Interview with Lea Schizas!

Welcome to the second part of the September presentation event!

Lea Schizas is with us today to talk about her writing life and work.

Enjoy!

Interview with Lea Schizas, the author of Doorman’s Creek and Bubba and Giganto: Odds Against Us.

Tell us about yourself first.

What can I say? I’m certifiably nuts, always busy and swamped, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Stressed brings out the creative juices in me and I get more things accomplished than when I have peace and quiet and all the time in the world.

But the sane part of me is a mommy of five children between the ages of 16 and 31. I’m also a mommy to a Bull Terrier and a Shi Tzu.

When did you start writing?

I always joke that I mistook my mommy’s umbilical cord as a neat writing implement. In other words, I can’t remember NOT writing in my life.

What genres have you written?

Published, I have a YA paranormal suspense thriller (Doorman’s Creek), and a YA drama. However, I am writing mystery, paranormal, romance, sci-fi, and fantasy currently, along with a vamp/werewolf genre for an extra ‘bite’ of glee.

Is that your first book?

Actually, Doorman’s Creek the screenplay was my very first full manuscript I wrote. About a year or so later I turned the screenplay into a novel.

Tell us about your book. What is it about?

Let me just explain that I love writing for the YA market because using teens as my characters I have the leeway to really spice things up with tons of surprises since teens react impulsively at times with their actions and reactions.

The book is about three teen boys, best friends since childhood, who are in search of a cave in Doorman’s Creek they had spotted on a previous outing but never had the time to fully investigate. Within the dank cave they discover more than they anticipated…a skeleton and an unknown entity that pits them smack in the path of a serial killer.

My main character develops a sense of ESP right after the contact with the skeleton and sees through the eyes of the killer. Once a family member gets killed the boys realize they need to track down the killer before anyone else gets killed.

There are tons of surprises and twists and turns in the book and I had a blast writing it.

What inspired you to write this book?

I remember seeing the movie Eyes of Laura Mars with Faye Dunaway I believe where she sees through the eyes of the killer and had it always in the back of my mind to come up with a young adult story but incorporating some paranormal substance to the book, too. When I restarted my career late 90s that impulse to write this type of a book was still quite strong and I went for it.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about 3 months to write the screenplay but about a year to finetune and add background, the five senses and other areas to round off the novel.

Who is the publisher of your book?

Vickie Kennedy, publisher of eTreasures.com read and loved the book and immediately contracted it.

Where is it on sale?

You can find Doorman’s Creek at the following venues:

eTreasures:

http://etreasurespublishing.com/Lea_Schizas/doormans-creek.htm

Amazon – Paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Doormans-Creek-Lea-Schizas/dp/0974053740/ref=sr_oe_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246146850&sr=1-1

Amazon (Kindle edition)

http://www.amazon.com/Doormans-Creek/dp/B001DUGODI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222607389&sr=1-7

Tell us about your other books/work.

The other published book is a Young Adult drama – Bubba and Giganto: Odds Against Us. It’s the story about two kids from opposite sides of the track – one is a tough kid battling fun of his name Bubba, and the other battling bullies at school. One of the two friends hides a secret that will prove to be a deadly move at one point. The whole concept of the novel is to show kids the affects and reasons behind bullying, solutions, and also to give one possible reason for actions by a bully.

Along the same theme is Libby the Odd Squirrel – about a white squirrel shunned by the gray squirrels until one brave action changes this situation. It’s a picture story book aimed for 4 – 6 year olds and contracted by 4RV Publishing, my publisher for the book above, and due out early next year.

I also have I Don’t Want a Haircut and Robbie and Katie Get a Hairy Scare by Guardian Angel Publishing due for release early next year. These books deal with interpretations of young kids on their first haircut experience. Tons of images for a young reader to enjoy, followed with humor to keep their interest.

Finally, my last contracted book, a nonfiction one, Autism Epidemic: Shaking the System, is a motivational and helpful insight to autism. The book is not only for families with children who have autism, but a great resource for anyone to help bring more autism awareness to the general public and to sensitize them about the needs and overall picture of how these precious children react and act to certain situations. The book will be available in print this fall by Red Rose Publishing.

Then I have all of my other books, way too many to mention here, that I am currently working on.

What are the major challenges that you have faced in your career?

Time! Did I mention TIME! There’s not enough time to accomplish everything on my plate. I have no idea who invented only 24 hours in a day. LOL! Other than that, I can’t say I’ve faced any challenge.

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career?

How?

The Internet has helped immensely. Through the great worldwide web I’ve met and kept in touch with many cyber pals, set up a few online ezines, an online writers conference, many helpful writing groups, and met my clients I freelance edit their manuscripts.

What do you advise new writers to do?

My biggest tip is to never give up if you’ve got a deep passion for writing. Rejections should only piss you off to prove you can do it. Don’t listen to family and friends who state you are wasting your time. People who have no clue about the writing world don’t understand the time necessary to build your good name, to build a readership, to build your promotional platform…keep plugging away and build yourself a tough outer shell. All reviews and critiques won’t be glamorous. That’s just a part of the business. Get used to it.

Thank you Lea!

I hope you all have enjoyed this interview as much as I have!

Happy writing!

Liana

Welcome Lea Schizas!

This month we will meet Lea Schizas, the author of the
Middle grade/Young Adult chapter book:
Bubba & Giganto: Odds Against Us
http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/Lea_Schizas.html



Media Kit for

Bubba & Giganto:Odds Against Us

by Lea Schizas

4RV Publishing LLC
PO Box 6482
Edmond, OK 73083-6482
http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com
ISBN: 978-0-9797513-6-3
$10.99US

Available at:
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Bubba-Giganto-Odds-Against-Us/dp/0979751365/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219156292&sr=1-1
4RV Publishing
http://4rvpublishingllc.com/Store.html
Barnes & Noble
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Bubba-and-Giganto/Lea-Schizas/e/9780979751363/?itm=1
The Reading Warehouse
http://www.thereadingwarehouse.com/book.php?ISBN=9780979751363

E-Mail President@4rvpublishingllc.com
E-Mail Author : museitupeditor@yahoo.ca


Lea Schizas is a mother of five and tenderly referred as ‘Mother Hen’ by many writers. Many have asked me where I find the time to do all that I do. Easy, when you have a deep passion for your work, you will always find time to complete your projects. Lea Schizas http://www.leaschizas.com
Email: museitupeditor@yahoo.ca
Lea Schizas is an award-winning author and editor, a short story competition winner, living in Montreal with her husband Jimmy and five children. She describes herself as “finally woke up after a 23-year self-induced coma taking care of the family, and rediscovered my passion for writing.”

She is the Founder and Editor in Chief of two Writer’s Digest 101 Top Writing Sites since 2004 and recipients of several Preditors and Editors Awards: Apollo’s Lyre, an online writer’s Zine: http://www.apollos-lyre.com; the online writing critique community The MuseItUp Club, http://museitupclub.tripod.com/;
-Founder of The Muse Online Writers Conference, http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference/
-Founder of The Muse Marquee, http://themusemarquee.tripod.com
-Founder of The Muse Book Reviews, http://themusebookreviews.tripod.com
-Reviewer for the award-winning site AllBooksReviews.com
-Editor for Double Dragon Publishing
-Submissions Editor for Red Rose Publishing.

She is the author of the Young Adult paranormal suspense/thriller “Doorman’s Creek”, co-author and editor of the nonfiction writing reference book “The Muse On Writing” (http://www.freewebs.com/themuseonwriting ) and the fantasy “Aleatory’s Junction” (http://aleatorysjunction.tripod.com/ ), and author of “The Librarian Who Wasn’t”, a short story appearing in the EPPIE award-winning Anthology “Twisted Tails II”, and an article published in the book, “Hollywood Experts” a Silver Foreword award winner.

In 2009, she has been offered three new contracts:

Libby the Odd Squirrel and Robbie and Katie Get A Hairy Scare
both contracted by Guardian Angel Publishing and 4RV Publishing has offered her a contract for I Don’t Want A Haircut

You can read more of Lea’s bio and accomplishments at:
http://leaschizaseditor.com



Synopsis of Book

Bubba hates it when his dad gets a contract for a new project. That means uprooting the family from one city and moving to another. Attending a new school is a major pet peeve of his. His smart alecky nature attracts the bullies in every school he’s attended.

On the first day of school, Bubba bumps into this rather large student. Fearing a confrontation, he wears his tough guy attitude and waits for the punches to begin. Remarkably, the new student apologizes, and Bubba and David (aka Giganto as Bubba eventually nicknames him) become best friends.

Bubba and Giganto try out for the high school soccer team, and that’s when trouble begins. Bubba knew eventually he’d meet the bullies of the school, and he was right.

In the first initial weeks, Bubba learns about a death that occurred the previous year; faces the bullies on several occasions; helps Giganto practice soccer before tryouts; and challenges the bullies to a scrimmage.

Little does Bubba know Giganto holds a secret - one that will place Giganto in a deadly situation.


REVIEW

Bubba and Giganto

Odds Against Us

Lea Schizas

4RV Publishing, PO Box 6482, Edmond, OK 73083-6482,

www.4rvpublishingllc.com

2008, ISBN: 978-0-9797513-6-3

Paperback, pp.68, US 10.99

Children’s fiction/bullying

Very Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Liana Metal

http://LiaMetal.tripod.com

Lea Schizas, a multi published award winning author and editor, is a mother of five living in Montreal. Visit her at www.LeaSchizas.com

Bubba and Giganto is the story of Bubba, a newcomer in a school, who befriends a huge boy called David (Giganto) and together they are a good team. They soon have to confront the bullies of the school; what will happen? Is Bubba going to surrender?

The story is told in the first person in a diary like style, so it is direct and vivid, thus attracting the readers’ attention immediately. The language is fresh and casual and the descriptions skillfully brisk and alive. The author uses an original humorous way to describe things happening to Bubba so the story is highly enjoyable to read. This story is also exceptionally moving at times while highlighting the benefits of true friendship. The issue of bullying the author focuses on in this book is a common problem prevalent in most schools nowadays and should be dealt somehow by both parents and teachers. Therefore, this book should be read by families and educators as it might help them understand kids better. Lea tries to analyze the characters’ inner feelings by offering readers a close look into their behavior. This is an interesting read that caters to all the family. Get this book from

http://www.4rvpublishingllc.com/Store-Books.html

EXCERPT

Chapter One

Ever wonder if parents really listen to you? Try adding, “and the alien

scooped me up” and see their reaction. If they turn around and look in a weird way,

they paid attention. My parents just say, “Uh-huh, that’s nice, dear.”

But I’ve gone off topic here. My story has nothing to do with parents but

everything to do with accepting a challenge.

Starting at a new school and meeting friends is hard, really hard. Factor in that my

parents decided to name me Bubba - not Bobby, not Brendan, but Bubba - and anyone

can understand why I hate going to any school. This would be my fourth nightmare in a

brand new setting.

Anyway…

Getting off the bus, I bumped right into this huge student. Couldn’t avoid it. The

kid, who must have been over 200 pounds, hogged the whole sidewalk. His oversized

blue T-shirt looked more like a tent. Well, call me silly, but I turned to the circus freak

and told him, “Move out of my way.” Almost in slow motion, he started to wobble out of

my path.

As I tried to pass, he yanked me back by my collar. My gut told me I may have

made the biggest mistake of my life.

Putting on my ‘tough guy’ face (the gnarly grin and uplifted eyebrow),

I looked him squarely in the eyes. “What’s up?” I asked, while my legs screamed RUN.

Anticipating a nasty hit on my body, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to block your way.”

Unsure if my ears heard right, I opened one eye and checked where his pudgy

hands were. Although the tone of his voice sounded angelic in my head (with both

eyes shut), I may have mistaken sarcasm for sincerity. To my astonishment, his hand

waited for me to shake it in greeting. The other hand held on to his brown leather school

bag. It reminded me of what a spy carrying Top Secret documents would use.

“My name’s David Montana,” he said, clasping my hand in a tight grip and

shaking it. His ‘tent’ wobbled with every shake, rattle, and roll he did with my hand. A

childish grin spread across his cherub features.

“H-hey. I’m B -” No way would I tell him my name in front of everyone

circled around us expecting the first fight of the school year. “Nice to meet

you.” My racing heart resumed its normal beat. I’m not normally the queasy and

frightened type of a guy. I’m usually smarter in the sense I pick fights with guys my own

size. So knowing my body would continue its healthy state, I let out a very inconspicuous

sigh.

Besides, I felt lower than a deflated punching bag for thinking him a circus freak.

Everyone dispersed once the warning bell rang, obviously disappointed I didn’t

get my teeth knocked out. My newfound friend and I entered the ugly, red brick building,

similar to all my other schools. I wonder if it’s like a secret school code to keep schools

as monotone as possible in order to have students remain nice and quiet … well, bored is

more like it.

I looked around and felt like puking. The walls, lockers, doors, ceilings -

everything was clean, not a mural anywhere, made me a bit nervous since every other

school had those artistic imprints. Those schools allowed their students to decorate the

walls with paintings and feel at home. So, I wondered if I had just stepped into boot

camp or what, because it was blaringly obvious to me the kids here either had no artistic

qualities or the school’s administration felt they shouldn’t decorate the walls. Great!

Could this day get any worse?

Yes. I couldn’t help but feel as though I walked in a dank tunnel. Then it hit me as

I looked around. There were no windows. The only sunlight streamed from the corridor

windows. I stopped for a second and peeked inside a classroom. No windows. Yikes.

Even the Titanic had more windows.

“Yio, David.” I ran to catch up with him. “What’s up with the lack of windows?”

“Oh, you’ll get used to it. We really don’t notice. Students are less distracted.”

“Yeah, but how will we know when we’re nearing an iceberg?”

He looked at me as though I was off my rocker.

“Never mind.” I didn’t feel the need to explain my weird sense of humor to him.

David and I hit it off. Six foot plus David, and five ten and a hundred-sixty-five

pound me shared every single class. Luck knew I would need David somewhere down

the line.

And, boy, was Luck ever right.

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Pop in on the 3rd to learn more about Lea! Thanks for visiting!

Liana