My guest today is Simon Rose,
an author of science fiction and fantasy novels for children and young adults,
with a recent novel, Future Imperfect that will thrill
your socks off. I met Simon some time ago through his awesome show, Fantasy Fiction, when we discussed
science fiction, ecology and why we write.
I recently had a chance to invite Simon aboard my intelligent ship, Vinny, orbiting the Earth. An SF veteran, he didn’t blink an eye when I
suggested the crystal-beam transporting device to get us aboard (it makes even
me a bit squeamish). After settling in the aft lounge with some pockta juice,
and a gorgeous view of Earth, we began the interview:
SFgirl: Tell us about your latest novel.
Simon: Future Imperfect is an exciting technology-driven
adventure featuring teenage geniuses, corporate espionage, and mysterious
messages. In the novel, we’re introduced to Andrew Mitchell,
who was one of the leading experts in highly advanced technology in Silicon
Valley, until he vanished following a car accident, which also injured his
son, Alex. When a mysterious app later appears on Alex’s phone, he and his
friend Stephanie embark on a terrifying journey involving secret technology,
corporate espionage, kidnapping, and murder in a desperate bid to save the
future from the sinister Veronica Castlewood.
The story will appeal
to all young readers for whom technology plays such a large role in their
lives, whether it’s cell phones, laptops, tablets, gaming, or the online world,
but it’s also a very compelling adventure story, with lots of cliffhangers,
twists, and turns.
SFgirl: I think it’ll be more than young readers enjoying it, Simon. Where can
people buy Future Imperfect?
Simon: Future Imperfect is available at local bookstores, online at Amazon Canada, Amazon USA, Indigo/Chapters, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK, and other locations, and
autographed copies can also be purchased directly from me via my website.
SFgirl: You called me prolific once, but after seeing your collection,
I think you’re the prolificest … Is that a word? Anyway, tell us about your
other novels for young adults.
Simon: Future Imperfect is my tenth novel for young adults. The other
novels include The Alchemist's Portrait, The Sorcerer's Letterbox, The Clone Conspiracy, The Emerald
Curse, The
Heretic's Tomb, The Doomsday
Mask, The Time
Camera, The Sphere of Septimus, and Flashback. I’ve also written more than 80
nonfiction books for children and young adults, but have also written books for
adults. These include The Children's Writer's Guide, The Working Writer's Guide, The Social Media Writer's Guide, School and Library Visits for Authors and Illustrators, Exploring the Fantasy Realm, and Where Do
Ideas Come From?
SFgirl: What are you working on now?
Simon: My previous novel, Flashback, is a
paranormal adventure involving psychic phenomena, ghosts, imaginary friends,
mind control experiments, secrets, conspiracies, and time travel with a
difference. Flashback has two sequels coming out in 2017,
one in the spring and the third installment in the summer. These are already
completed but there will be revisions and editing along the way later this
year. I’m developing plans for some sequels to The Sphere of Septimus and Future imperfect may generate more adventures too. I’ve also
recently completed a parallel universe trilogy, which I’m currently exploring
publication options for.
SFgirl: What kind of marketing and promotion do you do?
Simon: I’m in all the usual places online and on social media but I’m also active
in the local writing community and conduct book signings at local bookstores on
a regular basis. In the spring I was at the Calgary
Comic and Entertainment Expo and also connected with readers at schools and libraries in
Montreal and Quebec City during Children's
Book Week. In August I’ll also be appearing at When Words Collide in Calgary.
SFgirl: I’ll see you then; I’m going too! So, what do you do besides write?
Simon: I work as an instructor for
adults at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. These classes
and courses focus on writing for children and young adults or preparing your
work for publication. I also offer coaching and editing services for writers in all genres and
conduct online writing courses, such as Writing for Children and
Young Adults and Writing Historical Fiction. I write screenplays, articles for
magazines, and offer copywriting services for websites, blogs, social media,
and businesses.
SFgirl: Simon, do you have any advice for new authors?
 |
| Simon Rose |
Simon: Writing is in some ways the easy part. It can be a very long
process not only to write a book, but also to get it published. Most authors go
through many revisions before their work reaches its final format. Remember too
that your book will never be to everyone’s taste, so don’t be discouraged. A
firm belief in your own success is often what’s necessary. After all, if you
don’t believe in your book, how can you expect other people to?
Read as much as you can and write as often as you can. Keep an
ideas file, even if it’s only a name, title, sentence or an entire outline for
a novel. You never know when you might get another piece of the puzzle, perhaps
years later. You also mustn’t forget the marketing. You may produce the greatest
book ever written. However, no one else is going to see it if your book doesn’t
become known to potential readers. Be visible as an author. Do as many
readings, signings and personal appearances as you can. Get your name out there
and hopefully the rest will follow. Especially for newly published authors,
books don’t sell themselves and need a lot of help.
SFgirl: Excellent advice! Where can people learn more about you and your work?
You can visit my
website at www.simon-rose.com or subscribe
to my newsletter,
which goes out once a month and has details of my current projects and upcoming
events.
SFgirl: Thanks so much for joining me on Vinny, Simon.
Simon: My pleasure, Nina.
SFgirl: You didn’t finish your pockta nectar…
Simon: It was … interesting … but I’m on a cleanse right now.
Well done, Simon! You
can find Simon on the following Social Media links:
Pinterest
Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of award-nominated speculative novels, short stories and non-fiction. She is co-editor of Europa SF and currently teaches writing courses at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for the latest on her books. Nina’s recent book is the bilingual “La natura dell’acqua / The Way of Water” (Mincione Edizioni, Rome). Her latest “Water Is…” is currently an Amazon Bestseller and NY Times ‘year in reading’ choice of Margaret Atwood.
Nina Munteanu is an ecologist and internationally published author of award-nominated speculative novels, short stories and non-fiction. She is co-editor of Europa SF and currently teaches writing courses at George Brown College and the University of Toronto. Visit www.ninamunteanu.ca for the latest on her books. Nina’s recent book is the bilingual “La natura dell’acqua / The Way of Water” (Mincione Edizioni, Rome). Her latest “Water Is…” is currently an Amazon Bestseller and NY Times ‘year in reading’ choice of Margaret Atwood.
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