Interview with Author Michael Rowland (aka Daniel M Warloch)
Author Michael Rowland aka Daniel M Warloch is an award-winning author who has two serious novels and a true story under his real name, Michael Rowland and seven children’s books and seventeen children’s short stories under his pen name Daniel M Warloch (anagram of Michael Rowland). He lives with his wife of 50 years in a small village of Oxton, close to Liverpool, the home of The Beatles.
His first book, 9\11: Official Complicity by Michael Rowland was published in 2010, and the second in the series – 9\11: Blank Canvas in 2021. In 2019, he published a true story – Morocco or bust August ’69 by Michael Rowland, which is about six friends and I, who back in 1969 decided to go on holiday to Morocco in a clapped-out van …
“The reason for the pen name is because I didn’t want to associate the serious books with my children’s work.”
Lately you announced that your children’s novel – The Key to Survival by Daniel M Warloch (aka Michael Rowland), has been nominated in the TCK Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 under the YA category (12/16). Also nominated in the TopShelf Indie Book Awards 2021. Tell us more about both these nominations.
For any of my books to be nominated is what every author wants and at the same time knowing that my peers have enjoyed reading those works and accepting them as being good enough to be nominated in the first place. Over the last three years I have been fortunate to be nominated in several awards, and in 2018 I was chosen as the Best Children’s Author by the Wildfire Magazine in America.”
TCK Publishing started as a small independent publishing company in 2011. Ten years later, they continued to publish meaningful books that they hope will educate, inspire, and entertain old and young readers alike. They publish fiction and non-fiction in a wide range of genres and markets.
TopShelf Magazine has received critical acclaim from some of the biggest names in the industry and our TopShelf Book Awards have been judged by many of those very same folks, as well as members of the world’s largest literary organizations, ‘big-five’ publishers, renowned publicists, and countless other industry professionals.
Tell me more about your latest book – The Key to Survival
The story begins when twelve-year-old Jake Hollywood finds an envelope on his way to school. As he touches the envelope, a stream of white light burst from it, blinding him. When he finally plucks up the courage to open it, he discovers a newspaper inside the envelope: TITANIC SINKS FOUR HOURS AFTER HITTING ICEBERG.
Moments later, he finds himself in the bowels of the ill-fated ocean liner, and over a hundred years in the past. Armed only with the knowledge of what will happen if he does nothing – and a mysterious Key he finds in the maze of corridors – Jake must try to save the ship, while being chased by someone who will do almost anything to stop him. So, book your ticket, and board the doomed ship …
Even if he does save the Titanic, will he ever manage to return to the present?
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
I have always been fascinated about the sinking of the Titanic, so, I thought it would make a good, edge of the seat children’s novel and a history lesson. It was also made easier for me as there is a Titanic exhibition in the Maritime Museum in Liverpool.
The Key to Survival is Part One in the Jake Hollywood Trilogy. All three books are an edge of the seat story and a history lesson.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
At the age of 72 it makes my brain work … LOL. I wouldn’t say a spiritual practice, but after spending a great deal of time writing a book and then having an actual copy in your hand, makes it all worthwhile.
How many books have you written so far?
Titles by Michael Rowland
9/11: Official Complicity
(Nominated in the 2021 TopShelf Indie Book Awards)
9/11: Blank Canvas
(Nominated in the 2021 TopShelf Indie Book Awards)
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Morocco or bust August ‘69
(Based on a true story)
(Winner of the TCK Readers’ Choice Awards 2020 in the Memoirs category and Nominated in the 2021 TopShelf Indie Book Awards and the cover won the TopShelf Book Cover Award 2019 in its category)
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Children’s titles by
Daniel M. Warloch:
The Leap Year series
Leap Year
Leap in The Dark
Leap of Faith
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Christmas Presence
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The Jake Hollywood series
The Key to Survival
We Are Not Alone
Three Shots Rang out In Dallas
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The Holly KissKiss short stories
Rudolph’s Little Helper (A picture book)
A Little Bird Told Me…
(Winner in the 2021 TCK Short Story Awards in the Children’s Category)
The Show Must Go On…
A Puppy Dog’s Tale
A Holly Jolly Holiday
Color My World
Spooktacular
(Chosen as one of the Top Ten Best Fall Reading 2021 by the award-winning journalist and author – Fran Briggs)
A Heart of Gold
Sticks and Stones
Holly Saves Christmas
Holly’s Circus Treat
Stories Paint Perfect Pictures
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
(A collection of wacky poems for children)
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The Little Davey Series
Achieving Your Goal
Living the Dream
Practice Makes Perfect
Overcoming the Odds
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What’s the best way to market your books?
Over the years I have visited several schools in the UK and Scotland, doing workshops with children, and book signings in several Book shops, but I tend to market them on Amazon. I have been interviewed on local and national radio in the UK and in America, which helps to promote my books.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
I, along with thousands of other Indie authors around the world are vying to be noticed and to have that lucky break. But it’s very hard, and may I add, expensive. It can cost hundreds of dollars to have your manuscript edited, but it’s very difficult to sell the same amount in books.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
“No one else sees the world quite the same way you do, so share your unique perspective…”
If I can write a book, anyone can. Just read a lot and write whenever you can, and over time it gets easier, and rewarding. Plus, the books I have written required a great deal of research which I loved and opened my eyes to what happened all those years ago. And when you get fantastic comments from children, saying they loved my books, makes the time and effort rewarding.
Lots of people ask me what my writing technique is, and I tell them it’s like building a house. I start at the bottom and work myself up to the top, building the story at each level. In fact, I must edit the manuscript dozens of times. I tend to have the ending worked out before I start, then I spend a great deal of time on the first few paragraphs, as I like my readers to be hooked as soon as possible.
“In the eyes of a child, the world is an enchanting place, and that is the reason I haven’t grown up. DMW”
Visit Author Michael Rowland book links: –
www.facebook.com/michael.rowland.790
Kindly vote for The Key to Survival by Daniel M Warloch (aka Michael Rowland) for the TCK Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 under the YA and Middle Grade category (12/16)
LINK https://www.tckpublishing.com/2021-readers-choice-voting-page/
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