Author Julia Press Simmons

 I love the written word more than cooked food and that's saying a lot. I write because I have to(It's the only way to silence the voices). There is always a story going on in my head so if you see me in public I'll probably be scribbling furiously in a notebook.

Strawberry Mansion, my first novel, is semi autobiographical(I am Tabitha in the story). It was a very painful part of my life that I felt an overwhelming need to give voice to. I've changed a few things to protect the guilty, and add a bit of distance from myself to the story. I love that book. It's a sort of snapshot of my journey into adulthood. Although the characters are young, It's filled with adult content, bad language, sex drugs and rock and roll, you're gonna love it.

Begonia Brown, my sophomore novel, is street fiction at it's finest. I am very proud of this book. It is the hood as I recognize it, minus the glitz and glam... I pushed the envelope with this book. I felt free to tell ugly truths because the book isn't about me, It's about where I come from. Begonia Brown, although it was hard to write, is one helluva ride!