An Interview with Dakota Hansen
What made you go into IT
Growing up, I was a stereotypical nerd. I spent countless hours playing video games, running Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and watching the movies and shows that defined nerd culture.
My interest in IT started at a young age when I began fixing my great-grandparents’ computer. In high school, I enrolled in a program that allowed me to attend a local technical institute, where I took IT classes and discovered that this was the field I wanted to pursue. I have been working in the IT industry since 2022.
Where did you got to college?
I began my studies at St. Louis Christian College in August 2019. In 2022, the college merged with Central Christian College of the Bible, where I continued my education while also participating in a partnership program with Indiana Wesleyan University.
I earned a degree in Christian Leadership and Cybersecurity.
What jobs have you worked?
I have worked in a variety of roles since I was 16. One of my favorite positions was serving as a security officer during my time at St. Louis Christian College. I currently work as an IT Technician II at Learfield.
What experience do you have?
Great Question! You can find my resume here!
Are you single?
I am thankful to have met my wife while attending Central Christian College of the Bible. She is the smartest person I know and continues to push me to be better every day. We were married on October 11, 2025.
You're an Author?
Yes, I primarily write fiction. I’ve loved storytelling since I was a young child and spent years writing short stories on online forums such as Reddit.
In December 2017, I had a dream that I wrote into a six-page short story and shared online. Something about that story stayed with me, pushing me to expand it into a longer piece and eventually turn it into a book. From 2018 to 2021, I dedicated time to learning how to write, edit, and publish a book from the ground up. That process led to the release of a 76-page short novel titled After, which was published through Amazon in February 2022.
By July 2022, I realized the book wasn’t where I wanted it to be. I spent the next six months rewriting it, ultimately renaming it Echo’s of the Past and securing a wide release across major retail platforms. While modest in sales, the book was a meaningful milestone and allowed me to break even on the project. Click here for more info
My goal moving forward is to release one book each year. My next novel, The Days That Followed, is planned for release in fall 2026, with more information available here.
Exho's don't you mean Echoes?
Great catch. Yes, the plural of echo is echoes. However, the spelling of my book title, Echo’s of the Past, was a deliberate choice made for the story. I am currently working on expanding the project into a trilogy, and if everything comes together as planned, that choice will make perfect sense in the context of the series.
Who is your publisher?
I am currently unpublished and self-publish my work under my own imprint, Hansen Publishing.
When releasing Echo’s of the Past in 2023, I spoke with several literary agents who shared a common perspective: publishers want confidence that a book will sell at least 3,000 copies. Without a proven track record, established credibility, or a publisher willing to take a chance, securing a traditional publishing deal can be difficult.
That said, it is easier now than ever to self-publish and place books in retail stores. The tradeoff is that self-publishing requires taking full responsibility for quality, from editing and design to marketing and distribution.
How can I self Publish
Self-publishing is both incredibly easy and surprisingly difficult. Here’s how I recommend getting started.
The first step is to write. The only way a book ever gets published is if the manuscript exists. It doesn’t matter if the first draft is bad. You can always fix it later.
Once you finish, congratulations. You’ve accomplished something most people never do for one reason or another.
The next step is hiring an editor. You generally get what you pay for, but there’s flexibility depending on your budget. After editing, I strongly recommend having someone review your book who is willing to be honest and critical. This can be a professional reviewer or someone you trust. Tough feedback helps you learn how to accept criticism and improve your writing based on what does and doesn’t work for readers.
After revisions, your book will need to be properly formatted to meet publishing standards. Once formatting is complete, hire a cover artist. While budgets can vary widely, investing in a strong cover is important since it’s often the first thing a reader notices.
When everything is ready, you have several publishing options. Kindle Direct Publishing is the easiest and places your book on Amazon. If you want wider distribution, services like IngramSpark or Draft2Digital can help get your book into additional retail stores.
This is a general overview, but it should give you a solid understanding of what it takes to self-publish successfully.
How can I contact you?
If you are wanting to contact me about my writings you can email me at hansenpublishing@pm.me
If you are wanting an employer wanting to contact me about a job opening you can email me at contactdakotahansen@pm,me