After 6 months of querying and hair-pulling (if you’ve been through it, you know how it goes) I decided to trunk DESTINY GIFT. Some may think 6 months is too little, but I queried a lot and got tons of feedback.
See, DESTINY GIFT got several partial and full requests—I would say a 50% rate—but several only looked at it and said I should make it YA or Adult before trying to query again. That frustrated me. I wouldn’t back down from NA, nevertheless, I realized I should rewrite the whole first half of the thing to pick up the slow pace.
I had began the rewrites of DESTINY GIFT when I saw a pitch contest at Savvy Authors. I remember thinking “hey, what the hell, one more try” …
Fast forward a few months (while I moved from Brazil back to the US and settled my life again and rewrote the first half of the ms): last Tuesday, I got an offer of publication, and now that it’s official, I can tell you …
Destiny Gift, my New Adult Paranormal Romance, will be published by Lyrical Press!
I’m delighted to be working with editor Abby Rose from Lyrical Press, who was the judged of Savvy Authors’ pitch contest*. She understands my story and she wants to see it published as much as I do. We exchanged many emails and we even talked about the Destiny Gift’s sequels and she loves all my ideas! I’m really, really happy to have her on my side for this ride ;)
I can’t believe this is finally happening. I’m still on a dream and I’m afraid of waking up … guys, I’m so happy! This is my first step into the publishing world and oh, am I happy about it!
I want to thank my husband for giving me the sentence that became this whole book. True story. It was, basically, his idea. THANK YOU, LOVE! Thanks to my family who always supported me, to my friends and my lovelies CPs and my NA sisters and the whole writing community. You’re all amazing! And a special thanks to Abby Rose for believing in me, and Renee Rocco for welcoming me into their family!
Signing the papers!
So freaking excited! This is happening! Yay!
Want to know more about DESTINY GIFT? I have an under-development storyboard on Pinterest, I have an interview with my hero, the announcement of being the finalist of a contest, a pitch and the first 150 words used on another contest, and the query and the first 500 words which were used on yet another contest.
Thanks everyone!
Cheers,
*By the way, there are lots of pitches with agents and editors coming on Savvy Authors, you guys should check it out.
Fantastic! Definitely shows you shoudn’t give up on your dream! Especially if everyone is saying no to NA. Congrats and so can’t wait to see it out in the world! =D
Robin Moran recently posted: News to Novels #22
Thank you, Robin!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!! SQUEEEEEE :D I am so excited for you!! Lyrical Press, wow, congratulations!! (((hugs)))
Thanks!! =D
O. M. G. This is GREAT GREAT GREAT news!!! Super excited for you!! :)
Lynn Rush recently posted: Four-Word Interview: Zoe Morgan
Thank you, Lynn!!
*Party!* Congratulations! I’m so freaking happy for you!!!
Jani recently posted: An encounter of the Steampunk kind
Thanks, dear!!
That is so awesome! Congratulations. See, always still to your guns.
Alex J. Cavanaugh recently posted: Epic Ninja News, Movie Review, and Kela Thinks I’m Famous
Thanks, Alex!
Congrats! Awesome news. Abby’s my editor as well. She’s amazing! Welcome to the Lyrical family :)
Woot, team Abby! Thank you!
Big Congrats! I’m so excited for you!!! :) Enjoy every moment!
Thank you, Rachel!
Juliana, that is wonderful news! A huge congratulations :) You didn’t give up and it shows.
Ryan King recently posted: Poesy Du Jour
Thank you, thank you! I won’t ever give up ;)
Congratulations! That’s awesome. ^_^
Mason T. Matchak recently posted: On Love Triangles, Again. (Sort of.)
Thanks, Mason!
Oh, my gosh, Juliana… Congratulations! That’s fantastic news, and I’m thrilled for you! I love New Adult, so of course I’m very much looking forward to reading your book. Congrats again!
Thank you, Katy! That means a lot ;)
I am so happy for you Juliana. I’m glad to hear that you stuck to your guns and you found the right home for Destiny’s Gift. You are going to be published. This is awesome!!
Remember how I emailed you last week about how someday I will get to say I know a famous author? You are making it happen. :) I feel honored to be part of TEAM Juliana. Yeah!
Most of all, your hard work, dedication, and beautiful writing has inspired me beyond words. Seeing your dreams come true makes me feel like wow.. maybe someday this could happen for me too, (if I work as hard as Juliana.)
Congratulations!!!!
Andrea
Andrea recently posted: Book in a Month Pt 18: Writing Dialogue
Awww, thanks for the kind words! I’m so happy to be sharing this new phase with you! Thanks so so much!
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you. Enjoy being on cloud 10 and keep us posted on release dates and everything. Can’t wait to read it!
Heather Reid recently posted: Changes
Yup, cloud 10 it is! Thanks, Heather ;)
That’s awesome! Congratulations! :D
Thanks, Nicola!
Congratulations!! That’s so wonderful!
Thanks, Rachel!
So very excited!!! Contests are awesome! You deserve this so much. You’re such a strong lady and it couldn’t have happened to anyone more awesome :D Congrats sista!!!
Victoria recently posted: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!" Blog hop!
Aw, thanks sister! It means a lot!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That’s very exciting and an inspirational story, too! :D
Susan F recently posted: Hair Smoothie
Thank you, Susan!
Squeeeeee! I’m so excited about this. Congratulations again, Juliana! :D
Squeeeeeee too! Thanks, Carrie!
Congratulations Juliana! So happy for you :) I can’t wait to read DESTINY GIFT now :)
EM Castellan recently posted: The Fantasy Novelist’s Exam by David J. Parker
Thanks, Em!
HUGE congrats! Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Becky!
Juliana, I am so excited for you!!! Way to go, staying true to your dream and NOT GIVING UP!
Jenny Hansen recently posted: Inside the Life of A Preemie Parent + Book G!veaway
Thanks, Jenny!
I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! That’s fantastic news! I also think it’s amazing that you’re sticking to New Adult. I hope you’re spending the day celebrating. Enjoy your new home at Lyrical Press :D
Lauren Garafalo recently posted: The I’m Alive ROW80 Check In
Thanks, Lauren! I celebrated on Friday, when I signed the papers! But I guess I’m still on cloud nine ;)
That is such awesome news!!!! Congrats!!!! :D
Thank you!!
Congratulations Juliana! This is fantastic news and I’m so happy for you.
ilima recently posted: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Blog hop
Thank you, Ilima ;)
WooHooooo!! Congratulations, Juliana!! I wish you every success for the future. :D
Colin recently posted: Sunday Devotional: Matthew 6:10a
Thanks!!! ;)
Such wonderful news — many, many congrats to you. Hope you are basking in happiness!!
-GC
Gina recently posted: Harper Teen Plays Dress Up
I am! Thanks!
What a lovely publication story, Juliana! And I’m so happy that I got to be a part of it. As you know, and said, I love your voice and Destiny Gift and am excited to continue to work with you on this. Such amazing talent! I’d like to add my Welcome to the Lyrical Family!
Aw, Abby! I’m so excited too! Thanks!
Congratulations Juliana!! That’s really exciting. :)
Thanks, Ghenet!
Woo-hoo! Fabulous news, Juliana. Congratulations. Couldn’t happen to a sweeter person!
Julie Glover recently posted: A Belated ROWnd-Up: #ROW80
Aw, thanks Julie! =)
Congrats, Juliana! That is awesome news. Another win for NA!
Thank you, Michael! ;)
Hi Juliana,
That is so awesome. Congrats to you! I am so excited for you.
Enjoy it.
Thank you, Sydney!
Major congratulations, Juliana! That’s fantastic news. It’s great to see more and more NA writers getting book deals! :)
Danya recently posted: "New Adult" Niche: Interview with Jennifer Echols
AAAAAAAAAAAH! So so so excited for you!!!! Congratulations!!!
Jessa Russo recently posted: INTRODUCING ARIADNE – Murder Mystery Blogfest
I am sooooooooo happy for you! You totally deserve this! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
Yay, Juliana!!! That’s wonderful news. :)
Jaime Morrow recently posted: Oh, Canada Day Giveaway
Congratulations, Juliana! I’m so excited for you! :)
Nadja Notariani recently posted: Lucky Seven?