Sarah Lampkin is a New Adult/Young Adult fiction author from Southern Virginia. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her cat, Fox (who is practically a dog). When she’s not writing, she’s playing video games, rock climbing, or getting ready for hunting season. Sarah began writing over a decade ago with her first novella called Angels: Moon and Sun, which is now being rewritten as Tainted Wings on Wattpad. She draws inspiration from Celtic mythology in her stories and aims to create unique worlds following strong female protagonist. In 2015, Sarah was able to utilize her Dead Dreamer series in her graduate program and graduate with an MA in English.

Somehow Brenna Whit has survived to her junior year at Nephesburg College. Despite all odds, she’s fought against the Gatekeepers and lived. But the battle for the Fade has only just begun.

New pieces have been added to the board.

The Fade opens to the Veil.

And a Shade from the past returns.

With Brenna’s secret out, everyone is after her: dead and living alike. Those from across the sea have come and they’re determined regain control of their broken faction.

Questions will be answers

Fires will be lit

Chaos will reign

Urban Fantasy Magazine: Thanks for chatting with us. I understand this is the third installment in the Dead Dreamer series. When you started the first book, did you know it would be a series right away? If not, what made you realize it?

SARAH LAMPKIN: I wasn’t entirely sure. Originally, I started writing the first book somewhere in 2008-2009 and I had only written half of it, thinking that was enough. But when my dad read it over, he didn’t understand why it was so short and why I didn’t write more. So that inspired me to continue the story, creating the full version of the original TO DREAM IS TO DIE book. By the time I finished writing the story the first time, that’s when I decided it would be it a 4-book series. Wasn’t sure what I’d do, but I was determined to make it 4.

Urban Fantasy Magazine: Are the Dead Dreamer books strongly interconnected or largely self-contained stories?

SARAH LAMPKIN: STRONGLY Interconnected. You have to read the series as a whole to truly understand what’s going on and see the growth and strength behind each of the characters. I reference the previous books, giving a quick catch up, however, it’s just not the same.

Urban Fantasy Magazine: New Adult is, of course, defined by more than just the age of the protagonist. What, in your opinion, are some of the hallmarks of this age category?

SARAH LAMPKIN: For some reason, many New Adult readers/authors seem to think people in their early twenties are sex crazed or searching for their next great love. So when readers tend to find my books classified under NA, they’re a bit confused as to why it’s not young adult. Look, when I turned 18 and moved to college, my experience was drinking and gaming. Dating was NEVER part of my life or agenda. And it’s not Brenna’s. The story is focused on a young girl growing and evolving while in college. Not to mention just SURVIVE college.

Urban Fantasy Magazine: Did any of your own college experiences inspire Nephesburg College and/or Brenna’s world?

SARAH LAMPKIN: HAH, speak of the devil. Yes. Nephesburg College is actually based on Lynchburg College (now the University of Lynchburg) where I received my bachelors and master’s. The town of Nephesburg is pretty much Lynchburg, VA. My characters tend to be a combination of people I have in my life and the parties were pretty much the same (except all the death).

Urban Fantasy Magazine: Authors in general (and especially fantasy authors) often have to do some odd research during their writing. What’s the funniest or strangest thing you’ve ever had to learn about for a book?

SARAH LAMPKIN: I’m not sure about funniest or strangest…I’ve fallen deep into the wiki hole of religions and mythologies many many times and even travelled to Ireland for geographical research. But as for funny or strange…you know I’m really not sure.

Urban Fantasy Magazine: I can relate to falling down wiki holes for sure! Last question. Do you have any other projects in the works?

SARAH LAMPKIN: I have a few things I’m tossing around, but first I need to complete this series and make sure I continue to do a good job at my day job…we need to keep getting paid to eat so I can write.

Urban Fantasy Magazine: Fair enough. Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Readers can find links to Sarah Lampkin’s work (and a special giveaway) below!