Big "Thanks, but no thanks"

So as you've been following on my blog, I've been attempting to go the traditional route of getting published.

I spent two months revising, editing, and showed chapters to my critique partner. We went through together through the document making several changes to make the story as unique and interesting as possible. I read spent about two weeks working out the query letter, and followed the submission guidelines. 
I sent out about 200 query letters to agents, at least 100 of them had represented my favorite authors, represented projects similar to mine, or some were with some the top agencies. Can you guess the responses.

Yep, big old fat rejections.

Some sent an instant rejection within three hours. The top agent assistants responded with a "not what I'm looking for."One agent I also really wanted to work with told me that my story was interesting, and unique, but didn't think publishing could take on that book. I thought that was a really nice response.

I also had queried a one publisher that only takes unsolicited queries for two months, they were one I had wanted to work with as well, and got a rejection from them as well.

I'm starting to wonder what I should do with this book. I already finished drafting the second book since it's a planned series, and started working on the final book, I've been thinking of self-publishing it. It's such a unique story, and it would be a waste for it to just be sitting on my flash drive for a long time. If I self publish it, I can have all three of the books released in one year, as opposed to waiting for two years to see it available to readers. I'll probably have to investigate more on the self publishing before I decide to do anything.

Changes I'd Make In Gymnastics

The gymnastics world, while it's one of the most watched sports of during the Olympic games, has some of the most craziest rules I have ever heard of and some of them do effect other gymnasts. Here are some of the things I would change.

Tie Breakers and Double Medals

The tie breakers are crazy. At 2012 Olympics Aly Raisman didn't win the bronze medal even though she tied with Aliya Mustafina. Then in 2008 Beijing Olympics Nastia Liukin tied with He Kexin but Nastia was awarded the silver medal due to the tie breaking rules. In the Olympic games before Athens they used to give out double medals, I could understand for the All-Around not giving two golds, but would it kill the FIG to give out two bronze and silver? Come on now folks it wouldn't be too much of a change.


Age Limit

I think the FIG should lower the age limit and here's why. By the time a gymnast reaches reaches the age sixteen, some have either accepted scholarship offers from universities, or some get injured when they get older than sixteen and it's hard for them to get back in their shape from before their injury. Then the gymnast who barely turns sixteen the Olympic the



Junior World's and Junior Olympics

From my perspective is the FIG was to continue to keep the age limit, I feel they should make something like Junior World Championships to be held at the same time of the usual gymnastics Worlds, and a Junior Olympics to be held during the same Olympic year. Here's why I propose these be made into effect.

First Off, because of the FIG's age limit, gymnast who turn sixteen during the Olympic year don't have any international experience. Viktoria Grishina was one example from the Russian Olympics team. I also propose that  Junior World Championships and Junior Olympics be held at the same places. This would not only help the gymnast stand out internationally, but will also give them a shot when being picked for future Olympic teams.

Time to Submit

After successfully completing NaNoWriMo in November. I did not look back at it, or even open it back up until the last week of December. I spent two months revising, and adding in the scenes I wrote off to the side in my spiral notebook so I wouldn't go back and add things in because then I wouldn't have finished my story in time for NaNoWriMo.

I think it's a good time to query agents. I'm sending out 200 query letters. Now this may be breaking the way authors query agents, but who know maybe one of them may like the story.

Cover Reveal: Game. Set. Match by Jennifer Iacopelli

For readers who love the New Adult genre, and who are big fan of sports with a blossoming romance, then this is the book for you! 

Game. Set. Match

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Game. Set. Match. Synopsis:

Nestled along the coastline of North Carolina, the Outer Banks Tennis Academy is the best elite tennis training facility in the world. Head Coach, Dominic Kingston has assembled some of the finest talent in the sport. From the game's biggest stars to athletes scraping and clawing to achieve their dreams, OBX is full of ego, drama and romance. Only the strong survive in this pressure cooker of competition, on and off the court.

Penny Harrison, the biggest rising star in tennis, is determined to win the French Open and beat her rival, the world’s number one player, Zina Lutrova. There’s just one problem, the only person who’s ever been able to shake her laser-like focus is her new training partner. Alex Russell, tennis’s resident bad boy, is at OBX recovering from a knee injury suffered after he crashed his motorcycle (with an Aussie supermodel on the back). He's hoping to regain his former place at the top of men’s tennis and Penny’s heart, while he’s at it.

Tennis is all Jasmine Randazzo has ever known. Her parents have seven Grand Slam championships between them and she’s desperate to live up to their legacy. Her best friend is Teddy Harrison, Penny’s twin brother, and that’s all they’ve ever been, friends. Then one stupid, alcohol-laced kiss makes everything super awkward just as she as she starts prepping for the biggest junior tournament of the year, the Outer Banks Classic.

The Classic is what draws Indiana Gaffney out of the hole she crawled into after her mom’s death. Even though she’s new to OBX, a win at the Classic is definitely possible. She has a big serve and killer forehand, but the rest of her game isn’t quite up to scratch and it doesn’t help that Jasmine Randazzo and her little minions are stuck-up bitches or that Jack Harrison, Penny’s agent and oldest brother, is too hot for words, not to mention way too old for her.

Who will rise? Who will fall? 

Told from rotating points of view, GAME. SET. MATCH., is a 'new adult' novel about three girls with one goal: to be the best tennis player in the world. 




Without further or due, the AMAZING COVER!

The author is also hosting a small giveaway.

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