Simon Higgins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Higgins
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| Born | Aldershot, England |
| Occupation | Novelist/Screenwriter |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Notable works | Tomodachi: The Edge of the World, Moonshadow series, Gemini Fables TV series |
Simon Higgins is an Australian writer who creates books and TV shows for young people. He was born in England in 1958. When he was five years old, in 1963, he moved to Australia after living in Nigeria, Africa, for a while.
Contents
Simon's Journey to Writing
Simon Higgins started his career as a police officer. Later, he became a private investigator in Adelaide, South Australia. He often worked on cases that involved solving big mysteries. In 1998, he decided to switch gears and become a writer.
Since then, Simon has published 12 novels. His books often mix different styles like crime stories, fantasy, and historical adventures. He has also written many short stories that have been published in collections.
Early Books and Awards
Simon's first book, Doctor Id, came out in Australia in 1998. It was later released in Italy and even turned into a series in Japan! In 1999, it was named a "Notable Book of the Year" by the Children's Book Council of Australia.
His second book, Thunderfish, also received recognition in 2000. A follow-up book, Under No Flag, was even nominated for a special crime writing award in 2002.
In 2007, Simon won a national literary award for a book he wrote about ancient Asia that had not yet been published.
Martial Arts and Inspiration
Simon Higgins has a deep interest in martial arts. He trained and competed in Japan in a traditional sword art called Iaido. In 2008, he placed fifth in the world championships for Iaido in Kyoto, Japan!
Simon has shared that his experience with traditional Asian warrior culture and discipline greatly inspired his most popular books. These stories often feature brave samurai and stealthy ninja.
Popular Series: Moonshadow
His 2008 novel, Moonshadow: Eye of the Beast, became a bestseller in Australia. It was also nominated for a fantasy award and later published in the United States, Germany, Indonesia, and England.
Because of the book's success, Simon was invited to appear on a popular Australian children's TV show called Saturday Disney. On the show, he talked about his book and even showed off some swordplay!
Sharing His Knowledge
Simon has written short stories for various collections, including tales of horror, science fiction, and historical adventures. He has also written many articles about how to write and how to come up with creative ideas.
He is a frequent speaker and teacher of creative writing. He often includes martial arts demonstrations in his talks when he visits schools and universities in Australia, England, and Asia.
Simon Higgins has been recognized in teaching magazines and the Australian media for his efforts to encourage more boys to read.
Promoting Asian Cultures
In 2010, the Australian government's Asia Education Foundation asked Simon to become an "Ambassador for Asia Literacy." This was in recognition of his work to help people better understand Asian cultures.
His novel, Moonshadow: Eye of the Beast, was even recommended as a school textbook by the Asia Education Foundation.
In 2013, Simon received an award from the Australian Government to live and study in China. He focused on learning about "Screenwriting for Film & TV Animation."
This experience led to him working with Crane Animation, a company in China. He started as a creative helper and then became a screenwriter for their award-winning TV series, Gemini Fables. He also helped train the company's writing team.
