My Girlfriend is Not the Father
by Dana Hawkins
Released: Mar 26, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Why this book and why now?
This book is inspired by real-life events. The story is about a woman who’s about to become a surrogate for her best friend and his husband, and just so happens to meet the woman of her dreams right before she becomes pregnant. In real life, I was a surrogate for my best friend and his husband, and although I was married at the time, I remember thinking, “can you imagine dating while being a surrogate?” And the inspiration stuck! But many of the scenarios in the book, from injecting shots, to how I felt during the psychological exams, etc. were taken right from my own experience.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
Yes! Both of them. In fact, I understood the women more than I’ve understood some of my other characters. From the sparkly, funny, kind of socially awkward Lucy, to the quieter, more reserved Jade, I would absolutely be friends with both of them.
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
The inspiration from the title is from the talk show Maury Povich where he often had guest on the show find out the results of a paternity test, and he’d say, “You are not the father!” (or “You are the father!”) I remember thinking it would be funny to say, “Your girlfriend is NOT the father!” which then led into the actual title: MY GIRLFRIEND IS NOT THE FATHER
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Schitt’s Creek. I even make a mention in the book of this. I clearly related heavily to the MC, because it is the show I binge watch myself!
Which character do you relate to the most, and why?
Most definitely Lucy, the surrogate MC, as discussed above, is inspired by my real-life events. A lot of her thinking about carrying for someone else was the same as mine during that time. (Have I mentioned this book is deeply personal?!)
If your book had a scent, what would it smell like?
It would smell like shampoo and perm solution because so much of the book takes place in a salon!
If your book had an official mascot, what (or who) would it be?
This is easy! Lucy, the MC has a dog, Chucky. The mascot would absolutely be the dog.
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
I am the most chaotic writer. No outline. After chapter 3 or so, I start an outline, but then get sidetracked and go back to writing without finishing the outline. Ten books in, and the process hasn’t changed!
Do you have any writing rituals or habits?
Yes. I have to have my noise-cancelling headphones on and white noise playing. It makes my brain shift from corporate mode to creative mode.
