Prior to signing a six book deal with a major publisher’s mystery novel division, Michele spent more than ten years writing novels, submitting them to countless publishers, with only rejection letters to show for her trouble. During the entire time, she also held down a full-time job and parented three children.

Finally, in 2004, she hit paydirt, and had her first “wine lovers’ mystery novel” accepted and published: Murder Uncorked. Her second, Murder By The Glass, was published this year.

There are over 1.5-million book manuscripts submitted to U.S. publishers annually, and fewer than 130,000 ever get published, so the odds are daunting. Michele says beating those odds is not all that different from peoples’ experiences in doing anything worthwhile and significant; the odds against and usually greater than the odds favoring success.

It’s not about the odds. It’s about you and what she calls ‘the P’s’. She attributes the success to Perseverance, Patience, Purpose, and Passion. Now she’s coaching other aspiring writers, via www.michelescott.com.

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“If I was giving advice to younger people, I would tell them not to read what’s written about you, not to listen to anybody, just focus on the work.” – Woody Allen