Becoming an author is rarely a straight line. Instead, it is often shaped by persistence, rejection, and unwavering belief in one’s voice. Few stories illustrate this better than that of Danni Rowe, a children’s author from Barry, Wales, whose journey to publication took decades but never lost momentum.
In this WriteStats Author Interview, Danni Rowe opens up about her long road to publishing, the influence that kept her going, her creative process, and why she remains committed to pen-and-paper storytelling in a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.
Who Is Danni Rowe? Meet the Children’s Book Author Behind Waster Well
Danni Rowe is a UK-based author who primarily writes children’s stories, while also beginning to explore adult fiction. Living in Barry, Wales, she balances her writing life with working in a nursery, an environment that closely aligns with her passion for young readers.
To date, Danni Rowe has published two books in her Waster Well series:
These books represent not just stories for children, but the culmination of over 20 years of determination, creative growth, and belief in her dream of becoming an author.
Danni Rowe’s Author Journey: How Her Writing Career Began
For Danni Rowe, writing began long before publication. In fact, her first story dates back to the year 2000.
“I started writing my first story in 2000 where it took me 7 years to write as I didn’t have much time to write it.”
However, finishing the manuscript was only part of the challenge. What followed was a prolonged and often discouraging attempt to find someone willing to publish her work.
“It took me ages to get it published as I had tried everything to get someone who would help me to publish my story.”
Despite this, she never stopped believing. In 2022, that perseverance paid off when she was offered a publishing opportunity with Austin Macauley Publishers, an experience she describes as transformative.
“Then I was given a chance in 2022 by Austin Macauley Publishers who wanted to work with me to get my story out there.”
From First Book to Second: Her Experience as a First-Time Author
Once her first book was published, the effect on her creative momentum was immediate.
“From this I then got inspired to write my second story which only took me 5 months to write.”
Compared to the seven years it took to complete her first book, this dramatic shift highlights an important pattern we often see in our WriteStats research: confidence accelerates productivity. Validation—especially after long-term rejection—can fundamentally change an author’s relationship with their craft.
Writing Children’s Books With Purpose
When asked who influenced her writing most, Danni Rowe’s answer was deeply personal.
“When I was growing up I had always dreamed of being an author and my nan had told me never give up on your dreams.”
That encouragement became a mental anchor during difficult moments.
“So she influenced me a lot through encouraging me to carry on no matter what it takes as one day it will happen.”
Even today, that message fuels her motivation.
“I get motivated through remembering what my nan told me which was to never give up as it will happen.”
Inside Danni Rowe’s Writing Process: Why She Chooses Pen and Paper
In an era dominated by digital tools and automation, Danni Rowe’s writing process remains intentionally traditional.
“Whenever I start to write I prefer to use pen to paper as I find it better to jot more ideas down.”
Only after completing a handwritten draft does she move to her laptop.
“Then once I have written my draft I will then transfer it to my laptop.”
Notably, Danni reads around three books per year, a reminder that writing output and reading volume do not always correlate directly.
Publishing Experience and Industry Perspective
After years of rejection, finding the right publisher made all the difference.
“I have built up a good relationship with my publisher where they have listened to what I have to say.”
That sense of collaboration left a lasting impression.
“I am just overwhelmed to have them by my side throughout my experience of getting my books published.”
When asked whether she would recommend her publisher to others, her answer was clear: yes.
A Clear Line in the Sand on AI
One of the most striking aspects of Danni Rowe’s interview is her firm stance on AI in publishing.
“I am against using AI tools.”
She elaborates further:
“I don’t use AI myself when I am writing as I use pen to paper to start writing and I draw all of my pictures myself.”
Even during later stages of drafting, her preference remains unchanged.
“Even when I type up my rough draft on my laptop I still don’t like to use AI.”
This perspective adds valuable nuance to current publishing debates, particularly as AI adoption continues to rise across editing, design, and marketing.
Challenges, Balance, and Defining Success
Although Danni Rowe considers herself a full-time author, writing is not currently her primary source of income.
“At the moment I don’t depend on writing my books to earn a living as I work in a nursery during the week.”
However, her commitment is unwavering.
“I do my writing when I am home, like in the evenings and on all of my days off.”
Her biggest challenge remains rejection, but one she has already learned to overcome.
“My biggest challenge as a writer was being rejected… but I stayed positive and carried on.”
Danni Rowe’s experience aligns closely with what our research at WriteStats shows. In fact, only 1–2% of manuscripts ever get published. As we explore in our blog “How To Beat Publishing Odds: Only 1–2% of Manuscripts Get Published”, persistence is one of the most consistent factors separating published authors from those who stop submitting.
What’s Next for Danni Rowe?
Looking ahead, Danni Rowe has multiple projects underway.
One is a new children’s book:
“I have almost finished a story called Curious Max which is about a dog who gets his tongue stuck to a lamp-post.”
At the same time, she is expanding into adult storytelling.
“I am also working on a romance/nonfiction story for adults where it will have romance, heartbreak and a lot that could go wrong.”
This evolution reflects a growing trend among children’s authors exploring broader emotional themes for older audiences.
The Legacy Danni Rowe Hopes to Leave
Ultimately, Danni Rowe’s goal is simple, human, and deeply relatable.
“I am hoping that everyone will love what I have written and talk about it too as they share what they have read.”
What Aspiring Children’s Authors Can Learn From Danni Rowe’s Writing Journey
The journey of Danni Rowe is not just about publishing books; it is about resilience, patience, and creative integrity. Her story reinforces one of the strongest insights we see in publishing data: success often belongs to those who stay the course the longest.
For emerging writers, her experience serves as both reassurance and proof that persistence still matters.
