Excuse me, did I understand you? You don't know who Lea Schizas is? Have you ever heard of The Muse Online Writers' Conference? You're joking. What about The Writing Jungle? You poor thing. You are so fortunate that she is my guest today as part of the VBT - Writers on the Move.
Lea Schizas is the force behind The Muse Online Writers' Conference, the first ever conference held on the Internet, and it's free. She has experts, publishers, editors, and agents who hold classes on forums or during live chats, sometimes both. Publishers, editors, and agents take part, many accept pitches from writers. If you haven't heard about the conference, or have heard but not registered, please go to the website and register for the 2010 conference, a very easy procedure.
Lea also promotes help and education concerning Autism.
She doesn't keep busy enough with her five children and husband and the conference, etc., so she edits, reviews books (on The Muse Book Reviews), and writes.
I don't remember how we met, maybe through the Muse Online Conference four or five years ago, but I really got to know this remarkable woman after she submitted her middle grade manuscript to 4RV Publishing. Bubba & Giganto: Odds Against Us was released in July 2008.
I greatly admire Lea Schizas. I don't know how she accomplishes all she does. I hope visitors will leave comments about what they know about her and how they fell about this extremely remarkable woman I call friend.
So please share with us about Lea, give her memories that she can treasure.
P.S. Tour with VBT-Writers on the Move through February. New and famous authors, plus useful information. http://tinyurl.com/yhkt7v8
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38 comments:
Lea is my favorite kick in the pants person. When you're stuck and need a push, like I did to get my novels out, she was there -- wham. Thanks, Lea, you're a wonderful friend!
Great post, Vivian -- but eight children, she must have been busy lately, I thought it was five!! Probably seems like eight!
Ooops, changed the eight to five. Bet Lea is glad about that.
"She doesn't keep busy enough with her five children and husband and the conference, etc., so she edits, reviews books (on The Muse Book Reviews), and writes."
LOL - Now THAT's a remarkable woman indeed!
Good feature post, Vivian!
>Marvin D Wilson
Ah, Vivian, you had me in suspense to see what the post would be about now you have me in tears...thankful I don't have eight kids. GRIN! Mind you, if you add my two dogs and then my daughter's three dogs who come visiting and staying with me then that would make ten kids. GEEZ! Now I'm depressed!!!
Hey, I don't know how she keeps up with the Muse Conference, let alone all the other things she does!
Lea, I told you the post would be something different, but I didn't mean it would be different because I gave you three more children. *laugh* At least I fixed that typo.
I agree, Diane. I don't know how she does it.
I'm no different than anyone else here. All you have to do is look at your accomplishments and you'll see exactly what I mean:
you've got the drive and passion and that's why each of you have accomplished the successes in your lives.
It's one thing to 'dream' about something and quite another to actually sit down and sweat out the details and go for it.
I don't know how Lea does everything she does either. I have half the load she does and have a hard enough time trying to stay on track for myself, let alone deal with a gazillion other things. I've helped Lea find some conferences or workshops in Canada or writers' groups that she can join - not sure she has time to put herself into any of the places we found but hopefully she has joined one and it has helped her career too.
Thanks for sharing with us, Vivian - E :)
Lea is an inspiration to me. She's always there, even with her busy life, and has such a positive attitude.
Bev
I found Lea when someone told me about the Muse Online Writers conference four or five years ago. At the conference I hooked up with Linda Barnett Johnson and started writing fiction .. which I never would have done without Lea and the conference.
I pitched my chapter book at the 2009 Muse conference and now it's going to be published by 4RV in early 2012.
I'm still totally amazed by this. A lot of people helped me along the way, but it never would have happened without Lea.
I know Lea through the Muse Conference. She is a wonderful person. The most enthusiastic and energetic person I know.
I wonder if any of you guys can talk to my family and tell them that I actually DO work and not play on the computer. All I get are whisperings of, "She's in her office again on that laptop. Dad, you should never have bought her one." hehehehe
Lea is my secret mentor. I am constantly amazed by what she does. I don't remember how I heard about the Muse Conference, but it has always been the best investment of time I've made in my writing career. The workshops are fabulous and the people I've met, many who have become friends, offer lots of support.
I'm hoping next year I will have the time to come back as a presenter.
Lea, tell your family to call me and they can comiserate with my family, who also thinks I play on the computer most of the time.
Great post ladies! Keep up the fabulous work.
Cheryl
Inspirational post! Thank you for sharing.
I will be indebted to Lea for life! She saved me during a technical nightmere while pitching my book at the muse conference. Like an angel she took over and put my pitch up for me. This demonstrates how kind and organized she is. She gives soooo much to soooo many.
Lea, you have a heart of gold and you're very generous with your time and wisdom. Thanks for all you do! Oh yea, you have a great sense of humor too!
As I surfed the internet for writing resources, I was blessed to find the Muse Online Writers Conference and the force behind this amazing achievement, Lea Schizas. Watching what she accomplishes I am convinced that Lea has found some secret dimension where she goes to pull out more then 24 hours in a day! In addition to her ability to alter time and her skills as a writer/editor, Lea knows how to encourage and give a hard push to those who need it to jump start their dreams. Lea gives her all to the things she believes in and loves, and by doing so she helps and inspires others. If you don’t believe me, just check out the Muse Writers Conference in 2010 and see for yourself.
Wow, you are one busy lady. Loved hearing about all you do. I'll have to make sure to sign up for the conference.
Martha Swirzinski
Hey, everyone already said everything.
Lea is kindhearted, lionhearted, and has a giving and generous heart.
I made sure, before I submitted my manuscript to 4RV Publishing, to have Lea edit it. I am now a 4RV Publishing author! Lea's the BEST!
Great post, Vivian. I don't know how Lea does everything either.
Karen Cioffi
I don't know Lea well, but I sure see her everywhere and her advice and reviews are great. She must be one busy person.
Sorry, I meant to pop in from time to time and thank people for stopping by, let them know someone is reading. However, last night was a sleepless one in Edmond, not Seattle, and I had to sleep.
I think everyone who "knows" Lea has a tale to tell. Those who don't know her yet, will have theirs soon.
Lea, congrats on the recent awards for your various projects, particularly the Muse Online Writers' Conference! Thank you for all that you do for the writing community. You are a gem!
Best,
Dallas
http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com
www.writeonbooks.org
What a fun post, Vivian!
Lea, you certainly know how to keep yourself busy. You've got some great projects going and I'm sure many more up your sleeve!
Leas is terrific and I've learned much from her since being involved with VBT. I didn't take advantage of her online conference last year, but will certainly be an active participant this year.
Stephen Tremp
I'm another Lea groupie! I owe a lot to Lea. I first met her through the Muse It Up Club, where I took part in an on-line fiction writing critique group. She urged me to submit my work for publication, and I nervously dipped my toe into the water. Without Lea, I may never have seen my debut novel available for sale!
Thank you Lea. You're my inspiration!
-Lisa Lipkind Leibow
Author of Double Out and Back
available NOW from Red Rose Publishing
http://www.LLLeibow.com
The Muse Online Conference is the most exciting, paradigm changing event of the year and Lea is the force behind it. I've always been proud to be involved, and I'm sure that the value and inspiration is a vast ripple that has created dramatic change for many writers and for the world of writing networking/conferencing. Thank you Lea!
I think of Lea as a super hero. It seems there is nothing she can't do once she decides to do it.
So many wonderful comments, I feel like there's nothing new to say about Lea! She's my inspiration as well. I also "met" her through the Muse Online Conference and I am so impressed with all she does and yet still finds time to do more. Thanks Lea and thank you Vivian for giving us an opportunity to share out thoughts about Lea.
Hi, Lea. I don't know how you do it either. I have friends who are super achievers, and although always admired them.
Thank you to one and all. I won't lie and say tears didn't touch my eyes. They did. The reason for this is that I do what I do - referring to the conference now - busting down publisher and agent doors because I want to offer as many avenues for as many writers as possible. It's a passion I have, one that was never offered to me when I began my career. To have read how many enjoy the annual and very FREE conference is simply the best thank you a gal can ask for.
Now I need to get something else ready to go and I'll unveil that bit of news hopefully by the summer.
Thank you, Vivian, for this touching post and connecting me to the reason why I love spending hours sending invites to publishers and agents and presenters:
because every writer deserves a shot to network with professionals and come away with something new in their knowledge base - for FREE! WE pay enough for postage, manuscript photocopies, phone calls, and promotional material.
Let's just have a conference week of fun and education is what I say.
Lea, thank you for being my guest today, and thank you so much, everyone, for visiting and leaving a message for Lea.
Wow, I'm still getting to know you, Lea, as I am with all of you, but I know we have someone special here I see over 30 comments posted for one interview. It warms my heart to see how this little community comes together like this to recognize their shining stars. Oh, and will I be signing up for the Muse Online Conference this year? Hell Yes! Keep up the good work, Lea.
Wow, Lea, you made my blog super visited. Thanks for visiting and making my blog popular for a while.
Seriously, a simple thank you for being my guest.
One of my favorite things about Lea is her sense of humor! Thanks, Lea, for all you do.
I know Lea because of the Muse Conference Board. She is quite an inspiration to me as well as many others. I think that anyone who has the chance to know Lea is very lucky indeed. Thanks Lea for everything you do!
Hi Anonymous. Not sure what info you are referring to but if you have a question, shoot away and I'll answer.
Anonymous has been deleted. Spam.
I don't know how Lea does it all, but she's definitely an inspiration for me!
Thank you for sharing this post, Vivian. I have to agree with the other comments. Lea, you are inspiring and use your talent, passion and energy well in helping so many people! The Muse Conference and all you do to make it so wonderful are very much appreciated!
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