"New Adult" Niche: Interview with Sara Daniell (and Kindle Giveaway!)

Sara Daniell, author of Visions and Secrets, is on the blog today for an interview about New Adult books!

Here's a bit about Visions, the first in the series:

"It is Holly's first year in college and the most exciting thing in her life is her classes. She doesn't have any luck with dating and doesn't have many friends.

Her life is terribly boring until she receives a text message from a unknown person. Life as Holly knows it will forever change by responding to that one single text. She isn't too thrilled but will soon find herself falling in love with a complete stranger from another world." (from Goodreads)

And about Sara herself, from her blog:

" 26 year old mother, wife, self-published author, teacher, college student, saved by grace, sarcastic (extremely), love to laugh, hate fighting unless it is for something I believe in. Well that about sums me up. :) "

Now for the questions...

1.) Visions is set during Holly's first year of college. How much did you draw on your own time in college in creating Holly's experience? Are there any incidents that are autobiographical?

I actually attended college completely online with no dorm experience.  It's funny because nothing from my college experience relates to Holly's. It is all totally made up.

2.) What is the most common reaction you receive when you tell people you write New Adult novels?

They ask, "What is that? I have never heard of that genre."  I always tag my trilogy as new adult as well as young adult. I do that because this trilogy will appeal to both genres.

3.) Many traditional publishers are hesitant about taking on NA books. Why do you think this is? Do you see this changing in the future?

Probably because young adult is so popular and taking on a new genre would take time to catch peoples attention.  Traditional publishers are ready to sell and don't like waiting. Plus, a lot of traditional publishers try to appeal to the younger generation of teens.  Teens may not want to read something that says "New Adult" because they want to relate in some way to what they read.  

4.) What, in your opinion, sets New Adult novels apart from YA? From adult? Would you say it's strictly a matter of the characters' ages, or do NA novels differ in other ways?

It only differs slightly, as in the plot.  New Adult, in my opinion, focuses on characters on the "independent" time of their lives.  Not in high school living with parents like most YA novels are. But, like YA, New Adult has drama, romance, and everything else a YA novel as.  Just takes place in a different time in the characters lives.

5.) You're currently in your twenties. What's been the most interesting/exciting/memorable "new adult" experience you've had so far?

Getting married, having children, and graduating college! And of course - self publishing a trilogy!

Thanks very much, Sara, for sharing your thoughts on the New Adult category!

The giveaway:

Sara has kindly offered up Kindle e-books of both Visions and Secrets, so if you would like to be entered to win, please leave a comment with your e-mail address. Anyone who's officially signed up for my New Adult reading challenge gets an extra entry! (You must have already filled in this form, prior to this giveaway, in order to qualify. Please mention that you're a participant in your comment and leave the e-mail address you signed up with.)

The giveaway ends on June 25 at 11:59 pm EST. I'll randomly pick one winner who will receive both e-books.