Colorado Author Signed to Publish New Book

Colorado Springs, CO, September 23, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Local author Matthew Vogan recently signed a contract with Tate Publishing to kick-off the publication process of his new book Nicholas and the Bullies.

An imaginative book about a boy who possesses super powers, Nicholas and the Bullies explores the world of young Nicholas and how he teams up with a friend and her younger brother to use his powers to help a kid at school overcome an issue with a bully.

When asked about the inspiration that led to writing the book, Vogan shared that it “came out of one of my classes I attended during my graduate work in special education. Nicholas, the protagonist of the story, has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair for accessing most of his community. However, this is not a deterrent to him in hardly any aspect of his life. Kids like this, not necessarily because of their super powers, have been a tremendous inspiration to me.”

Vogan hopes that his book connects with readers on multiple levels. “I hope that they first respond to the story on the surface level. I want it to be a quick and fun read that even adults can relate to from when they were kids. I remember the kickball ‘field’ as the center of my childhood universe between 6:45 and 7:15 in the morning. Throw in some super powers and friends helping each other to overcome a bully and things get interesting quick,” shared Vogan. “There is another level of response that I hope readers will discover throughout the story. The book touches on many issues including kids with disabilities, foster care, friendship, bullying, faith and prayer, kick ball, super powers, domestic abuse, and sibling relationships. Did I say kick ball? As an educator I have discussed many of these more complex issues with kids and there is a lot for kids to relate to within the story, or even educators to use as talking points with their students.”

At the core, Vogan’s book aims to each children about the real meaning of friendship and that it’s possible to overcome bullies in life. Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, it will be available upon its release through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

The son of missionaries, Vogan spent 14 years of his childhood living in the Philippines—a faith-based upbringing that played a critical role in the writing of this book. However, Vogan also wanted his own childhood experience to take a “back seat” in the writing process so that he could broaden his reach and explore what a child in foster care might experience. His experiences working with students with disabilities as well as alongside behavioral specialists, school psychologists, foster parents, legal advocates, education advocates, social workers, occupational/physical therapists and speech language pathologists have given him a unique insight into the lives of children and the negative role that bullying all-too-often plays in their lives.

In addition to the Phillipines, Vogan has lived in California, Illinois and Colorado. He holds an undergraduate degree in music composition and a master’s degree in special education; and believes his writing to be a creative combination of the two degrees. Outside of writing and music, he enjoys biking, reading business books, hiking, playing video games, caring for his pet ‘dinosaur,’ and spending time with his family, including two younger sisters who are also educators.

For more information or interview requests please contact Michelle Whitman, publicist, at (405) 458-5642 or send an email to michelle@keymgc.com.