About

Michael Simones is a retired Air Force Child & Youth Services senior administrator and an award-winning author. He holds an AA in Child Development from City College of San Francisco and a BA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA. He has completed MA coursework in Human Development at Pacific Oaks College as well. In 2021, he also finished 30 units of LGBT Studies at City College of San Francisco. During his 37 years of service to military families, Mr. Simones taught preschool children for 10 years before serving as a Curriculum Specialist and Child Development Center Director. He moved into senior administration during the last 10 years of his career as a Child and Youth Civilian Commander at Air Force programs worldwide. Throughout his career, Mr. Simones has received citations from the US Air Force, including the 2015 Air Force Child & Youth Services Commander of the Year award. Mr. Simones lives in San Francisco, CA.

In retirement, Mr. Simones writes books for children, youth, and young adults that promote positive social and self-esteem affirmation and inclusion—especially for those who are bullied and emotionally abused because of who they naturally are. Mr. Simones’ vision is to create books that inspire children and youth who feel different to embrace their true selves and build a successful life that overcomes negative messages from home, school, and the playground.

Author's Mission Statement

I am sharing my life story as a queer child, teenager, young adult, and older adult to promote positive social attitudes and self-esteem for today’s LGBTQIA+ children, teens, and young adults. I want them to know they are not alone and that there are ways to escape negative messages and find a supportive environment. At the same time, I write to educate the heterosexual community that negative messaging can be hurtful and damaging.

I am taking a stand on business approach to documenting my experiences because the truth can teach, especially when it is hard to face.

In my writing, I want to convey that it’s okay to feel attraction to someone of the same sex. It is okay to be the gender you feel inside and not let anyone tell you otherwise.

I want to encourage both queer and straight people to educate themselves on queer topics and not just follow what others tell them.

I will be addressing topics such as suicide prevention, anti-bullying (especially on the playground and in sports), redirecting queer-phobic behaviors, living a healthy queer life, promoting critical thinking, and normalizing queer and straight friendships.

White Crow S-Publishing

During my travels in the Russian Federation, I learned that the term “white crow” in Russian culture refers to someone who is different and challenges societal norms. Other meanings in Russian include outsider, unique, extraordinary, and someone who lives by their own rules and stands out from the crowd.

When choosing to self-publish my work, White Crow served as the perfect symbol. The Russian description accurately reflected my goal of creating content that shares my life experiences as a queer man to inspire today’s queer youth and young adults. I’ve always been intrigued by Russian culture and was thrilled to find something that could be part of my work.

About the Illustrator

I have had the honor of working with Eminence System (Illustrator) for all three books that I have authored. You can see how vibrant the graphics are. They are displayed all over this website for you to see. They are a great company that works “with” you to bring your artistic vision to life. Eminence System’s contact information is as follows:

Eminence System

(eminencesystem.com)

Are you Ryder?

Yes, I’m sharing my real-life experiences through the character of Ryder. I wanted to make my memoir more creative.

Contact Information for Libraries, Colleges, Schools & Bookshops

Presentations

I am available for presentations on topics related to the books I have published. I can be reached at (wcrowspub@gmail.com) for more details, including a copy of my agenda.

A Different Kind of Boy

Softcover ISBN: 979-8-9877310-0-0

Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-9877310-1-7

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023917519

Across the Bridge:

Softcover ISBN: 979-8-9877310-2-4

Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-9877310-3-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024909725

Across the Bridge 2:

Softcover ISBN: 979-8-9877310-4-8

Hardcover ISBN: 979-8-9877310-5-5

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024909726

Follow

If you would like to be notified when I release new book content, click on the link, scroll down, and press the FOLLOW button that is next to my name and photo. It is imperative that we queer people tell our stories. I hope you will do the same when you are ready. Thank you so much!

https://a.co/d/9iyYPyJ