The Reviews Are In
Covers for all 5 upcoming novels from Michael Simon.
We’re just weeks away from First Command and Extinction hitting shelves, and the reviews are coming in, along with opportunities to share more and more about my experience as a debut novelist.
Claire Barner is a fellow sci-fi author and novelist also signed with Storm Literary:
Leviathan Wakes meets Battlestar Galactica in this high stakes story of survival on the moon of Jupiter. Heart pounding and thrilling, Extinction follows an unlikely leader as he races to save the human race against impossible odds.
This book kept me up at night with its high stakes and heart pounding action as an unlikely leader races to save the human race against impossible odds.
Literary Titan gave Extinction 5 stars and recognized the title with a literary book award. I can’t thank their team enough for this support and feedback.
Extinction, by Michael Simon, is a gripping science fiction thriller set in a future where humanity has expanded its reach into space, establishing colonies on distant moons like Europa. The story follows Lieutenant Ryan Braeder and his crew as they face life-threatening challenges, including an asteroid hurtling toward their colony and the political and interpersonal conflicts that arise within their community. Packed with intense action, layered characters, and thought-provoking dilemmas, the book explores themes of survival, leadership, and the resilience of the human spirit.
One thing that immediately stood out to me was Simon’s knack for creating a palpable sense of urgency. The vivid descriptions of the colony on Europa, juxtaposed against the cold, harsh beauty of space, made me feel like I was right there with the crew. Simon’s detailed account of the frantic repairs and the race against time kept my heart pounding. The writing here isn’t just visually engaging; it’s visceral. The character development is another highlight. Ryan’s struggle with past traumas adds depth to his role as a leader. He’s not just a hero in the traditional sense but a deeply flawed and human one. His flashbacks to a harrowing mission in Africa, where he lost comrades and civilians alike, are heartbreaking and explain the inner demons that drive his decisions. Yet, Simon doesn’t fall into the trap of making Ryan’s pain the only focus. His interactions with his crew, particularly the no-nonsense Captain Tracy and the eccentric engineer Gunner bring levity and camaraderie that balance the narrative.
What intrigued me most were the political undercurrents woven into the story. The civilian Board’s conflicts with the military crew over control of vital resources like the greenhouse provide a nuanced look at the challenges of governance in isolated environments. The debates felt grounded and real, reflecting the broader question of how power and responsibility are shared in high-stakes situations. The tension escalates as the Board’s agenda clashes with Ryan’s duty to protect the colony. I found myself frustrated on Ryan’s behalf during these moments but also appreciating how Simon painted even the antagonistic characters, like Governor Bordeaux, with shades of gray rather than simple villainy.
Extinction is a must-read for fans of character-driven sci-fi. It’s a book that will appeal to anyone who loves space exploration stories with a strong emotional core and thought-provoking ethical dilemmas. Simon’s writing shines with its blend of high-octane action, complex characters, and atmospheric world-building. This is a story that lingers, making you ponder the fragile line between extinction and survival.
I was recently invited to submit a guest article for Review Tales. Here it is!
My Journey By Michael Simon
When you combine a passion for writing with an endless universe of ideas, you will quickly realize that there are simply not enough hours in the day. That’s the position I found myself in for years, trying to juggle a full-time job and the urge to squeeze in a few minutes of frantic scribbling whenever possible.
For most of my life, I devoured science fiction and fantasy. The beauty of the genre was reflected in its lack of constraints; the author was free to world-build at his or her leisure. There were no guardrails, no rules to shackle the imagination. If the plot doesn’t work, simply change the rules. Maybe reverse gravity or add a second sun in the sky. It’s all legal. And the characters’ looks and actions were only limited by one’s creativity. It’s like diving into a pool of chocolate ice cream and flailing away to your heart’s content.
I honed my trade on short stories and celebrated every time a magazine or anthology accepted my work. Contests were especially enticing, and I regularly submitted to ones like ‘Writers of the Future.’
I loved the idea that someone, somewhere, was reading my words and enjoying them.
Fast forward a few decades to when my fledgling novels secured a literary agent, and my books were ‘on sub.’ At that time, self-doubt and imposter syndrome lurked around every corner. Was the writing good enough? Why would a publisher consider buying my sorry excuse for a novel?When you combine a passion for writing with an endless universe of ideas, you will quickly realize that there are simply not enough hours in the day. That’s the position I found myself in for years, trying to juggle a full-time job and the urge to squeeze in a few minutes of frantic scribbling whenever possible.
For most of my life, I devoured science fiction and fantasy. The beauty of the genre was reflected in its lack of constraints; the author was free to world-build at his or her leisure. There were no guardrails, no rules to shackle the imagination. If the plot doesn’t work, simply change the rules. Maybe reverse gravity or add a second sun in the sky. It’s all legal. And the characters’ looks and actions were only limited by one’s creativity. It’s like diving into a pool of chocolate ice cream and flailing away to your heart’s content.
I honed my trade on short stories and celebrated every time a magazine or anthology accepted my work. Contests were especially enticing, and I regularly submitted to ones like ‘Writers of the Future.’
I loved the idea that someone, somewhere, was reading my words and enjoying them.
Fast forward a few decades to when my fledgling novels secured a literary agent, and my books were ‘on sub.’ At that time, self-doubt and imposter syndrome lurked around every corner. Was the writing good enough? Why would a publisher consider buying my sorry excuse for a novel?
Then lightning struck not once but twice. My agent sold two books, each of which was extended into a series. Exciting times. Scary times. Now, there were deadlines. I had written two books in five years. Now I had to write three more. I went down to work part-time, which freed up time for writing. Every day for two years.
The literary world is definitely intimidating territory, especially to the uninitiated. Revisions and more revisions. I learned the difference between copyediting and developmental editing. I learned how to work with illustration departments to forge wonderful cover art. I learned what ARCs were and the need to ask for reviews.
The process has been arduous and yet extremely rewarding. If I can pull a reader into my sci/fi world and allow them to escape the stress of the everyday world, my job is done.
And yeah, it’s worth it.
Written by Michael Simon