What’s your pen name?
Dillon Bancroft
Tell me about your most recent book you’re writing and the title.
The book I’m currently writing now has the working title of “Out of My Head.” It’s book 2 in the Sage Creek series and follows the “brother’s best friend” trope. It is also a military romance, so we’re going to be exploring the hero’s transition back into civilian life. What I CAN tell you: it’s excruciating.
Tell me about a trope you love writing.
Hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, Forbidden Love. There’s something about that kind of love that makes you root for the main characters just a little harder. It’s wrong but you can’t look away!
Is your book in a series? What’s the series called?
It is! It’s book 2 in the Sage Creek Series. Book 1 will be published in January and it is titled “Make Me Dream.”
What books are similar to yours that other readers might know?
Emilia Finn has four series that all interconnect with each other. I don’t think our stories are the same, but they are similar in the fact that the Sage Creek series will be interconnected with future series that I’ll be writing later on. (If that makes any sense)
What’s the best advice you’ve received about writing?
There’s two pieces of advice I find myself constantly going back to.
- Don’t think of writer’s block as a blockage. Think of it as sewage. Sewage is easier to get rid of than a blockage. It’s all about how you frame it in your mind. Sewage can be cleaned!
- After you’re finished writing your manuscript, give yourself at least a week or two before you go into self-edits. That way, you have some space from it and can edit with fresh eyes.
If a comedian changed the name of your book title to something sarcastic, what would it be?
I’m going with my published book, Back and Forth for this one: In and Out [I definitely asked my husband for help on this question. Did not disappoint.]
Where’s the coolest place one of your characters has traveled to?
Annie, my heroine from Out of My Head is a travel writer. So she’s been to a whole bunch of different places. One that I’m super mega jealous of is her trip to the Maldives! I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve read articles, but she’s got to experience it in the flesh.
What’s the last book you bought and how did you hear about it?
The last book I bought was Misery by Stephen King. I was reading Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody and she uses Misery in one of the beat sheets. It had me hooked.
Have you ever done a book signing? Why or why not?
I have not! With the pandemic, it’s been a little challenging to be able to do one. But with the launch of Sage Creek, I’d love to do one!
Have you ever attended a writing conference? Which one?
I have! Inkers Con 2021 was an incredible experience. It was all virtual this year (though I definitely will be attending in person for 2022). I’ve also attended the Inkers Mini Con 2021 that was held in either January or February of this year. The classes were absolutely fantastic and inspiring. I tend to fall back on those courses when I hit writer’s block or need a pep talk. I definitely recommend new authors attending it!
How do you support other writers?
To say I have an endless TBR list is an understatement. So when I see books that pique my interest, I add them to my TBR. I’m a mood reader, so I may not get to it right away, but as soon as I do read them, my first stop is writing a review. Where social media is a big deal nowadays, especially TikTok, I’ll make a video review.
I also share a lot in my Instagram stories about upcoming releases. I’ve been asked to co-host a release party this Friday and though this will be the first I’ve ever done—I’d be interested in doing more!
I engage with other authors’ posts as well.
Which was your favorite book you read this year?
Argh! How can I pick just one!? Every Last Secret by A. R. Torre. When I tell you this book had me SHOOK…I can’t even. Beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. She did a fantastic job writing this book. Can’t recommend it enough.
Are your books sold physically in stores?
Soon, but not yet! [Brownie points if you can finish the song]
Do you have a pet who supports your writing? Who is it?
I do! Her name is Charlie and we just adopted her last week. She stays dutifully by my side while I write and is really good about getting my butt out of the chair when it’s time to take a break. She is also named after Charlie Blackwood from Top Gun, so…if that tells you what kind of person I am…
What fellow author would you give a shout-out to?
How can I pick just one? I’ve had a ton of authors who have supported me as I debuted. But for sure, Laura Mowery and MJ Marino are the bomb dot com. We’ve become friends along this journey and the two I turn most to when I’m stuck or just need to vent.
What’s your writing goals for 2022?
I have a pretty jam-packed schedule for 2022. My Sage Creek series will be published all of 2022 and I plan on writing an origin story for my next series that will be published in 2023. This origin story will be a Newsletter Freebie before the hero’s book is published in 2023.
Tell me about a book you’d like to advertise and why?
Make Me Dream is going to be published in January. This was a passion project for me. It took everything I had to make it the story it’s become. It touches on heavy subjects and follows Aria McKenzie, a woman who escaped an abusive relationship to one of the most powerful men in the country and is now being hunted for her silence. This was the book that almost made me quit writing. But finishing it, seeing Aria’s happily ever after is worth every word, every difficult day I spent penning her story. I feel like she’ll resonate with a lot of women. I’m doing a cover and blurb reveal on November 29th, so you’ll be able to get an idea of what her story will be like!
Social media links:
Cassie Swindon 