt with five questions a nonfiction proposal must answer. As promised, we now turn to those who are putting together a novel proposal. If you compare these two posts, you’ll see why a one-size-fits-all proposal template isn’t always helpful. There are differences between the two types of proposals. Please try not to shoehorn a novel proposal into a nonfiction presentation. What Is …

Read more4 Questions a Fiction Proposal Must Answer
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, fiction, Get Published

5 Questions a NonFiction Proposal Must Answer

By Steve Laubeon July 25, 2022
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All novelists will have to wait until next week’s blog which will address fiction proposals. Today’s topic is nonfiction. What is the Big Idea? Trying to find something unique and never before addressed in book form is nearly impossible. But each proposal needs to be clear what the book is about. You’d be amazed how many proposals I’ve seen where they try to hide the “pay-off.” If the book is …

Read more5 Questions a NonFiction Proposal Must Answer
Category: Book Proposals, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Get Published, Non-Fiction
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