Those of you who are die-hard SD Simper fans may notice that the book cover featured in this post is not one you recognise. That’s because it’s not released yet! Eve of Endless Night is coming soon and doesn’t it look exciting?
For now, however, check out the rest of SD’s books, and her interview below!
Hey SD - tell us a little more about yourself! Who are you and what do you do?
Hello! I'm SD Simper, and I write sapphic fantasy, horror, and romance, usually focused on monster (or at least non-human) love interests. I've been married for almost seven years, and my wife and I live in pink house in Arizona. We're definitely cat people, but we did add a Great Dane to our feline menagerie (much to the cats' chagrin, but she's a good dog). Aside from writing, I love gardening, music, and martial arts.
How did you become an author?
My journey is pretty wild, but ultimately I just stumbled into it the way I've stumbled into all my other life endeavors. My mom is an author, so writing had always been an acceptable way to pass the time growing up, and when I was twelve I wrote My First Fantasy Novel™️ (as most baby authors do). That said, I wasn't because of any dreams of being published. It was because my friends were doing it and I wanted to fit in.
When I was fifteen, I fell into the fan fiction world and devoted my energy there, just as a hobby. When I was in my early twenties, I applied on a whim to be an intern at a small publishing house - and got the job, despite having zero qualifications (remember, kids: 50% of success is just showing up). I got a firm foundation for how publishing works there, and was eventually promoted to being an editor. However, despite liking my job, I saw firsthand how creative control can be completely stifled in the traditional publishing world as well as how editor roulette can make or break a book. Around this time, I had a short story published in an anthology, but was forced to change fundamental aspects of it if I wanted to be included. I chose to and regretted it ever since.
In any case, despite all that I still didn't have author dreams. It was something I enjoyed but never really considered a future with. But a few years later, I starting writing what was supposed to be a short story that evolved into something bigger and shared it with my friends. I somehow finished it, and one of them told me, "This is good. You should do something with it."
And I did (eventually). That book became Among Gods and Monsters, the second in the Fallen Gods series.
Who’s your favourite character that you’ve ever written?
This is difficult to answer, because I often enjoy writing different characters for different reasons. There are characters whose journeys I love and cherish and have adored watching evolve, there are characters who have resonated with me on deep, personal levels, and then there are characters who are just so entertaining to me personally and who light up every scene they're in.
The character that I think best embodies all three of those for me, however, is Staella, the Goddess of Stars. She's hilarious, she tragic, and her story has touched a lot of people.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I absolutely do. The solution (for me) is to work on a different project. But if that doesn't work, I force myself to write something, even if its nonsense. The act of typing will often trigger the creativity you couldn't access before.
What do you consider to be the hardest part of writing?
For me, the patience required to finish a book. It's frustrating hitting a creative wall and needing to mull things over before continuing, but it's just part of the process.
And how about the most rewarding?
Something I told myself when I published my first book was that the day I received fan art would be the day I had truly made it. To be able to inspire creativity in others is a really magical feeling. (And I keep my first ever fan art framed on my desk to remind me of that.)
What is one piece of advice you wish you had listened to, either in life or with regards to being an author?
I wish that I had learned earlier that it's okay to ask for help, both in life and in being an author. It's okay to ask for advice, and it's okay to admit that you don't have all the answers.
Is there anyone you’d like to highlight, while you’re here?
I have to boost my bud, Anna Burke. She truly has some of the wildest, most out-there concepts I've seen in lesbian fiction, and I can't recommend her enough if you're looking for something dark and a little different.
How can people connect with you?
Here's my linktree.
You should join my newsletter. I'll send you free novellas!
Finally a light-hearted one. What ice cream flavours and toppings would you put together in your ultimate sundae?
I'm allergic to milk :( But I'll make you the best dairy-free chocolate lava cake you've ever had instead!
If you enjoyed this interview, then make sure you’re following my social media accounts (@kblakemanwriter on Twitter and @katherineblakemanwriter on Instagram) to get all the latest updates! And if you want to support my own Sapphic Fiction journey while you’re here, The Summer We’ve Had is available now, and Love You However is coming on March 22nd!
