I’ve been a big Stephen King fan my entire life. I try to get that easy going feel that draws you into characters that seem alive.
S. A. Schneider – 24 April 2026
The Back Flap
“When cryptid investigator Taylor vanishes without a trace, the evidence points to one impossible suspect: Bigfoot.
The Oddish Questor siblings are on the case and determined to get him back.
Aided by the legendary Stan Gordon, the siblings follow the trail. Soon they realize they aren’t the only ones searching. Mysterious agents in black suits are watching their every move, and they’ll do anything to keep the truth buried.
Can the Oddish Questors find Taylor before it’s too late? And when they finally come face-to-face with the legendary creature, will they be hunters—or the hunted?
Perfect for fans of mysterious creatures, cryptid investigations, and pulse-pounding adventure.
About the book
What is the book about?
The Bigfoot Case is the first book in the Oddish Questor series. They are a sibling investigative group that hunts cryptids like Bigfoot and Mothman. In this one, an investigator goes missing and they team works against the police, hunters, and mysterious FBI agents that might be Men in Black.
I also have a new book on creating video games for kids. The focus is on storytelling in games and preparing kids for a career in the industry – even if they don’t know how to code.
When did you start writing the book?
the Oddish Questor story started as a short story about 8 years ago. It was written as a Christmas present for my kids. About 3 years ago I decided to turn it into a larger story and a series.
How long did it take you to write it?
I was also working on book 2 of my Town Magician series when I started this one. so it took about 2 years of work off and on and then getting it edited took several months. That was mostly me getting the time to work through the edits
Where did you get the idea from?
I’ve always been interested in Bigfoot and other cryptids. When my son became interested in them, we started attending various conventions and festivals. Eventually he gave talks and wrote his own book. It’s been several years since we did that, and I missed going to those events, so writing the book gave me a good way to get back into them.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The voice. When I first wrote it, my editor wanted me to remove a section because it didn’t fit the rest of the book. I struggled with that because it was exactly what I wanted. Then I realized, instead of removing that part I needed to write the rest of the book to match it. That added writing time, but I think the end result was well worth it. Comes across a bit like something Lemony Snicket would write.
What came easily?
The gang. The siblings are based on my kids and step-kids. I used their personalities to shape the fictional characters. Makes it fun and easy to write because I’m just writing what I know.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Borrowed, see above.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I’ve been a big Stephen King fan my entire life. I try to get that easy going feel that draws you into characters that seem alive. I also loved the Dragonlance series and try to match that sense of adventure and having a vivid world.
Since I’m working on an offshoot Oddish Questor series that is Goosebumps-like, I’ve been reading some of the RL Stine Goosebumps books. I was too old for those before, but enjoying them now.
Do you have a target reader?
The Oddish Questor series is a bit above chapter readers and a bit below Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. Kind of in between. But, I’ve also had adults tell me they enjoyed it.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Since I also work full time, writing is my side business. Unfortunately, that means some days I don’t get much writing done because work and other life interferes. And there are days I need to focus on the publishing or marketing, which also interferes with the writing. That’s why I have several things ready to release, because I’ve worked on them over several years and they are all getting completed about the same time.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I do outline, though not as extensively as I hear Patterson does. I try to map out the chapters and major happenings in each chapter. This helps me keep things consistent and helps with any foreshadowing and also to keep from repeating things done earlier in the book. I didn’t outline at first, but have grown to use it more as time has gone by.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
When done. I find it’s better to get the story out and then re-read it to make any edits/fixes/updates. Typically, I spend time moving scenes around and rewriting to fit a new location within the story. It has made the books better.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I do use a professional editor. The Town Magician series was a development edit and then a copy/line edit by the same lady that did some of the Maze Runner series. My latest book series – Oddish Questors – is being done by Zach Bohannon. I’ve worked with Zach for a year, and he’s helping coach me on book 2 as it’s written. To get the story smooth and then less editing at the end. And yes, I have a good outline for this book to help that process with him.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Oh yes. I need it so I can block it out and focus on the story and writing. I know, sounds odd. If I don’t have music, my brain goes in a million directions with about 37 tabs open at once. If music is playing, I block it out and it actually helps me concentrate on what I need to be focused on.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No I have not. Seems like a lot of extra work without any extra guarantees. I can do the publishing and marketing the way I want and when I want. I was told I could only do 1 book a year if I went with an agent and publisher. I have 3 Oddish Questor books I’m finishing up and sure don’t want to wait to get them out through 2029.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I always wanted to be indie. I may look for an indie publisher for something at some point, but I wouldn’t want to just give them complete control and then be in trouble later.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Yes. I have an artist I use and then a designer to put it together into a cover. For my Town Magician books, Thom Zahler created the art. He lives near me in Cleveland and was instrumental in the My Little Pony reboot from 2014. For the Oddish Questors, right now I just have a design from the cover designer, but I’m working with another artist and may update the covers with something else. Stay tuned.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I do have more a marketing plan now that I have several books with a couple being worked on. It’s so much easier to market with several books. Trying to market one book and getting no results sucks. I also tie things in to working with kids, so the marketing targets educators and parents quite a bit.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write several books first. Maybe a couple short stories to go with it. Maybe put up a website and have a social media page. But don’t use the social media to just start shouting “Hey, look at my book, buy it!” no one cares. And if you write fiction, other authors probably aren’t your target audience. And if you’ve written one book, that doesn’t mean doing books and videos on how to write a book is going to help you professionally.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Northeast Ohio, so I’ve lived here most of my life. Spent some time in San Diego.
Where do you live now?
Right back where I started.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I really do have a wolf. Hybrid wolf, part Saarloos. He has a gimp leg and they were going to put him down, so he’s a rescue. Lovable and actually super friendly. Wolves are not the evil creatures they are made out to be.
What are you working on now?
Multiple stories in the Oddish Questor line. A Choose Your Own adventure that also ties into my video game creation classes. A Princess Bride treatment of a book from a friend. The Young Oddish Questors which will be for slightly younger readers. And of course Book 2 of Oddish Questors.
I also am compiling the Town magician short stories into a book which includes 2 never released stories. One of those stories has blossomed from a short story to a longer novella. I may release this as a separate book for younger readers. And of course, book 3 is planned.
End of Interview:
For more from S.A. Schneider visit his website and follow him on Facebook.
Get your copy of The Bigfoot Case from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
