Thursday, July 28, 2011

Christian Fiction News: Free Christian Fiction (June 27)

Christian Fiction News: Free Christian Fiction (June 27): "Below, find free eBooks for your digital reader! (Offers provided by the respective publishers and retailers.) Free Fiction..."

From the Heart: Getting Published by Terry Burns

From the Heart: Getting Published by Terry Burns: "There's a concept we need to get a handle on, 'Publishing isn't a selection process . . . it is a survival process.' Really?- Yes, I b..."

Bon Voyage — or A New Adventure? | The Steve Laube Agency


Bon Voyage — 

or A New Adventure?

by Tamela Hancock Murray
On Monday July 25th Barbour Publishing informed the industry that they will be discontinuing their Heartsong Presents imprint. After 18 years and 1,000 titles, it will end its run in December 2011. Publishing has always been fluid. Steve Laube says that it is important to stay flexible because “A publisher can dramatically change directions after a meeting on Tuesday.”

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Cec Murphey's Writer to Writer: Writer’s Block (Part 15 of 16)

Cec Murphey's Writer to Writer: Writer’s Block (Part 15 of 16): "So What Do We Do about Writer's Resistance? The first thing is to face it. 'I'm blocked.' I read various writers who tell us to leave our..."

http://cecmurpheyswritertowriter.blogspot.com/2011/07/writers-block-part-15-of-16.html

Blog | The Steve Laube Agency

POV

by Karen Ball
Last week we identified Point-of-View (POV). This week, let’s consider some common POV misteps.
What’s My Line?: When POV/voice doesn’t fit the character.
Here’s an example. The POV character is male and a construction worker. So is the following appropriate for his POV?
To read the rest...Blog | The Steve Laube Agency

Monday, July 25, 2011

Novel Rocket: A Taste of 11 Secrets Meet Deadlines

Novel Rocket: A Taste of 11 Secrets Meet Deadlines: "This is an excerpt from my latest publishing endeavor, The 11 Secrets of Getting Published . The ebook is only $2.99 and contains over..."

Marketing vs. Publicity


Marketing vs. Publicity

by Steve Laube

Recent I have run into a common misunderstanding. Some writers use the words “marketing” and “publicity” (or P.R. “public relations”) as synonyms when actually one is a subset of the other.

There are marketing departments that have a publicity division or a marketing department that outsources their publicity. The two go hand in hand and should compliment each other.

The best way I can define it is to say that:
To read the rest...Marketing vs. Publicity

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Novel Matters: The Writer as the Cheese

Novel Matters: The Writer as the Cheese: "Welcome to the continuing conversation on Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. Sure, the book has been around for a while, but when have you had a c..."

To read the rest....http://www.novelmatters.com/2011/07/writer-as-cheese.html?spref=fb

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Dirt Digging Writers

Lisa is blessed to have her article, Dirt Digging Writers, appearing today on the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneur's website.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, winter’s cold continues long after my southern friends sweat (ahem, glow profusely) in the sunshine. By the time the snow melted off the mountains, I was itching to plant a garden.

I love digging in the dirt. Somehow, God’s beautiful nature breeds healing and restoration. After the soil is prepared, fertilizer and other nutrients added, seeds are planted. Then it’s time to step back, pray, and hope for a worthy harvest. 



To read the rest... http://nacwe.org/2011/07/dirt-digging-writers/

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Out of Their Minds: The basics of point-of-view | The Steve Laube Agency


Out of Their Minds: 

The basics of point-of-view

by Karen Ball








Ever been reading a novel, cooking along with the character, when you realize you’re not seeing things through that character’s eyes any longer? Somewhere along the way, something shifted and you’re inside a different character’s head. Jarring, huh? Probably jolted you out of the story, if only for a few seconds while you figured out what happened.

To read the rest....Out of Their Minds: The basics of point-of-view | The Steve Laube Agency

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

"Inside every fat book is a thin book trying to get out."-Unknown

Writing Tip of the Day -- Words

Writing Tip Of The Day--Words can shatter a life or soothe a soul. Use your words wisely.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Writing Tip of the Day -- Critiquing

Linda P. Kozar Writing Tip Of The Day--Critiquing someone else's work is not an Easter Egg Hunt to reveal all their problems. It's a privilege and an honor to help. Think about it--someone trusted you enough to be vulnerable. So tell the truth in love and brainstorm solutions together.




Visit Linda at Sweet Tea Fiction

Friday, July 15, 2011

Fun Fridays | The Steve Laube Agency


Fun Fridays

“Book Report” by the Peanuts crew. (five and one half minutes long)
When you are stuck with writer’s block, watch this video and let the creativity begin! 

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Three Questions About Agents



Three Questions About Agents

by Tamela Hancock Murray
In meeting with writers on the cusp of their careers or flush with new success, we find that three big questions come to the forefront. Today, Tamela shares her answers:
How do I find a literary agent? To read the rest...Three Questions About Agents

The Great Adverbectomy

I'm honored to have one of my writing articles appearing on So You Want To Write.org -- The Great Adverbectomy


When I first began writing, my words flowed and dripped onto the paper like sweet honey. Writing was so easy. All I had to do was write a great story, and publishers would clamor to print my work. Who needed to read books on writing, or have writing partners, or attend writing conferences?
Me!
I wrote completely without guidance, operating my keyboard without training wheels. After several manuscript rejections, I found much-needed help through a critique group.
My first writing mentor addressed a problem. Since I had enough adverbs in my first paragraph to send an editor into shock, the offending items had to be removed.


Please link to read the rest... The Great Adverbectomy

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Monday, July 11, 2011

The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread? | The Steve Laube Agency


The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread?
Guest Post by Teddi Deppner
We are really pleased to have Teddi Deppner be our guest today. I first met Teddi at the Mt. Hermon Writers Conference while she sat through my Major Morning Track, listening patiently to 8 1/2 hours of lecture over four days. She has recently been asking some penetrating questions about technology and the publishing industry so I invited her to create a post and express those thoughts for your discussion.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Quantum Marketing


The Greatest Book (Ever) on Sales & Marketing
Green Eggs And Ham
What’s the best book you’ve read on sales and marketing? I’m guessing that if you were to list your top five favorites,Green Eggs and Ham probably wouldn’t be in the mix.

But it should be. 

Immortal Sam I Am is one of the greatest marketing men ever. Here are two reasons why: 

To read the rest, please link to ....  
Quantum Marketing

Heard It Through Hartline


Changes at Hartline Literary Agency
Linda Glaz“We are pleased to welcome Linda Glaz as the newest agent at Hartline,” said Hartline Literary Agency owner and principal agent, Joyce Hart.

To read more of the changes....

From the Heart: How not to get an agent by Linda Glaz

From the Heart: How not to get an agent by Linda Glaz:

How not to get an agent by Linda Glaz


Well, we all know the story of the pitch offered to an agent in the restroom. Hopefully, that’s basic enough I don’t need to repeat it here. No? Okay, let’s just say there are better places to pitch to an agent than during very personal time.


To read the rest....http://hartlineliteraryagency.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-not-to-get-agent-by-linda-glaz.html?spref=fb

How to Jazz Up the Row of Pictures Above Your Facebook Profile

How to Jazz Up the Row of Pictures Above Your Facebook Profile

Facebook displays the five most recently tagged pictures of you across the top of your personal profile.
I wasn’t pleased with the unattractive up-the-nose shots of me that appeared in that space, but I didn’t have time to do anything other than hide them (you hide photos by rolling over them and clicking the “x” in the top righthand corner of each image).
My 18-year-old son unwittingly provided me with the perfect solution. I was snooping around at his profile (which all moms should do if their kids have social accounts), and I noticed he had a cool collage banner featuring basketball player, Kevin Durant, across the top of his profile.
Being the proactive (and snoopy!) mom that I am, I immediately clicked the photo and was taken to his album, where I discovered that he’d found the banner at http://www.fbanners.com/.
To read the rest....http://ht.ly/5yqnJ


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

W R Wrtrs

We R Wrtrs

by Lisa Buffaloe

Studies last year estimated American teens sent 3000 texts per month. Our world is fast-paced and technology filled. We are busy people with limited time.
We r wrtrs and we wnt2 kp our rdrs rdng AMAP. (We are writers and we want to keep our readers reading as much as possible.)
Since most people won’t read an article or manuscript in text format, writers must be creative. Several major sites highlight their articles to allow readers to skim and quickly pull out information.

True Words | The Steve Laube Agency


True Words

by Karen Ball
Several months ago someone challenged me to read an article by Marilyn McEntyre entitled “Letting Words Do Their Work.” Because I respected the editor who made the recommendation, I hopped right on over the the link.
Oh. My. Golly.
It’s not easy reading. Nor is it a “quick read.” But I’ll tell you what it is:
Powerful truth. If you’re a writer, speaker, agent, reader, or simply one who loves–truly loves–words, you’ve got to read this article. A few salient points that resonated:

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Writing Life: From Concept to Contract

Over 83% of Americans plan to publish a book at some point in their life. The majority of Christian nonfiction writers are filled with passion yet they have no experience in how to navigate the book publishing world. In Writing The Christian Nonfiction Book Concept to Contract, Fessenden writes, “Any good book is the result of inspiration, followed by hours of grueling work. I don’t know about you, but for me,