Meet Local Sarasota Children’s Author, R.C. Chizhov! | The Sarasota Moms

 

We sat down with local mom and new author, R.C. Chizhov, in anticipation of her two new book releases from her “Emu Town Stories” series, Adventure Emu and Nope-Nope Emu, both available today on Amazon. 

 

 

   

 

 

How many kids do you have and what are their ages?

One son, Max, who is 6.

 

What do you love about living in the Sarasota area?

Oh plenty! Watching sunset by the beach on a weekday. Palm trees.
Sunny skies. Beautiful parks. Friendly, warm, and welcoming people.
Cultural activities. Restaurants with views.

 

What’s your favorite restaurant and place to shop in Sarasota?

I am a foodie, so hard to pick one restaurant! Duval, Shore, Fins at
Sharky’s, Jpan Sushi, 1592 and Bijou Garden Cafe are some of my
favorites.
I shop for books more than clothes! My favorites bookstores are
Bookstore1 Sarasota for the latest books in every genre, and A.
Parker’s Books and Book Bazaar for collectibles and rare books.

 

 

 

 

Tell us about your career.

I graduated with a master’s degree in Financial Engineering from
Columbia University and began my career as an investment banker in
New York. After 14 successful years in the financial services industry,
I decided to pursue my childhood dream of becoming an author in
2021. It so happened, that we moved to Sarasota as a family around
the same time.
I am now a full-time author and have published four children’s books
with many more in the pipeline. I am keen to venture into adult fiction
at some point too. I am an active member of SCBWI and Making Room
for Rhyme critique group.

 

What do you love about your career?

Being an author gives me independence, freedom to create anything I
want, and flexibility to work from anywhere in the world (I can write at
the beach!). Creativity is magic and there is no greater joy for me than
being part of this magic. Especially, writing for children is so much
fun and keeps the child in me alive.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is seeing my book in
a child’s hand, be it through a school visit, at a bookstore or library.
Their wonder, delight, curiosity and occasional laughter while reading
my books, inspires me to create and work harder each day.

 

 

 

What are some of your hobbies?

Reading is my number one hobby. I make time to read every day
(most often in the school car line pick up!). I read all kinds of books. A
comic? Serious non-fiction? Murder mystery? Memoir? Middle-grade
novel? Bring it on!
My husband and I share our love for travel, tennis and hiking. We now
include our son in these activities and enjoy them together as a
family.

 

How do you juggle work and motherhood?

Sleep less! Just kidding.
Motherhood instantly changed my priorities, and I adjusted my work-
life accordingly. For starters, I moved to a job that involved no travel.
My hours were long, but I had honest communications with my
manager so I could work around my son’s schedule. My corporate job
was demanding, it was hard, but I never missed dinner and bedtime. I
am also grateful that my husband has been my biggest support
throughout this journey.
I believe in taking care of my mental and physical health. The biggest
gift I can give my son is being happy and creating a stress-free
environment at home. A happy mom is a happy child! I make life-
choices and career decisions keeping this attitude in mind, however
difficult or unconventional they may be.

 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from another mom?

Do less and listen more. Children grow best when they are allowed to
be who they are, discover their uniqueness and realize their greatest
potential.

 

 

Interested in being featured as our monthly Meet a Mom?

Email us today:

[email protected]

 

 

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