Get to know author Daniel M Warloch
Daniel M Warloch is an anagram of Michael Rowland. Michael was born in 1949 in Doncaster, and brought up in Yorkshire. Over the last 14 years Michael has lived and worked in the Wirral with his wife of 40+ years, June. He is now retired and enjoying writing children’s novels and short stories.
Michael worked in the printing industry for over 50 years, dealing on a daily basis with ‘blue chip’ clients such as Avon Cosmetics, British Gas, British Airways to name just a few. The Holly KissKiss short stories have been written for children with learning difficulties and autism in mind. Other themes include, child poverty, bullying, homelessness and Stranger Danger to name just a few.
Ramona: Tell me more about your latest book.
Daniel M Warloch: My latest novel is The Key To Survival, (A Jake Hollywood adventure) which is a time travel adventure with a twist, and a history lesson.
I am currently putting the finishing touches to the sequel, which is called – We Are Not Alone.
The Key To Survival is a vividly descriptive historical fiction about the Titanic, targeted towards middle-school age children and up
I won’t give anything away, but there are a number of clues throughout the story, which will be made clearer once the series comes to an end.
I am fortunate, living close to Liverpool, where the Titanic exhibition is on show at the Maritime Museum. I spent many hours researching about the fateful liner and I hope when you read the book you will get a feeling of what it must have been like on the Titanic.
So as the synopsis says on the back cover … “So book your ticket, board the doomed ship, and find out if Jake will be able to change history, or find out why he was chosen to be transported back in time, as the Titanic crosses the Atlantic Ocean, on its way to New York…”
My younger brother, Andrew Rowland, designed the cover.
Ramona: What was the most challenging aspect of writing?
Daniel M Warloch: I left school at 15. I didn’t enjoy going to school at all. In fact I spent most of the time fooling around, instead of studying. That being the case, I now find it difficult writing, and if it wasn’t for the spell check, I would be lost.
But as they say – ‘Practice makes perfect’.
As far as the most challenging aspect is concerned, it’s the research. But I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s challenging. More gratifying, especially researching about something that’s happened in the past. In the case of the research about the Titanic, when I delved into the archives, I was astounded by some of the facts that I wasn’t aware of.
The Key To Survival is what you could call Faction. It’s a fictional novel with actual facts about that fateful night. And what I have written is only the tip of the iceberg. No pun intended.
Ramona: Being you’ve been awarded Children’s Author of the Month in the May 2018 issue of Wildfire Magazine, what exactly motivated you to become an author?
Daniel M Warloch: As far back as I can remember, I have always had a book in my hand. And in those 60+ years, I must have read hundreds. They say there is a book in everyone? And in my case I was 60 before I wrote 9/11: Official Complicity.
I am proud to have received the award for Children’s Author of the Month, especially from my peers.
I can also add, that The Key To Survival, Rudolph’s Little Helper, A Little Bird Told Me, Leap Year, Spooktacular and The Show Must Go On, were chosen as one of the Top Ten Best of Summer/Autumn/Winter Reading 2017/2018 by the award winning author and Journalist – Fran Briggs.
Ramona: Your book – The Key to Survival has been nominated for the 2018 Readers Choice Awards Contest by TCK Publishing. What does this nomination really mean to you?
Daniel M Warloch: Here again, being nominated by my peers tells me I must be doing something right.
Awards showcase any author’s work, in addition to reviews on Amazon etc., which to be honest is difficult to get.
Also, being nominated and winning awards reaches out to agents and publishers. But to date the only publishers who are interested in my work are asking for me to pay them, which to me defeats the whole object. But I’ll keep trying. More information on https://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Jake-Hollywood-Adventures-Book-ebook/dp/B01M9I7SPM/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543152446&sr=1-3&keywords=daniel+m+warloch
Ramona: During your writing career, you’ve been using a pen name as Daniel M Warloch. This has a connection with your first novel 9/11. 9/11: Official Complicity, as you didn’t want to associate a serious novel with your children’s work. Can you elaborate further about this curiosity fact?
Daniel M Warloch: Good question. I was made redundant on the day before 9/11, and when I witnessed the tragic scenes on the TV, it put MY life in perspective. Yet having said that, over the next few weeks, and months, I came to the conclusion the information coming out the USA was NOT stacking up. So with that in mind, I spent a great deal of time researching the events of that terrible day.
The more I researched the more I was convinced 9/11 was an inside job. So in 2008 I flew to New York to do some in-depth research, plus I read a great deal of documents and books.
Then in 2010 I self-published 9/11: Official Complicity.
I am proud to say that Dr. David Ray Griffin, a retired professor, and who has published several books about the September 11th attacks, has endorsed my book. Dr. Griffin has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Because the novel was a serious topic, I didn’t want to associate it with my children’s novels and short stories, and that is the reason for the pen name of Daniel M Warloch, which may I add is an anagram of Michael Rowland? More information on https://www.amazon.co.uk/11-Official-Complicity-Connecting-Dots-ebook/dp/B07933H6L3/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543155737&sr=1-1&keywords=Michael+Rowland
Ramona: What brought you to write all your books?
Daniel M Warloch: After writing the 9/11 novel I was hooked. So I then wrote my first children’s novel – Leap Year. Then I wrote Christmas Presence, and then it went on and on.
Rudolph’s Little Helper is my only picture book to date, as being a self-published author, its very costly to have your illustrations done professionally. In Rudolph’s case, Joshua Mitchel-Taylor approached me, asking if he could do the illustrations and split the royalties 50/50, which I wholeheartedly agreed.
Over the years I have done a number of workshops at schools all over the UK and Scotland. In fact, at the school in Scotland, I read to over 300 children over four classes. I read Rudolph’s Little Helper to the young ones and they loved it. And when I brought out a cuddly toy reindeer, the children went wild, all of them wanting to cuddle him. Him being Hopper.
During another class, three boys held up a copy of The Key to Survival. I asked them if they were enjoying it, and all three said ‘it was awesome!’ They loved it when I signed the books for them.
The following week I received dozens of letters from the children, along with a second invite to the school by the head teacher. Writing for children is most rewarding, and when I see dozens of smiling faces looking up at me as I am reading to them, all sitting still and clinging on to every word I’m saying, makes my time and effort all worthwhile.
It was when I was doing a workshop at the local school; I met a young boy who was on the spectrum. He was sat at the back of the classroom, with a teacher, and at the time, I didn’t know why, and it was only when it was question and answer time, I was told the young boy was autistic. But I did notice during the workshop, he gradually made his way towards me and began to take an interest in what I was reading.
He actually came out with a great question. I mentioned to the class that I write things down when I am outside, and he asked me if I took pictures on my cell phone of things as a reminder, to make sure the description was life-like. Great question, don’t you think? Anyhow, the boy left a lasting impression on me, so over the next few days I wrote him a short story … The Snowflake Trail. And he, along with his siblings, and his parents may I add, loved it.
It was then I decided to publish it on Amazon. Shortly after that I read an advert in the local newspaper asking for people to come to a open day at the Autistic Society, adding that they were recruiting people who wanted to make a positive change to people’s lives.
The job appealed very much to me, but I didn’t have the necessary experience or qualifications, working with people on the spectrum.
I knew nothing about autism, yet I went to the open day and met the friendly staff at the society. And when I told them about my background, and more importantly I was a children’s author, they welcomed me with open arms. They encouraged me to go for an interview, which I did the following week, and I was offered a post. I then spent three months training to be a Service Provider.
Since August 2016 I have been caring for a gentleman with Asperger’s, taking him shopping twice a week and visiting garden centers. And I am proud to say that since we met, his life has changed for the best. He now makes his own meals and saves enough money to go on day trips and spend the Christmas holidays at hotels in the South of England.
Ramona: How many books have you written so far? List and name them all here.
9/11: Official Complicity by Michael Rowland
By Daniel M Warloch: –
Leap Year
Christmas Presence
The Key To Survival
Rudolph’s Little Helper
A Little Bird Told Me
The Show Must Go On
A Puppy Dog’s Tale
Holly Jolly Holiday
Tricky People
Spooktacular
Color My World
A Heart of Gold
Sticks and Stones
Stories Paint Perfect Pictures
The Snowflake Trail
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
Due in December 2018 – One Good Turn Deserves Another.
I also have in manuscript form, the second and third novel in the Leap Year series and the manuscript for the second and third novel in the Jake Hollywood series.
“My Holly KissKiss short stories are particular important to me because there are very few books on the market aimed at children on the spectrum, and these stories are designed to keep their attention without being confusing.”
Someone asked me last week what my dream was. And my answer was to be a best selling children’s’ author, and for ALL of the Holly KissKiss short stories to be turned into picture books.
“In the eyes of a child, the world is a magical place, and that is the reason I never grew up.” DMW
Ramona: What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Daniel M Warloch: Hey. If I can write a novel, anyone can! I like to think I write in pictures. In fact, I try and envisage the novel being a movie. Try and put in as much description as possible so that the reader feels as though they are taking part.
There have been occasions when I have acted out some scenes at home to try and make sure it comes across correctly. I get ideas from words and listening to people. Make sure you ‘hook’ the reader on the first few pages. If not, like me, I’ll put the book down.
I read the first few pages of my three children’s novels to twenty children a few days ago, and after finishing, they ALL wanted to buy the book, because they wanted to know what happened next.
If you want to write a short story or a novel, go for it, and don’t be put off with people saying you having got it in you. You may be interested to know, that I edit my work at least 50 times, until I am satisfied that the manuscript is ready to be professionally edited, which I advice you to do.
A quote from the best selling author Stephen King: –
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”
Visit Daniel M Warloch book links:-
Daniel M Warloch personal website www.danielmwarloch.com and facebook www.facebook.com/michaelrowland.790
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