Authors should qualify for all the Oscars categories - by Vijaya Schartz

 

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As I watched the announcements of the 2026 Oscar nominees recently, I realized how many categories are now rewarded. Each year they add new categories. The latest one this year recognizes casting directors.

When writing a novel, the author has to be an expert in all the categories. Whether we write fiction or true events, we are responsible, not only for the overall story, the script (dialogue), but also for creating (casting) our characters (defining who they are, what makes them tick, and what they look like). We have to decide what they wear (especially for period pieces), the setting (movie set design), the special effects (I have many in my sci-fi books), action scenes, the actors’ direction, the secondary characters, the subplots, the narrative…

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Authors are not required to write music, of course, but we do create an atmosphere by describing the sounds, the smells, the touch, and the feelings, as well as the thoughts surrounding the novel.

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Maybe authors should also get awards for Historical Accuracy. Nowadays most period films are accurate, as movie makers and authors conduct intensive research before filming or writing. But I remember a time when Hollywood was taking big liberties with history, and was later criticized for it. I still cringe when I watch old films of ancient Egypt.

Research is a must, something green authors do not always understand. The wrong detail can spoil the entire novel and ruin the author’s credibility for the reader. Personally, I love doing research. Many unexpected plot ideas often come from researching settings and local lore, legends, and little-known history.

I’ve often been told that reading my books was like watching a movie. Thank you. I take it as a compliment. Please, go ahead and suggest my books to Hollywood!

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Actually, there is a good reason for that. As I write, I see the movie unfolding in my head on a big screen. I love movies. It’s not unusual for me to memorize the lines of my favorite films as I watch them over and over. It’s also why my books are fast reads. Like in movies, I believe in telling a story as succinctly as possible. Why write a paragraph when one word says it all?

I hope you enjoy my books. And if you do, please leave a review on the book page. Thank you in advance.

Happy Reading!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats, romance

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New Book Release: Styled by Scripture: A Faith-Fueled Guide to Building a Bankable Presence - by DeAnna Dupree

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You don’t need another confidence quote — you need a divine reminder of who you are.

In Styled by Scripture, Visibility, and Success Coach The Fabulous DeAnna DuPree takes you beyond surface-level style and into a Spirit-led journey of identity, influence, and impact. This is where faith meets finesse — and where your reflection becomes revelation.

Through powerful storytelling, biblical truth, and actionable strategy, you’ll learn how to:

Stop hiding behind shame, comparison, and saboteurs.

Show up with purpose, polish, and presence — in life, business, and leadership.

Build a bankable presence that attracts opportunity and honors God.

Activate your influence with confidence, charisma, and conviction.

Every chapter closes with “Styled by Scripture” devotionals and “Now Walk It Out” activations — so you’re not just inspired, you’re ignited.

Styled by Scripture isn’t just a read — it’s a revelation. A blueprint for women of faith who are ready to be seen, shine boldly, and walk in divine alignment with their assignment.

If you’re ready to stop shrinking and start shining — your moment is here.

About the author:

DeAnna DuPree, affectionately known as The Fabulous DeAnna DuPree, is an Author, Business Coach, Image Consultant, and Marketing Director for NAWBO Phoenix. With a career rooted in branding, presence, and influence, she helps women entrepreneurs elevate their visibility, messaging, and leadership. As Founder of Impeccable Style LLC, DeAnna blends image strategy with business acumen, teaching that how you show up impacts trust and income. She is the author of Styled by Scripture and creator of Confidently Unleashed and YOU Are the Brand™, empowering women to lead with clarity, confidence, and values aligned purpose.

New Book Release: Dream of a Murder - by VC Williams

 

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Kris and Rob Lawter are excited to be traveling the world on a small luxury ship, their dream vacation. Retired from a high-stress career in government, Kris and her husband, a recently retired airline pilot, hope their good marriage will catch fire without alarm clocks in the way. But when Rob sees their neighbor tossed overboard in the dead of night, they have no choice but to get involved. Then their friend gets beaten up in Cádiz, and only the Lawters see the deadly connection. Unless Kris finds the key to a cipher she found in the dead man's cabin, the Lawters might be next.

About the author:

VC Williams has a strong background in technical writing and is delighted to devote her life now to writing fiction. She previously worked in administrative and accounting roles in retail, government, manufacturing, and non-profits. She also served twelve years as a business administrator/minister for a large church in El Paso. Texas. VC is a second-generation Arizonan and a history enthusiast. She is married with two sons and two grandchildren. She has been blessed with opportunities to travel and has visited many beautiful places here and around the world. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Arizona Authors Association, and the Arizona Territorial Society.

New Book Release: Dog Soldier - by Roland Rick Church

 

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A young native American man is trained to assassinate political targets in major U.S. cities and is financially supported through a network of shell companies. Ironically his false identity is that of an attorney for the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. His only problem is that he is the nephew of Noel Two Horses, a native American ex-cop, private Investigator who is digging deep to find out what this young guy is up to. Dog Soldier is the seventh story in the Noel Two Horses series of stories about this private investigator who runs his investigative agency out of a mystery book shop in Prescott, Arizona in the heart of Yavapai Apache territory.

About the author:

Roland Rick Church is an enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation and is a former Tribal Council member as well as a Director of Public Safety for his tribe. After retiring he was appointed as a Tribal Police and Fire Commissioner. He is a decorated Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and had a 26-yearlaw enforcement career as a State Trooper, Police Patrol Sergeant, Special Investigator and a Fraud Unit Supervisor. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy Command College Quantico. His private investigative work included criminal defense work in both Wisconsin and Arizona as well as the Federal court system. Rick has a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology and has taught Criminal justice courses for both undergraduate and graduate level students

New Book Release: Bird's Eye View of Baseball - by Rodo Sofranac

 

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Robin Finch, nicknamed Bird, is learning all about baseball from his sister Maria. As she uses expressions to describe baseball actions, he visualizes what they mean--literally.

This book is a great aid for language acquisition. It is also useful for understanding the game of baseball, especially idioms and other expressions.

About the author:

Rodo Sofranac spent the first few years of his life in a small village called Rijeka Crnojevića,  in Montenegro (former lya part of Yugoslavia). The next few years he lived in Salzburg, Austria. His family then immigrated to the United States. This diversity of cultures and languages has inspired Rodo to read, write, and have fun with words, especially telling stories. Currently, Rodo lives the larger village of Phoenix, Arizona with his loving wife, Susan, and some of the kids—who all constantly help him with his English.

Cat-whipped - My cat believes I have superpowers - by Vijaya Schartz

 

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Each holiday season, setting up the tree becomes more challenging. My cat, Pasha, is obsessed with it. After the tree is up, each day, he finds new ways to defeat my safeguards around the table where the tree stands. But I’m not worried about the ornaments I find on the carpet in the morning. No. I’m worried about the fact that he likes to chew on the branches.

Mind you, my tree is small, white, and made of recycled plastic. So, why is he so obsessed with chewing the branches? A while back, I had to get rid of fake spiky plants on my balcony… for the same reason. He liked to chew on them.

Before you judge me about the fake plants, I should mention that I live in Arizona, that all the natural plants on my balcony die each year in the heat, except for one Aloe Vera.

This is how the battle usually starts.

The cat stares at the tree, ready to jump.

I say “No!”

He glances at me then leaps anyway.

But due to my martial arts training, I happen to have quick reflexes. So, I catch the cat in midair and deposit him gently on the couch. The first time I did it, the shocked expression on his little furry face and in his rounded blue eyes was priceless. As if he’d landed in a different time zone, or through a portal to a parallel universe.

I repeated the maneuver a few times, when he wasn’t aware of my close proximity. So now, my cat thinks I have superpowers.

But this practice created a monster. Quickly, it turned into a game. Whenever Pasha wants attention… and he requires lots of it, he dares me, ready to jump on the tree table. When I catch him, he purrs loudly and gives me head bumps, and revels in my embrace.

How am I supposed to resist that? This cat is my weakness. So, he gets kisses and cuddles. Just what he wanted. I am officially cat-whipped.

If you like novels with cats and/or martial arts, with kick-butt heroines and a little romance, check out my novels at your favorite online store.

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HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats, romance

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New Book Release: Shadows to Sunshine - by Diane Sleger

 

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This Salem Lineage pertains to the descendants of those accused in the Salem witch trials of 1692. This encompasses the accused, the witches, the accusers, and the court magistrates. The Salem Witchcraft Trials were a distressing sequence of events in which those who were innocent and defenseless were wrongfully blamed, endured torment, were incarcerated, and even faced execution. Alongside individuals who were wrongly or fairly prosecuted as witches.

I found an extended Salem lineage through my paternal grandmother's maiden surname, Leffingwell.

As we discover our shadows, we hope they can transform into sunshine.

About the author:

 Diane Sleger is a published author of historical non-fiction novels, with a focus on the Shadows to Sunshine series. She holds a B.S.W., an A.A.S. in Graphic Design and a certificate in Web Design. Her digital designs include photo montages and book cover designs. Her membership and volunteer experience through the Saguaro Chapter NSDAR, as VIS Chair: Webmaster, since 2022, the Society of Mayflower Descendants of Arizona, since 2022, the Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, member since 2017, and ILDAR/National Standing Committee/State VIS Co-Chair of Website Compliance/2019-2021. Diane is dedicated to sharing veterans’ military memories and honoring their service and heroism. Portfolio: www.dianesleger.com

New Book Release: Saanvi's Bad Day - by Sheena Sharma

 

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2025 Literary Titan Book Award Winner

After having a terrible day at school, Saanvi returns home frustrated and mad. All she wants to do is sulk in her room until she has an eye-opening conversation with her dad. During their talk, she learns how grown-ups have bad days too. Grownups and kids are more similar than she originally thought!

Join Saanvi as she learns the different ways to turn her bad days around. When Saanvi has another bad day at school the next week, will she be able to tackle her unhappiness in a positive way?

About the author:

Sheena Sharma is a pediatric nephrologist in Phoenix, Arizona, and has dreamed of writing since she was a young girl. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and eventually moved throughout the Northeast to New York and Philadelphia before settling in Phoenix. Sheena loves spending time with her husband and two young children, who are her constant source of inspiration. Her first book, Saanvi’s Family Tree, navigates the difficult subject of familial estrangement with honesty and love.