Simone Pond's Blog - Posts Tagged "dystopian-fiction"

Radio Inteview about The City Center

My book is picking up some steam--it's good to know other people are talking about it besides me and my father.

People like it, they really like it! (Sally, we'll never let you live that one down)

I just had a radio interview with Cyrus Webb about writing, life and what inspired me to write The City Center. I actually listened to the play back and didn't hate myself afterward.

If you want to hear more from me, you can listen to the interview right here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversa...
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

My first book signing

Years ago I saw an episode of "Sex in the City" - the one about Carrie Bradshaw's book release party.

I've been fantasizing about book signings for years; even before I saw this episode. Not so much for the attention and recognition (maybe just a little), but mostly for the connection to others. It's tough spending so much time alone in your head, wondering if a sentence sounds right, or if a character would really say that -- or if your story is any good. Getting the opportunity to share my words with others is wonderful, but receiving others' words is a true gift.

Today my dream came true: I had my first book signing in Alexandria, Va. It looked nothing like Carrie's, but it was absolutely perfectly me. I hope to do a lot more of these in a lot more cities.

(to see pic visit: www.simonesaysblog.com)
2 likes ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 01, 2013 12:29 Tags: book-signing, dystopian-fiction, new-author, post-apocalyptic-fiction, the-city-center

Author spotlight

I'm being featured on Kit 'n Kabookle. So if you're interested in reading more about The City Center, or my writing process, you can read my interview here:

http://kitnkabookle.blogspot.com/2013...


I love doing author interviews, so if you - or someone you know - is interested in hearing more from me, let me know.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

Author Interview via The Reading Cat

What book genre of books do you adore?
Speculative fiction and memoir.

What book should everybody read at least once?
The Outsiders.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born in Kensington, Maryland - a small town just outside of Washington D.C. I went to the University of Maryland, College Park and moved to San Francisco a week after graduation. After five years, I headed south to Los Angeles where I live today. I came for the opportunity and stay for the weather. I love the city, but my dream is to retire in the small town of Ojai, CA.

How did you develop your writing?
By writing, writing and writing.

Do you find it hard to share your work?
I love sharing my work. When I was in junior high school, I’d write stories in my spiral notebook and read to my classmates. They couldn’t wait to get to class the next day to hear what happened.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is incredibly supportive. My father is my number one blog commenter. I drive my poor friends nuts with my constant requests for their support. I wouldn’t be as inspired to keep going without the love and support of my family and friends.

Do you plan to publish more books?
Absolutely. The City Center is the first in the series. I’m not sure how many there will be total, but I’m staying open to the possibilities.

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
I’m a freelance project manager in advertising. The job requires a lot of organizing, communicating and planning ahead. I’ve become an expert on managing the creative process – with a smile.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Sometimes I fantasize about living in Paris, but then I’d have to start drinking, smoking and eating meat again.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on a laptop at my dining room table. When I start to get cabin fever I go to a coffee shop to be around other humans. I keep a notepad next to my bed and write notes when they come to me in the middle of the night. I learned the hard way that I won’t remember them in the morning.

The City Center
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Science Fiction
Rating – PG-13

Connect with Simone Pond through Facebook and Twitter
Website http://www.simonepond.com/


Original source: http://thereadingcat.blogspot.com/201...
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

Book Trailer - The City Center

Check out my new book trailer: http://youtu.be/nZPeCIJ0dWo
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 01, 2014 14:12 Tags: dystopian-fiction, post-apocalyptic-fiction, science-fiction, simone-pond, the-city-center

Excerpt from The Mainframe by Simone Pond

Today I thought I'd post an excerpt from my latest book, The Mainframe, which releases on December 1st. I hope you'll add it to your wish list so you can see what happens next . . .


Ava awoke from a deep sleep, feeling groggy and half drugged. Her temples throbbed and each cell dragged through her body. She didn’t remember going to bed, or falling asleep. She especially didn’t recall putting on a delicate nightgown of soft satin. She usually slept in a tank top. She sat up and looked around the room to get her bearings. Nothing made sense. Not the enormous king-size bed or the overstuffed feather comforters, or the chiffon canopy hanging over her head. She got out of bed and looked around the room to figure out where she was. Massive crystal chandeliers dangled from the vaulted ceilings. The room was far too opulent to be inside the academy. No, she thought, these chambers are fit for a queen. And she had been here before. A long time ago. A very long time ago. She went over to the windows and peered out to the vast green forest of trees that stretched across the Los Angeles basin all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

“Impossible,” she whispered, leaning against the glass to keep from collapsing.

This was the same room at the Royal Palace where Morray had held her prisoner sixteen years ago. She stood by these same windows just before she made her speech and just before Joseph’s men stormed the Arena and took down Morray. The walls shifted to gray, and the edges of the room closed in on her. She staggered over to the white lounger to sit down and catch her breath. How could she be sitting in a place that no longer existed? Years ago, the New Democracy had demolished the palace. She wondered if she were having a lucid dream or a very pronounced hallucination. It was too real to be a dream––the intoxicating scent of jasmine, the cold marble floor under her bare feet, and the taste of bile in her throat––but the room defied all logic. This had to be an outright lie. It had to be. There was only one explanation and one man who could concoct such a convincing falsehood . . . Morray.
1 like ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 14, 2014 12:01 Tags: book-series, dystopian-fiction, new-book-release, post-apocalyptic-fiction

Why readers make writing so much more fun

I'm down to the last few days prior to the launch of my third book, The Mainframe. I wanted to write a glowing post about how amazing it's been preparing for the launch, but I have to say, it hasn't been pretty -- emotionally speaking. I've been very weird and messy. I'm still eating and showering, most of my friends are still talking to me, and my husband hasn't left me (yet), so that's good.

I've spent the last two months dividing my time between finalizing the production of the book and handling the marketing promotions. At one point I was simultaneously reading four books on book marketing, in addition to ten articles a day. Needless to say, I've done everything in my earthly power to get the word out. Now comes the hardest part: letting go. I have a sticky note on my computer that reads: I am powerless over the outcome. I still find time to debate this point, but I end up reaching the same annoying conclusion -- I am powerless.

My job is to provide my readers with good stories and if I've done my part, they'll do the rest for me. Word of mouth will always be the best form of advertising, and this is something the marketing gurus cannot teach.

Here's why readers make writing so much more fun (I love the outtakes):
http://youtu.be/69FIkM7Eb1M
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 25, 2014 08:46 Tags: booklaunches, dystopian-fiction, newbookrelease, readers, the-mainframe