Tell us about yourself.:
Scott Coon is an award-winning short story writer and former U.S. Army Intelligence Analyst.
He served six years, rising to the rank of Sergeant. His service including a tour in Kuwait where he received a First Army Combat Patch and the Joint Service Achievement Award. Now a software developer for a major bank, Scott brings his computer and military experience into his work, along with a sense of spectacle.
His debut novel LOST HELIX, a sci-fi adventure/mystery, is available now. Scott's first published story, “Firewall,” appeared in Nth Degree Magazine in 2006. His short "Enduring Winter" was a finalist in the Writers of the Future Awards, won Second Place in the New England SciFi Writers Assn Contest 2016, and was published in Bewildering Stories, Issue 849, March 2020.
Scott Coon shares his knowledge of writing with others and helps other creatives do the same. He hosts the Writers of Sherman Oaks Critique Group meetings and National Novel Writing Month write-in events. His YouTube channel and websites provide insights into his work and give advice to writers. His Little Creative Interview series helps to foster learning in the creative community. See his websites for more information.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
Though Lost Helix is my first published novel, I have had several short stories published. Bewildering Stories recently featured "The Loneliest Advertisement Bot" and have published a few other stories over the years. My work is often influenced by my career as a computer programmer and also by my six years as intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. Both played a role in Lost Helix.
I was born in Los Angeles, but my family moved back to Pennsylvania when I was still an infant. I grew up on the east coast. Then I traveled the world for the Army and traveled America for software companies. Now, years later, I am back in Los Angeles, where I was born but had never lived until now. I share my life with my cats Hank, Logan, and Princess.
Writing began for me in the third grade. I wrote poetry about chess and Norse mythology. With no writers in my life, I have no idea what inspired this. My first submission was an article for “Dragon” magazine. They rejected it of course. But I was on my way! …sort of. In high school, my senior year creative writing project was an Ann Rice clone. While reading weekly chapters to the class, no one seemed to be listening. But late in the school year, the novel reached a scene where two vampires were sentenced to death by sunlight. As a door opened to reveal their sun-bleached bones, someone yelled, “Hey! Why did you kill them? They never did anything wrong.” I was surprised and flattered. And hooked. I wanted to be a writer. It wasn’t until 2006 that I was finally published by Nth Degree Magazine. It was story about a psychic computer hacker. What’s that mean? Read it from my published stories page.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a sixty-game arcade console with all Midway classics like Galaga and Ms. Pac Man. To take a break from writing and recharge, I'll stop and play a couple games. Then back to writing. I'm not getting much better at the games, but I'm getting a lot of writing done.
What authors have influenced you?
Though Lost Helix is my first published novel, I have had several short stories published. Bewildering Stories recently featured "The Loneliest Advertisement Bot" and have published a few other stories over the years. My work is often influenced by my career as a computer programmer and also by my six years as intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army. Both played a role in Lost Helix.
I was born in Los Angeles, but my family moved back to Pennsylvania when I was still an infant. I grew up on the east coast. Then I traveled the world for the Army and traveled America for software companies. Now, years later, I am back in Los Angeles, where I was born but had never lived until now. I share my life with my cats Hank, Logan, and Princess.
Writing began for me in the third grade. I wrote poetry about chess and Norse mythology. With no writers in my life, I have no idea what inspired this. My first submission was an article for “Dragon” magazine. They rejected it of course. But I was on my way! …sort of. In high school, my senior year creative writing project was an Ann Rice clone. While reading weekly chapters to the class, no one seemed to be listening. But late in the school year, the novel reached a scene where two vampires were sentenced to death by sunlight. As a door opened to reveal their sun-bleached bones, someone yelled, “Hey! Why did you kill them? They never did anything wrong.” I was surprised and flattered. And hooked. I wanted to be a writer. It wasn’t until 2006 that I was finally published by Nth Degree Magazine. It was story about a psychic computer hacker. What’s that mean? Read it from my published stories page.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn. Learn the art. Learn the business. Then assume that everything changed while you weren't looking and learn it all again. Modern readers are different from just twenty years ago. Learn what publishers and readers want now, both in content and presentation. But not in trend.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
It's recent advice, actually, and I've heard it in other forms, but I found this one profound. It's from Bojack Horseman and it applies to so many things: "It gets easier, but you have to do it every day."
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading and loving Dark Eden by Chris Beckett. Set on a planet that has escaped its star and the galaxy, the stranded humans survive thanks to the biochemical heat of the indigenous fauna.
What’s your biggest weakness?
Peanut butter cups. I cannot have them in the house, or I will outgrow my house.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I have many, really. But one is The Door into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein. Why? Because in the end, it was really all about the cat.
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
Hike, play video games, and watch cartoons.
When I was a kid liked fishing but then I realized I didn't like the fishing part of fishing… so now I am a hiker.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I honestly don't recall but I am a big Kurt Vonnegut fan. My favorite is Hocus Pocus but Cat's Cradle and Galapagos have always stuck with me. I am also an Ann Rice fan and Stephen King is an amazing author, especially when he writes something like The Long Walk.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
All the reading, modern and classics, have come together to create my style. It was also helped by my Rutgers University where the creative writing courses mostly focused on poetry. I believe that comes through in my prose.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on "Balance of Crimson" about a crime ridden colony far from earth and an assassin who seeks to balance his soul by passing judgement on those who hire him. I'm putting the final polish on it and submitting to agents. Wish me luck!
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I have a variety of ways that I'm using to get the word out, including this interview. Thank you for publishing it and thank you for reading it. I also have two websites, including www.LostHelix.com. And I am continuing to write and submit short stories.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. I have other novels in the works and more short stories too. Once people have had a chance to read and enjoy Lost Helix, I will be ready to give them more. I also have promotional events being planned for Lost Helix. To find out where to read more of my work and where I will be appearing, visit www.ScottCoonSciFi.com and sign up for my mailing list.
How well do you work under pressure?
Very well. I was an Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Army. I rose to the rank of Sergeant and headed my own team. In addition to serving in a war zone, I had to face everyone's greatest fear: public speaking. I have briefed Generals and Ambassadors in various situations.
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
I let the story and the character dictate the tone. If you read my short stories, you'll get to see the variety of tones and voices I can write in. For example, the tone and voice of "The Last Mortician" will be quite different from "Happy Pills and Candy Bars". Both can be found on my published works page at www.ScottCoonSciFi.com
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
It's from Bojack Horseman and it applies to so many things: "It gets easier, but you have to do it every day."
Scott Coon’s Author Websites and Profiles
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