Greetings once again, Makers of Realms! We have here with us today Steve Laube, and we can’t wait to share this interview with you. Welcome Steve!
How many books do you own?
Over 5,000. My office library has 33 six-foot tall bookcases that are full. We have about the same number at home.
If you could spend the day with one Spec Fic character, who would it be?
Aslan. … Oh wait, I get to spend every day with Him for the rest of eternity!
What is your favorite food?
Popcorn.
Steak
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Some day I would love to visit England. A literary and historical tour.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Orange sherbet.
How many books have you read so far this year?
This question comes to me on the 23rd of January. So I’ve only read five so far.
What book has made the most impact on you?
Can’t name one really. A few come to mind. Knowing God by J.I. Packer. How to be a Christian Without Being Religious by Fritz Ridenour. Live Together by Deitrich Bonhoeffer. Green Letters by Miles Stanford. Etc…..
Would you rather live in Middle-Earth, Tatooine, or aboard the Starship Enterprise?
The Enterprise. They have showers…and air-conditioning.
How did you get into your profession?
Went from a part-time shelf duster at a bookstore to managing the store to being an editor to being an agent. A 36 year journey.
What kind of training did you undergo to get to the level you are at?
None per se. Each experience informed the next.
I will say that take a college course in Business Law showed me the fun of contracts.
I also benefit from taking Accounting 101 and 102. Not afraid of numbers.
What is your goal in your current line of work?
The agency’s motto is to “help change the world word by word.” The key is “help” since we don’t write the books.
What draws you to the speculative world?
There is something about the “what if” that has endless possibilities in the speculative world. Every book is an adventure. I admire the amazing creativity in the storytelling. There is a real feeling of being transported. (Star Trek reference intentional.)
What subgenre of speculative fiction is your favorite to read?
Military Science-Fiction is my favorite.
What is one piece of creative or business advice someone has given you that actually helped?
Many years ago a general market publisher approached me to come work for them. I knew very little about editing but was intrigued. A dear friend told me to “Never compromise your faith.” He said the first step down the wrong path is fraught with peril. I have abided by that my entire career.
What are you doing/teaching at Realm Makers?
I have no idea. I’m just there for the donuts.
Steve Laube, a literary agent and president of The Steve Laube Agency, has been in the book industry for over 35 years, first as a bookstore manager where he was awarded the National Store of the Yearby the Christian Booksellers Association. He then spent over a decade with Bethany House Publishers and was named the Editor of the Year. He later became an agent and has represented nearly 1,000 new books and was named Agent of the Year by ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). He was also inducted into the Grand Canyon University Hall-of-Fame by their College of Theology. In addition, he is the president and owner of Enclave Publishing. His office is in Phoenix, Arizona.
Cynthia Mahoney
14 Apr 2017Well, holy Moses, Steve!
I browsed for a definition of bookseller (yes, I know you’ve explained it), for a job career with a large retailer with an opening.
Googled ‘Definition of bookseller.’ There you were, top of the list! Then, I found Realm Makers, and later, listened to a podcast for a radio show 2/17.
Steve, I am delighted to hear you are there for the doughnuts (this had me laughing). I imagine you do far more than stand in front of a doughnut box.
I am looking forward to the nuggets (doughnuts, in truth) and pearls of wisdom I can glean from this site. And a big thank you to all who tirelessly dedicate themselves here for the Word of God.
Blessings
Cindy