Last week, I was privileged to teach at the Florida Christian Writers Conference (FCWC) once again. It was my third year on the faculty, and each year I make great new friends and reconnect with some of my favorite people in the industry.
This year, I taught a class called, “The World of Writing for Children.” During the first session, one student asked, “I’ve heard that the children’s picture book market is the most difficult to break into…are there any tricks to getting your manuscript into the hands of editors?”
It was a valid question.
After sharing that it’s important to attend writers’ conferences such as the FCWC and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) workshops so you can meet with editors face-to-face and pitch your books in person, I proceeded to share my slush pile success story.
(Yes, some authors actually make it through the massive mound of manuscripts that arrive via snail mail and live to tell about it!)
I sent my manuscript for “Conversations on the Ark” to Ideals Children’s Books without having met any of its editors. I simply liked this company’s books, so I found the submissions guidelines in my “Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market” and sent it off–but not before praying over it.
I placed my hands on top of my manuscript, and I prayed:
Father, I thank You for calling me to write for children. I pray that this manuscript arrives safely and ends up in the right editor’s hands at the right time.
I thank You, Lord, that Your Word says that You’ve crowned me with favor, and I believe I am walking in that favor today and every day. I give You all the glory and honor. In the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.
After sharing this story and prayer with the class, I could tell not every one in the room agreed with praying favor over a manuscript before submitting it.
“You asked if there were any tricks to getting a manuscript into an editor’s hands, right?” I said.
“Well, I don’t have any tricks. I simply do all that I know to do–work on my craft, write the best story I can, find the best publisher for that particular story, and most importantly, pray for the Lord’s supernatural favor that is promised to us as His children.”
I always pray favor over every piece of writing that I submit for publication. In fact, I pray favor over every aspect of my life. It’s not a formula; it’s simply putting God’s Word to work in my life.
It works because God’s Word never returns empty. And, it’ll work for you, too, because God is no respecter of persons.
With that in mind, here are three ways you can begin walking in the Favor of God–the F.O.G.
1) Draw near to God for favor and success.
Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
It’s important to let your love and devotion be first and above all else unto the Lord. In other words, you don’t seek after favor. You seek after the Favor Giver–make sense?
Live to be a blessing to others and the blessing will come to you. You can’t out-give or out-bless God. Confess: “Today I will be a blessing to the Lord. Today I will be a blessing to others.”
2) Keep a positive outlook.
Don’t allow tough situations to determine your future. Keep a positive outlook. Expect good things to happen! God can give you favor–even when you’ve been WAY off in the past.
Think about David in the Bible. He wasn’t exactly a model citizen. He slept with another man’s wife and impregnated her, and then to cover his tracks, he had that man put on the front lines of battle so he would be killed (2 Samuel 11).
Yet God called David a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) and promoted him to king (2 Samuel 5:1-5) and even allowed Jesus to be from his bloodline (John 7:42). Now that’s favor!
3) Praise God for the favor operating in your life.
Praise will change the atmosphere! Begin praising God for His favor in even the smallest situations and give Him credit.
So when your daughter gets the teacher you were hoping for, praise God for His favor working in your family’s life. And, never apologize or downplay His favor and blessings in your life. Don’t be afraid to brag on God.
When you let success live in your spirit, then God will do what you once considered impossible, and you’ll experience the F.O.G. every single day.
To learn more about the favor of God, read this book, “Favor the Road To Success: How to Receive Special Favor with God and People” by Bob Buess. It made a big impact on my life. I hope it will on yours, too.
