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If all it takes to sell a book is talent, work hard and perseverance, more of us would be published. Like it or not, luck is a piece of the process. But can you make your own luck? I think so. You just have to be willing to ask for it, compete, put out, flaunt a little and sell yourself.

1. Ask for it. Whenever I receive a manuscript critique from an editor or agent, I always end the conversation by asking if I can send him or her my manuscript. Pride is too pricey. Go ahead and pop the question the editor or agent is expecting you to ask. (And then make sure you follow through. Send that manuscript and mention the invitation in your cover letter.)

2. Put out. Sweetie, shyness is simply out of your price range. You really must interact with other writers and members of the publishing community via social media. Send cards. Build and cultivate a blog or web site. Comment on other’s blog posts. Be generous and offer your help to others in the form of critiques or feedback. Aside from surrounding yourself with a supportive community of talented people, you never know where those connections may lead.

3. Flaunt a little. Humility is pricey too. You’re going to have to loosen up and show off a little. An author/illustrator friend of mine, Ruth McNally Barshaw, was contacted by an agent after a friend encouraged her to share her sketches online. Ruth wasn’t looking to lure an agent, but posting her work resulted in the start of a fabulous partnership and the launch of her graphic novel series–Ellie McDoodle.

4. Be willing to compete. When was the last time you entered a writing contest? In 2012, I entered a contest sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Did I win? Uh, noop. But my picture book manuscript placed in the top 5 out of more than 750 entries. Did that boost my confidence. Yes, indeedy. Children’s Writer and Highlights run themed contests regularly.

But don’t limit yourself to writing contests. If there’s a pricey conference you want to attend, chances are there’s a scholarship contest to go with it. I have had the privilege of receiving funds for both a regional and a national SCBWI conference, as well as for a Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop. And don’t assume you have to be penniless to apply. Check out the requirements to see if you qualify and go for it. Even if you don’t win, oftentimes filling out the application gives you great practice for a query letter or synopsis. So, it’s time well spent even if it doesn’t result in cash.

5. Sell yourself. Have that elevator pitch memorized. Be ready to talk intelligently about whatever you’re working on right now. Know how to introduce yourself as a professional–including a beautiful business card. Work it, Baby.

Make yourself some good luck this week!

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. ~ Seneca

You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocket ship underpants don’t help. ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

When I read Wicked Good, the novel Joanne Lewis wrote with her sister Amy Lewis Faircloth, I was instantly hooked. Not only did I love the book but all my friends thought my son and I were the models for the book’s cover. Something fun like that made me want to follow Joanne’s budding writing career and when she came out with a mystery, Make Your Own Luck, I couldn’t wait to read it. Joanne took the time to send me an e-copy of her book and answer a few questions about her latest book. Thanks, Joanne!

Make Your Own Luck: A Remy Summer Woods Mystery

Paperback: 364 pages (also available in e-formats)

Publisher: Telemachus Press (June 1, 2012)

Genre: Mystery

ISBN-10: 1937698718

ISBN-13: 978-1937698713

You can find Make Your Own Luck on Joanne’s website as well online bookstores and your local independent bookstores.

Find the author online:

Website:
www.joannelewiswrites.com

Twitter:
#joannetlewis

Review:
Remy Summer Woods is a lawyer because her father is a lawyer – a very successful and famous lawyer. Just as Remy’s plotting her escape from the halls of justice she runs across the only case that could convince her to stay: Bonita Pickney, a 13 year old girl who confesses to murdering her father and insists that they put her in jail as soon as possible. Remy is fascinated by this unlikely murderer and it doesn’t hurt that her father absolutely forbids her to become involved in the case. Soon Remy finds herself kicked out of her father’s firm and rocketing around Florida trying to unravel the circumstances that led to the murder with an unlikely group of helpers that include her drug addicted brother, an aging hippie/dinner owner, a mobster, and a cop.

Remy isn’t the only one “rocketing”. That’s the perfect word to describe this book. The characters are driven to discover the truth and, as a reader, I was driven to finish this book. Happily, it was never predictable. I was constantly saying, “I didn’t see that coming!” I also enjoyed the fact that there were no clear cut good guys and bad guys. You were constantly guessing about people’s motives which made pinpointing the murderer all the more challenging.

Although I enjoyed the mystery, the characters were also well written. I’d like to see more of Remy’s struggle to decide what type of life she wants, how she’ll deal with her father and I welcome more appearances by her crazy family and friends. I lok forward to the next Remy Summer Woods book.

---------Interview by Jodi Webb

WOW: Wicked Good, that you co-authored with your sister Amy Lewis Faircloth, was a slower paced story that focused more on the characters while Make Your Own Luck (MYOL) seems more fast-paced, ripped from the headlines. Which do you prefer to focus on: characters or plot?

JOANNE: