Daniella Blue

Hey there! I'm Daniella Blue, and I write emotional YA and NA romance that dives deep into the competitive world of elite athletics. (Yes, all those years of being a swim team kid finally paid off!)

You know how some people say write what you know? Well, I spent over a decade with chlorine-damaged hair and perpetually pruned fingers, so the pool deck feels like home. While I never made it to the Olympics myself (unless you count watching religiously from my couch every four years), I've always been fascinated by the intense pressure young athletes face when their entire lives revolve around a singular goal.

My debut novel, "Treading Water," follows eighteen-year-old Olympic swimmer Natalie Collins as she navigates the crushing weight of expectations, friendship, first love, and learning that sometimes life has other plans for us. I wanted to explore what happens when the one thing you've built your whole identity around starts to crack. (Spoiler alert: there's hope on the other side, but the journey isn't always pretty.)

Writing has always been my escape, even back when I was logging those early morning practices. Between sets, I'd be plotting stories in my head about the drama unfolding on deck. Trust me, you haven't seen real drama until you've witnessed a relay team meltdown right before finals! Those experiences definitely show up in my work, though usually with a lot more swoony moments than my actual teenage years contained.

When I'm not writing, you can usually find me teaching creative writing at the local community center, attempting to keep my houseplants alive (current success rate: 42%), or rewatching Olympic swimming highlights while my cat judges my enthusiasm. I'm also slightly obsessed with collecting fun swim caps – my office wall is basically a museum of silicon and lycra at this point.

My stories tend to feature: - Strong female athletes who are learning to be strong outside their sport too - Complex friendships that feel real (because let's face it, teenage relationships are MESSY) - Sweet-but-steamy romance (nothing too explicit – I want my younger readers' parents to still let them read my books!) - Mental health representation that doesn't shy away from the tough stuff - Characters figuring out who they are beyond their achievements

I believe in writing stories that show young readers it's okay to question the path they're on, to need help sometimes, and to redefine success on their own terms. Life isn't always about winning gold – sometimes just staying afloat is victory enough.

For readers of "Treading Water," I promise you'll find: - Heart-wrenching friendship dynamics - A swoony romance that develops naturally (no insta-love here!) - Authentic look at elite athletics and the toll it takes - Family dynamics that'll make you feel ALL the feelings - A main character who's learning that vulnerability isn't weakness

I'm currently working on my second novel (hint: we're leaving the pool but staying in the world of competitive sports), and I can't wait to share more with you all soon! In the meantime, you can find me on Instagram sharing writing updates, behind-the-scenes peeks at my research (yes, I still hit the pool sometimes for "authenticity"), and pictures of my cat interrupting my writing sessions.

To my readers: thank you for trusting me with your time and emotions. Your messages about how Natalie's story resonated with you mean everything to me. Whether you're an athlete, used to be one, or just love a good coming-of-age story with plenty of feels, I hope my books remind you that it's okay to change course and that true strength comes in many forms.

Come hang out with me on social media! I love chatting with readers about books, swimming, life, or whatever's on your mind. Fair warning though – mention the Olympics and I might talk your ear off about my favorite races of all time. (The 2008 men's 4x100 freestyle relay still gives me chills. THAT FINISH!)