Meet the Author Behind The Academy Boys

I’m D.W. — but you probably know me as Dakota (yes, like in the book)

I am a debut Queer Fiction / MM Romance author.

I am 35, living in Arizona, with my husband, Justin (yes, like the book) our two dogs (Ollie & Luna) two cats (Bruce & Tony) and my dad (Fred/Papa) after my mom passed away two years ago in October, we came to live with him, and thats where my writing journey was able to ignite again.

I had always wanted to be an author, even as a kid. I grew up with the fantasy worlds we all did, and formed a bond and love with reading, and writing from an early age. I grew up knowing that one day I would have to get a job, and do the things. It just never really fit.

I worked for Starbucks (15 years in total) and it was fulfilling, but something was always missing. I abruptly quit on New Years Eve, and the very next day (January 1st 2026) I sat down and started writing. It came flowing out of me like it had been bottled up for years (which it had). I sat down and wrote the first 10 chapters in two weeks, and then didn’t touch it for six months. Those six months, every day I thought about it, but writers block, imposter syndrome, and anxiety held me back. One day, out of nowhere, a burst of inspiration struck, and I sat down and wrote the last 11 chapters & epilogue in another 3 weeks.

I hired an editor—a blessing that fell from the sky—and the rest will soon be history…