Writers and Friendship: Co-authoring a Series

By  Patricia Sands

It has been fifteen (wonderful, for me) years since my first novel, The Bridge Club, was published.

One thought I always express when asked about the best things I’ve learned in this writing world is this: the global writing community is collegial, supportive, encouraging, and all about friendship in the commitment to being the best writers we can be. It’s a privilege to be part of it.

I could wax on, hopefully eloquently, about how I feel about the multitude of authors I have come to call friends … in person and online … nonstop. But that’s not what this post is about.

This is about writing a series with some of those friends.

My new short novel, A New Leash on Life, published on January 1, 2025 and I love seeing it on the header here with so many other great January releases. It is Book Nine in the Dragonfly Cove Dog Park series. I was invited to be one of eight authors contributing to this heartwarming series. The first book contains the prologue and a chapter from each story.

Thanks to Kay Bratt, Tammy L. Grace and Ev Bishop for the concept and bringing us all together to make it happen.

Eight authors collaborating. Who says writing is a solitary pursuit? In this particular series, each book is a standalone. Each author was responsible for their own story but the bones (pun intended) were shared by all: location, breeder, and the details of the birth of the litter of yellow Labrador puppies. Those basic details were shared with all of us on our dedicated FB page and in a Google doc to which we referred and also added some of our own details and ideas. In that way, we were all able to talk about some of the characters from the other seven books and also have our characters interact if we wished.

Restaurants, bars, bookshops, dog parks, walking trails, grooming salon, and descriptions of other details were shared so our characters could meet up from time to time. The Florida setting and surroundings of Dragonfly Cove were well detailed for us.

The basic challenge was to write a story about one particular pup and its new owner.

Writing a series with other authors is a uniquely collaborative experience that combines the strengths and creativity of multiple minds. Each author brings their own voice, ideas, and perspective to the table, enriching the story in unique ways. 

There’s a special excitement in developing shared worlds and characters, where everyone gets to contribute to building something larger than themselves. The back-and-forth discussions, brainstorming sessions, and shared enthusiasm create a sense of camaraderie.

The collaborative process also opens the door to innovation. When working with other authors, you get the opportunity to explore directions and possibilities you might not have considered on your own. We share our stories and bounce ideas off one another, sometimes resulting in surprises that take a story to new, unexpected places. 

These moments of discovery—when a small suggestion from a co-author leads to a major plot twist or an unexpected character development in your own story—are deeply satisfying. It’s an experience that fosters growth, both as an individual writer and as part of a collective effort.

Beyond the creative rewards, writing a series with other authors also offers a sense of connection. There’s comfort in knowing that others are just as invested in the series and characters, especially when encountering inevitable challenges like writer’s block. The mutual support and feedback help keep the momentum going.

 Ultimately, the joy of writing a series with others lies not only in the shared success of creating a rich, multifaceted world but also in the lasting friendships and professional bonds forged along the way. Unforgettable.

I was also part of the group, with many of the same writers as Dog Park, that released the Sail Away Series in 2023. Again, these were all stand-alone stories but each had to be set on a cruise ship. This was also great fun! 

I’ve found working on these series to be an interesting change from writing my usual France-based novels. I love writing my books but both these series pushed me in different directions and they were fun and challenging. We never stop learning about our craft.

I asked some of the other authors involved to share a comment about the experience.

“‘Collaborating with other authors on a series gives everyone the opportunity to share their skillsets and learn from each other.”

“My favorite pate of being in a multi-author series is the creation of characters and settings in a cozy town that we will all share with feel-good sprinkles throughout the books.”

“Collaborations are also a great learning experience. You can learn new marketing strategies and pick up on tips and tricks while you work together to bring the best of what each author does and use those talents wisely for positioning the collaboration to be successful.”

“Authors involved have to be willing to check their egos and their desire for control. Despite the work and sometimes frustrations that come in being part of a larger group, getting in front of new readers is something we all want and strive for and a collaboration may be one of the best ways to do that.”

Here’s all the information about the series which has had a great release so far this week. If you love dogs, you will love these stories.

★ Don’t miss any of the Dragonfly Cove books! Download them all today! ★

Book 1: Pick of the Litter

Book 2: Collar Me Crazy by Kay Bratt

Book 3: Hearts Unleashed by Tammy L. Grace

Book 4: Back in the Pack by Barbara Hinske

Book 5: Loyal & True by Ev Bishop

Book 6: Coming Home to Heel by Jodi Allen Brice

Book 7: Unleashed Melody by Julie Carobini

Book 8: Teacher’s Pet by David Johnson

Book 9: A New Leash on Life by Patricia Sands

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Patricia Sands is the author of the best-selling Love in Provence trilogy and other award-winning women’s fiction: the Villa des Violettes series, Drawing Lessons, The Bridge Club, The Secrets We Hide, Lost at Sea, Book 8, in the Sail Away series and A New Leash on Life, Book 9 in the Dragonfly Cove Dog Park series. A former educator, her first novel was published at the age of 65 and she has been an inspiration to others to follow their writing dreams. 

Her novels have been indie published and also four of them traditionaly through Lake Union Publishing. A long list of awards can be seen on her website. 

Since 2020, she has lived two hours north of Toronto, Canada, and for thirty years she has spent time each year in the south of France. A lifelong photographer, she would love you to follow her on Instagram @psands.stories and her website patriciasandsauthor.com, where there is also a link to her newsletter.

A NEW LEASH ON LIFE

A tale that will leave paw prints on your heart.

Welcome to the dog-friendly town of Dragonfly Cove, where you’ll find plenty of heartwarming moments that blend canine companionship into the everyday lives of ordinary people, to create extraordinary stories. If you loved books like Wish Me Home by Kay Bratt, the Second Chance series by Casey Wilson, and the Guiding Emily series by Barbara Hinske, you will enjoy the books in the bestselling Dragonfly Cove Dog Park series; heartwarming stories of the dogs who rescue us!

A New Leash On Life, the ninth book in the Dragonfly Cove Dog Park series, is a tender story of unexpected change.

Libby Moore has been a caregiver to her loving husband, Don, for three years. An early diagnosis of dementia for Don turned their world upside down. With the help of of PSA’s, Libby was able to continue being a librarian at the elementary school. Evenings and weekends were devoted to Don until it was no longer possible to care for him. Retirement gave Libby options for travel and some free time. Suddenly her son, transferred to Australia for three months, needed a big favor. Could cat-owner Libby take in a new pup for a short time until his family returned to Dragonfly Cove? Libby questions how she would ever adjust to the demands of a dog, even if it was temporary. But she cannot say no to the pleas of her grandchildren. A heartwarming story of how embracing the unexpected with an open heart can lead to remarkable discoveries. Life’s surprises often remind us that beauty lies in unpredictability, and that the best experiences often come in ways we never imagined.

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Tags: . women writers, featured

Category: On Writing