Silk & Secrets: Rites of Pleasure is out NOW from Heart's Choice: https://www.choiceofgames.com/hearts-choice/silk-and-secrets-rites-of-pleasure/
Silk & Secrets is live, which means I finally get to talk about this delicious, rule-breaking project, starting with a conversation my amazing editor Mary led about diving into interactive fiction.
This is your first time writing interactive fiction, but not your first time writing romance and erotica! Tell our readers about your background. (It's fine to reference the fact that you're using a pen name).
A. Simon is my "no rules" pen name, a space where I can lean into indulgence. Under another name, I've written more than twenty contemporary romance novels with humor, found family, and feel-good vibes.
Silk & Secrets is easily my most salacious project yet. It's unapologetically spicy and designed to include a range of sensual fantasies. But I couldn't resist weaving in a bit of quirky humor, because even at their most scandalous, my characters don't take themselves too seriously.
What has been the biggest challenge for you in game writing rather than writing novels?
The biggest challenge has been learning to share control of the story without losing emotional impact. In a novel, I guide every beat of the character's arc, but in interactive fiction, the player is shaping who that character becomes in real time. That means building meaningful choices and layering in emotion based on the need the player identifies.
At the same time, there's a huge technical layer: learning ChoiceScript, managing stats, and tracking branching storylines, romance options, and bonus liaisons. It's a lot of moving parts in an erotic storyline. (Literally!)
What did you find surprising about the process?
How fun it is not choosing. As an author, I'm used to living in my characters' heads and making every decision for the story. Writing a game flips that – I get to hand those choices to the player. It was freeing not to have all the answers. I could offer a witty response and a reckless one without having to pick a lane or define a single experience.
What romance/erotica writers do you enjoy reading yourself or for inspiration?
I've always had a soft spot for the Black Lace imprint (there are so many talented erotica authors from that era), and I've spent more time than I should probably admit on Literotica.
I love romance with a bit of snark and suspense, like Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh. Lately, I've been diving into other Heart's Choice titles as well. I really enjoyed Their Majesties' Pleasure and just started Hearts in Hades.
What else are you working on now/next?
Maybe a sequel to Silk & Secrets. There's a vengeful widow begging for her own story.
Later this year, I'll launch a romcom novel that's sweet, soapy fun.
Why choose between scandals and softness when you can have both?
Author’s Note: Huge thanks to Mary for her insight and guidance, Heart’s Choice @heartschoicegames for taking a chance on something a little daring, my fabulous beta readers for making this story stronger at every turn, and @defenestratin for artwork that captures exactly the mood I dreamed of.
