Born in Victoria on January 9, 1938, Philip Symons worked as a scientist, research and contract editor prior to self-publishing his 256-page Brother XII's Letter (Victoria: Ruddy Duck Press, 2004), printed by Morriss Printing in Victoria and distributed by Sandhill Book Marketing Ltd. [For more on Brother XII, see Edward Wilson entry] According to Sandhill Distributing, "This adventure novel for children aged seven to twelve hinges on a letter supposedly written by the real life character of Brother XII, the enigmatic cult leader who once lived on the Gulf islands. The letter offers clues to hidden treasure and becomes the catalyst for a summer of adventure and mystery."

Philip Symons' passion for the environment and social justice is the inspiration for a series of Young Adult fiction about a group of teenagers that tackle injustice wherever they find it, starting with Secret Agents Defang a Dragon (Self published $19.95) about the teens working together to save democracy in Canada. Publicity for the book notes: "Though this is a work of fiction, students will be concerned that many similar events have already happened in Canada, and that democratic nations around the world are under threats, domestic and international. This novel is a great support to learning in Canadian Social Studies programs."

In the second book in the series, Pender Harbour's Secret Agents (Self published $19.95), the four teens uncover an oil magnate's misrepresentation of scientific recommendations at a conference in Pender Harbour. Corporate profits overrule climate mitigation. He must be stopped! But how?

A third title in the series, Secret Agents' Dutch Treat (Self published $19.95) four teens are visiting their aunt in the Netherlands when they run into a gang that lures young women into prostitution. They set about turning the gang into the police but it's a dangerous mission.

Each of the Secret Agents books includes an appendix with information about real life instances that inspired Symons' stories.

Symons has been presented with the Social Justice Award of the Canadian Unitarian Council (2018) and the Valued Elder Recognition Award of the Institute of Ageing and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria (2019).

BOOKS:

Secret Agents' Dutch Treat (Self published, 2022) $19.95 9780973492842

Pender Harbour's Secret Agents (Self published, 2021) $19.95 9780973492835

Secret Agents Defang a Dragon (Self published, 2020) $19.95 9780973492828

Brother XII's Letter (Victoria: Ruddy Duck Press, 2004) $14.95 0973492805

[BCBW 2023] "Kidlit"