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Welcome to #SeasonsOfKidLit, readers! We have the wonderfully wicked Lisa Schmid with us today to discuss her spooky MG ghost story, Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold. Moving is hard on kids, especially when you have to leave your friends behind. Ollie finds himself in this situation, only he quickly makes friends with a kid in his new town...a friend who just so happens to be a ghost! Want to know more about Lisa, Ollie, and the exciting adventure that's in store? Read on...
Q: Hi, Lisa. Thanks so much for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit! I'm excited to have you and hear all about your spooky story for the season. First, can you tell us a little about yourself?
A: Thank you so much for welcoming me to the #SeasonsOfKidLit. It's a pleasure to be here.
What can I say? I'm a stay-at-home mom, which used to keep me much busier when my son was younger. But now that he's in high school, I have more time on my hands. Hopefully, this will lead to more writing.
When I'm not scaring up spooky stories or driving my son to soccer practice, I'm co-hosting the podcast Writers With Wrinkles with my good friend, Beth McMullen.
I have two treat-crazy dogs, a Lab named Barley and a snorty pug named Lucy. My favorite snack is Lays potato chips; unless there's a box of Sees Candy nearby, then it's good-bye salty goodness, hello sweet chocolates.
My favorite book of all time, which made me an avid reader, is The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. To this day, I secretly believe Narnia is real.
Q: Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold is a haunted mystery filled with twists and turns for readers of all ages! What was your inspiration behind the story?
A: When I first started writing Ollie Oxley, I had just moved to Folsom, a town central to the California Gold Rush. On the first day at my new house, I discovered a metal band embedded in the trunk of an olive tree in my backyard. It had grown with the tree, twisting and molding itself around the roots. I thought it was the coolest thing, and the story idea popped into my head. Also, growing up, I loved a British TV show called My Partner The Ghost. It was about a private detective agency where one of the partners was a ghost. So I thought having a middle-grade book with a similar premise would be fun—a boy and his ghost friend solving a mystery.
Q: What can readers expect when reading your book?
A: I tend to lean toward the lighter side of spooky middle-grade. I like to make people laugh more than I want to scare them. Of course, the situational aspect of having a ghost in the picture can lead to lots of humorous hijinks and shenanigans. But at its core, Ollie Oxley and The Ghost is a story about friendships and new beginnings. And, of course, standing up to the bully.
Q: Why is this the perfect read for anyone who loves a good ghost story?
A: My favorite character in the book is not Ollie Oxley but Teddy, the ghost. He's funny, clever, and full of mischief. But most of all, he's a loyal friend who's not afraid to use his paranormal skill-set to help out his buddy. This unique talent leads to all kinds of spooky fun!
Q: What can readers look forward to seeing from you in the near future?
A: The good news . . . I may have a new middle-grade ghost story coming out in the summer of 2024. The bad news . . . I am pinky sworn to secrecy for now. Hopefully, an announcement will happen before the end of the year. Fingers crossed.
Thanks again for joining us, Lisa! We can't wait to read your book and look forward to hearing about future works, too!
Q: Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for the readers?
A: I like treats more than tricks, so how about I give away a copy of Ollie Oxley and The Ghost?
Thanks so much for such a sweet treat!
Contest Details: To enter to win a copy of Ollie Oxley and The Ghost, comment below and let Lisa know why you can't wait to read her book! The winner will be announced on or about November 4th.
*Note: Book giveaways will be shipped in the US only.
Reminder: Those who leave a comment on all posts will be eligible to win one (1) of ten (10) Rate Your Story Speed Passes.
About Lisa Schmid:
Lisa Schmid is an author, a stay-at-home mom, and a pug wrangler. When she is not scaring up ghostly adventures, she is most likely scaring up fun with her husband and son. She lives in Folsom, California, home of the 1849 Gold Rush.
For more about Lisa, check out the below links:
Twitter: @LisaLSchmid
Instagram: @lisalschmid
Website: lisalschmid.com
To purchase Lisa's book, or to leave a review, click here.