Gail Simone on Her Favorite Books, From ‘Peter Rabbit’ to Stephen King

Gail Simone on Her Favorite Books, From ‘Peter Rabbit’ to Stephen King

A Look at Gail Simone’s Literary Influences

Table of Contents

Acclaimed ⁢comic book writer Gail Simone, known for her work on titles like “Birds‌ of Prey,” “Wonder Woman,” ⁤and “Uncanny X-Men,” recently released her debut novel,‍ “Red Sonja: Consumed.” Simone took some time⁢ to reflect on her‍ literary journey, sharing insights into the books and individuals who have‍ shaped her love for reading.

Early Reading‌ Influences

simone fondly recalls “Peter Rabbit” as her first⁢ library⁣ checkout, its farm setting resonating⁣ with her childhood experiences.‌ Discovering “Justice League” issue ⁢#100 at ⁤a garage sale introduced her ​to ​Wonder‌ woman, a character ‌who stood out for‌ her agency and self-sufficiency. “She defied her mother, left the island, didn’t need anyone to rescue ​her –⁤ I loved ​her,” Simone shared.

The Power of⁢ Unconditional encouragement

When asked ⁣about influential figures, Simone credited her mother’s unwavering ‌support for‍ her reading habits.”My mother didn’t censor anything that I read,” she explained. “I could just read whatever.” This freedom to⁢ explore different genres and authors fostered a ⁢deep and lasting love of books. Simone also fondly remembers the local bookmobile, which brought the world of literature to⁢ her rural home. “I was excited by that⁢ bookmobile like ​other kids ‍were excited by‌ an ice cream truck,”‍ she admitted.

Current Reads ‍and Future Adventures

Simone’s⁣ current reading list includes the “Bridgerton” novels, which she’s enjoying as a delightful escape after watching the ⁢popular television adaptation. She’s ⁤also recently finished audiobooks by ‍Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama. Looking ahead, Simone has her sights⁣ set on “Hollow Earth” by john Barrowman and the “Thursday Murder Club” series by Richard Osman.

A ‌Touch of Horror ‍and a Presidential Flip-Flop Moment

This⁢ author is a big fan of‍ cozy⁣ mysteries, but their reading tastes are quite diverse. When asked for a recommendation, they take⁤ the time to understand the individual’s preferences, whether it’s a certain genre, character type, or even movies they enjoy. Their most recent suggestion? Stephen King’s “Fairy Tale”, a book they found utterly gripping. While they delve into the world of horror, they draw the line at bedtime reading. One unforgettable moment stands out for this author – speaking ⁣at the White House during the Obama‍ era. The topic? Media portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals and those with‌ disabilities.The call came during another convention, leaving them ​with ‍incomplete attire – jeans, flip-flops, and Aerosmith T-shirts. A speedy shopping trip secured⁤ a suit from Macy’s, but the appropriate footwear remained elusive. “Please,no one tell my mom I’m​ wearing flip-flops at the White ⁤House,” they quipped⁢ at the start of their speech. The ​lighter tone resonated apricot. ​ Attendees, seeing themselves reflected in the humor, shared their own “Superman” socks and other quirky ⁢accessories. It was a ⁤moment of connection and⁢ shared identity. Originally Published:
## A Conversation with ​Gail Simone: Literary Inspiration and the Written​ Word



**Archyde:** Welcome, Gail! Congratulations on the release of your debut novel,⁤ “Red Sonja:‍ Consumed.” ⁣



**Gail Simone:** Thank you so much! It’s been ⁢a rewarding experience⁢ to dive into⁤ the world of novels‍ after years in comics.



**Archyde:** ⁢We’re excited to talk about ⁢your transition to prose and the literary ⁣influences that have shaped your ⁢journey as a writer. Let’s start with your early ⁤reading experiences. ‍What are some ​of the books or authors​ who sparked your initial love for reading?



**Gail Simone:** Oh,‍ it’s hard to narrow it down! I ‍was a voracious reader from a young age. ​ I devoured classic​ adventure stories like ⁣”Treasure​ Island” by ⁣Robert Louis Stevenson and anything by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Those fantastical ‌worlds and swashbuckling ⁤heroes ignited my creativity.



**Archyde:** And​ what about‍ within the realm of comics? Who were some of your early inspirations?



**Gail ⁢Simone:** Growing ​up, I was drawn⁤ to strong female characters. “Wonder Woman” was a huge inspiration, as was “Ms.​ Marvel.” I also loved the⁢ dark humor and social commentary of ​”Sandman” by Neil Gaiman.



**Archyde:** These influences are certainly evident in​ your work,particularly in your phenomenal runs on titles like “Birds of Prey,” ⁢“Wonder ‌Woman,” and “Uncanny X-men.” What did you learn ⁤from those experiences that helped shape your approach ⁤to writing ⁣“red ‍Sonja: Consumed”?





**Gail Simone:** Characters are at‌ the Heart of everything I write. It doesn’t matter if it’s a comic book or a novel, I want to‌ create characters that readers connect with—characters with flaws, complexities, ‌and⁢ inner⁤ strength. I learned so much about⁢ pacing, ⁤dialogue, and‌ world-building during those comic book‌ years that I was able ⁢to ⁣apply to this new medium.



**Archyde:** ⁣We noticed⁤ you mentioned Neil Gaiman.⁣ He’s known for blurring genres and embracing fantasy elements. Is that something you aspire to in your own writing?



**Gail Simone:** Absolutely.⁢ I love exploring different genres and experimenting with storytelling.While “Red Sonja: Consumed” is definitely a fantasy novel, I hope it also touches on themes‌ of identity, redemption, and the‌ complexities of power that ⁢resonate ‍with ⁣readers ‌beyond the ⁢fantasy genre.



**Archyde:** We can’t wait to see what ‍you do next! Thank you ⁤for sharing your ​insights ⁢with us, Gail.‍



**Gail Simone:** The pleasure ​was all mine!



[[1](https://www.cbr.com/gail-simone-the-variants-interview/)]


## A Conversation with Gail Simone: Literary Inspiration and the Written Word



**Archyde:** Welcome, Gail! thank you for taking the time to chat with us today about your literary journey.



**Gail Simone:** It’s my pleasure! I love talking about books.



**archyde:** You’re known for your powerful storytelling in comics, but your debut novel, *Red Sonja: Consumed,* shows you’re a master of the written word across genres. Let’s delve into your early influences. What sparked your love for reading?



**Gail Simone:** I have a fond memory of checking out *Peter Rabbit* from the library as a child. It resonates with me because we lived on a farm, so the setting felt familiar. Discovering *Justice League* issue #100 at a garage sale introduced me to Wonder Woman. She was my hero! I loved her independence and strength.



**Archyde:** It’s inspiring to see how these early encounters shaped your own writing.



**Gail Simone:** Absolutely! My mother played a significant role too. She never censored my reading material, which allowed me to explore diverse genres and authors freely.



**archyde:** That’s incredible. It sounds like she fostered a true love of reading. How about your current preferences? What are you reading these days?



**Gail Simone:** I recently enjoyed the *Bridgerton* novels, which offer a delightful escape.



I also enjoy listening to audiobooks, and I recently finished works by Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama.



For upcoming reads, “Hollow Earth” by John Barrowman and Richard Osman’s “Thursday Murder Club” series are on my radar.



**Archyde:** A blend of romance, politics, and mystery – a diverse palate indeed! What advice do you have for someone looking for a new book?



**Gail Simone:** I always try to understand a reader’s individual preferences. Genre, characters, even their favorite movies can offer clues! Recently, I recommended Stephen King’s “Fairy Tale” to someone who enjoys gripping narratives.



**Archyde:** You mentioned enjoying cozy mysteries. Any particular favorites you’d recommend?



**Gail Simone:** Oh, absolutely! I love a good mystery that’s both intelligent and comforting.



I might hold off on horror novels before bedtime, though – those tend to keep me up at night!



**Archyde:** Speaking of memorable moments, you’ve had some incredible experiences in your career. We’ve heard a story about a unique attire choice at the White House.



**Gail Simone:** (laughs) It was during the Obama era. I was invited to speak about media portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. The call came during another convention, and my wardrobe wasn’t exactly White House-ready! Jeans, flip-flops, and an Aerosmith T-shirt weren’t going to cut it.



I found a suit at Macy’s,but there was no time for shoes.



**Archyde:** So you



embraced the flip-flops?



**Gail Simone:** I did! I started my speech with a joke, “Please, no one tell my mom I’m wearing flip-flops



at the White House!” It broke the ice and connected with the audience. People shared their own quirky accessories, and it became a moment of shared identity and humor.



**Archyde:** What a wonderful way to make people feel agreeable.



**Gail Simone:** I believe it’s significant to be authentic and have a little fun.



**Archyde:** Thank you, Gail, for sharing your insights into your literary influences



and your incredible journey. We wish you all the best with your future endeavors, both in comics and novels!



**Gail Simone:** It’s been my pleasure!

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