Vijaya Schartz
P.O. BOX 54324
Phoenix, Arizona 85078
Tel: 602-769-2066
Email:
vijayaschartz@cox.net
Website:
www.vijayaschartz.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in France, Vijaya Schartz wrote her first poem
at age six, dabbled in poetry and journals as a teenager, and even started
to write a book at eighteen, on how a society ought to function. Soon, however,
she abandoned the project when she discovered that Plato had already written
"The Republic" around 380 BC.
Far from limiting herself to intellectual endeavors, Vijaya competed
with the French national gymnastics team, practiced Judo and Karate, studied
modern ballet and opera. She also exhibited a few paintings in Paris.
After graduating from business management school, she entered drama school
where she developed a sense for dialogue and drama, then worked as a professional
stage and TV actress in Paris and played on tours throughout Europe for
several years.
At that time, Vijaya also researched occult Societies in Europe
(Rosecroix, Templars, etc...) as well as UFO sightings and psychic phenomena.
When she tired of the fickle world of a young actress on the road, Vijaya
searched for spiritual answers in a monastery in India, near Bombay.
During the year she spent there, she meditated, studied, and translated
the philosophy of Cashmere Shivaism from English into French, for limited
publication. While in India Vijaya married an American citizen, then
followed him to Hawaii.
During the years spent in the Hawaiian islands, under the guidance
of an eminent Japanese master, Sadao Yoshioka, Vijaya earned a black belt
in Aikido (Japanese self-defense martial art) and studied Zen and Shinto
philosophies. In Hawaii she also taught French, worked as a tour
guide, became a surfer, and learned the rudiments of the Japanese language.
Besides English, French and Japanese, she also studied some Spanish and
German.
Over the years, Vijaya traveled extensively throughout Europe,
Scandinavia, India, Thailand, Japan, the Himalayas, Egypt, Canada, and
the United States. She lived in France, India, Hawaii, Florida, Philadelphia,
and presently resides in sunny Arizona.
When she decided to become a novelist, Vijaya returned to college,
where she received much encouragement from English professors and fellow
writers. She now speaks at workshops and writer's conferences and
became President of the
Arizona Authors Association, a statewide
organization with national ramifications. She was also Editor in Chief
of the
Arizona Literary Magazine.
Her
short stories
were published first, among them, "USER FRIENDLY,"
a cyber-love story published in "Potpourri Magazine," in October 2000,
and "A VEGAS XMAS PAGEANT," a wicked futuristic Nativity published in December
1999 by a British Magazine in London, "Breakfast All Day, a.k.a. BAD Magazine".
Her first novel in print
ASHES FOR THE ELEPHANT GOD is a tale of love,
spiritual awakenings, reincarnation and suspense, set in modern and ancient
India. Her Fantasy novel
ARCHANGEL CRUSADER, released in November
2000, also from Blue Planet Books, features a country boy and single father,
confronted with alien encounters and challenged to grow into an extraordinary
hero. The sequel,
ARCHANGEL CHECKMATE, is an April 2001 release.
In the fall of 2001, Vijaya also became a Reviewer for Top Shelf, the book review section of Today's Arizona Women
Magazine.
Between May 2001 and
February 2004, Vijaya hosted a radio show that started on
KFNX 1100 AM, titled:
AUTHORS' SECRETS, where Vijaya
interviewed best-selling authors, editors, agents, and other personalities
of the writing world, and shared the ups and downs of her wild life as
an author, the harsh and wonderful world a writer faces, the craft of writing,
writer's block, rejections, the evils of the publishing industry, etc.
Vijaya's Summer 2004 release from Triskelion Publishing
was titled
RELICS, a futuristic romantic suspense in the continuity series Operation:
Pleiades. And her fall 2004 novel WHITE TIGER, also from Triskelion
Publishing, was a futuristic romantic fantasy.
Both these novels finaled in the Golden Quill Awards 2005.
LOCKDOWN
is a July 2005 release from Triskelion Publishing, followed by
ANAZ-VOOHRI, the prequel to the Operation Pleiades series in 2006.
After the fall of Triskelion Publishing in 2007, Vijaya
published
A DESPERADO FOR CHRISTMAS
with
Sapphire Blue Publishing in November 2008.
COYOTE
GORGEOUS, is scheduled for release in 2009, from Sapphire
Blue Publishing as well.
Besides more Sci-Fi and Romantic Suspense stories,
Vijaya is presently working on a series of authentic
medieval
legends featuring a family of Celtic characters of the post Arthurian period.
This fictionalized version of their lives (historical facts blend with
myth, even in recorded History) will take the reader from Strathclyde (Southern
Scotland) to Luxembourg, France, Spain, and the Middle East. Of course,
it involves magic, Viking invasions, epic wars and conquests, knightly
feats, as well as passion and romance, before and during The Crusades,
between 806 and 1242.
Since her novels increasing popularity, Vijaya Schartz has been
signing her books at Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Brentanos,
and in many independent and metaphysical bookstores, as well as conferences,
book fairs, and book festivals all over the U.S. She has become
a much sought guest and appeared on many radio and television programs
like "More Than Books" on Cox Government Access channel 11, Sonoran Living on channel 15, News Channel 12, KCTK AM radio, KFNX
AM radio, on SHEBUZZ, Phoenix radio 1310 KXAM, etc.
Vijaya speaks regularly at
major writers conferences, gives workshops
and talks in bookstores and libraries about cutting edge and New Age topics
like India, reincarnation, meditation, yoga, the power of the mind, psychic
experiences, visions, pastilles regression, UFO sightings, conquering your
fears, the writing life, the craft of writing, historical research, life
in Medieval times, and more...
Her novel Ashes for the Elephant God
caught the eye of a Bollywood producer in India, and Archangel Crusader is also available in MP3 audiobook.
EDUCATION:
Basic College education in France (B.A. equivalent)
Ecole Nationale de Commerce de Paris (Business Management)
Gymnastics - international level - (French National Team)
Academy of Arts - Paris - Drawing and painting
Academy of Music - Paris - (classical guitar)
Cours René Simon Drama School, Paris, France (4 years post
graduate program including: acting - singing - modern ballet)
Private studies in UFOlogy, Medieval studies, Secret Societies, Paranormal
Phenomena.
Aikido (Japanese martial art of self defense - Black belt level)
Creative Writing, Novel Writing, and classical English studies in various
Colleges in Arizona
PUBLISHED SHORT WORKS
Magazine Articles:
. PARIS
INSOLITE - June 2008 issue of
View Highlife Magazine - Travel article.
• "To Buy Or Not To Buy Used Restaurant Equipment"
The Restaurateur
of Arizona, two consecutive issues, August 1995 and September 1995.
• "Kitchen Equipment - New or Used?"
Restaurant News Of The Rockies,
Denver, Colorado - November 2001
Book Reviews:
- Review of FLUKE by Christopher Moore - TOP SHELF -
Today Arizona Woman Magazine
- Review of CERULEAN SINS by Laurel K. Hamilton - TOP
SHELF - Today Arizona Woman Magazine
- Review of DUNE - HOUSE CORRINO by Brian Herbert and
Kevin J. Anderson - Today Arizona Woman Magazine
Short Stories:
"Sleeping Beauty" - a modern fairytale - for the Romantic Times Reviews
Magazine website - August 2007
"Bastille Day Fireworks" - a paranormal
short story broadcast on BCRN in the fall of 2003.(audio version)
"User Friendly - A Cyberlove Story" (Potpourri Magazine
- October 2000) (print)
"A Vegas Christmas Pageant" Breakfast All Day (BAD) Magazine
- London - England (1999) (print)
PUBLISHED NOVELS
Paperbacks:
ANAZ-VOOHRI - Operation Pleiades series -
Triskelion Publishing - January 2007- Futuristic romantic suspense
Since he
witnessed the abduction of his baby sister by an alien creature, Zack
will stop at nothing to rescue her, even if it means joining the Special
Forces. But Tia Vargas, the reckless Amazon training the secret unit for
a highly classified mission, harbors a deadly secret. Where the mission
leads, the faint hearted should not follow. Neither Zack nor Tia are
ready for what they discover, and the farther they go, the more it
becomes clear that what's behind the scenes could spell the end of the
human race...
RELICS - Operation Pleiades series
- Triskelion Publishing -
January 2005 - Futuristic romantic suspense
In a dangerous future threatened by aliens and infiltrated by hybrids,
archeologist Celene Dupres witnesses her father's murder. Vowing
to avenge him and retrieve his precious alien relics, she finds the perfect
ally and protector. But the man she trusts, the man with whom she
is falling in love, is the secret agent sent to kill her. Kin, however
is more than a killing machine. Despite his love for Celene, can
he accomplish his gruesome mission, and save humanity from the threat embedded
in Celene's DNA?
LOCKDOWN - The Garrison series
- Triskelion Publishing -
November 2005 - Romantic Futuristic Suspense
The
year is 3033, the place Zurin Five, a moon-size mining planet in the Andromeda
Galaxy, with an underground high security prison run by a human-owned
corporation. An artist at heart, Rhonda Alendresis never wanted this prison job.
When the civilian personnel vanishes and an earthquake damages the nuclear
reactor, she must go down to effect the repairs with Captain Perfect himself,
Cole Riggeur, who always plays by the rules and never trusted a woman in his
life. But deep in the underground penitentiary, something has gone terribly
wrong. The most wicked convicts in the Galaxy are loose, and a treacherous
shape-shifter plans his revenge. Disconnected from the Garrison, against
impossible odds, Cole and Rhonda now face their greatest challenge... trusting
each other in order to survive.
Ashes For The Elephant God
- Blue Planet Books Inc. 2000
Two lovers murdered in a previous life during the Raj meet again in
India, where their murderess awaits... "...a magnificent offering to the
world of fiction..." The Charlotte Austin Review
Archangel Crusader
-
Blue Planet Books Inc. 2000
Country Boy Michael Tanner doesn't believe in aliens, but when one
claims to have fathered him, and characters from his dreams threaten his
young daughter's life, Michael must face the mystery of his birth and overcome
his weaknesses to fulfill his unique destiny. "...compelling fantasy...
enthralls and at the same time, awakens!" Richard Fuller - Metaphysical
Reviews
Archangel Checkmate
- Blue Planet Books Inc. 2001
To save his teenage daughter from the fiendish claws of the newly awakened
Reptilian Lord, Michael must return to his native earth, but the way home
is fraught with dangers, and his rambunctious past catches up with him
at the worse possible time. "Archangel Checkmate transcends its many
wonderful moments to become that most special of all things, a fantasy
that will endure. Funny and sad and very intelligent." The Book Reader.
Electronic books:
RED LEOPARD - Chronicles of
Kassouk Book Two - Desert Breeze Publishing -
April 1, 2010
In
charge of the fortress of Kassouk in the King's absence,
what is Terek to do when a Goddian spacecraft lands in
his medieval backyard, and the striking woman leading
the galactic party insists on colonization?
Galya, the Goddian Princess commanding the geological
vessel, is bent on finding a crystal with unusual
hyperconductor properties. And the futile resistance of
the local population isn’t going to stop her. Not even
that defiant tribal chief nicknamed Red Leopard, like
the infernal feline that follows him everywhere.
Terek and his band of swordsmen and felines must defend
their people’s freedom, no matter the cost. But with
this unexpected arrival, an old prophecy surfaces,
taking new meaning and carrying a new threat...
When political intrigues, greed, murder and betrayal tip
the scales, whom can Galya really trust? Her fellow
Goddians? the Mutants bred to serve her race? or her
primitive Human enemy?
COYOTE GORGEOUS -
Sapphire Blue Publishing - January 2010
Arizona Game Ranger Madison
Huntley, investigating a wild animal attack on a ranch in Cave
Creek, discovers disturbing details. If she didn't know better,
she'd say the legends frightening the ranch hand might be true. But
Madison isn't just a wilderness cop. As a biologist and a wild life
expert, she believes in facts and science, not scary tales.
Kaletaka, a Hopi Native, enjoys fame among the white man, forging
haunting sculptures of half gods, half humans. When he awakens
bloody, with no recollection of what he did the night before, he
remembers the legends of his tribe, and the meaning of his name. But
as hard as he tries, can he escape his destiny?
Can Madison solve the mystery killings and insure the safety of the
town? Let alone her own safety? For each step closer to the truth
and to Kaletaka, unleashes an unspeakable evil, and no one is
safe...
WHITE TIGER
- Chronicles of Kassouk Book One - Desert Breeze Publishing - August
1, 2009
On a winter planet where advanced aliens worshiped as gods control
the feudal human society, Tora, swordswoman and cavalry officer for the
human race, wants to avenge her father's wrongful death. But while
tribal wars tears the country asunder she suspects that the gods have a
hidden agenda. When a handsome Mutant spy for the galactic race warns
her of treason in the human ranks, Tora discovers love and unveils the
secret of her birth. But falling in love with the enemy never proved
more dangerous. Marked by destiny, the doomed lovers may well hold
the key to their planet's salvation, if they can survive persecutions from
both sides and prevent the imminent holocaust.
A DESPERADO FOR CHRISTMAS -
Sapphire Blue Publishing Nov. 2008
Rookie Border Patrol Agent Kaitlin Harrington hates Christmas and all men, since
her lover jilted her and she lost her unborn child on Christmas Eve. This year,
as she guards the Mexican border in southern Arizona, she encounters more than
she can handle. No amount of training prepared Kaitlin to arrest the gorgeous
desperado who challenges her. His name is Miguel, a human smuggler fascinated by
the green eyes of the feisty auburn-haired beauty bent on impeding his important
work. But Miguel is a man of many secrets. On this dangerous adventure through
the Arizona desert, anything can and will happen.
BOOK AWARDS
-
WHITE TIGER - Chronicles of Kassouk - 2010 QUASAR Award
winner all categories
-
WHITE TIGER - Chronicles of Kassouk - 2010 Ariana Award
winner in Sci-Fi category
-
A DESPERADO FOR CHRISTMAS - First place in the Preditors and
Editors Readers Poll 2008, in the Short Romance category
-
A DESPERADO FOR CHRISTMAS - Nominated for a COVEY Award (for
the cover art) in March 2008
-
ANAZ-VOOHRI is a 2008 Golden Quill Awards finalist
-
ANAZ-VOOHRI was nominated for a Cameo Award for its book trailer in 2007
-
ANAZ-VOOHRI was nominated for the 2006 Ecataromance Reviewers Choice Award
-
ANAZ-VOOHRI was nominated for the 2006 Preditors and Editors Readers' Choice
Award
-
RELICS was nominated for the 2006 Preditors and Editors Readers' Choice Award
-
RELICS was a finalist in the 2005 Golden Quill Awards.
-
WHITE TIGER was a finalist in the 2005 Golden Quill Awards
-
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS BOOK AWARD 2001 - Visionary Fiction category
- Ashes for the Elephant God
-
2000 Writer's Digest National Book Award - Certificate of Merit in Mainstream
fiction for Ashes for the Elephant God
-
2000 Writer's Digest National Book Award - Certificate of Merit in
Genre Fiction for Archangel Crusader
-
2001 Writer's Digest National Book Award - Certificate of Merit in Genre
Fiction for Archangel Checkmate
Vijaya Schartz' other titles and
responsibilities
PUBLIC SPEAKING:
Vijaya
Schartz speaks on a regular basis on the craft of writing at local and
national Writers' Conferences, Seminars and workshops. She spoke at the LA
WRITERS AND ACTORS CONFERENCE, and about "From Book to Film," in a series of workshops for the
Glendale Library, She spoke in LA for a Romance Writers Conference about
"12 Secrets for writing compelling fiction," about "Live Interviews" at
the WRITER'S JOURNEY CONFERENCE, sponsored by The Writer Magazine, on "Writing
Fantasy" at the WRITERS ROUNDUP CONFERENCE in the Valley of the Sun.
She spoke at the LAS VEGAS WRITERS CONFERENCE, at a Conference of the Society of Southwestern Authors in Tucson
(Nov. 2003). She also spoke at the DESERT DREAMS CONFERENCE
in phoenix in April 2008. She fills auditoriums with fans who attend her new age
programs. She speaks regularly for public schools, libraries, as well as
bookstores during her numerous book signings. For detailed listing
of her available talk topics, click
HERE
UPCOMING RELEASES:
RED LEOPARD - Chronicles of Kassouk Book Two -
Desert Breeze Publishing - April 2010
BLACK
JAGUAR - Chronicles of Kassouk book Three - Desert Breeze Publishing -
November 2010
KICKING BOTS - Futuristic
romantic suspense - No release date yet.
SNATCHED
- Futuristic romantic suspense - No release date yet.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
THE CURSE
OF THE LOST ISLE -
A series of six
historical fantasy
novels based on medieval legends involving ladies of magic akin
to Morgane The Fay. Plagued by a curse, these powerful women, whose names
recur throughout history, ruled Scotland during the first Viking invasions,
founded the first dynasty of Luxembourg, built fortresses and wrecked havoc
in France and Spain, financed the first Crusade, and meddled in the middle
east during the many struggles to regain control of the Holy Land.
