Richard Simas is a freelance writer with a background in literature, music, and the performing arts. His publications appear in contemporary art and literary reviews in Europe and North America, with awards from the Journey Prize anthology, the Fiddlehead Review Fiction competition, and a Camðes Institute prize in Lisbon.

In Montréal, Simas founded Théâtre La Chapelle, an interdisciplinary performing venue dedicated to multidisciplinary experimentation. He currently performs with Valody, a nine-member street band. The Mystery of the Portuguese Waltzes grows out of his research into these beautiful traditional tunes. It is his first book for young readers.