Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Lucy Score
Lucy Score is a Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Small town contemporary rom-coms are her lady jam and she enjoys delivering the feels with a huge side of happily ever after. Her books have been translated into several languages, making readers around the world snort laugh, swoon, and sob. Lucy lives in Pennsylvania with the devastatingly handsome Mr. Lucy and their horrible cat. In her spare time she enjoys sleeping, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and reading all the romance novels in the universe. Her next major rom-com, Maggie Moves On, is forthcoming from Hachette Books.
How did you first get started in writing and what has your writing and publishing journey been like?
Growing up, writing had always been a hobby for me. I’ve loved books since before I was in kindergarten. In 2014, I dabbled with self-publishing a novella that was eventually picked up by a small label publisher. I went on to write five novels for them before going fully indie with the help of Tim AKA Mr. Lucy (my handsome partner in life and publishing) on the business end. I’ve been a full-time author since 2015. All twenty-five+ books until this point have been indie and I’ve been blessed to be a Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Kindle Store bestseller. Several of my titles have been translated into other languages.
Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score (Hachette Books)
“I’m not allowed to do anything but write for those twenty-five minutes…unless the house catches fire.”
What is your creative process like? Any special rituals, habits or practices?
I have a strict routine to help me put words on the page. I barricade myself in my office, break out the noise canceling headphones, cue up my writing playlist, and set a timer for twenty-five minutes. I’m not allowed to do anything but write for those twenty-five minutes…unless the house catches fire. I repeat that until I hit my daily word count goal or my quitting time. Or until Mr. Lucy pries the keyboard out of my hands.
Has the journey from self-publishing to publishing with a major trade big five publisher felt gratifying? Do you feel there are benefits in moving toward traditional publishing?
You’ll have to ask me that once my first traditional book comes out! I’m wildly proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish as a successful indie author. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to experiment with traditional publishing to see if it can introduce me to a new audience. I’m thrilled that what I’ve been doing on my own is good enough to catch the eye of the Big Five. Not gonna lie, I’m probably going to embarrass myself the first time I see my book on a shelf in a store!
What has it been like in working with Alex Logan and the team at Hachette Books in publishing your forthcoming novel?
Alex has been great to work with. She’s very knowledgeable, patient, and obviously has incredible taste! That being said, I haven’t seen my first round of edits yet, so you may find me curled in the fetal position under my desk once those roll in. Send tacos and alcohol!
Any good books on your nightstand at the moment?
Always! On my nightstand currently are The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman, Legacy by Nora Roberts, Atomic Habits by James Clear, Out of the Blue by Kathryn Nolan, and Reel by Kennedy Ryan.
How did you find your way to Trident Media Group and then go on to get published?
Exploring traditional publishing hadn’t really been on my radar until I got your email, Mark. But after we had our Zoom call, Tim and I decided it was an opportunity worth exploring. Let me tell you, taking a few months out of my indie publishing schedule to write a book that might not see the light of day for ages was a terrifying leap of faith! But thankfully, you quickly made it worthwhile by drumming up interest from multiple publishers and bringing me a great deal. So thanks for that!
“…we’re in for some blockbuster romantic comedies in the next few years.”
What do you think will be the next big thing in women’s fiction/romance books, or in rom-coms?
Readers are expressing an exciting interest in older heroines and more significant diversity in romance. Combine that with the world feeling like it’s ready to laugh again and I think we’re in for some blockbuster romantic comedies in the next few years.
Can you tell us what you are thinking of writing next?
My lips are zipped on the specifics. But I will say it involves a rough-around-the-edges small town, a grumpy hero, and a plucky heroine thrown into a hot mess of a situation.
Do you have any advice for hopeful writers looking to become published authors?
Explore your options and go with what fits you best for where you are now. Traditional publishing may make more sense for you currently and indie may suit you better in two years. Or vice versa. Publishing is changing all the time and writers have the ability to be flexible and adapt. So keep your options open, do your research, and don’t be afraid to shift gears.
Can you finish this sentence? I love reading because….
I get to try on thousands of other lives.