Joseph Simons

I am the Work Study Coordinator for special education programs at the awesome St. Joseph High School. This means I help kids with mental disabilities find and keep jobs. It is satisfying work, and I'm lucky.

My wife and I and our little dog, Scamp, live in a little house in little Italy. I play trombone in a community band, graft foreign branches onto our fruit trees, sip espresso in the local cafe, regard to-do lists with suspicion, and generally have an enjoyable time participating in the life of this northern community where winters are long and summers are sweet as honey.

Under a Living Sky got its start in the early 90s, when my father-in-law told me a story about a homemade doll and a family in 1937 depression era Saskatchewan. Maybe because of growing up on a farm myself, I was intrigued, and devoted years to it. I have written other children's stories as well, and also adult novels. Under a Living Sky has been given a 5-star rating by the London Ontario Library System and, according to the publisher's numbers, is selling well. I am often surprised during workshops at how many boys have read this book. To book me for workshops see: http://www.yabs.ab.ca/artistprofile.php?id=42

Leaving Fundimentalism was a project handled by a friend of mine, who asked me to contribute. I was happy to have to think my way through my own life. Thanks, G. Elijah Dann!

My mother says I learned to walk when she shoved a pencil into my hand. I could see the pencil out there in front of me and kept following it around the room, and I suppose I've been following the pencil ever since. I have certainly been a book addict all my life.