Go until the wheels fall off, then see what needs fixed (usually everything because the wheels fell off).
Vincent Santino – 21 September 2017
The Back Flap
Everyone is equal
Everything is shared
Social Media has replaced Social Security
and
emotions, now monetized, make people glow.
A novella about the consequences of such a bright future.
About the book
What is the book about?
Neonatomy is a science fiction novella inspired by our world, though a step away from today’s standard dystopian fiction; a small microchip implanted in the palm of a user’s hand allows for constant internet access and the use of glowmotions. When paired with contacts the two features are woven seamlessly into reality. The narrative switches between the perspective of Thomas Page, who during a night at the club purchases a hack that ruins his microchip, and Katherine Rivers, an employee of a glowmotion company and designer of the hack.
When did you start writing the book?
January of 2017
How long did it take you to write it?
7 months.
Where did you get the idea from?
My original idea was a place where emotions were something people had to buy. I thought of it back in high-school, first talked about it at 3 A.M. with a friend over some McDonalds’ Dollar Menu food. I shelved it but eventually ran through enough stories to come back; when I did I found the other 99% of Neonatomy waiting for me.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Maybe a little in convincing myself that the idea was worth time and development; the last thing I wanted to do was add another superficially different science-fiction clone to the zeitgeist.
What came easily?
The world development. I had my entire dorm-room covered in sticky-notes scribbled over with details about the companies, characters, and technology of Neonatomy; I created and forgot more information for this book than I did for my entire semester of college.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The fakest I’ve made to date.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I envy the free-flow confidence of the Beat writers, I don’t claim to understand everything they’ve written but I can’t stop myself from getting lost in their words regardless. I don’t go out of my way to mimic the style because I wouldn’t be able, but if I notice a nice-sounding line or paragraph that isn’t grammatically sound I’ll leave it out of respect.
Do you have a target reader?
People not comfortable with the world’s direction.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I got the largest amount of Neonatomy done during my classes this past semester; it ended up being 68 handwritten pages and the best excuse not to take notes. This is my 4th book, but the 1st time I’ve done that; the best description I can think of for my process would be flexible.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Thorough outlines for just about everything could be found on my sticky-note wallpaper.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Go until the wheels fall off, then see what needs fixed (usually everything because the wheels fell off).
Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)
Haven’t had an editor yet but I’m proud to say Neonatomy is the first book of mine where that doesn’t explicitly show.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
If I listen to anything while I write its post-rock or classical music; anything with words makes it hard for me to concentrate on much else.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Nope.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I’ve done Indie for my first three books, and since I have confidence in Neonatomy and my development as a professional, it was a no-brainer.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I collaborated with Leonardo DaVinci. He and I are tight. (Don’t say I said but he’s a terror to work with, I basically did all of the work.)
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
There are images ripped from the Neonatomy universe that I released weekly in the month before release.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Go for it. You aren’t gonna be any worse than me.
About You
Where did you grow up?
McKees Rocks, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Where do you live now?
When I’m not in Indiana county for college I’m still hanging around the Rocks.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That reading my books, or finding me and sharing too many beers is a better way to get to know me.
What are you working on now?
An effort to inject interactivity into popular literature.
End of Interview:
For more from Vincent, visit his website, follow him on Twitter, or like his Facebook page.
Get your copy of Neonatomy from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
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