On George, the Magic Notebook, and the Imagination That Has No Age Limit

Daniel M. Warloch is the pen name of Michael Rowland, a Doncaster-born, Wirral-based author who discovered his writing life at sixty. His middle-grade adventure George and the Magic Notebook — a winner of The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2026 — imagines a boy whose drawings come to life. We spoke about beginnings, imagination, and the long, patient work of finding readers.

DORX Chronicle: Could you tell our readers a little about yourself and your journey as an author?

Daniel M. Warloch: They say there’s a book in everyone. Well, I was sixty before I discovered mine. I started with 9/11: Official Complicity, and since then, my writing journey has taken me in many different directions.

I’ve written nine books under my own name and sixteen children’s books under the pen name Daniel M. Warloch, which is an anagram of Michael Rowland. My stories range from children’s adventures and magical notebooks to true stories, UFOs, and time travel.

I was born in Doncaster in 1949 and now live on the Wirral with my wife, June. At seventy-seven, I’m retired and finally have more time to write. I still have plenty of ideas in my head, so I’m certainly not finished yet.

DORX Chronicle: What inspired you to write George and the Magic Notebook?

Daniel M. Warloch: The inspiration came from a simple question: what if a child could draw something in a notebook and watch it come to life?

George is ten years old, and his mysterious notebook allows his imagination to become reality. But I wanted the story to be about more than magic. It explores friendship, courage, kindness, responsibility, and learning that having the power to create something doesn’t always mean you should.

As the story developed, the idea grew into different Realms filled with magical creatures, strange worlds, and new mysteries. Characters like Puff the Dragon, Sir Croaksalot, and Steve the Dinosaur bring humour, friendship, and plenty of chaos along the way. What I love most is that the world keeps growing. There is always another Realm to discover, another mystery to uncover, and another adventure waiting for George.

DORX Chronicle: Where did the idea of the “magic notebook” come from, and what does it represent within the story?

Daniel M. Warloch: If there is one thing I would like readers to remember about George and the Magic Notebook, it is to never stop using your imagination.

Even at 77, I still find myself asking, “What if?” That simple question can lead almost anywhere. I hope George encourages young readers to wonder, create, dream, and believe in their own ideas.

You don’t need a magic notebook to create an adventure. All you need is a little imagination and the courage to see where it takes you. When you finish the book, pick up a pencil, look at a blank page, and ask yourself: “What if I could draw anything I wanted — what would I create?” Because that is where the real magic begins.

DORX Chronicle: Who is George, and what inspired you to create his character?

Daniel M. Warloch: My writing process has developed naturally over the years. I don’t always know where a story is going when I start. I usually begin with a simple idea, ask “What if?”, and then let my imagination lead the way.

With the George books, I like creating excitement, mystery, humour, and a little danger while keeping the stories warm and suitable for young readers. The characters have also developed their own personalities, and sometimes they seem to take on a life of their own.

I rewrite and change things whenever something doesn’t feel right. For me, the process is about following an idea wherever it takes me and making sure I can bring the reader along for the adventure. I’m also thrilled that George and the Magic Notebook was chosen as a winner of The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2026.

DORX Chronicle: What has publishing this book taught you about yourself as an author?

Daniel M. Warloch: Because George and the Magic Notebook has only been available for a few months, I’m probably too early in the journey to say I’ve had a great deal of reader feedback yet. I have sold a few copies at book festivals, which is encouraging, but when someone buys a book directly from me rather than through Amazon, they don’t have the same opportunity to leave a review. So I’m still waiting for those first reviews to build up.

Becoming an indie author has also taught me just how many people are out there writing books and hoping to find their readers. There are literally thousands of independent authors, all trying to get their stories noticed, and I think many of us secretly dream of becoming the next J. K. Rowling.

But I’ve also learned that writing a book and getting people to discover it are two very different things. You can pour your heart and imagination into a story, but that doesn’t automatically mean readers will find it.

So, at the moment, I’m trying to be patient. I’m proud of George and his magical world, and I believe in the story. I’d much rather build an audience gradually and have children genuinely enjoy the books than chase numbers for their own sake. And when that first child tells me, “I really loved George, and his magical friends,” I suspect that will mean far more to me than any sales figure ever could.

DORX Chronicle: Are there any other writing projects or books you are currently working on or hoping to pursue?

Daniel M. Warloch: My next writing project is Book Three of the George and the Magic Notebook series. Book Two is already available on Amazon, and I’m currently working on the next adventure.

There are still plenty of magical characters, strange realms, and unexpected adventures waiting for George and his friends. I never quite know where the next idea will take me, and that is one of the things I enjoy most about writing. I’m excited to continue the journey and hope young readers and their parents enjoy discovering each new adventure along the way.

DORX Chronicle: What do you hope parents, teachers, and other adults discover when they read the book with children?

Daniel M. Warloch: I hope they discover that childhood is truly a magical time. Children naturally see the world with wonder and imagination, and I’ve always tried to hold on to that feeling myself.

With George and the Magic Notebook, I hope adults can rediscover some of that magic alongside the children they read with. Maybe they’ll even find themselves wondering what they would draw if they had George’s notebook.

Most of all, I hope the books remind everyone that imagination has no age limit. Whether you’re a child, parent, teacher, grandparent, or a 77-year-old author like me, there is always something new and wonderful waiting to be discovered.