A Conversation with author Holly Schindler

Holly Schindler is the author of four traditionally published books. Her work has received starred reviews in Booklist and Publishers' Weekly, and has been featured on Booklist's Best First Novels for Youth and School Library Journal's What's Hot in YA. Fifth Avenue Fidos, her first independently published book, is out tomorrow. I invited her to answer some questions about it.

But first -- a brief synopsis of this New Adult Rom-Com with "Bite."

Mable Barker, a hilarious good-natured sweetheart who is always the pal but never the girlfriend, endures nine horrendous months of unrequited love while bouncing between lackluster NYC jobs. When she meets Innis, an ill-tempered Upper East Side Pekingese, Mabel assumes her dog-walking days are numbered and she'll have to head back home with her tail tucked between her legs. Innis belongs to a veterinarian, Jason Mead, whose awkward ways around women have him dreaming about breeding Westminster champions instead of finding love for himself. When Mable and Jason meet, romance is officially unleashed. Mable could very well have what it takes to be a professional handler. As Jason and Mable get closer to putting a new twist on the term "dog lovers," outside forces threaten to come between them. Will they let their burgeoning love roll over and play dead? Or will they rally to make sure Innis emerges as the leader of the pack?

Brimming with humor and endearing characters, Fifth Avenue Fidos offers a sweet romance and modern-day fairy tale in which dogs, not dragons, rule the land...a story about the loves that help us realize our dreams.  To order the book, click here.

JK: Welcome, Holly! On your website, you say that you like to write for different age groups. Do you start with the idea and then figure out which age is most appropriate? Do you ever switch an idea to a different age group?

HS: Actually the generation of the idea usually coincides with what age group it's most appropriate for. My main character is, of course, the strongest factor in determining the age group.  But that doesn't mean my original idea always sees the light of day. Both of the books I released in 2014 were originally drafted in other age categories. Initially, The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky (my MG about a young folk artist) was a picture book. I thought illustrations depicting the wild sculptures Auggie makes from found items would be wonderful! But editors thought the concept of folk art was too advanced for picture book readers, so I turned it into an MG novel. Feral began as an MG mystery. The descriptions got so dark that I knew I needed to bump it into YA. But that meant I had to ditch my original main character. She was SO thirteen. (I still love that character, though. I keep brainstorming ideas for books to put her in.)

JK: New Adult is a comparatively new category. How do you define it?

HS: I think of New Adult as the old "Friends" TV show. Young people trying to figure their way out in the adult world.

JK: What have you enjoyed most about writing for this age group?

HS: Actually I drafted this book before New Adult was a category. When it was first submitted, editors said that the book was well done. One said, "This needs to be published." But they didn't know what to do with it. It wasn't YA, it wasn't adult. Even after New Adult became a well-read age category, Fifth Avenue Fidos was continuing to break the mold. This is a sweet comedy--not overtly sexy, no graphic erotica, not about college life. Editors were hanging onto it, trying to find a place for it, and were unsuccessful.

But that's what makes Fidos perfect for the indie platform. There are books that just don't fit the traditional publishing agenda. Certain works are better suited for the independent world. Fifth Avenue Fidos is one of those books.

JK: "A Rom Com -- with bite" is such a clever description! I love using animals as characters too. Is there a difference between creating a human and an animal character?

HS: I've had animals my entire life––only spent three of my thirty-eight years without one. I have a Peke myself named Jake. He was the original inspiration for Fidos. Innis is really based on him. I drafted the book shortly after Jake came into my life eleven years ago! This is obviously a book I've long wanted to get into the world.

JK: I'm so impressed that you have published this as an indie. Do you have any advice for those who want to go this route?

HS:There are certainly benefits and drawbacks to both the traditional and independent platforms. I've just gotten my toes wet in the indie world myself, and feel as though I'm only beginning to explore what's possible. One of the earliest lessons I learned is that the independent author community is incredible. Welcoming and forthcoming about what they've tried, what their process was, what worked, what didn't. They're also quick to offer technical guidance. I'd suggest finding an online forum--through Facebook, etc.-- and jumping into the conversation.

As far as the technical aspects are concerned, I used Scrivener, which allowed me to format both .mobi and .epub files. I'm pretty in love with Scrivener--can't wait to draft my first book from start to end on it. I also recommend Ed Ditto's book on using Scrivener to format your e-book. How to Format Your Novel ... In One Afternoon

Most of all, if you're curious about the indie world, just dive in! Have fun--that's why we all came to writing in the first place, right? Because it brought us incredible joy.

JK: What's next?

HS: I'm currently writing Play It Again, the NA sequel to my YA romance, Playing Hurt. I'm delighted that I get a chance to spend more time with Chelsea and Clint! The official release date will be announced on my newsletter. To get the announcement,sign up here.

JK: Thanks, Holly! I can't wait to read these books!