I am beyond elated Shaun Penney agreed to an interview about his award-winning book, The Death of Eve. The book has won a slew of awards, listed below. This is indeed very impressive since Shaun is still so young.
- NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner for Winter 2012 in the category “Science Fiction”
- San Francisco Book Festival 2012 Runner Up in the category “Science Fiction”
- New York Book Festival 2012 Winner in the category “Science Fiction”
- Beach Club Festival 2012 Winner in the category “Science Fiction”
- Halloween Book Festival 2012 Runner Up in the category “Science Fiction”
- New England Book Festival 2012 Winner in the category “Science Fiction”
- London Book Festival 2012 Winner in the category “Science Fiction”
- Los Angeles Book Festival 2013 Winner in the category “Science Fiction”
- Green Book Festival 2013 Runner Up in the category “Science Fiction”
- National Indie Excellence Book Awards 2013 Winner in the category “Science Fiction”
- Foreword Reviews – Book of the Year Awards 2012 Finalist in the category “Science Fiction”
- Reader’s Favorite Book Awards 2013 Bronze Winner in the category “Fiction – Science Fiction”
Can you tell me about yourself?
Certainly! I’m a San Diego native. I’m 33 and live an active and healthy lifestyle. I’ve played guitar in two bands, rock and metal, for a combined nine years. I compose a multitude of original and cover music on my YouTube channel. I enjoy physical training with hopes to become a contestant on next season’s American Ninja Warrior, and I write till my fingers are sore and hate me.
What inspired you to become a writer?
My mother was a poet and encouraged me after I wrote my first book, The Spacekid Who Couldn’t Get Home, when I was in the first grade. Until I was 25, everything I had written was for practice and never saw the light of day until The Death of Eve began to unfold in my mind as my first real endeavor with writing a novel.
How long did it take you to acquire the skills to become a writer?
I’m still acquiring them! I’d say the confidence to write and actually show the world took several years and the ability to toss out all my previous work[s] because they were poor representations [of] what I had to offer in my realm of dystopian fiction.
How many books have you written?
I have three dystopian science fiction novels of the same series available now, with a novella set in the same universe coming this winter 2014.
Some writers go on long walks; others keep a journal, write at a café, or listen to music. What do you do for inspiration and unleashing your creativity?
Everything I write comes from listening and writing music. Movie scores, industrial, symphonic metal, and just about anything that puts the image in my mind. Scenes appear out of those harmonious moments and the rest comes from connecting the dots to fulfill the story’s agenda.
What are you working on now?
I’ve begun work on my next series, Vysim, a dystopian fantasy epic set 1,000 years in our future. I’m also looking to release my own composed soundtrack to every chapter of my first novel The Death of Eve, which can currently be heard on my Facebook page.
Where can readers find more information about you and your books?
I’m still working on a main site, but my Amazon page is available as is my Facebook author page for the latest updates on my work. Thank you very much, Nicole!
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