Silicon Valley Novel

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

A: The most important thing to tell you is that Down and Out in Silicon Valley feels like a brand new book, though it draws on elements from its longer predecessor, Silicon Valley Game. Practically everything was re-written. There is a crisper pace to scenes and the narrative is more fluid. Down and Out has broad appeal to readers who've never set foot in Silicon Valley. The focus is on people, not technology.

Another way to describe these two books is using terms from the film industry. Down and Out in Silicon Valley is a "theatrical release," meaning it's the version most readers will prefer. Silicon Valley Game is a "director's cut" and has a different opening, an alternate ending and deleted scenes giving more backstory on characters, especially Michelle Beldatori. Readers of Down and Out who fall in love with the personalities may also want to read Silicon Valley Game. They'll learn more about the characters and how they got where they are in Down and Out. Silicon Valley insiders may also prefer the  more detailed descriptions of places and settings found in Silicon Valley Game. 

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."