Goodreads asked Lissa Oliver:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Lissa Oliver Be patient and have faith. Trust in your ability, collect rejection slips like badges of honour and never, ever give up. Keep trying. Enjoy the writing process and if you are getting bored with the effort, the chances are so will your readers. Write what you enjoy reading. In terms of practical advice, keep your submissions professional. Edit, edit and edit again. Don’t allow a single typing error or spelling mistake to go off in the post. If you don’t take pride in your work, why should a publisher? Study the Writers & Artists Yearbook and send your book to all those who deal with that genre and accept “unsolicited mss” – that is, work sent in without request. They state what should be sent, usually a single page simple cover letter (what the book is about and the target audience), a synopsis (single page) and the first three chapters or 50 pages. Don’t be tempted to send in more than is asked for.

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