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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 » Proposals » Page 2

Proposals

Endorsements: How Important Are They?

By Steve Laubeon June 9, 2014
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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 you are browsing a book title do you look at the endorsements or notice who wrote the foreword or 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.

In its early self-published days, The Shack by William Young gained tremendous benefit from an absolutely glowing endorsement by Eugene Peterson, author of The Message. 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 for nearly twenty years I paid attention. I believe that endorsement is still on the front cover of The Shack (which ended up selling one million copies as a self-published book and another ten million after being picked up by FaithWords).

How many endorsements should you get? One or two meaningful ones are best. Sometimes your agent can help you secure them. Sometimes your publisher. But it is best if you get them yourself from the folks you know.

The more recognizable name the better.

And 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 members of the group 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, particularly withing the Reformed Theology tradition. 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 very well known author who gets about four to five unsolicited requests for forewords or endorsements each week. I read somewhere that Annie Dillard, the Pulitzer Prize winning author,  can receive as many as 40 in one week….and most of them for books by writers she does not know.

Whatever you do, don’t (please don’t) claim in your proposal that you can get endorsements from Rick Warren, Max Lucado, Beth Moore, and 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 reflect negatively on the author or their organization.

And if you are frustrated by that policy, let’s make it more personal. Imagine if you had endorsed a book by Bernie Madoff….and now that he has been sentenced to 150 years in jail, what does your endorsement of his book say about you?

Endorsements imply a promise that what is in the book is worth your time. This means that endorsements that only use initials (“A.E. from St. Louis”) are all but useless. And so are endorsements from your dentist, unless your book is about dentistry. And an endorsement from your minister is suspect, 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?). Also try to avoid sneaking family member endorsements who have a different last name as a way of padding the list. You will be found out and your integrity will be suspect. This is not the time to “pad the resume.”

Can you sell your book without endorsements? Of course. But in today’s market, every little bit helps.

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

Who Am I? – About the Author

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 28, 2012
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The author biography section in a book proposal seems to be one of the least anxiety-provoking sections, yet I often see areas that could be improved. Here are a few ideas on how to make your author bio section the best it can be.

Include a portrait

When I was an intern on Capitol Hill, one of my duties was to open the mail. On one occasion, we received a resume that included a portrait, …

Read moreWho Am I? – About the Author
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Branding, Get Published, Marketing, TamelaTag: book proposals, Proposals

Will You Vouch for Me?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 21, 2012
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As part of my continuing series on proposals, today I'll talk about endorsements. This element can cause anxiety, so I hope this post will ease your mind.

When to Ask for Endorsement

Some writers tell me, "I'll get back to you on that list as soon as I talk to the authors." Or even, "I'll let you know as soon as the authors read my manuscript and get back to me." In reality, neither time is …

Read moreWill You Vouch for Me?
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Endorsements, Get Published, Proposals, Writing Craft

Do You Have Perfect Pitch?

By Karen Ballon June 13, 2012
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Thanks so much for all the ideas for my mini-conferences. I’ll put those together soon.

Speaking of conferences, while I was at a writer’s retreat awhile back, I was struck, as I always am when in the company of writers, by the power of the right word used in the right way. On the first day of the conference, I had group meetings with the writers. This is where a group of writers come in, sit …

Read moreDo You Have Perfect Pitch?
Category: Book Proposals, Conferences, Get Published, Karen, PitchingTag: Conferences, Pitching, Proposals, Query Letters

What Is the Agent Doing While I Wait?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 3, 2012
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You submit a great manuscript to an agent. Then you wait. And wait. And wait.

What could she possibly be doing?

Let's say your baby jumped most of the hurdles and is near the top of the slush pile. (See the previous post on the Mystery of the Slush Pile) Why can't the agent make up her mind? Might I offer a few ideas:
1.) Market changes can mean a shift in priorities. An agent may receive …

Read moreWhat Is the Agent Doing While I Wait?
Category: Agents, Book Business, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Agent, Proposals, waiting

The Mystery of the Slush Pile

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 19, 2012
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When you submit a manuscript or query to an agent, you may wonder what happens to it, and what our thought processes are regarding the properties we offer to represent versus those we must respectfully decline. Every agent is different, but you may find learning about my process helpful.

I have a very smart assistant. When she reviews my slush pile submissions, she goes through a winnowing …

Read moreThe Mystery of the Slush Pile
Category: Agency, Book Proposals, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Proposals, query, Rejection, slush pile

Why Do I Have to Jump Through Your Hoops?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 23, 2012
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Recently, my assistant had a conversation with an author who did not send a complete proposal. The author was referred to our guidelines and gently reminded that we needed more material in order to make an evaluation. But instead of saying "thank you" for the guidance, the author declared they did not have to jump through any hoops, and took the opportunity to aggressively express their complaints …

Read moreWhy Do I Have to Jump Through Your Hoops?
Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Book Business, Editors, Get Published, Pitching, Proposals, Tamela

Charmed, I’m Sure

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 16, 2012
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Dear Editor:
You really should meet this author! He knows all the best places to dine. I couldn't believe the fabulous meal we were served at a hole-in-the-wall place I'd never heard of until I made his acquaintance. He has also been quite generous and charming to my family. My husband and my kids have nothing but great things to say about this wonderful author!
In our meetings both in person …

Read moreCharmed, I’m Sure
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Pitching, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Editors, Pitching, Proposals, Rejection, Tamela, Writing Craft

Fresh Formulas

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 2, 2012
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Some have a hard time appreciating the talent involved in writing genre fiction. By genre fiction, I mean novels that fall into a defined category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, or cozy mystery. Many of these novels are published by mass market publishers (like Harlequin) and fit in lines they have formed for the sole purpose of selling the genre.

These are …

Read moreFresh Formulas
Category: Agency, Branding, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Get Published, Romance, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Craft, Genre, Ideas, Proposals, Romance, Tamela, Writing Craft

Let Creativity Flow (Part Four)

By Karen Ballon February 1, 2012
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Great discussions on creativity, everyone. Just reading your comments is sparking my creativity! So here are the last of my thoughts on what you can do when that well of ideas seems to have run dry:

Take a Time Out. Remember how that works? Time outs? When you were a kid and got a little out of control, Mom sent you to the Time Out chair to cool off. Well, this is a similar principle. Too often …

Read moreLet Creativity Flow (Part Four)
Category: Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Karen, Proposals, Writing Craft
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