I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Before We Move On. The novel features some fantastic flash sidebars, lovely illustrations, and a beautiful interior design—and that gorgeous cover! Huge thanks to Sally for sharing this story and taking time to answer my questions!
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Myna: Tell us about your new novel! What’s it about?
Sally: Before We Move On is a coming of age ghost story. Kiki and Jesse are teenagers who share a first crush and love for acting. Their relationship is cut short when Kiki drowns after a prank. Those left behind deal with guilt, grief, and loss; while, Kiki navigates ghost life
Cover design: Felipe Betim
Myna: What themes do you explore?
Sally: The core theme is how love and friendship possess the strength to conquer grief. Other themes include “doing the right thing,” bullying, and “What happens after we die?”
Myna: What’s unique about this book?
Sally: The book is written from multiple perspectives, which changes from six people to only Kiki and Jesse. I’ve also included several flash fiction “sidebars” in the novel. They’re supplemental to the storyline, but bring more meaning to the overall book.
Myna: When a reader finishes the last word in the book, what emotion will they be feeling?
Sally: I’d be thrilled if they felt hope (and also warm fuzzies).
Myna: How did this book/collection come about?
Sally: As a short story for a competition. My prompts were: ghost story, medical examiner and bottle. The short story feedback was positive, but everyone wanted the story of what happened after. So, 68,000 words later…
Myna: If your book had a theme song, what would it be?
Sally: “See You Again” by Charlie Puth
Myna: Did you practice any special habits or routines while writing this book?
Sally: I spoke to the characters quite a bit and sometimes they talked back.
Myna: Were there any surprises or problems along the route to publishing?
Sally: An agent said she could never sell the book to a publisher as a YA novel, (it wasn’t juicy enough and the multiple perspectives wouldn’t fly), and adults wouldn’t like it because of the teen characters. So, I submitted it to a hybrid publisher.
Myna: How would you describe your writing style, in general? Does that hold true for your book?
Sally: I tend to write about deep issues in a straightforward, honest way. I think this book reflects that style.
Myna: What is your favorite thing about writing?
Sally: Hands down: bringing new characters to life.
Myna: How do you stay motivated?
Sally: I take writing workshops, read literary journals, and follow other writers on Twitter. Reading quality writing and seeing the success of other writers inspires me to keep writing.
Myna: Tell us about a recent accomplishment or share some happy news with us!
Sally: I recently bought my own travel agent franchise. Travel is my other love, so it seemed a good fit.
Myna: Have you published other books or stories you’d like to mention?
Sally: I’m proud of a CNF story, “The Things You Need to Hear,“ published in Multiplicity (June 2022). It’s about standing up for my transgender daughter.
Myna: Do you have a pet, or other non-writing hobbies/activities?
Sally: I’m an epee fencer. Before covid, I was nationally ranked in my age category. I’m slowly returning to the sport.
Myna: What do you wish I’d asked?
Sally: About my pronouns. I only use ze/hir in my writing world, but I feel very strongly about pronouns. I’ve reflected on my gender identity over the years and when I was introduced to ze/hir, which means gender-neutrality, I was YES! That. Back in the day, they called it androgyny, but didn’t have pronouns for it.
Myna: What’s next for you?
Sally: I’ve been writing CNF flash about growing up with a mentally ill mom; I hope to put them into a collection one day, but it’s slow going.
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Sally Simon (ze/hir) lives in the Catskills of New York State. Hir writing has appeared in Citron Review, Emerge Lit, Raw Lit, and elsewhere. Before We Move On, is her debut novel. When not writing, ze’s either traveling the world or stabbing people with hir epee. Read more at www.sallysimonwriter.com.
Twitter: @ReiserSimon
TikTok: @sally.simon1
Myna Chang 