I am so excited to hear that two of my good blogging friends and one who is a dear sister to me, Dan Antion and Willow Willers, have been collaborating and have co-authored a book! How exceptional is that? I had a quick catch-up with them both to find out how the process worked!
How was it, coauthoring? Wasn’t it hard?
Dan: The co-authoring experience is something I hoped would be an interesting topic to discuss. It was a first for me for anything longer than a short story. Willow’s role turned out to be quite different from what I imagined it would be, but I couldn’t be happier with how it worked out. At first, I thought I would write the poems, and I thought I knew what I wanted them to say. When I realised I wasn’t capable of doing that, I reached out to Willow. I expected she would provide poems-on-demand, for lack of a better term. In the very first poem, Willson Barcroft’s prayer card, Willow’s effort changed my mind. She gave the Poet an edge that I didn’t expect, and that changed the way I thought about the character, and it changed the book.
Willow: Well, I found it easy… I found I easily got what needed to be expressed in the poetry. I discovered we could easily discuss things and that the miles between us didn’t create barriers. Dan was clear and concise in what he wanted the poet to say. In fact, he made me feel involved in the running of the plot… and of course it helped that I loved the plot, which was so different from Dan’s previous books. I love all his books, and through reading them, I really felt I could suss out where Dan’s story was going. Plus, all the familiar characters were a great comfort. Then, after a short while, I felt I had become the poet… He got inside my head. I was worried that Dan might not like some of my poetry but to my surprise he did as much as I liked the plot …being able to be open and discuss everything was a great help.
Dan, why Willow?
Dan : “Why Willow?” At the point where I realised I needed the help of a poet, Willow had just completed her series on child abuse. I knew the poet I would work with had to be comfortable with dark topics. I wasn’t sure she’d be interested when I first asked her. Her reply made me so happy; I knew at that moment that this was going to work. I also knew that I wouldn’t complicate the process by trying to box Willow into any arrangement.
Willow, how long did it take you to decide to accept the co-authorship of the Book?
Willow : Aha! Well, Ritu it took me … 5 minutes!
Did either of you find this process difficult?
Dan : Not at all, not in the least.
Willow: Absolutely not.
Well, this all sounds amazing, and the book is due out on June 11th! Keep your eyes peeled for a review!
The Blurb
Trevor Barcroft is convinced that mystery/true crime author Brody Thompson wrote the scene in which Trevor’s father Wilson Barcroft was murdered. What should be a simple answer to this five-yer-old crime is one that neither the police nor the FBI want to uncover; and one Bernie Bouchard doesn’t want his young investigative reporter, Rascal Todd, digging into. Warned to stay away from the investigation.. Brody and Trevor begin a dangerous quest, led by the musings of a mysterious poet who has been hiding in plain sight for decades. What does the Poet know that keeps him in hiding? What did Wilson Barcroft know that got him killed? Why can’t Brody walk away from a meaningless and dangerous pursuit?
Author Bios
Dan Antion’s Bio
Dan is retired from a 42-year-long career in systems development and other technology and began writing his first book the next day. He’s married, the father of one child, and although there are no pets around today, he and his wife have had four Irish Setters and a handful of Tuxedo cats over time. Dan is the author of the Dreamer’s Alliance Series and the Rascal Todd Mysteries. When Dan isn’t writing, you might find him in his woodshop, working around the house, or walking around with a camera. He also might be having a beer with friends and some of those encounters have inspired the fictional bar stories on his popular blog—NoFacilities.com
Author page: http://relinks.me/DanielAntion
Blog: Https://noFacilities.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:ptjdluuxckfau3dnaihh2sn5
DAntionYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNHXESp0LosdxjU-7elOu3g
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danantion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dantion/
Willow Willers’s Bio
London born Willow Willers is retired and lives in Berkshire, Southern England. Along with her husband and a steady stream of foster dogs mainly Guide Dogs for the Blind. Willow is mother to three sons all grown and flown and two fast growing grandsons.Writing, poetry and prose have always been her passion in fact she wrote her first pieces before she was eight. After two life changing accidents Willow started writing in earnest and has found it a life saver. You can find willow at willowdot21.wordpress.com
Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Willow-Willers/author/B0DZD1TNZX
Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/share/16AwsHVCqk/
Blog at wordpress.https://willowdot21.wordpress.com
But I Smile Anyway... 