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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 » Writing Craft » Page 26

Writing Craft

A Defense of Traditional Publishing: Part One

By Steve Laubeon April 12, 2011
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INTRODUCTION

There has been a plethora of new developments in the publishing industry causing the blogosphere, writers groups, and print media to light up with opinions, reflections, and advice. Some of it has been quite brilliant, other parts, not so much.

I would like to attempt to address the positive elements of traditional (or legacy) publishing as a defense of the latest round of assault.

The source of the overall criticism can be found in the e-book revolution and the invention of print-on-demand (POD) printing. Book Publishing used to be a difficult and expensive proposition but has become a valid do-it-yourself option. Consequently anyone can publish a book, so why be beholden to the major publishers?

Please realize that I understand both sides of the equation. After all I founded ACW Press in 1996 B.G. (“Before Google”) to help authors self-publish (the company was sold quite some time ago). I can effectively argue for the choice to self-publish as well as argue for the choice to pursue traditional publishing. Both have their place.

What has troubled me these past few months has been the vociferous rejection of the traditional publishing method as antiquated, inefficient, top heavy, corporate-driven, and uncaring about author’s financial well-being or their content. A vocal few have declared the “system” broken and walked away, either as a rebel, angry at the “man,” or as a risk-taker believing that going alone is the key to publishing success. Whether their rebellion has merit only time will decide.

Meanwhile over the next few weeks (one per week) I would like to recite the things traditional publishers are doing right. There is no agenda other than creating a conversation and a counter to some of what is being written about our industry.

Part One: Introduction

Part Two: Curation

Part Three: Editorial

Part Four: Design

Part Five: Infrastructure

 

 

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Category: Book Business, Career, Defense of Traditional Publishing, The Publishing LifeTag: Book Business, Digital Books, E-Books, Get Published, rumors, Traditional Publishing, Writing Craft

Count Your Many Phrases

By Steve Laubeon February 10, 2011
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We all have our pet phrases and they can inadvertently sneak their way into our manuscripts. Yesterday I came across a marvelous web site that can help you discover how often your repeat a particular phrase in your article or manuscript.

Using the Phrase Frequency Counter online, you can actually track what phrases you overuse. It is also a great way to pick out those clichés that can creep …

Read moreCount Your Many Phrases
Category: Editing, Grammar, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Writing Craft

The Shack Gets Sued

By Steve Laubeon July 14, 2010
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Sad news from the LA Times that the author and publishers of The Shack are now in court fighting over the royalty earnings. Read the entire article here. Then weep. Then pray that cooler heads prevail and that it can somehow be kept out of the court system. The key element to the story, from my agent’s perspective, is that there was not a solid contract in place from the beginning. It …

Read moreThe Shack Gets Sued
Category: Book Business, Legal IssuesTag: Bookselling, Contracts, Get Published, Legal, Writing Craft

What’s up with Christian Retail?

By Steve Laubeon May 10, 2010
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Twice in the last 30 days I have been interviewed about the "state of the industry." The journalist's questions were insightful and thought I would share some of them with you. My answers have been expanded beyond the original ones since I have more space to work with here.

1. What do you believe to be the most important trend in Christian publishing and why?

This can be a complex …

Read moreWhat’s up with Christian Retail?
Category: Publishing A-Z, TrendsTag: Bookselling, Editors, Get Published, Proposals, Rejection, Writing Craft

A Year in Review

By Steve Laubeon December 29, 2009
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This is one of my favorite times of the year. The Christmas glow is still present and since the publishing world is, in essence, on vacation, it is a perfect time to to reflect on the past twelve months.

This was a hard year for many as the economy touched everyone in some way. And yet, despite the ominous cloud of doom and gloom, there were many exciting things to celebrate.

On a personal …

Read moreA Year in Review
Category: Agency, Awards, Get Published, PersonalTag: Book Review, Get Published, Writing Craft
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