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<title>Simon Drayton | Updates</title>
<description>Simon Drayton | Updates</description>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:53:04 +0000</pubDate>
<lastBuildDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:53:04 +0000</lastBuildDate>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com</link>
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<title>Simon Drayton’s Writing: Behind the Scenes</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/blog/simon-drayton-s-writing-behind-the-scenes-my-name-is-simon-drayton-and-i</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/blog/simon-drayton-s-writing-behind-the-scenes-my-name-is-simon-drayton-and-i</guid>
<category>Blog</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Blog post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;My name is Simon Drayton and I am the author of the From East to West series, the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith, and the Voyages of Simeon Carter and Peter Truman. I am an indie author who started publishing in July of 2025. If you have read my stories, it is my hope that you’ve enjoyed them. You may wonder about the process of how I write or how I am able to release so much material in a small timeframe. I would like to show all interested the strings behind the scenes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;                                 &lt;/h3&gt;&lt;h3&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Timeline of My Books&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is true that I just started publishing my books last July, but I started writing way before that. In fact, of the 23 titles I currently have available to read or preorder, 13 of them were written years before 2025. Here is a breakdown of when my published works have actually been written.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Voyages of Simeon Carter and Peter Truman (2019-2020)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;From the Tropics of Britain (2020)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;From East to West Books 1-5 (2020-2021)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith shorts and novels (2025-2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Although I’ve been releasing books quite rapidly, as you can see, my writings actually represent years of work. Seven of the ten books I’ve written in the past year are short stories, which can be incredibly faster to write than novels. Also, since I am a self-employed small business owner, I have more control over my schedule which enable me to write as much as I do.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Methods of Writing and Sources of Inspiration&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; I usually write my stories at home, but I have written in other places, such as in the car while going to and fro places, a cabin at Lake Fort Smith State Park, or a hotel room in Atlanta. Some of the places in &lt;em&gt;the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith&lt;/em&gt; are either places I visited or places around Arkansas. I get ideas for my stories in various places. For example, Gone with the Sun, was inspired by the total eclipse of 2024, which crossed Little Rock. While mowing a client’s yard, I talked with a lady across the fence. She mentioned that her dog was an Australian Shepherd, which contributed in a little way to &lt;em&gt;the Australian Shepherd Scheme&lt;/em&gt;. A picture I took years ago of a female cardinal in the snow became the inspiration for &lt;em&gt;The Cardinal Crime. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For my earlier writings, classic authors served as an inspiration. I felt a surge of desire to write a story after reading &lt;em&gt;Journey to the Center of the Earth &lt;/em&gt;by Jules Verne. This eventually led me to write &lt;em&gt;Under the Crags&lt;/em&gt;, which started &lt;em&gt;the Voyages of Simeon Carter and Peter Truman&lt;/em&gt; series. The beginning of &lt;em&gt;A Story Below&lt;/em&gt; came from an actual experience I had of demolishing a shed for someone. I learned how to make recurring characters that pop up at different times from Charles Dickens and his writings served as an inspiration and somewhat as a guide for &lt;em&gt;From the Tropics of Britain&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;From East to West&lt;/em&gt;. My Caribbean and European heritage also served as an inspiration for &lt;em&gt;From the Tropics of Britain&lt;/em&gt;. Learning about the Chinese Exclusion Act while in school served as a basis for Jiang in the &lt;em&gt;From East to West&lt;/em&gt; series. Her relationship with Toulouse Blanc was inspired by &lt;em&gt;Silas Marner&lt;/em&gt; by George Eliot. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;strong&gt;My Commitment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As you can see, I get inspiration for my writing from many places and that I have been writing for years. I have a broad writing range; from Historical Fiction to Sci Fi, from novels to short stories, from YA Mystery to MG Action. One thing, though, will always remain the same. My stories will always be clean and wholesome, free of any mature content. It is my hope that you will enjoy my stories. Thank you!&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>A New Short Story Series, The Voyages of Simeon Carter and Peter Truman</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-short-story-series-the-voyages-of-simeon-carter-and-peter-truman-i</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-short-story-series-the-voyages-of-simeon-carter-and-peter-truman-i</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;I am pleased to announce that I will be releasing a new series starting in April. This book collection is an MG/YA short story series Although I am just publishing these stories, I actually wrote this stories years ago. In fact, they predate &lt;em&gt;From the tropics of Britain, &lt;/em&gt;the &lt;em&gt;From East to West Books, &lt;/em&gt;and &lt;em&gt;the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith&lt;/em&gt;.  The new series is entitled &lt;em&gt;the Voyages of Simeon Carter and Peter Truman. &lt;/em&gt;The protagonists are fifteen years old and the adventures they take are legendary. From fantasy worlds, to countries all around the world, to time travels to the Past, those teenagers and their friends do it all. The first three stories will be released on April 7th 2026. After that, they will be released monthly from June to December of 2026. Like all my stories, they are clean and free of any mature content whatsoever. Although the protagonists are in their teens, the style of these books should appeal to the Middle Grade audience as well. The names of the first three short stories are &lt;em&gt;Under the Crags, The Queen Fisher’s Quest for the Sun, and My Voyage on the Floating Leaf. &lt;/em&gt;They are currently available for preorder on Amazon and the whole series will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. Here is a list of the stories and when they will be released in ebook format.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Under the Crags (April 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Queen Fisher’s Quest for the Sun (April 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;My Voyages on the Floating Leaf (April 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Time and Time Again Part One (June 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Time and Time Again Part Two (July 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Rubber-Band Man (August 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;A Story Below (September 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Vanish of Villa Loka Part One (October 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Vanish of Villa Loka Part Two (November 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The Vanish of Villa Loka Part Three (December 2026)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;      It is my hope that many people will enjoy this new series!&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Gone with the Sun and The Cardinal Crime is now enrolled in Kindle Unlimited!</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/gone-with-the-sun-and-the-cardinal-crime-is-now-enrolled-in-kindle</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/gone-with-the-sun-and-the-cardinal-crime-is-now-enrolled-in-kindle</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;For the last few months, Gone with the Sun and The Cardinal Crime have been available on Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books. However, my experience has indicated that the vast majority of my readers are on Amazon and a good portion of them use Kindle Unlimited. In fact, over 22 percent of my sales on Amazon are from Kindle Unlimited.  On the other hand, the activity from my books on other retailers have been minimal. So as to attract the highest amount of readers most likely to interact with my books, I have decided to remove Gone with the Sun and The Cardinal Crime from Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and Apple Books. As of Sunday March 8th, both books are now enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. This makes the novel series and the short story series of &lt;em&gt;the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith&lt;/em&gt; more compatible and attract the highest number of readers possible. I would like to apologize for any inconvenience, but it is my hope and belief that more people will interact with my writings than ever before.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>The Cookie Kingdom Crumbles is now on Kindle Unlimited and no longer available on other retailers</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/the-cookie-kingdom-crumbles-is-now-on-kindle-unlimited-and-no-longer</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/the-cookie-kingdom-crumbles-is-now-on-kindle-unlimited-and-no-longer</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 7 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Ever since I began releasing each of my stories in the series, The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith Shorts, each one of them have been on KDP Select, with the exception of the Cookie Kingdom Crumbles. Since it seems that the overwhelming majority of my readers are on Amazon and so that my series could be seamless to my readers on KU, I have enrolled the Cookie Kingdom Crumbles on KDP Select. Before doing so, I removed this book from Barnes &amp;amp; Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books. That means that the Cookie Kingdom Crumbles is only available on Amazon for purchase and to read in KU. I would like to apologize for any inconvenience and I hope this change makes it easier for others to enjoy this series &lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>A New Release for May 2025: The Importance of Being Wright</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-may-2025-the-importance-of-being-wright-i-am-proud-to</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-may-2025-the-importance-of-being-wright-i-am-proud-to</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 6 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;I am proud to announce the milestone release of a new book in &lt;em&gt;the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith Shorts &lt;/em&gt;entitled: &lt;em&gt;The Importance of Being Wright.  &lt;/em&gt;This will be the seventh book in this series and it involves a mystery that surrounds a modern play of &lt;em&gt;The Importance of Being Earnest &lt;/em&gt;by Oscar Wilde. Here is a synopsis of this story:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Jacklyn Wright, an assistant director of the Great Plays Tours, goes missing after angrily leaving a Little Rock Theater. John and his partner, Detective Evans, become increasingly disturbed by the “nonchalant” behavior of her husband and the lack of concern that the Director seems to have. What makes matters worse is that Mrs. Wright has type 1 diabetes and the detectives have no clue as to whether she has her insulin or not. The two private investigators race against time to find out what happened to her before things get too out of hand. This YA cozy mystery has a literary edge to it and it shows themes of professionalism, concern for others, and reminds us that when everything goes wrong, there is still a vital &lt;em&gt;Importance of Being Wright.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This story has already been rated Top New Release in Teen and Young Adult Detective Story ebooks on Amazon. It will be released on May 5th 2026 and is now available for preorder.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Classic Books that everyone should read at least once</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/blog/classic-books-that-everyone-should-read-at-least-once-people-have-been</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/blog/classic-books-that-everyone-should-read-at-least-once-people-have-been</guid>
<category>Blog</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 2 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Blog post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;People have been writing books for thousands of years on countless topics. Many great literature have been written in the 19th century. Here are some that I have found interesting and a worthwhile read.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is a play written by Oscar Wilde and it is about the size of a novelette. The story is humorous, lighthearted, and witty. The two main characters, Alegernon and Jack, pretend to be the same person, Ernest Worthing. This confuses matters when they fall in love with two different women who end up thinking they are in love with the same man. The twist and turns in this story make this read worthwhile.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; 2.  &lt;strong&gt;Silas Marner by George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This story has heartwarming characters and deep. Silas Marner is accused of a crime and is basically thrown out of his religious community. Feeling that God has abandoned him, he moves to another place and isolates himself. He ends up finding a bit of pleasure in the pile of money he gets from working and saving meticulously…and then it’s stolen. One day, a small girl ends up wandering into his house and he decides to adopt her. The ending is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. If you like stories with bigger than life characters that you should read this.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3. &lt;strong&gt;David Copperfield by Charles Dickens&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; This is a classic by Charles Dickens and has some similarities to his own life. It has been a childhood favorite of mine and even an inspiration for some of my earlier writings. The story focuses on David Copperfield. He becomes an orphan and is basically abandoned by his stepfather. He ends of being raised by his aunt. The story continues through his adult life, his career, his relationships, his trials, and finally his success. I personally recommend reading the great illustrated classics version of this story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4. &lt;strong&gt;The Chase of the Golden Meteorite by Jules Verne&lt;/strong&gt;  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is a lesser known book by Jules Verne and personally my favorite. Two amateur astronomers in 19th century Virginia both spot a golden meteorite in the sky. That discovery soon sparks interests all around the world, especially when it starts to descend to the earth. The two astronomers, who at one time were good friends, become terrible rivals and the nations of the world begin to claim ownership of the golden meteorite. This is a humorous and interesting read for those who like clean novels, works of Jules Verne, and soft science fiction.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;  Classic Books are Still Contemporary!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Styles, clothing, technology, and other aspects of life have changed dramatically since these people published their writings. Human nature hasn’t. We basically still want and need the same things. These stories have entertained people for decades and can still entertain you. So give these books a try and you may be surprised at how these stories affect you!&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>A new release for April 2026: Reserved for Trouble</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-april-2026-reserved-for-trouble-i-am-proud-to-announce</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-april-2026-reserved-for-trouble-i-am-proud-to-announce</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;I am proud to announce that in the first week of April, I plan on releasing the sixth story in &lt;em&gt;the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith &lt;/em&gt;series. It is entitled &lt;em&gt;Reserved for Trouble.&lt;/em&gt; Here is a synopsis:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Detective John Smith is assigned to be a temporary Hotel Detective in a luxury hotel named The Fabulous Seasons Resorts. The resort expects quite a bit of guest for a local art convention in the adjacent convention center. John thinks that this assignment will be more like a vacation than work. After all, what could go wrong at an art convention?”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“However, such an illusion doesn’t last long. A piece of art worth millions is lost without a trace. With the NDA’s (and John’s reputation) on the line, he has to put all his deductive skills to the test to find the person responsible for the crime.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This title has already been ranked top new release in teen and young adult art ebooks on Amazon. It is available for preorder.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>A New Release for March 2026: Bike For Your Life </title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-march-2026-bike-for-your-life-i-am-pleased-to-announce</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-march-2026-bike-for-your-life-i-am-pleased-to-announce</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 1 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;I am pleased to announce the fifth story in the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith Shorts entitled &quot;Bike for Your Life&quot;. It also marks a milestone, for it is the 10th book I&#39;ve published. Here is a synopsis:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;Eighteen-year-old private investigator John Smith has never seen rivalry as fierce as this. When two elite mountain-bike teams in Bentonville clash over a controversial sabotage that could potentially cost one crew the championship, John is called in as a neutral party to untangle the spokes of deception, ambition, and hidden grudges. However, as John digs deeper, he begins to suspect that there is more than a bike competition. If he’s right, than he has to race against time to prove it before the cyclist loses more than just a competition and solving the case won’t be as easy as riding a bike.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is already available on Amazon for preorder.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>A New Release for February 2026: Don’t Give a Dog a Bad Name</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-february-2026-don-t-give-a-dog-a-bad-name-in-february</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-february-2026-don-t-give-a-dog-a-bad-name-in-february</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 1 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;In February 2026, I plan to release a new short story entitled: “Don’t Give a Dog a Bad Name.” Here is a synopsis of the story:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“When a senior living community’s beloved garden is vandalized overnight, Private Investigator John Smith is called in to restore order. A frustrated neighbor is convinced the culprit is a dachshund, and he’s dead set on blaming the pup’s distressed owner. As John follows a trail of overturned soil, muddy paw prints, and whispered rumors, he begins to suspect that someone far more cunning might be lurking behind the scenes. With determination and a knack for seeing what others overlook, John must peel back layers of suspicion to uncover the real saboteur—and save both the garden and an accused dog’s good name.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The book is available for preorder on Amazon.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>A new release for February 2026: Diamonds are simply not forever </title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-february-2026-diamonds-are-simply-not-forever-in</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/a-new-release-for-february-2026-diamonds-are-simply-not-forever-in</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;In February 2026, I am going to release a new short stories in the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith series entitled: &quot;Diamonds are simply not forever.&quot; The Arkansas Blue Diamond is missing from the Knox Museum of Fine Jewels. The museum is secured by three different security companies and yet the diamond goes missing and the thief disappears undetected. John Smith now has to figure out what happened and whose responsible. It has already been rated as Top New Release in One-Hour Teen &amp;amp; Young Adult Short Reads on Amazon and is now available for preorder for only 99 cents. Great for fans of cozy mysteries and clean YA mysteries. &lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Read my interview on Awesomegang</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-my-interview-on-awesomegang-please-read-my-interview-on-awesomegang-to</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-my-interview-on-awesomegang-please-read-my-interview-on-awesomegang-to</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Please read my interview on Awesomegang to learn about my stories and what I plan to do in the future.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;https://awesomegang.com/?p=1168226&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Readers’ Favorite Review for the Cardinal Crime</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/readers-favorite-review-for-the-cardinal-crime-reviewed-by-nino-lobiladze</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/readers-favorite-review-for-the-cardinal-crime-reviewed-by-nino-lobiladze</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers&#39; Favorite&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“The Cardinal Crime by Simon Drayton will appeal to young adult fans of mysteries, crime fiction, and detective novels. Eighteen-year-old John Smith is a detective for Noble Detective Agency, or NDA. John and his older colleague, Rebecca Young, start an investigation in the small town of Onyxville, Arkansas. Tourists love this town for a specific reason. One of its attractions is a five-star restaurant called The Cardinal. Its owner, Timothy Rossi, needs NDA&#39;s help in solving puzzling incidents that threaten to damage his business and reputation. Someone is stealing wallets, phones, and other personal items from Mr. Rossi&#39;s customers. Is the thief somehow connected to The Cardinal? When John narrows down the list of possible suspects, the case takes an unexpected turn.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Simon Drayton&#39;s The Cardinal Crime has a flavor that seasoned crime fiction readers like me will appreciate. Yet, the author also makes this story interesting for a younger audience, crafting an exceptional main character. John is bright, honest, and resourceful. He is a man of principle, setting a good example for young adult readers. The author describes John as &quot;a firm believer that all necessary work is equal.&quot; John is a true professional despite his young age. I like Simon&#39;s concise and straight-to-the-point writing style. The intrigue around The Cardinal grows with every chapter, and the events unfold quickly. While the author gives us some clues, the outcome of the story remains unpredictable. I hope to read more about John&#39;s fascinating investigations.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Cardinal Crime is available on Amazon, Audible, Kobo, Barnes &amp;amp; Noble, and Apple Books. &lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Read my interview on The Fussy Librarian </title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-my-interview-on-the-fussy-librarian-please-read-my-interview-on-the</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-my-interview-on-the-fussy-librarian-please-read-my-interview-on-the</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Please read my interview on the fussy librarian to see how I began to write, to learn a little bit more about my books, and the inspiration behind my writings.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/newswire/2025/10/09/author-qa-simon-drayton&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noopener&quot;&gt;https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/newswire/2025/10/09/author-qa-simon-drayton&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Five wholesome stories you may not have heard of…yet!</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/blog/five-wholesome-stories-you-may-not-have-heard-of-yet-nbsp-sometimes-it</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/blog/five-wholesome-stories-you-may-not-have-heard-of-yet-nbsp-sometimes-it</guid>
<category>Blog</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Blog post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;  Sometimes it can be hard to find a good book to read, especially if you like clean literature with no profanity or other mature content. Besides my own books, I would like to recommend these following stories you may not have heard of yet. Most of these books were just released within the last 4 months.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Such an Odd Word to Use by Carl Goodwin&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This book was released in October 2025 and is a good read for people who enjoy a slow burning, psychological mystery. It is about a man in the UK named Mark. Since moving to his new home, he starts to feel monitored by others. He notices a bunch of little nothings, too little to report the authorities for help, but too much to be ignored or dismissed as mere coincidence. This story kept my interest and the end was somewhat satisfying. I like mysteries that feature no violence or murder and this story is definitely one of them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. A Promise In the Oak by JP Elliot &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This book was released in November 2025 and is a nice, cozy mystery. The protagonist’s name is Elior, a craftsman whose job is restoring things. In his line of work, he comes across an old mantelpiece in a house of an older widow. The mantle place was built by her late husband, who was a master craftsman. It is in need of repair, but what kind? He has two choices; give it the repair that his employer wants and that would satisfy the inspector, but would scar the masterpiece forever. The second choice is to search for the unique piece of wood hidden in the house that would give the mantelpiece the true repair it needs, but would also be time consuming, possibly unfruitful, and would jeopardize his relationship with his employer and the job that he loves. This story is well written, wholesome, and heartwarming. In my opinion, we need more stories like these.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. The Bakery Key: An Audrey Lockwood Mystery by Vivian Monroe&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This book was released very recently, on January 6th 2026. It is the first book of a new series. The protagonist is a college girl, Audrey Lockwood, who is new to the area and the school. She just moved into the apartment above a bakery named Hearth and Crust. By coincidence, she discovers two related things, an old key and that one of the workers there didn’t report for work. This is a nice story that shows us that curiosity, when used correctly, can be a good motivator. It also reminds us of the need to value others and their opinions. A very nice, clean read and I plan to read the other books in the series after they are released.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. A Moggy for Michael (Lost Pet Chronicles) by John Keane&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This book was released on Amazon in December of 2025. It is a short story that I thoroughly enjoyed. A boy named Mike lost his pet Sam, a cat his mother gave him just before she died. The pet detective who gets contacted by him now goes on a search for the missing cat and meets an eccentric older lady that proves to be more help than ever expected. I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you like stories with tragedy, recovery, and endearing characters.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. The Chase of the Golden Meteorite by Jules Verne&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This novel is the oldest book in this article and was published almost 120 years ago. It is a lesser known book by Jules Verne and personally my favorite. Two amateur astronomers in 19th century Virginia both spot a golden meteorite in the sky. That discovery soon sparks interests all around the world, especially when it starts to descend to the earth. The two astronomers, who at one time were good friends, become terrible rivals and the nations of the world begin to claim ownership of the golden meteorite. This is a humorous and interesting read for those who like clean novels, works of Jules Verne, and soft science fiction.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keep Reading!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To the serious reader, a good book is worth the search. I hope my recommendations make the search a little easier. Of course, if you are looking for new, clean stories to read with endearing characters and interesting storylines, you don’t need to look any further. Just click on the books tab on this website to see a list of all of my books. Each one of them are wholesome and free of any mature content. Please subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date with new releases and receive bonus content. Thanks for reading and I hope this is helpful.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Readers’ Review for The Cardinal Crime</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/readers-review-for-the-cardinal-crime-reviewed-by-nino-lobiladze-for</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/readers-review-for-the-cardinal-crime-reviewed-by-nino-lobiladze-for</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers&#39; Favorite&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“The Cardinal Crime by Simon Drayton will appeal to young adult fans of mysteries, crime fiction, and detective novels. Eighteen-year-old John Smith is a detective for Noble Detective Agency, or NDA. John and his older colleague, Rebecca Young, start an investigation in the small town of Onyxville, Arkansas. Tourists love this town for a specific reason. One of its attractions is a five-star restaurant called The Cardinal. Its owner, Timothy Rossi, needs NDA&#39;s help in solving puzzling incidents that threaten to damage his business and reputation. Someone is stealing wallets, phones, and other personal items from Mr. Rossi&#39;s customers. Is the thief somehow connected to The Cardinal? When John narrows down the list of possible suspects, the case takes an unexpected turn.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Simon Drayton&#39;s The Cardinal Crime has a flavor that seasoned crime fiction readers like me will appreciate. Yet, the author also makes this story interesting for a younger audience, crafting an exceptional main character. John is bright, honest, and resourceful. He is a man of principle, setting a good example for young adult readers. The author describes John as &quot;a firm believer that all necessary work is equal.&quot; John is a true professional despite his young age. I like Simon&#39;s concise and straight-to-the-point writing style. The intrigue around The Cardinal grows with every chapter, and the events unfold quickly. While the author gives us some clues, the outcome of the story remains unpredictable. I hope to read more about John&#39;s fascinating investigations.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Cardinal Crime is available on Amazon, Audible, Barnes &amp;amp; Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title></title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/on-january-6th-2026-the-second-novel-of-the-series-the-mysteries-of-just</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/on-january-6th-2026-the-second-novel-of-the-series-the-mysteries-of-just</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;On January 6th 2026, the second novel of the series “the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith” will be released in ebook format on Amazon, Barnes &amp;amp; Noble, and Kobo. The title of novel is “The Cardinal Crime”.  Here is a synopsis of the book:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“During the winter in Northern Arkansas, an elusive criminal is preying on the customers of an unlikely establishment. Teenage Detective John Smith of the Noble Detective Agency is assigned to take on this daunting case. Working alongside him is Detective Yang, a more experienced private investigator. The Cardinal, a five star restaurant in the Ozark Mountains, is a victim of an evil and deliberate scheme. It customers&#39; belongings are being stolen right under their noses and from right inside the restaurant. The publicity is threatening to close down the business and destroy the owner’s reputation. Accusations start to fly and suspicions grow as more and more robberies take place. All the while, the perpetrator of these dastardly deeds, dubbed the Cardinal Criminal, continues unknown, unseen, and undetected. He is not caught on camera and no one witnesses any of the robberies despite the fact that the theft takes place in a room full of people. The more clues the detectives gather, the more complicated the case seems to be. If they don&#39;t get to the bottom of this soon, the Cardinal will fall from the sky forever. Can the two investigators work together to solve the Cardinal Crime?”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Please subscribe to receive updates on promotions and deals regarding this and other releases.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Read Reader&#39;s Favorite Review for The Australian Shepherds Scheme</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-reader-s-favorite-review-for-the-australian-shepherds-scheme-reviewed</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-reader-s-favorite-review-for-the-australian-shepherds-scheme-reviewed</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 2 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&quot;The Australian Shepherd Scheme by Simon Drayton is a short young adult mystery set in Little Rock. The story begins when Penny arrives at the Novel Detective Agency. Her Australian Shepherd puppy, Pumpkin, was missing, and she needed help finding him. John Smith, an 18-year-old investigator for the agency, was up for the challenge. However, nothing could have prepared him for what would happen next. Turns out, five puppies from the same litter as Pumpkin had also vanished, and the seller’s house was messed with. It is now up to John Smith to figure out what happened, where all the Australian Shepherds went, and bring them back home. It was a race against time, and the task was becoming bigger than John anticipated. Could John find them all before it was too late?&quot;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&quot;I enjoyed Simon Drayton&#39;s short, entertaining, and engaging mystery. The story was full of intrigue, and the execution was fantastic. I loved how the story opened with John, gave the reader an introduction that would help them form a connection with him, and then introduced the mystery. I felt bad for Penny and wanted to know what truly happened to the litter of Australian Shepherds. John was a reliable protagonist to follow. He was focused, determined to find the puppies, and was open with his thoughts. I loved his interaction with Cinnamon. She was adorable and the perfect sidekick as they tried to find her littermates before time ran out. The narrative was fast-paced, and the story was well-written. The Australian Shepherd Scheme was the perfect pick-me-up I needed, and I loved it!&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This title will be available in ebook format on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on January 6th 2026&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>The Cookie Kingdom Crumbles</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/the-cookie-kingdom-crumbles-in-early-2026-i-plan-to-release-the-ebook-the</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/the-cookie-kingdom-crumbles-in-early-2026-i-plan-to-release-the-ebook-the</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;In early 2026, I plan to release the ebook.&quot;The Cookie Kingdom Crumbles&quot; on Amazon.  It will be the second short in the series, The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith and is already available on Barnes &amp;amp; Noble. Here is a synopsis:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;A barista from John&#39;s favorite coffee shop opens up a bakery named Cookie Kingdom. Before the grand opening, though, strange things happen. Things too insignificant to report to the police, but too noticeable to ignore. Knowing that John is a detective, she enlists his help. What does it turn out to be?&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Subscribe to keep up to date with promotions, new releases, and other important information. &lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>The Australian Shepherd Scheme </title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/the-australian-shepherd-scheme-in-january-2026-i-am-going-to-release-the</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/the-australian-shepherd-scheme-in-january-2026-i-am-going-to-release-the</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;In January 2026, I am going to release the first ebook in the series &quot;The Mysteries of Just Another John Smith Shorts&quot; entitled: &quot;The Australian Shepherd Scheme&quot;.  Here is a synopsis:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&quot;On a frost-locked morning in Little Rock, Penny arrives at the steps of the Noble Detective Agency clutching a single, desperate hope: her lost Australian Shepherd pup, Pumpkin. What seems like a straightforward poster-and-social-media inquiry soon spirals into something far darker. When five more puppies from the same litter vanish without a trace—and the breeder’s home is found ransacked but untouched—the case takes on eerie overtones. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Detective John Smith must peel back layers of small-town secrets and rising panic among Shepherd owners. Is this the work of a calculated animal thief, or something more sinister? As winter’s chill deepens, every new clue brings John closer to a hidden threat whose next move could shatter the close-knit community. In the race to reunite a grieving girl with her puppy and stop a mysterious terror, every second counts.&quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is currently available for preorder and will be on Kindle Unlimited, so it is available exclusively on Amazon.  Please subscribe to my mailing list to keep up to date on release dates and deals.&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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<title>Read Gone with the Sun review on Reader’s Favorite</title>
<link>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-gone-with-the-sun-review-on-reader-s-favorite-reviewed-by-eric-ferrar</link>
<dc:creator>Simon Drayton</dc:creator>
<guid isPermaLink='false'>https://simondraytonbooks.com/updates/read-gone-with-the-sun-review-on-reader-s-favorite-reviewed-by-eric-ferrar</guid>
<category>Update</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 3 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<description>Update post.</description>
<content:encoded>&lt;![CDATA[ &lt;p&gt;Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers’ Favorite&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Gone With the Sun by Simon Drayton follows a resourceful 18-year-old private detective named John Smith. John relocates to Little Rock, Arkansas, to join the Noble Detective Agency branch there. He is struggling with the loss of his parents, who died in a car accident, while trying to prove his worth as a young detective. When a woman named Genesis Owens disappears during a solar eclipse, John is assigned to her case after previously successfully solving several missing persons investigations. A social media snapshot from the day Genesis vanished leads him to identify the vehicles and people present at the scene. Although he has a suspect in mind, John’s persistence soon results in major setbacks and humiliation. Will he eventually unveil the truth behind Genesis&#39;s disappearance before he loses faith in himself entirely?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Gone With the Sun is book one of the Mysteries of Just Another John Smith series. It is a gripping detective story merged with a mesmerizing coming-of-age tale. Simon Drayton does an excellent job of depicting the social challenges young professionals face while proving their worth. John’s mistakes and self-doubt feel realistic, making his story even more compelling and thought-provoking. Themes of trauma, failure, and mental health are well-developed, adding deeper layers to John&#39;s intriguing character. Through his crime-solving abilities, readers will realize that cracking a case is much more than gathering evidence and putting the perpetrator behind bars—it&#39;s also about knowing one’s own limitations and navigating a workspace with other investigators who may have contrasting approaches. If you enjoy reading coming-of-age mysteries with a sci-fi twist, you&#39;re in for a great treat. Highly recommended.”&lt;/p&gt; ]]&gt;</content:encoded>
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