Today we’d like to introduce you to Diane Bator

Hi Diane, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I’ve always been a daydreamer and writer. Every summer or bit of spare time, I’d be laying on the floor of my bedroom or out on our back porch creating something. As my kids got older, I’d spend whatever time I had to spare – usually in the waiting room at dentists or doctors, at karate classes, on breaks at work – writing whatever came to mind.
Joining a writing group when I lived in Ontario was the impetus to actually finishing my first novel, The Bookstore Lady, and trying to get a publisher. When I got a stack of rejections, I turned to an online friend for an edit and advice. She made a series of corrections and told me to send it to the late Dawn Dowdle. I had no idea she was a reader for an agent at the time!
After securing my agent, we set to work finding a publisher. I ended up with a small Canadian publisher for my first series. Then a small California boutique publisher for my second series. I was thrilled!
Then came the Tuesday afternoon when the California publisher dropped me. Since I had nothing else with the agent, we parted ways but stayed friends. I was able to work one-on-one with the Canadian publisher – until ten years later when I left them hoping for something bigger.
I created my own company, Escape With a Writer Publishing, and self-published Written in Stone in March 2024 and look forward to relaunching the rest of my 15 books and adding many more!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Absolutely not!
Early on I had a US agent, a publisher in California, and a publisher in Canada.
I wrote many of my novels while working full time and raising three kids. (A big enough struggle!)
The agent stepped out of my relationship with the Canadian publisher to simplify things.
I was dropped by the California publisher because my books didn’t suit their market.
Then the agent and I parted ways because she no longer represented any of my published work.
After 10 years with the Canadian publisher, we parted ways. After learning more about them, I didn’t like the way they did business. All of my books were pulled from every sales venue within 24 hours of my leaving.
I’ve since learned more about self-publishing and have launched my 16th novel.
After a lot of things going sideways in my personal life, I’m now on a whole different track and grateful for both the smooth roads and the lessons along the way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I’m a Canadian mystery author who also coaches other authors, edits novels and stories for other writers, and has a blog called Escape With a Writer, which has become the name of my publishing company.
To date, I’ve written five series: Wild Blue Mysteries, Gilda Wright Mysteries, Glitter Bay Mysteries, Sugarwood Mysteries, and AJ Cadell Mysteries (my self-published books). All of which will be re-launched over the next few years.
Aside from Mystery, I’m working on a romance series and a few YA novels that I wrote when my kids were small and need a serious update! I am also working with a friend on a Fantasy novel, which I hope will come out late 2024 or early 2025.
What sets me apart from other writers is that I don’t write flowery, literary-type fiction. I like the clean styles of Robert J. Parker and let readers create the images of characters in their own minds. I am also a big cheerleader of other writers, which is what led me to how I set up my blog and have gotten to know writers the world over.

What makes you happy?

Writing is the one thing that has always made me happy. Currently, I have a lovely little office that overlooks a creek. Peaceful, yet stimulating. When I write, I escape from everything else in the world – work, problems, family, and so on. I find it easier to go on with my day after a writing session and feel almost cleansed. Since I’ve never had much time to sit and write until now, I’ve learned to write in 15 minute sprints that help move my books along.

My kids are another source of happiness. While we’ve had our share of problems and life has rocked us all more than once, we stand strong and support one another. If my kids didn’t believe in me, I’m not sure I would’ve come this far in my writing life.

Pricing:

• Editing and Coaching is priced in individual basis. depending on what is needed by client.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dianebator.ca/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianebatorauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Bator-Author/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeBator
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHSfj6DI7X5eL2zIn6_2Uw

Image Credits

Image in blue – Amanda Marie Photography