Westlake Man Wins Book Competition, Will Have Novel Published

 The Westlake man who was a finalist in a book competition has won the contest.

Aspiring Westlake author David Simon has found himself on a short list of finalists in a children’s book contest and thanks to west shore residents, his first novel will be published next year. 

David Simon, who works as a creative director for Rosenberg Advertising in Lakewood, has won the CBAY Books competition in the Middle Grade Finalists category for his entry, Trapped in Lunch Lady Land.

The 30,000-word novel actually, which actually started as a picture book, will be published in July 2014.

“It started out as a picture book and then a chapter book,” Simon, who created the illustrations, said last month. “I sent the picture book to the contest and they chose me as a finalist and asked me to extend it to a full-fledged novel.”

The next step for the book is to have it illustrated, and since Simon is an accomplished artist, he will also do the illustrations.

“They announced June 17 that I was the winner,” Simon said.

The book’s publication date is May 6, 2014.

“They knew I drew, so they asked me if I would do the illustrations. I will do a cover, and maybe some interior illustrations.

“They are leaving that up to me.”

Illustrations are due July 24.

He is consulting on the cover with one of his in-house consultants, his 13-year-old daughter McKenna, a seventh-grader at Westlake Middle School.

“I’m talking over with 13 year old daughter; she’s the expert here,” Simon said.      

Friends and other family, including wife Carrie, son Eric and daughter Hannah have been celebrating with Simon, who is already thinking about his next venture.

“I already have a sequel in my head if they are open to it,” he said.

Simon thanked those who helped him get published.

“My family is excited, people at Rosenberg are excited,” he said. “They helped with social media, he said of his employers. And a big thanks to all the west shore folks who voted for me.”