PHOTO: Steven W. Simon, author of Red as Apple and Into the Fracking Fields, gives voice to life on the margins.
Stories Of Misfits, Quiet Struggles, And Unfiltered Truths
Steven W. Simon shares his journey as an independent author, his passion for outsider narratives, and the creative process behind his emotionally rich, genre-blending books Red as Apple and Into the Fracking Fields.
Steven W. Simon crafts stories that resonate with anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite belong. His narratives center on misfits and outsiders, digging deep into the emotional realities of characters who exist on the edges of society. In works like Red as Apple and Into the Fracking Fields, Simon blends stark realism with a profound sensitivity that challenges the norms of traditional storytelling.
With a background marked by self-doubt and a lifelong sense of not fitting in, Simon draws from deeply personal experiences. “I’ll never feel like I’m good enough. I’ll never call myself successful—but that drive to write, to create, is omnipresent,” he admits. It’s a sentiment that drives the authenticity in his characters—whether it’s Michael, the awkward adolescent in Into the Fracking Fields, or Ansel, the weary but loving father in Red as Apple. These characters are extensions of Simon himself, each one a mirror of the insecurities, hopes, and contradictions that shape his worldview.
Simon’s writing is unflinchingly honest, emotionally layered, and deeply human—offering powerful insight into those often left unheard or unseen.
Simon’s journey as an independent author is equally reflective of his ethos. By choosing to publish independently, he maintains complete creative control—partnering with editors and cover artists, but free from market-driven constraints. “Maybe I chose this route due to insecurities. Perhaps I’m not that great of a writer,” he muses, underscoring a humility that runs through his work. Yet, his independence allows him to explore themes and structures often overlooked by mainstream publishing, giving space to narratives that defy categorization.
Into the Fracking Fields exemplifies Simon’s commitment to blending social commentary with literary storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the decaying industrial towns of Appalachia and the Rust Belt, Simon paints a vivid picture of despair and resilience. The book’s dystopian elements—like the uninhabitable area known as The Fields—are grounded in research, including studies of seismic zones and hydraulic fracking disasters. The setting is more than backdrop; it’s a critique of modern America’s inequalities. “While the prison camps are dystopian, are they really that different from many American experiences today?” he asks. “Is the ‘normal’ town much better?”
Avoiding strict genre labels is both a challenge and a freedom for Simon. His work often lands somewhere between general fiction and what he hesitantly calls “Americana”—a blend of Steinbeck’s humanism and Kerouac’s introspective drift. “I would never portray myself as being on their level,” he says, “yet stylistically that might be accurate.” Not fitting into a clear genre can make marketing harder, but it also liberates him from formulaic storytelling, allowing readers to engage more authentically with his themes.
Balancing novels and poetry requires shifts in process and mindset. For Simon, novellas begin with a vivid scene that grows organically into characters and plot, guided by notes and questions that drive the story forward. Poetry, on the other hand, comes from a flash of insight—a feeling, a moment, or something absurd that catches his attention. “Situational awareness and critical thinking is a priority when I write a poem,” he explains. He doesn’t work on both forms simultaneously; each demands its own creative space and rhythm.
Steven W. Simon is an author who writes not to fit into the literary world, but to reflect the emotional truths of those who often go unseen. His stories aren’t bound by genre or convention, and his characters speak with the raw honesty of someone who has lived their doubts, their dreams, and their defiance.
Source: Reader’s House Interview with Steven W. Simon
