You are in for a treat today, folks! Dawn (D.W.) Hogan is multi-talented as business owner, mom, volunteer, cat lover, and (arguably most important to us as readers) author. Let’s dive in!
Are there specific moments in your life that inspired your books?
For Unbroken Bonds that moment happened when I was helping a friend of mine find her birth mother who went to a home for unwed mothers. The more I researched those institutions the more I thought, “I’ve got to write a book about this!” When it comes to Intentionally, that’s lots of little moments and my addiction to the Criminal Minds TV series. Based on my fascination with serial killers, I wrote the book I wanted to read.
How long does it typically take for you to complete a book?
I would say, it usually takes about a year to write a book. That does not include the major edits that happen afterward, nor the time it takes to find someone to publish it. It took me 18 years to land a publisher for my debut novel Unbroken Bonds. But I have found that once you break into the publishing industry it is easier to secure interested publishing houses. I have two short stories in two different anthologies; those only take a few months from conception to polished. I will admit wring a short story is much harder for me than writing an 80-thousand-word novel. It’s difficult to build a world and relatable characters in just 3000 words.
What genres do you enjoy reading the most?
I love a good psychological thriller. But I read a wide spectrum of genres. Historical Fiction is also on the top of my list, alongside Women’s contemporary fiction. I typically read 45 to 50 books a year.
What role does research play in your storytelling?
Research is a huge part of my storytelling. It doesn’t matter the genre, being an author entails checking your facts, because most of the time those facts are integral to the story. I do most of my research before I start writing the book, but it is always necessary to look things up as I go along; things I didn’t think of when I began with an idea for a book.
Do you find it difficult to balance creativity with marketability?
Writing the books is fun. Marketing often time feels like harder work. We want our stories to be enjoyed by a larger audience, and at the same time we have to be true to the story we are trying to tell. That means it’s not going to resonate with everyone. Then I try to balance writing the next book with marketing the newest one that has been published. Basically, hope for the best and just keep writing.
Tell us a little about your latest novel.
Intentionally is a psychological thriller that came out May 1, 2025. It tells the story of a budding serial killer who is obsessed with a girl he knew in high school. Darcy Jensen, the protagonist, is running for her life, while formulating a plan to trap the killer and end his reign of terror. It was a fun book to write and the best part is the response, “I couldn’t put it down!” that I’m getting from the readers.
My latest novel Intentionally came out on May 1, 2025. My short story the Sand Dollar is featured in Grief Like Yours anthology came out June 3, 2025.
My short story My Dear Mrs. Packard is featured in the Feisty Deeds anthology which released June 8, 2024. My debut novel Unbroken Bonds came out October 5, 2021.
