Simon Cann’s news feed

Simon Says edition 007/May 2017

posted on: 9 May 2017

The May 2017 edition of Simon Says, my monthly readers’ group communiqué, is out today.

In this month’s edition: The Camera published; Why Paris; and BrainDead—a possible explanation for why politics is as it is.

continue reading: Simon Says edition 007/May 2017

The Camera published

posted on: 9 May 2017

The Camera is now available on Amazon. Follow this link to get the book: getbook.at/camera.

Leathan Wilkey doesn’t know who murdered his friend—or why she was murdered—but he will remain tormented until he brings about some sort of justice for her.

At first, Leathan Wilkey thinks he led the killer to Anaïs.

continue reading: The Camera published

Simon Says edition 006/April 2017

posted on: 11 April 2017

The April 2017 edition of Simon Says, my monthly readers’ group communiqué, is out today.

In this month’s edition: The Camera is now available for pre-order; have you read all the Leathan Wilkey books; join my review team; and The Power of the Dog.

continue reading: Simon Says edition 006/April 2017

The Camera available for pre-order

posted on: 10 April 2017

Leathan Wilkey doesn’t know who murdered his friend—or why she was murdered—but he will remain tormented until he brings about some sort of justice for her.

The Camera by Simon Cann, the fourth book in the Leathan Wilkey series, is now available for pre-order from Amazon.

You can read more, including the first chapter, by heading over to Simon Cann dot com.

continue reading: The Camera available for pre-order

Simon Says edition 005/March 2017

posted on: 14 March 2017

The March 2017 edition of Simon Says, my monthly readers’ group communiqué, is out today.

In this month’s edition: Simon Says: looking inside my head; Boniface Box Set; The Camera, the cover; Madeleine McCann; Reconsidering ebooks.

continue reading: Simon Says edition 005/March 2017

Simon Says edition 004/February 2017

posted on: 14 February 2017

The February 2017 edition of Simon Says, my monthly readers’ group communiqué, is out today.

In this month’s edition: Diplomatic Baggage available in all bookstores; Have you got all of the books in my free introductory library?; The Camera, coming soon; The Hero Fails; If not Amazon, then…; Jealousy and Envy; The Camera: chapter one.

continue reading: Simon Says edition 004/February 2017

Simon Says edition 003/January 2017

posted on: 10 January 2017

The January 2017 edition of Simon Says, my monthly readers’ group communiqué, is out today.

In this month’s edition: Writing Bag Man; Reasons to forgive Don Cheadle and Devil in a Blue Dress; Amazon Echo.

continue reading: Simon Says edition 003/January 2017

Bag Man published

posted on: 13 December 2016

Bag Man, a new Leathan Wilkey novella is published today. It is available for free download from simoncann.com/bag

Take the bag. Give it to the nasty man. Bring back the kid.

Leathan Wilkey has been hired to make a ransom exchange.

He has the cash, a car, and a phone so the kidnappers can direct him to the location of the exchange for the seven-year-old boy. But it soon becomes clear that there are two groups demanding the ransom, and they can’t both have the kid.

continue reading: Bag Man published

Simon Says edition 002/December 2016

posted on: 13 December 2016

The December 2016 edition of Simon Says, my monthly readers’ group communiqué, is out today.

In this month’s edition: Bag Man published; Simon Cann’s introductory library; Clementina available in all bookstores; The kernel of an idea; Goliath.

continue reading: Simon Says edition 002/December 2016

Simon Says: readers' group communiqué

posted on: 8 November 2016

Today I’m launching my new monthly communiqué for members of my readers’ group: Simon Says. You can read the first edition here: simoncann.com/simon-says-001.

continue reading: Simon Says: readers’ group communiqué

Diplomatic Baggage published

posted on: 4 October 2016

Diplomatic Baggage is now available on Amazon. Follow this link to get the book: getBook.at/diplomatic.

Leathan Wilkey thinks he has been framed for murder by the victim’s father

Leathan Wilkey has been hired by a diplomat to find a nineteen-year-old.

“He’s the son of a friend—I’m doing a favor,” says the diplomat, who gives Leathan the teenager’s name and a photo and tells him where the kid usually hangs out.

continue reading: Diplomatic Baggage published

Diplomatic Baggage available for pre-order

posted on: 6 September 2016

Leathan Wilkey thinks he has been framed for murder by the victim’s father

Diplomatic Baggage by Simon Cann, the second book in the Leathan Wilkey series, is now available for pre-order from Amazon.

You can read more, including the first chapter, by heading over to Simon Cann dot com.

continue reading: Diplomatic Baggage available for pre-order

Clementina blog tour

posted on: 25 July 2016

Over the next month I’ll be talking to some book bloggers about my new book, Clementina. Come along to find out more about the book, my writing, and the life of an author.

continue reading: Clementina blog tour

Get Clementina for free

posted on: 25 July 2016

For the next five days (until Friday 29 July 2016) you can get Clementina, the first book in the Leathan Wilkey series, for free.

Yes, free.

Head over to Amazon and get your copy now.

continue reading: Get Clementina for free

Clementina published

posted on: 14 June 2016

Leathan Wilkey has been hired to babysit Clementina, a seventeen-year-old whose rich daddy is going through a messy divorce and is over-compensating.

Leathan soon tires of her spending habits, her selfie obsession, and her social media preoccupation as his ward drags him from shop to boutique to jeweler.

But when Clementina snaps her fingers and her boyfriend doesn’t come running, something is up. He doesn’t appear because he’s been murdered.

continue reading: Clementina published

Long Lunch published

posted on: 29 September 2015

“Let’s have lunch tomorrow,” said the email, but when Montbretia arrived at her friend’s office he wasn’t there.

“When did he leave?” Montbretia asked the receptionist.

“Monday,” came the reply.

“No. I mean, when did he leave for lunch?”

“Monday,” repeated the receptionist. “He left at lunchtime on Monday.”

“But today’s Wednesday,” said Montbretia.

The receptionist’s face softened with a look of amusement as she tried to sympathize with Montbretia’s embarrassment. “A long lunch.”

continue reading: Long Lunch published

High Five published

posted on: 21 August 2015

Montbretia was there; she saw what happened. The pickpocket went down, but that wasn’t enough to stop Curtis’s fists from flying. And when she pulled Curtis away, the other guy just laid on the side of the street. Inert. Barely breathing.

Now the victim’s comrades—who have seen their friend grievously wounded and have lost their source of income—want to talk with Curtis. But the only person they can find is Montbretia, and they aren’t sure whether she’s telling the truth when she says she doesn’t know where Curtis has gone.

continue reading: High Five published

Tattoo Your Name on My Heart published

posted on: 1 November 2014

Boniface thought he was dealing with an internet hate campaign.

But when his client’s wife disappears, Boniface goes looking and finds small-time crooks after money and glamor, an angry son wanting to get even with the parent who he believes abandoned him, and poverty-stricken musicians whose fame was only ever in their dreams.

continue reading: Tattoo Your Name on My Heart published

How to Make a Noise: a few changes

posted on: 1 September 2014

How to Make a Noise: a Comprehensive Guide to Synthesizer Programming was written ten years ago and first made available as a free download in early 2005.

The download was accessed by inputting an email address—the download link would then be emailed to the reader. The free book was accompanied by a set of patches to illustrate the points covered in the book. The patches were available separately for a cost.

continue reading: How to Make a Noise: a few changes

Pollute the Poor published

posted on: 1 September 2014

The first Boniface knows about the dead body in the next room is when he is arrested for murder.

He knows he has been set up—and that somebody is trying to destroy him—but Boniface doesn’t know who has set him up, or why. As he strips back the layers he is left with only one conclusion: he must neutralize the threat, permanently.

continue reading: Pollute the Poor published

Book giveaway: The Murder of Henry VIII

posted on: 15 July 2014

10 books, 10 days…

If you want to get The Murder of Henry VIII, for free, there are 10 signed paperback copies available for the next ten days. For more details, head over to Goodreads before 24 July 2014.

continue reading: Book giveaway: The Murder of Henry VIII

The Murder of Henry VIII published

posted on: 1 July 2014

As Boniface said when he took the job, how hard can it be to handle the press and publicity for the launch of a book about England’s most famous Tudor monarch?

But when the author is murdered, Boniface realizes the job demands more than he expected. And when the man he is talking with is shot, Boniface runs.

continue reading: The Murder of Henry VIII published

How to Make a Noise: Three New Books Published

posted on: 1 November 2011

Three new books in the How to Make a Noise series have just been published. Check out the video for details.

The key factor when creating sounds with synthesizers is choosing the right tool for the job and then using that tool properly. These three new books each focus on different approaches to synthesizer sound creation so the musician can choose the right tool for the job.

continue reading: How to Make a Noise: Three New Books Published

Z3TA+2 update for Cakewalk Synthesizers: from Presets to Power User, second edition

posted on: 18 October 2011

Since the publication of Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, second edition, Z3TA+ has undergone a major upgrade becoming Z3TA+2.

Z3TA+2 is a significant and worthy update to an old favorite and an update to the book is now available, detailing the changes introduced by the new synthesizer.

continue reading: Z3TA+2 update for Cakewalk Synthesizers: from Presets to Power User, second edition

Jumpstart Your Music Career published

posted on: 3 September 2011

Jumpstart Your Music Career is now available. Check out this video for details.

Jumpstart Your Music Career is for every musician who wants to earn a living—and to sustain a long-term career—making music. It offers the musician a path to proactively manage and develop their own career, by focusing on:

continue reading: Jumpstart Your Music Career published

posted on: 23 March 2011

Noise Sculpture has now joined Facebook.

Why don’t you head over to facebook.com/noisesculpture and say hi?

continue reading: Noise Sculpture joins Facebook

How to Make a Noise: iPad Synthesizers Edition

posted on: 22 February 2011

How to Make a Noise: iPad Synthesizers Edition is now available. Check out the video for details.

The book looks at how to create and control sounds using iPad synthesizers. It introduces sound creation from first principles focusing in turn on each element: sound sources, filters, envelopes, low frequency oscillators and other modulation sources, FX, and frequency modulation synthesis, and then brings the pieces together as you begin to create and control your own sounds. At each step, the principles are illustrated using five synthesizers available for the iPad: BassLine, ReBirth, iELECTRIBE, iMS-20, and NLogSynth Pro.

continue reading: How to Make a Noise: iPad Synthesizers Edition

posted on: 16 September 2010

There have been some changes made to Simon Cann dot com over the past few days.

First, and most obviously, there has been a change to the look and feel of the site. As well as the cleaning up, and some restructuring of the basic content, the web addresses for the documents have also been changed to make them more human-friendly (and an automatic redirection from the old addresses has been put in place).

continue reading: Changes to Simon Cann dot com

Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, second edition, published

posted on: 4 January 2010

The second edition of Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User is now available. Check out this video for details.

This new book covers: Triangle II, PSYN II, Pentagon I, Z3TA+, Session Drummer 2 and Session Drummer 3, Dimension LE and Dimension Pro, Rapture LE and Rapture, and Beatscape.

continue reading: Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, second edition, published

Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, second edition

posted on: 25 November 2009

Since Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User was published in 2006 there have been a number of changes to the featured synthesizers and the Cakewalk line. As a result, I’m pleased to announce that a new edition of the book (to be called Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, second edition) will be published in early 2010.

Since the first edition four new synthesizers have been rel eased which are featured in the new edition:

continue reading: Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, second edition

SFZ Tools

posted on: 15 October 2009

The SFZ format is the file format underlying Cakewalk’s Expression Engine synthesizers. It defines how a group of samples are structured: the samples can then be loaded and deployed in any compatible player (such as Dimension Pro, Rapture, the Session Drummers, and Beatscape). The SFZ format has also been adopted by several other non-Cakewalk synthesizers.

continue reading: SFZ Tools

Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard published

posted on: 2 June 2009

Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard: From Presets to Power User is now available. Check out the video for details.

The book covers:

continue reading: Becoming a Synthesizer Wizard published

posted on: 12 May 2009

The first Noise Sculpture synthesis videos are now available.

You can see them all, and read more about these videos, at noisesculpture.com/videos. If you don’t want to click, then here are the highlights.

continue reading: Synthesis Videos from Noise Sculpture

Made it in China

posted on: 2 January 2009

Made it in China features the personal experiences and lessons of international entrepreneurs who have left their own country and built successful businesses in China.

China is the issue for business in the 21st century. Since the country initiated its market reforms at the end of the 1970s it has made huge strides and now virtually every business around the world, whatever its size and wherever its location, has to include the “China factor” in its business planning.

continue reading: Made it in China

Rocking Your Music Business: Run Your Music Business at Home and on the Road published

posted on: 24 November 2008

Making music is only half the story if you want to earn your living making music: the other half is the business. Rocking Your Music Business:

continue reading: Rocking Your Music Business: Run Your Music Business at Home and on the Road published

Project5 Power! published

posted on: 30 January 2008

Project5 Power! The Comprehensive Guide is now available. With SONAR Power! (by Scott Garrigus) and my other Cakewalk book Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, this completes the coverage of Cakewalk’s Pro Suite.

continue reading: Project5 Power! published

Sample This! (Third Edition) published

posted on: 1 November 2007

Sample This! (Third Edition) is now available.

continue reading: Sample This! (Third Edition) published

Project5 Power!

posted on: 25 October 2007

Project5 Power! is on its way and should be out at the start of next year.

The book is a comprehensive guide to using this sophisticated software and looks at:

continue reading: Project5 Power!

posted on: 1 October 2007

I recently finished updating Sample This! (Third Edition) which has been written in collaboration with Klaus P Rausch.

continue reading: Introducing Klaus

Cakewalk Synthesizers: Update#2

posted on: 27 September 2007

Since Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User was published there have been a number of changes to the featured synthesizers. The second Update to the book has now been made available for free download, ensuring that the information stays up-to-date.

continue reading: Cakewalk Synthesizers: Update#2

posted on: 30 August 2007

I recently spoke to Entrepreneur.com. You can check out the article here.

continue reading: Entrepreneurs and Music

How To Make A Noise published

posted on: 17 July 2007

How To Make A Noise is perhaps the most widely read book about synthesizer programming. It has been revised and updated, and is now available in hard copy form. The book is a comprehensive, practical guide to sound design and synthesizer programming techniques using:

continue reading: How To Make A Noise published

Cakewalk Synthesizers: Update#1

posted on: 25 May 2007

Since Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User was published there have been a number of changes to the featured synthesizers, including:

continue reading: Cakewalk Synthesizers: Update#1

Building a Successful 21st Century Music Career published

posted on: 19 April 2007

Your career in music begins today: decide to begin your career and you’re off. Don’t wait for a record company to call and offer you a contract, because they won’t. All you need to do is decide to start your career.

continue reading: Building a Successful 21st Century Music Career published

Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User published

posted on: 6 October 2006

Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User is the ultimate guide to understanding and using all of Cakewalk’s synthesizers, and learning about synthesizer programming.

continue reading: Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User published