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.
To help the author develop and create the best book possible. Material that has both commercial appeal and long-term value.
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.
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.
Fun Fridays – February 28, 2025
Ten years ago, there were Llamas on the Lloose in a suburb of Phoenix! Enjoy the Llama Drama, set to very appropriate music.
It’s Llike a Llittle Llost writer at a conference trying to find their cLlassroom.
Fortunately, there was a local cowboy with a Llasso. Yes, Phoenix has cowboys.
HT: Trissina Kear
Leave a CommentCommercial Writing (The Word Count Question)
One of the common questions I get as an agent relates to how long a book should be. Many aspiring authors think about a target number of pages and chapters when they need to focus on word count. Using pages as a metric for book length likely comes from those who self-publish and are accustomed to being charged per page for their book. Depending on the type of project, there is an optimum word count that affects the length of a project. There are some variations; but generally, they all fall into a range that gives authors an idea of …
How Do You Know What Will (or Will Not) Sell?
There is a mysterious magic embedded in the mythos of the publishing industry: the ability to pick successful books. I was recently asked, “You say ‘no’ so often, how do you know when to say ‘yes?’” I wish I could claim that every agent and publisher have a secret formula we consult to know what will sell. Ask any group of us for that secret and we will all laugh because there is no “secret.” We have all picked winners, but we have also picked ones that didn’t work as well. However, there are some things we do rely upon …
Fun Fridays – February 21, 2025
16 writing puns and jokes. I claim no originality nor responsibility. It’s not my fault! ________________ I’m a big fan of punctuation—period. I tried writing a story about flying, but it didn’t take off. Writing is the only write way to express myself. The manuscript was too long, so I had to cut to the chase. Why do writers always feel cold? Because they’re surrounded by drafts! What do writers have for breakfast? Synonym buns! I know a writer who has a fondness for culinary metaphors. His stories were always well-seasoned. Why did the editor go to jail? Because he was caught in a sentence. Why …
Evaluating Surprise Contract Offers
If you don’t work with an agent and you receive unexpected interest in your books, here are guidelines that may keep you from signing a contract that doesn’t further your career: Make no hurried promises over the phone or email. Take the time you need to assess the offer and interest. Legitimate book publishing normally moves slowly, so anyone demanding immediate decisions should be regarded with suspicion. Books take time to write, so an author must not feel compelled to make a career decision during a quick conversation. Search the Internet to see if this person is who they say …