Local Author's Book Up for a Big Prize

David Simon first created Ned more than a decade ago, and the two of them even landed a book deal.

Simon, a Westlake resident who works in Lakewood at the Rosenberg Advertising firm, wrote the children’s story of Ned and his odd talent for sticking things up his nose 12 years ago. In Up Ned’s Nose, Ned has managed to stick Martha’s shiny new nickel up his nose, and hilarity ensues when his older brother tries to get it out.

“I wrote it just for the heck of it,” Simon said. “It was under contract with a publisher for a number of years, but the kids’ division wasn’t performing.” 

Simon did get to see some of the preliminary illustrations for the book, but says he’s excited to see what vision MeeGenius’s illustrators will come up with if he wins the grand prize, which includes MeeGenius's complete library for the school of his choice for one year, $1,500 cash, a publishing contract on iPhone, iPad, Android, Google TV and the Internet.

“An illustrator was hired back when it was sent to the publisher,” said Simon, who also works as a freelance illustrator. “I know what his vision was. Mine’s a little different. I’d love to do the illustrations myself, but the time constraints might not allow for it.”

The company returned the book rights to Simon, and when he saw online publisher MeeGenius’s Author Challenge 2011, he knew he wanted to enter Up Ned’s Nose.

Now he’s hoping to bring back a $1,500 cash prize, a MeeGenius library for Holly Lane Elementary School in Westlake, and have his book illustrated, made into an interactive E-book and published online.

“I had to pick one, and I had a special place in my heart for Holly Lane,” Simon said. “We had a great experience there.”

To read Up Ned’s Nose and vote in the contest, visit the official contest website.