Follow That Mouse!

Follow That MouseHenry Melton
Wire Rim Books, www.wirerimbooks.comHutto, Texas
2010, ISBN: 978-0-9802253-7-2
Paperback, pp. 263, USA $ 14.95
Reviewed by Liana Metal
http://lianastories.blogspot.com
Very Highly Recommended

Henry Melton, author of the Darrel Award-winning Emperor Dad and the Eleanor Cameron/Golden Duck winning Lighter Than Air has, once more, given us an exciting novel for young adults.

Follow That Mouse is about Dot, a young girl, and her home town, and Ned from the next ranch, who get involved in a sudden change of the town. Everybody seems to show signs of irrational rage, even the animals and only the old shaman can offer a solution. Then a strange mouse appears and Dot learns a big secret! What is that secret? What is going to happen?

This book is gripping, simple to read and educational, and offers readers a good enjoyable read. It caters to young adults as all the previous novels written by Henry Melton, but, still it can be read by everyone who loves science fiction, mystery and action. It is available from Ingram and online bookstores. Contact the author at www.wirerimbooks.com

Art Gallery activity

The Art Gallery of Corfu (at the old palace) organizes a children's activity each saturday from 11-1 pm. The event involves story telling, drawing and theatre playing.
On the 4th December, 20 free copies of the children's book THE WHITE SNAIL will be given away to the young participants as a Christmas gift.
Don't miss it!

Henry Melton's latest novel!

Pixie Dust

Henry Melton

Wire Rim Books, www.wirerimbooks.com

Hutto, Texas, 2010, ISBN 978-0-9802253-8-9

Paperback, pp.346, US $14.95

Science Fiction/children

Very Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Liana Metal

http://Lianastories.blogspot.com

Henry Melton’s latest novel is no less exciting than all his previous ones! Focused on believable scientific issues, this story is a gripping read for all the family. Learn more about the author’s work at http://HenryMelton.com

Pixie Dust is the story of Jenny Quinn, a graduate student who takes part in a disastrous lab experiment. To make matters worse, her professor gets killed unexpectedly just after this, leaving Jenny disorientated. What’s more, she has to cope with a strange change in her own body. But Jenny is determined to solve this mystery before she ends up getting killed too. Will she succeed?

The first chapter of this novel is extremely captivating, increasing the adrenaline level of the reader as they try to understand and then ‘see’ the result of the lab experiment. The scenes move rapidly as if in a movie, making the reader turn the pages eagerly to see what’s next! The characters are quite believable and real and the dialogue, fresh and modern. There is a lot of mystery and suspense, subtle romance and casual lifestyle description. The author’s descriptions are never boring to read, as his writing is concise and focused mainly on facts and action. These are elements that both teenagers and adults may appreciate!

To sum up, Pixie Dust is an interesting and exciting read that will entertain the whole family as well as educate it. It is the latest of Henry’s work that shows clearly his constant development as a science fiction writer. The more he writes the more exciting his work becomes! Henry is a prolific writer full of scientific concepts that are appealing to everybody-after all, who is Not interested in the future? It may be categorized as science fiction, but to me it is pure science, and it is worthwhile reading it!

It’s a great book and you can get it from www.wirerimbooks.com and all online stores.

Book presentation in Corfu

On Thursday 13th May 2010
Mrs Zaharopoulou presents on Corfu channel
4-6 Greek time
the children's book

THE WHITE SNAIL
by Iliana Metallinou

as well as her other writing and art work.

The broadcast will be repeated on Saturday, 3-5. (By the way, I am at the last section).
You can also watch it live here (in Greek!)
http://www.corfutv.gr/

Thanks for visiting!

Here's Magdalena Ball!

This month, we are going to read about a special author, Magdalena Ball!
Enjoy her interview!


Interview with Magdalena Ball , the author of

Repulsion Thrust

Tell us about yourself first.

That's rather an open ended question! I could define myself any number of ways, but I'll focus on my publications here -- I run the website The Compulsive Reader (www.compulsivereader.com), and am also the author of the poetry book Repulsion Thrust, the novel Sleep Before Evening, a nonfiction book The Art of Assessment: How to Review Anything and three other poetry chapbooks Quark Soup, and, in collaboration with Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Cherished Pulse and She Wore Emerald Then. She also runs a radio show, The Compulsive Reader Talks. Of course I'm other things too! I'm a mother to 3 gorgeous children, I'm a wife, I'm an information manager for a big company, I'm doing a Masters degree in Marketing, I'm working on another novel and a few other poetry books. I'll stop there, although I could probably keep going!

When did you start writing?

Around about the same time I started reading -- somewhere between 3 and 4. Writing is something that has always been with me. I think I wrote my first story when I was little and just kept doing it. I only really began to get quite serious and send out work when I was an older teen and then stopped for some time under the spell of academia. I picked it up again seriously just after my first child was born, some 13 years ago, when I decided that bits and pieces wouldn't satisfy me -- I needed full scale books in hand.

What genres have you written?

I tend to write in lots of different genres, but definitely prefer literary fiction (as a reader as well as a writer) when I'm writing fiction, and poetry will always be my first love (there are those who have classed my poetry as 'sci-fi' poetry, and although I think that's probably not true, there is plenty of science in my work, and I welcome all readers and all promotional opportunities, so am happy enough with the classification. For nonfiction, I probably would be comfortable writing in any genre at all.

Is Repulsion Thrust your first book?

Repulsion Thrust is my first full length book of poetry. I've had other chapbooks (short poetry books) published, and a novel and nonfiction book (see "tell us about yourself" above), but I have to admit, it's always exciting to hold a full length, traditionally published book in the hand.

Tell us about your book. What is it about?

Repulsion Thrust is a poetry book that tends to tackle big subjects not often the fodder of poetry: quantum physics, astronomy, time travel, ecological destruction, and technological singularity, viewed through the lens of the human condition. It's poetry about the universe and about the way we (that's humans) fit with it - I've tried to be fairly large in my scope, reasonably topical, and to say something comprehensive about what it means to be alive (to me anyway) in the 21st Century.

What inspired you to write this book?

I've always wanted to write a full length poetry collection. I was inspired by the success of my novel Sleep Before Evening, and felt it was time to plot out a full scale poetry book, but each individual poem was inspired by all sorts of things, from the news, to a plethora of great books I'd read, to New Scientist. I think the biggest influences/sources of inspiration were, aside from emotional responses, the work of Stephen Hawking, the work of Richard Dawkins, the work of Ray Kurzweil, and the work of Charles Darwin. I thanked all of these people in my acknowledgements, and Kurzweil even endorsed the book (much to my delight), but there were many other sources of inspiration, including, of course, my own family.

How long did it take you to write it?

About a year, which is relatively quick for me. I take much longer (about 3 years) for fiction.
Who is the publisher of your book?

Bewrite Books at www.bewrite.net They're utterly wonderful and also published my novel Sleep Before Evening.

Where is it on sale?

Good bookstores everywhere! But those reading this can go directly to Amazon: www.budurl.com/RepulsionThrust or to Smashbooks at:

Tell us about your other books/work.

Sleep Before Evening is a coming of age novel about a teenager teetering at the edge of reason. A death in the family sends her brilliant academic career and promising future spiraling out of control until resentment towards those who shaped her past leads her on a wild and desperate search for the truth about herself. On the seedy side of New York, she meets Miles, a hip musician busking the streets and playing low-rent venues in a muddled bid to make his own dreams come true. In her new life, she finds anarchic squalor, home grown music and poetry, booze, drugs, sex, violence, love, loss … and, above all, exhilarating freedom on her troubled journey from sleep to awakening.

Quark Soup is also poetry, which, as the title suggests, has a strong astrophysical theme.

The Art of Assessment is a guide to book reviewing.

The Celebration Series of chapbooks is my collaboration with Carolyn Howard-Johnson that looks at specific holidays and provides chapbooks designed to replace a greeting card - providing real poetic sentiment. More can be found at my website: www.magdalenaball.com


What are the major challenges that you have faced in your career? Time is always an issue for me. I try to squeeze so much into each day, but it isn't always possible to get to everything on my list! Making time for the big, longer term projects amidst the everyday urgencies is definitely my biggest challenge.

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career?

I really cannot imagine working without the Internet anymore. It colours everything I do, from providing me with an accessible, global, working community of readers and writers, to providing promotional platforms, social networking, writing challenges, and even changing the notion of the way a book works (with multimedia, electronics, and so on). Of course great words haven't changed a bit since the pen and ink (or quill) days, but the ability to work in a global, rather than a small scale regional venue is wonderful.

What do you advise new writers to do?

To keep writing of course (BOS - bum on seat), but also to read a lot of what you want to write, to keep raising the bar on yourself, and to continue to grow as a writer, trying new things and working to find the words to say what you want to. Never be satisfied with the easy cliche - always go deeper.


Thank you!


http://www.magdalenaball.com

http://magdalenaball.blogspot.com/


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Tour with VBT-Writers on the Move through February. New and famous authors, plus useful information http://tinyurl.com/yhkt7v8

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My Father's Dream Wasn't My own-a review

My Father's Dream Wasn't My own
Jeanette Hewitt-Bailey
www.outskirtspress.com
2009, ISBN: 978-1-4327-2397-2,
paperback, pp. 260, US $ 21.95
Fiction

Jeanette Hewitt-Bailey lives in Lakeland Florida. More information at http://www.outskirtspress.com/myfathersdream

This story is about the life of a girl, George-Ann, who was controlled by her father, Sam. She had to grow up in her father's shadow, and was denied a personal life though she craved for freedom and the chance to develop her own character.

The novel is exceptionally gripping and the readers will be amazed at the turn of events as they unfold. Filled with all kinds of emotion, the author manages to capture the inner feelings of the characters very skillfully thus creating real to life situations throughout the plot. It caters to all romance lovers and is available at http://www.outskirtspress.com/myfathersdream
and other online stores.

Meet the author Dianne Sagan!

Dec. 1st, tour with new and famous authors – books, tips, and more.

Mystery Site Giveaway!

http://tinyurl. com/yh9vry6

Today I present you Dianne Sagan!



Dianne's novel

Synopsis

Orphaned Rebekah becomes a servant in her uncle’s house in Bethany. Traded from relative to relative, she suffers neglect and abuse. When a Roman soldier assaults her, she flees in fear of her life and hides. Rebekah is discovered and Lazarus becomes her kinsman redeemer. Can Jesus redeem her soul? Can she forgive or break the chains of her past?

http://dgsagan.tripod.com/

My blog:

www.diannesagan.wordpress.com

http://www.authorsden.com/diannesagan

Now read the interview with Dianne!

Interview with Dianne G. Sagan, the author of Shelter from the Storm

Tell us about yourself first.

I’ve lived in several places around the U.S. including the Northwest, but have spent the last 20 years in the Panhandle of Texas. For those of you who aren’t sure what the “panhandle” is – it’s that part that sticks up farthest to the north, between Oklahoma and New Mexico.

Both my husband and I are writers. He writes a regular column weekly and in addition is a freelance editor. I love having an editor in the family when it comes time to polishing manuscripts for submission. We have six children, a dog, and four grandchildren.

I absolutely love being a writer and enjoy the process.

When did you start writing?

I first got the bug to write from a high school English teacher. I’m one of those odd people who enjoyed and preferred essay questions on tests all through high school and college. My writing was sporadic for years but when I became a Mom I wrote stories for my children and inserted their names as characters. After years of working in offices, I was in a car accident that stopped me cold. I spent time thinking about what I should do after I was back to my full capacity again. I thought about all the things I love to do and finally settled on getting serious about writing. While the youngest of six children was in high school, I started writing as a freelancer for the regional newspaper on a rotation as part of Amarillo Voices. I did that for about five years.

Then, I got really serious. I started ghostwriting and working on ideas I’d been mulling over for a long time.

What genres have you written?

Aside from ghostwriting, I write Christian and historical fiction, as well as women’s fiction and suspense. I have always considered myself a fiction writer and then one day in the middle of a book I was ghostwriting I realized that most of my published work up to that time was nonfiction. I enjoy writing both.

Is Shelter from the Storm your first book?

My first published fiction book was released earlier this year, Rebekah Redeemed, a Historical/Christian fiction novella – the first in a series.

Tell us about your book. What is it about?

Shelter from the Storm is the story of a woman who must find shelter for herself and her children from a volatile husband. The story is set in Seattle during the worst snowstorm in 50 years. It is unlike other fiction about abuse. There is actually little violence and most of it takes place in her memories. It is her story as well as the story of many women who find themselves in that situation all too often. Brittany Camp, the protagonist, makes her way through the shelter, the legal system, and manages to stay one step ahead of her ever vigilant husband. Readers will follow the changes in Brittany as she emerges from her cocoon and finds out who she really is again and hopes for a better life.

What inspired you to write this book?

Domestic Violence is on the upswing again as a result of a troublesome economy but the problem is an old and enduring one. It is a way of helping people understand the situation better and to raise awareness. As a survivor of a violent first marriage, I want to help others make a new life.

How long did it take you to write it?

The ideas for the book were in the back of my mind for years. I combined my experiences and those of four other women in the fictionalized story. I focused on writing the book for about 4 years. I’d write some and put it away. I did numerous revisions before it was accepted for publication by a royalty publisher.

Who is the publisher of your book?

My publisher is WordWright.biz of Alpine, Texas. Joan Neubauer is my editor and she has been amazing. She challenged me in edits and helped me become a better writer. She and her husband Steve Neubauer also operate what they call a “writer’s incubator” to help new writers develop their craft and the skills needed to be a successful author besides publishing two or three lines of royalty books.

Where is it on sale?

Shelter from the Storm is on sale at amazon.com, my website http://dgsagan.tripod.com, and through the “Spirit of the Season” online catalog at bit.ly/1QzJX8 When you get to the catalog, go to “Book Marketing”

I’ll be holding a book signing in the Seattle area with proceeds to go to the Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County. It will be Saturday, December 12, 2009 at their thrift shop, New and Again, 3116 Rucker Ave, Everett, WA 98201. The book signing is between 12noon and 2pm. I’d love for anyone in the area to stop by and say “hi” even if you don’t purchase a book.

Tell us about your other books/work.

Rebekah Redeemed is the story of the daughter of a shepherd who saw the Christ child that first night, Rebekah is thrown into a life of servitude. Traded from relative to relative, she suffers through hard labor, neglect, and abuse. What will become of her? No one cares until a kinsman redeemer reveals himself. Who is this Nazarene? Can Rebekah forgive the past?

Historical/Christian fiction

Available through: amazon.com, barnes&nobel.com, and the publisher at http://www.awocbooks.com/book.cfm?b=64&f=d

In addition, an anthology of flash fiction that I contributed to with four other women I was in a critique group with is also being released today. Flash Tales: An Adventure in Words is a fun book for when you only have a minute to read. These multi-genre stories are as different as the five of us who wrote them. Each contributed 20, 100 word stories with a set of required words chosen by the group. You’ll also have a chance to try your hand at it if you want. It is also available at amazon.com, http://dgsagan.tripod.com, or in the “Spirit of the Season” catalog. (link above)

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

When I was younger and still had children at home and a single mom, I found that I didn’t write much and decided to wait until they were grown. If I had it to do over, then I would make time to write. Some health issues still get in the way sometimes. I also am challenged to balance writing, researching, speaking, promotion, and all the business details of being a full-time writer. In addition, my husband and I own a business consulting firm and I am a facilitator. As with all of us, budgeting time is really important to me and I don’t always do very well with that.

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career? How?

I think the internet has helped me enormously. I attended Lea Shivas’ first Muse Online Writer’s Conference and the people are wonderful, talented and inspirational. It was a great place to feel like I was constantly in touch with other writers and people in the publishing world. From that group I started building my website and started a blog. They are the stepping stone and foundation of my internet network.

Our VBT – Writer’s on the Move has been a wonderful way to help each other promote and meet new people and readers. You can’t beat sitting in your jamies and bunny slippers taking a book tour around the world. Using the internet can be done on a shoe string if you need to or you can spend quite a bit if you choose to. My books can get international exposure.

In ghost-writing, it has enabled me to work with clients all over the world.

What do you advise new writers to do?

Don’t give up. Keep writing. If one of the first things you think of when you wake up in the morning is writing or the plot you’ve been working on, then you are truly a writer. Persevere. Get into a critique group and go to conferences. Develop a thick skin for feedback about your work and don’t take it personally. Use what works and discard the rest. Read writer’s magazines and get involved in local writer’s organizations as well as online groups. Most of all enjoy the process and love the craft of writing.

My blog: http://www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
http://www.authorsden.com/diannesagan
My website: http://dgsagan.tripod.com

Rebekah Redeemed, ISBN: 978-0-937660-52-2

Coming soon: Shelter from the Storm, ISBN: 978-1-934335-35-2
and Flash Tales, ISBN: 978-1-934335-37-6

Thank you Dianne, and Good Luck!

New book review!

Elemental Shaman
One Man’s Journey into the Heart of Humanity, Spirituality & Ecology
Omar W. Rosales
Llewellyn Publications
Woodbury, Minnesota
www.llewellyn.com
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1501-8
2009, paperback, pp.268. US $ 18.95
Non fiction/spirituality/adventure


Reviewed by Liana Metal
http://lianastories.blogspot.com

Omar W.Rosales, an adventurer and explorer, holds an honors degree in anthropology and law. Learn more about him at www.elementalshaman.com


Elemental Shaman is a quest into the spiritual world of shamanism. The author travels around the world and explores spirituality through the practices of the spiritual masters around the globe. The book is divided into 4 parts, starting with the element of fire, where the author talks about the significance of ashes, explaining all the ancient rituals and meanings connected to this element.

Having a background in religion studies, Omar tries to interpret ancient civilization predictions such as that of the Maya, referring to the year 2012 and the end of the world. The readers will follow his quest into spirituality and ecology with ample interest to learn about his latest discoveries. Omar also talks about dreams that connect shamans to pagan traditions. The style is simple enough to apply to readers from all walks of life. It is certainly an enjoyable read that will grip the reader with the mysteries the author describes page by page.

Elemental Shaman caters to those who love spirituality, magic, mystery and adventure. Get this book from www.elementalshaman.com and online stores.

Invitation to Viros Art Hall

Apart from the paintings, the children's book

The White Snail

is going to be presented to the public.

Margaret Fieland-part 2

Today we are going to learn more about Margaret's work.

Her book, The Angry Little Boy, is going to be published in the near future. Here is a taste of it:



Chapter 1: At Grandma's House

Alvin’s eyes burned and his chest felt tight. The last time he'd visited Grandma he'd driven there with Mom and Dad. Now Mom was dead and Dad still in the hospital. Alvin peered out the window of Grandma's car as they passed through Millbank and down the tree-lined road leading to Pine Crest Point. As Grandma drove past the lake with the community beach, down the street, and into her driveway, Sam, Alvin's collie mix, put his front paws on Alvin's lap and barked.

"Yes, Sam, we're here," Alvin said, ruffling Sam's soft ears as they all climbed out of the car. He turned and noticed how thin and frail his grandma looked from the last visit. Her once vibrant gray curls were now faded and wispy looking.

Sam bounded down the hill ahead of Alvin and Grandma. They followed him down the flagstone path, down the hill, past the rock garden. The marigolds, petunias, and geraniums lifted their faces to the sun. Alvin's nose tickled as he breathed in the spicy scent of the flowers, and remembered how Mom loved to work in the garden whenever they'd visit.

The stained brown ranch came into view once they'd cleared the large trees. Sam waited by the porch.

Grandma unlocked the door, and Alvin followed her into the big living room. Paneled in pine, it had windows on both ends, a dining table to the left, couches and chairs on the other side, and a large fireplace in the middle.

Sam trotted up and dropped a ball at Alvin's feet.

"Grandma, Sam found a ball."

"Sam always manages to find a ball." Grandma stared at Sam, who opened his jaws and grinned a doggy grin. "You two go outside if you want to play catch. No playing ball in the house."

"That's what Mom always said." Alvin's throat felt tight. He frowned and rubbed his eyes.

Alvin pushed open the door and went outside. Standing on a flat spot in front of the house, Alvin threw the ball up the hill and Sam chased after it.
An hour later, Grandma called, "Alvin, time for dinner. Come in and wash your hands." By that time the now deep red sun hung just over the horizon.
"Grandma, when will me and Dad have our own house again?" Alvin said, when seated at the dining table.

"I don't know, Alvin. I don't know whether your father will try to rebuild your old house when he gets the insurance money." Grandma handed Alvin a hamburger and put one on her own plate. Alvin took a big bite. His throat felt almost too tight to swallow.

"I miss our house. I miss Mom and Dad. I wish everything would go back the way it was." Alvin's lips trembled. He swallowed hard to get rid of the big lump in the middle of his throat.

Grandma looked at him. "Alvin, you're nine years old. That's old enough to know your mother isn't coming back."

Alvin ate a few more bites. Grandma put down her half eaten hamburger and stood up. "I guess we aren't very hungry tonight. Let's clear the table and wash the dishes. Then you can brush your teeth and get ready for bed."
Alvin picked up his plate and glass. He followed Grandma into the kitchen, Sam at his heels.

Grandma put the dishes on the kitchen counter. "Scrape the hamburger into the trash and then put the dishes into the dishpan. I'll wash and you can dry."
"We could give the hamburger to Sam. I'll bet he's still hungry." Sam sat by Grandma's feet and panted hopefully.

"Hmmph," said Grandma. She broke the hamburger into pieces, put them into a bowl and placed it on the floor. Sam grinned, then started to eat.

"At home Dad always did the dishes. All I did was clear the table." Alvin looked out the kitchen window at the front yard. He could feel the soft breeze through the open window. The sky was a dark blue with a few fluffy white clouds. Grandma's flowers swayed back and forth. It looked very peaceful. "I wonder if Mom can see the flowers from Heaven?"

Grandma didn't say anything for a long time. Finally, she said in a brisk voice, "I'm sure she can.”

Then Grandma continued, “Here we both clear the table, I wash and you dry." She handed Alvin a blue and white striped dishtowel. "Stack the dishes on the counter and you can put them away when we're finished. You're as tall as I am now so you won't have any trouble reaching the cabinets.”

"At home Mom always left the dishes in the dish drain and put them away in the morning."

"I like my dishes in the cabinet," Grandma said as she pressed her lips together. Alvin remembered when Grandma came to their old house she always dried and put away the dishes and Mom would get annoyed. It made him smile to remember. Dad always used to stay out of the kitchen when Grandma visited.

"All I have is one pair of pajamas, Grandma," Alvin said later when they walked out of the kitchen.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow," Grandma said. It made Alvin feel funny to think that his beloved quilt and all his clothes and books were gone forever.

"Mom used to read to me every night. We'd just started The Fellowship of the Ring." Alvin glanced at the full bookshelves as they passed through the living room.

"We can buy you another copy. Or I might have an old one of your father's around somewhere."

"No thanks, Grandma. It wouldn't be the same. When we stopped, Mom said we'd read more tomorrow. That was the last thing she said to me. Except goodnight and stuff." The image of his Mom sitting beside him in bed reading to him made his chest tighten again.


You can contact Margaret here
http://www.margaretfieland.com

Juanita Rose Violini

Interview with Juanita Rose Violini the author of Almanac of the Infamous, the Incredible and the Ignored.

Tell us about yourself first.

When did you start writing?

At the age of six years, I wrote my first after returning to our small town from the big city. It was a story about an escalator. Who knew such wonders existed!

I wrote it in a music notation book and had a hard time squeezing my letters into those skinny lines.

What genres have you written?

Mysteries are my favorite genre though I have written some poetry and some fantasy short stories. I love drawing as much as I love writing.

Is Almanac of the Infamous, the Incredible and the Ignored your first book?

It’s the first book that’s found a publisher.

Tell us about your book. What is it about?

365 days of impossible occurrences, fantastic treasures, and incredible true tales will amaze, confound, and remind us just how mysterious this world really is. A magical daily read.

Years of research resulted in an unsolved mystery or unexplained phenomena for each day of the year. Ninety percent of the days have a mystery that happened on that exact day. All situations are pre 1999. Some of the mind boggling events that have occurred include:

· Prison guards and convicts witnessing a man vanish before their eyes.

· A cursed kimono causing three-quarters of Tokyo to go up in flames.

· Winners at the race track being foretold in dreams.

· A man being hung for murder but the rope broke - three times!

Daily entries also include a quote and a secret power intuited from the mystery of the day. Each day also includes an line drawing illustration which I did as well - all 365!

What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to read it but it hadn’t been written yet.

How long did it take you to write it?

Ten years, eight of them were spent doing research. That’s a little misleading though because I began the project at the same time as giving birth to my third child. The first seven years were very sporadic as far as dedicated writing time is concerned.

Who is the publisher of your book?

Weiser Books, San Francisco

Where is it on sale?

Chapters - Indigo, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.uk and many independent bookstores.

Tell us about your other books/work.

For twenty years I wrote, directed and produced corporate murder mystery entertainment. During that time I branched out into doing home mystery parties - Cluetrail Capers and children’s parties - The Gumshoe Detective Agency. Improv scripts and instructions are available at my website www. mysteryfactory.com.

Together with my husband, Tony, I have also written one mystery novel based on the time Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum were in Banff National Park (my hometown) filming ‘The River of No Return’ in 1953.

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

Can’t think of any. The ‘next step’ has always been apparent and I’ve just taken it without worrying about the one after.

Has the Internet helped you in your writing career?

YES!

How?

It’s a fabulous research tool.

Often I have found conflicting information on the Internet on various topics being researched so I never take Internet information as the be all, end all. That said, it has pointed me in numerous directions to do supporting research that I never would have known existed.

What do you advise new writers to do?

Write the book they want to read.

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Thank you!

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.

----------------------------------

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

Liana

One Lovely Blog Award

I've been greatly honored to receive One Lovely Blog Award from a special friend and writer, who is also herself a very worthy recipient of the award: Helena Harper

Helena is a fellow modern languages teacher who has also been interested in writing; she has written from short, fantasy stories for children to poetry for adults. She is a unique poet and a fellow VBT-Writers on the Move member.

Helena uses an original way to express her feelings via poetry, and her book 'It's a Teacher's Life...!' illustrates her life as a teacher vividly and successfully. Her second book, 'Family and More - Enemies or Friends?' is also an interesting collection of poetry. You can find extensive extracts from both collections on her website www.helenaharper.com.

Helena also writes unique, personalized poems for any occasion or situation, for anyone who wishes. Website http://sayitwithapoem.bttradespace.com


It is now my pleasure to pass on this award. These are the rules for those individuals I choose. They are simple:
1) Accept the award, and don’t forget to post a link back to the awarding person.
2) Pass the award on.
3) Notify the award winners.

There are two persons I would like to pass this award on to, who have inspired me in different ways:

Harry Gilleland


Mary Ann Melton


Harry Gilleland is an excellent poet and author , former faculty member in the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunolgy at LSU Health Science Center, School of Medicine in Shreveport. Harry was the first to host me in the VBT-Writers on the Move and was very encouraging and kind despite my mistakes! (Thank you!) "Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man" is Harry's third book. It contains an assortment of his poetry. It has both rhyming storoems (story-poems) and free-verse poems. Harry is definitely a person that deserves to get this award!


Mary Ann Melton is a fantastic photographer I got to know via Tweeter and from Henry Melton's site. She runs a wonderful blog filled with her photos from nature. She gets inspired by the beauty in the world around her and this aspect has made me to appreciate her sense for beauty and harmony. I have hosted Mary Ann in my blog quite recently.

Both these persons are unique in their own way. Enjoy their blog!