Interview With Author SJ Pratt
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello everyone! I’m S.J. a YA and sci-fi author from Christchurch New Zealand where it is currently very cold and I am snuggly up with a hot cup of coffee. I run an aerospace engineering company by day and write by night (well, early hours of the morning) and outside of work I’m usually reading (gotta get through that massive TBR list!), rock climbing or doing yoga 🙂 I published my debut novel on International Women’s Day (March 8) 2022 and I am currently working on the sequal.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The 716 – a YA science fiction novel about a guy named Andy who wants to be an engineer, but in his world, only women are allowed to go to university so his dreams seems hopeless. Until he meets Olivia, the future leader of Meliora who is rich, rebellious and intelligent, and Andy gets the chance to prove himself on the female stage like no man has before, starting a chain of events that could change the course of history.
The 716 was inspired by a conversation I was having a drink with a friend, talking about a pretty awful sexual assault that had happened at a stop on my walk to work (like, I had to walk past that spot every day) and my friend was empathic, kind, but not really interested. There was no fire. And then—and I don’t remember why—but we ended up talking about our positions were reversed, if it were men that had to think about which route to take home and night, men who would worry if their clothing was too flirtatious and whether that really had anything to do with being a victim? And it sparked this amazing conversation and suddenly I could see a real fire in him. It was like he could actually empathize and visualize what it might be like to be in a woman’s shoes, and it got me thinking: could we get more men passionate about gender equality and eliminating sexism if they could get to experience it themselves? So I started with this idea of a boy who wants to be an engineer but can’t because you know, sexism, and the story grew and developed from there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Just that I have to have a cup of coffee/tea next to me – even if it’s cold, there’s something about the mug that gives off inspirational vibes lol
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, where to begin!
I love some sci-fi classics, like I-Robot, which I loved because it didn’t just look at hard-core tech but also the social and humanity side of technology (e.g. what does it mean to be human?). I also love Pride and Prejudice, it always makes me laugh and I’d love to have dinner with Elizabeth Bennett. I also adore Cinder by Marissa Meyer, a YA sci-fi take on Cinderella where Cinder is a boss cyborg mechanic – so cool!
What are you working on now?
The sequel to The 716. The series will be a trilogy, and I’m excited to get book 2 out into the world soon!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m rather new to the book promotion game, but I enjoy talking about my and other people’s books on Instagram and I’m always up for an author interview when I get the chance 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make friends! The writing community is amazing and I’ve met so many authors who are happy to help.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust your gut! If you’re looking at a sentence or a plot point and it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right. You’ll need to figure out why it isn’t working but your gut will tell you if you need to kill that darling or nurture it.
What are you reading now?
I just finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy and now I’m reading an ARC version of Erinyes by Matthew Romeo.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the second book in The 716 series.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
At least one book on survival!
And then Pride and Prejudice and a notebook so that I could write
Author Websites and Profiles
SJ Pratt’s Social Media Links