Simon worked as a venture capitalist, investing in early stage technology businesses, for 25 years. The sale of his firm in 2007 gave him the chance to do something completely different.Simon's first novel, The Waste Land, is the product of several overlapping interests: fascination with the original 12th and 13th century grail romances as a result of studying French at Oxford, enthusiasm for the meaning and origins of ancient myths and legends, and awe for TS Eliot's genius in blending these elements together and giving them universal meaning. His first novel also betrays his suspicion of organised religion, his interest in medieval history, and his enjoyment of adventure stories in the old style.His second novel, The Flowers of Evil, was published in June 2011. It continues the story of Hugh de Verdon that started in The Waste Land.