Good afternoon, friends and readers. This post is a bit of an experiment: a book review and a chance to hear from Simon himself about his author journey and thoughts on No Adults Allowed. You can listen to the podcast interview below or read a selection of the transcript. I also recommend signing up for Simon’s Substack to read Tales from the Triverse.
Author Interview: Simon K Jones
Ever wished you could peek into the mind of a published science fiction author? Now’s your chance! We're taking a deep dive into the world of sci-fi and fantasy writing today, with Simon Jones. Known for his compelling futuristic book "No Adults Allowed" and his online Triverse series, Simon generously shares his journey of eight years in online writing.
Discover Simon's multi-fantasy universe as he discusses the structure and themes of his books and how his storytelling style has evolved. We also scrutinize the unique challenges and opportunities of writing on Substack, the influence of VHS tapes on storytelling, and the limitations of Netflix shows.
This episode is a gold mine for aspiring writers and science fiction readers. We unmask the nuances of the Wattpad and Substack communities, the commitment it takes to read a book versus watching a video, and how it shapes readers' reactions. And if you want to know how Simon crafted "No Adults Allowed", we've got that too.
Audio Highlights
(0:00:01) - Simon K Jones on Writing Sci-Fi
Simon discusses the value of writing in a serial format, the advantages of writing science fiction, and how fantasy allows the exploration of topics like race and sexuality.
(0:06:48) - Transitioning From Wattpad to Substack
Simon discusses the journey in writing his first book, his experience of the Wattpad and Substack communities, and the process of publishing "No Adults Allowed".
(0:13:28) - Book Structures and Storylines
Simon reflects on how his stories are structured like a TV show, exploring the advantages of eBook purchases and the influence of VHS tapes on storytelling.
(0:20:07) - Dystopia & Parenting in Sci-Fi
No Adults Allowed explores AI algorithm-driven parenting, children transitioning to adulthood without adult influence, and difficult topics such as sex and death.
(0:26:06) - No Adult Book Characters
Simon discusses his favourite character, Eric, exploring their strengths and weaknesses, and the power of giving young characters agency.
(0:31:45) - What next?
We discussed transitioning works to Substack and Simon’s next steps with the Triverse series.
Notes and transcript produced with the help of Podium. Recorded with Zencastr.
Book Review: No Adults Allowed
Rating: 4 stars. A good book with well-drawn characters and a twist to the ending.
For fans of Peter Pan, The Hobbit, Lord of the Flies, The Book of Eli, and After Earth (film).
Why you will enjoy it…
Most end-of-the-world scenarios are depressing. Everyone is dead, the buildings are crumbling; hot water and dentistry are a fever dream and it’s a Grim Struggle for Survival. I have no idea why Hollywood has made a fetish out of the lone human struggling against the odds as a moment’s thought will how unpleasant (and short) that life would be.
So, it’s refreshing to find a book where the end of the world isn’t a disaster, but a reset. Simon K Jones presents us with a hypothesis where the worst has already happened and you have a community of children growing up without conflict, religion, or regret. Their basic needs (food, education, safety) are met by The Temple and the main cloud on the horizon is adolescence. Two of the eldest boys Tommy and Henry have started to butt heads over the direction of the village and most of the teenagers are thinking about sex or romance in some way. It’s worth noting that the oldest is sixteen so no one has any idea what an adult looks like – or, for that matter, a live baby. It’s a strange state of being that screams out to us as readers, but is accepted by everyone in the village (even if they know it doesn’t make sense). There’s a feeling that it’s time to branch out; to discover more of the world and find other people. Every character is well-written and they feel like real kids, rather than small adults. You have the camp followers, the risk-takers, the leaders, the snarky kid, the dreamer, the scientist, and the annoying six-year-old. No one is a saint and you can see the expedition to the outside world taking shape around the different personalities.
The Temple falls silent.
The Temple is not a religious site, but a place of education (via a knowledge board) which also regulates electricity and helps the community to grow food. So, when it goes dark, the children have a big problem on their hands. I won’t share the resolution, but it does involve a long trek, murderous AI, synthetic creatures, several different tribes, and a very high wall. Throughout the story, the tone is upbeat and there’s a satisfying conclusion.
Why it will annoy you…
You will want to smack the AI in its motherboard. Despite its power, the machine side is a young entity, slowly coming to terms with the fact it’s not perfect or infallible in the most terrible of ways. The kids also make a lot of mistakes due to inexperience, leaving you to wince as they cope with the fallout. You’ll come away from the book with more respect for our world and a touch more paranoid about computers in general.