Making luck

One thing I’ve really learned from knowing so many authors is that luck plays a big part in getting published. You submit exactly what the publishing house is looking for at the right time, you bump into that agent at a conference when they are in the market for new authors, you tap into the zeitgeist at just the right moment. Sure, you have to write an engaging story that is a good read, but there are millions of those out there without a home. Luck is the final bit of magic.

That sounds like I’m making an excuse for not being picked up by a publishing house or having my self-pubs make it into the best sellers list. I want to stress that is not the case. What I can see really clearly is that for luck to happen, you need to put in the work to give it something to act on. If you bump into that agent and you have nothing to give them, goodbye luck. If you have a story at the cutting edge of what everyone wants to read, but you didn’t get around to the edit so you could publish it in time for the Christmas rush, goodbye luck. If you don’t attend that conference, you don’t make the new contacts who can help you on your journey. Goodbye luck.

I have wasted opportunities in the past by not delivering re-write and re-submits in time, but to get that luck in the first place I had to submit something. I suspect I’ve squandered more luck in the last few years than I realise by not writing, not attending conferences, and not dedicating time to my stories.

Last weekend I attended Conflux in Canberra and absolutely loved it. I met amazing people and got some great insights which I’ll share on here in the coming weeks. I feel very lucky to have had such a fantastic experience over there. That luck was borne of a decision I made back in June to book it in. It would have been much easier to just stay home for the long weekend and work in my garden. Trimmed hedges, yes, but inspiration, no.

I think it is time for me to put in the work again. It’s time to give luck some more chances to find me.