The time it was about Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Somehow I missed seeing Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda on Edelweiss.  I heard about it on Twitter, when I saw some people I follow raving about it.  I was instantly curious and was able to find and download it.  I devoured it, loved it, and instantly started stalking Becky in all of the places {not in the creepy KH way}. I sent her an email asking if she would do an interview and she agreed!

Before we get to her answers, let’s check out the book!

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Sounds good, right?

1. Where did the idea for Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda come from?

It’s hard to say where the idea came from! I think I’m jealous of authors who can perfectly track their influences and inspiration. It feels very much like Simon the character just popped into my head. For me, the character came before the plot – and, in many ways, the plot surprised me as I was writing. So, basically, this is an overblown way of saying, “I don’t know.” I wish I knew!

2. Why do you love Simon and Blue and why should we root for them?

***If you haven’t read the book yet, I recommend skipping this answer due to soft spoilers!***

Oh, I love them both for so many reasons – I love each of them as characters, and I think they’re perfect for each other. Blue is the quieter and more thoughtful of the two, but I think he brings out some of those qualities in Simon. And I think Simon inspires Blue to be a little braver by the end of the story. I think my favorite thing about them as a couple is the fact that they fell in love, as Simon says, “from the inside out.” They connect on such a deep level, but when they meet in person, there are still so many things left to learn about each other.

3. Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write?

Definitely Drunk Simon visiting the gay bar. Simon’s voice came pretty naturally to me, but Drunk Simon’s voice came REALLY naturally to me. (I’m not sure what that says about me.) The final version of that scene looks almost exactly the same as it appeared in my first draft. It was a total blast to write.

4. How do you eat Oreos?

I really love Oreo ice cream and Oreo milkshakes the best, but I’m also a big fan of classics or double stuf soaked in milk. I’m a huge proponent of pouring milk over Oreos and eating the mush with a spoon.

5. Describe Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda in 5 words.

Gay teenage You’ve Got Mail.

Speed [ish] round:

1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time. Describe the next 5 minutes.

This process happened really quickly for me (four days after I signed with my agent), so it was a total whirlwind. I do remember my agent, Brooks, asking me if I was sitting down before he gave me the news. I think I was shocked. I know the first thing I did was run downstairs to tell my husband. I think I made him sit down first, too!

2. What three things would you take to a desert island?

A fully charged phone, a helicopter, and someone who knows how to fly a helicopter (I’m not cool with being on a desert island).

3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?

Harry Potter – and I’m cheating and allowing myself the have the whole series.

4. Who are your favorite swoony boys/girls?

Swoony boys: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jim Halpert from The Office, the Weasley twins

Swoony girls: No contest: Poussey (Samira Wiley) from Orange is the New Black

5. What is one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?

I actually was warned about this, but I wish I had taken it more seriously. There is so much waiting. I think it was harder, because my sale happened so quickly. There’s this huge burst of excitement at the beginning, but typically, there’s over a year until the book hits the shelves. It was easy to feel forgotten or irrelevant – when, in reality, there was a lot happening behind the scenes. I wish I had appreciated those quiet times more, honestly!

6. You wake up and discover you are Bella from Twilight. You know how it plays out. What do you do differently? {Thanks to Bookish Broads for letting me use this question!}

I stay in Arizona with the mom and hang out with humans.

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Becki Albertalli has been writing stories since preschool. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who got to work with the most amazing kids, teenagers, and adults. She is not currently practicing as a psychologist.

She currently lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband and two sons. Becky spends her days writing about teenagers and reading board books about trucks.

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Huge thanks to Becky for taking the time! Make sure you’re checking out her website, following her on Twitter and Tumblr, and adding her book to your Goodreads TBR shelf!

Now.  Haven’t had a chance to get your greedy hands on a copy of Simon? I’ve got one up for grabs.  Book will be coming from The Book Depository and is international.  Additional giveaway rules are here.

**Good Luck!!**

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