Simon Tozer was born and raised in Highweek, a village tucked between the South Devon coast and the edge of Dartmoor. His roots run deep—on both sides of his family, he can trace his ancestry in South Devon back to the 1500s. With DNA revealing he’s 80–90% Devonian, it’s no surprise that the land, its stories, and its waters have shaped every part of his life.
A passionate open water swimmer, Simon swims year-round, finding peace and inspiration in the rivers, lakes, and sea of his beloved county. While winter often draws him to the relatively gentler shores of South Devon’s beaches, Dartmoor’s raw and untamed beauty continues to call to him—and it pulses through the heart of his fiction.
Simon took a creative writing course in the early 2000s but didn’t publish his first novel until 2019. That story, Briana and the Saxon Warrior, about a brave thirteen-year-old girl swept into the shadows of history, struck a chord with readers and launched what would become the Book of Dumnonia series. Its sequel, Christos and the Dartmoor Giants, followed in 2023, and more adventures are planned.
In 2021, a new idea arrived almost fully formed: the tale that became Wylde Swimming, later reimagined and expanded as An Archway Through Time. This novel introduced Olivia Wylde and the mysterious time-bending legacies of the ancient Fey. It has since evolved into the Gateways of the Fey series, with the much-anticipated sequel, Dartmoor Veils of Time, currently in development.
In addition to fiction, Simon shares his love of Devon’s landscape and history through his Swim, Walk & History guides. These thoughtful companions to South Devon’s beaches and Dartmoor’s rivers invite readers to connect more deeply with the land—and maybe even take a dip.
Simon is also an experienced public speaker who loves nothing more than bringing stories to life and connecting with readers who share his passion for nature, heritage, and the hidden magic of place.
He currently lives in Dawlish with his better half, Kate. When he’s not writing or swimming, Simon runs an award-winning organic loose leaf tea business, championing sustainable, flavourful blends inspired by nature. He also serves his local community as an on-call firefighter—ready to respond whenever the pager sounds, come rain or shine.
