Down And Out In Silicon Valley

Down and Out in Silicon Valley

By Nicole Jerome

Down and Out in Silicon Valley is a warm, topical comedy. The lead character is a hip, smart, funny woman. Join the crazy-making when Michelle Beldatori becomes a reluctant employee at Pipes. She finds the tragedy of a stressful job mixed with comedy. Michelle works with a wacky bunch. They’re always getting into hilarious situations. Is it funny or heartbreaking? The answer is both, at the same time – like your friends.

Story Line …

Michelle Beldatori is in an impossible situation. Her credit cards are maxed out. Her boyfriend’s laid off. Their savings are gone. She can’t face living out of a camper shell and showering in a gym. Not to worry – Michelle’s got a plan. She’ll get hired by an Internet startup company, earn bonuses and pay the rent. Goodbye to Starbucks barista – hello to Twitter and life on the run.

Then she meets Bud. He’s got a different plan for Michelle. Bud’s going to use her as a scapegoat for his problems. Watch sparks fly as Michelle struggles her way through Silicon Valley’s hot new startup. She faces outrageous assignments – scavenger hunter for gourmet Chinese food, planner of wireless ski trips, divorce court nanny, therapist for pets …

Her life shifts again when she meets a wealthy, but misunderstood man. Martin Avery’s a rogue and a risk taker, which makes him sexy and unpredictable. But he’s caught in a lifestyle that’s paid for with his freedom. Find out what happens when Michelle and Martin collide - and her future twists in an unexpected direction.

Click here to read the opening scene.

A short interview with the authors of Down and Out in Silicon Valley –

Q: Who is Nicole Jerome?

A: Nicole Jerome is a pen name for a team of people, rather than an individual author. The bio for Nicole Jerome represents a composite of their talents. We decided to put a human face on a team of anonymous contributors so it would be easier for people to relate to this book.

Q: What motivated the contributors to write their book?

A: The novel was written by people who worked for famous logos as well as start-ups in the Bay Area. It’s a group roman à clef, as opposed to an individual redux. The novel is an exaggerated version of actual Valley experiences, with a focus on the absurd and zany, rather than the abusive. The design team were intrigued by the Valley’s strange ways. To capture the feeling, they collaborated on a story that unfolds like a sit-com. The novel is a humorous send-up of over-the-top lifestyles. The prose captures the flavor of our 24 x 7, hyper-drive world and the challenges faced in balancing life and job.

Q: What do you hope readers will get out of this book?

A: A good laugh. In today’s economic times, people can relate to being down and out, which means they need a good laugh more than ever. The humor in this novel is mischievous and witty, rather than snarky and sarcastic. It’s our hope readers will enjoy this glimpse into the start-up world and find compassion for everyone in the book, including Bud Glassrod, the nemesis of our lead character, Michelle Beldatori.

Q: How does Down and Out in Silicon Valley relate to Silicon Valley Game?

A: The best way to describe how these two books relate is by using terms from the film industry. Down and Out in Silicon Valley is the "theatrical release," meaning it's the version most readers will prefer. Silicon Valley Game is the "director's cut" and has a different opening, an alternate ending and deleted scenes giving much more backstory on the main character, Michelle Beldatori. In this longer version (~ 100 pages), Michelle's boyfriend goes by his nickname "Hank." In the shorter Down and Out version, "Hank" has few scenes and there wasn't a chance to describe his nickname, so his name was changed to "Colin."

About Us …

Silicon Valley Novel is a small publisher with a big heart, donating its proceeds to charities like Doctors Without Borders, the American Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Banks. Each book sold saves a life, buying food for poor American families and medicine for people in underprivileged countries. Doctors Without Borders won the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize. Their work assists people in 60 nations across the globe, from New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina) to Gaza Strip refugee camps.

Silicon Valley Novel brings to life writers of comic fiction, adventure, thrillers and mysteries. Our Bay Area publishing studio has a diversity of local and international contributors, with exotic life experiences. We are a collection of published writers and seasoned artists. Silicon Valley Novel titles are designed using the storyboard technique pioneered at Disney Studios and now used at Pixar for modern full-length animation films.

· Yahoo.com chose our Young Adult adventure novel, Everest is Hollow, as one of the top ten books kids would love as a gift.

· France Magazine admired our thriller, Trap, saying “If you like fast-paced mystery novels, then you’ll love this unique tale about an American Interpol agent stationed in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris.”

· Wire is a funny, scary thriller with a triple twist ending.

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Silicon Valley Novel

Based in Silicon Valley, we publish comic fiction, thrillers, mysteries and adventures. Silicon Valley Novel donates proceeds from book sales to charities like Doctors Without Borders and Second Harvest Food Banks.