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Poland graduate’s own version of ‘Relativity’ gains popular success
Poland graduate publishes novel
Cristin Bishara, 1990 graduate of Poland Seminary, is author of the young-adult novel, “Relativity.”
By kalea hall
poland
Ask Cristin Bishara what her favorite subject was when she was a student at Poland Seminary High School, and her answer will be calculus.
“It is like art intersecting with math,” Bishara said. “You can tell I am still excited by it.”
The 41-year-old Poland graduate’s goal was to became a lawyer until she realized her true passion was writing.
In September, her book, “Relativity,” was published.
“To me it is not a job — it is my life, my calling and passion,” Bishara said.
Bishara, who now lives in Tampa, Fla., was raised in Poland and graduated from there in 1990. She went on to study at Kenyon College where she majored in English. Kenyon is a liberal arts college and is known for its liter- ary studies. After her undergraduate education, Bishara received a master’s degree in poetry from St. Mary’s College of California.
“For me, I think going to a liberal arts college was the best thing because I was able to explore and figure out what I was going to focus on,” Bishara.
It took Bishara a year and a half to two years to write her book and an additional 15 months to find an agent, and then her dream of being a published author became a reality.
“Getting a literary agent is extremely competitive,” Bishara said. “If you are lucky they say, ‘Please send me the first 10 to 15 pages.’”
“Relativity” is a fantasy young-adult novel about 15-year-old Ruby Wright, who discovers a portal to parallel universes that change the past. The science-loving girl begins to obsess over finding the perfect world.
“I really liked math and science, and there is math and science in this book,” Bishara said.
“Relativity,” published by Walter Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury, is now being translated into Italian. The book already is available in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. It can be purchased as an eBook or on audiotape.
“Relativity,” is not the first book Bishara submitted to agents. Her story telling in “Relativity” was the first time she was able to grab their attention.
“I think the editors and the agents could tell I was a good writer,” Bishara said. “The writing was good, but the story wasn’t, so that is probably what was holding me back.”
Bishara did have to make some changes to her book before it hit the shelves.
“You have to have a thick skin [with reviews],” Bishara said. “ From what I am reading there are lot of people who really truly loved it.”
Bishara’s second science-fiction novel is now in the editing stages. She is available to connect with readers on Twitter and Facebook.