I am very excited to announce that Thomas Umstattd, Jr. has joined the agency as our newest literary agent.
We continually look for ways to increase the services our agency provides to current and potential clients. I have known Thomas for 12 years; and by adding him to our agency, we can expand our role in helping to maximize our client’s sales through his extensive experience in marketing, branding, and technology. Thomas’s strengths are his understanding of book marketing and what it takes to market yourself as an author. Our agency team has expertise in all facets of the industry: writer, bookseller, editor, marketer, agent, teacher, indie author, consultant, executive management, and publisher.
For many years Thomas helped authors build their websites via his Author Media company. When he was the marketing director for Enclave Publishing, their sales doubled in 18 months. He most recently was the marketing director for Fahrenheit Marketing, which focused on brand development for both corporations and individuals. He is a veteran podcaster with multiple ongoing shows, including the very popular “Novel Marketing” cohosted by Jim Rubart. He has also served as a board member for several nonprofits, including the Texas Alliance for Life. You can find out more on his personal website at www.thomasumstattd.com.
Thomas is a regular speaker and has spoken at dozens of writers conferences all over the world (including Scotland, Canada, and Hawaii). In addition, he also indie published his book Courtship in Crisis, using a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch it.
I am glad to add that he will also become the Vice President of The Christian Writers Institute.
He is married to Margaret, and they are expecting their first child this month! He will be working from his office in Austin, TX.
We will be eventually integrating Thomas’s insights into our regular blog schedule. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.
You can find a description of the kinds of proposals Thomas is looking for here.
Welcome, Thomas!
Woah! Did NOT see that one coming! Fantastic news, Steve. Will he be representing fiction as well as non-fiction?
Later this week we’ll post Thomas’ “what I’m looking for” article.
For now he will be focusing on non-fiction. In addition he will look at children’s picture book proposals too.
Thanks, Steve!
Congratulations and welcome!
I’m just NW of Austin, so it’s great to see another Texan here. Welcome to the agency!
Congratulations! Welcome, Thomas!
That is great news! Congratulations.
Welcome Mr. Umstattd. I look forward to growing with and learning from you sir.
Welcome! Congratulations!
Welcome, Thomas. Looking forward to all we’ll learn from you!
Wonderful news!!! Welcome, Thomas!
Welcome Thomas! I’ll look forward to your blog.
Congrats, Thomas!
Thanks for sharing, Steve! Thomas, I pray your transition to The Steve Laube Agency is a smooth one! Congrats and welcome!
Stellar choice.
You’re a bit biased, JIm. 😉 But I agree. Thomas is fantastic. I’d love to have him represent me (if I were pursuing a traditional pub deal).
Congratulations, Thomas! ????
Welcome, Thomas 🙂
What a fantastic addition to the Laube agency! Thomas…you will rock the place.
Sounds like a great addition and a complement to the present agents with the agency. Congrats to all.
Exciting news! Thomas, we await your insights with eager anticipation.
SOOOOOO excited, Thomas! Congratulations!
Whaaaaat?? How awesome!! Thomas will make an epic literary agent. For real. Congrats to Thomas and the agency!
Welcome, Thomas! I can say I knew you back when… Is there anything you don’t do? 🙂 I’m sure you’ll do a great job.
Great news all around! Bravo!!!
Wonderful! Yay for the agency, and yay for the clients!
A wonderful new dimension! Congratulations!
Congratulations Thomas! Well done Steve! You have a great eye for talent of all types.
Yay, hongera sana Thomas! Such a pleasure to have met Thomas in Austin recently while attending New Media Summit.
Congratulations and welcome to the family Thomas!
Welcome and congrats. The best Agency in the business.
Yay! You couldn’t have made a better choice.
Welcome, Thomas and best wishes as you add your part to this already wonderful agency.
Great news! You will be an awesome agent. Congrats!
Congratulations, Thomas! Looking forward to gleaning from your experiences.