Westlake Author's Book Could Win Big Prize For Holly Lane Elementary

David Simon first created Ned over a decade ago, and the two of them even landed a book deal. Now they need your help to make it big, and win a library of e-books for .

Simon, a Westlake resident, illustrator and author, 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 works as a freelance illustrator, and at Rosenberg Advertising in Lakewood. “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, and have his book illustrated, made into an interactive E-book and published online.

His son Eric, an OSU freshman, and daughter Hannah, a junior at , both attended Holly Lane, while his youngest daughter McKenna, a sixth grader at , went to . 

“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.