I’m still recovering from the wonderful experience at BLOGPAWS! It may take a while to get caught up, but I plan to post some more pictures/video and recap on Wednesday’s blog so stay tuned. Suffice it to say–it was lots of furry
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
This is a busy week for me, because I leave to attend BlogPaws this Thursday, YAY! This is THE place to be if you write about (or as) your pets, or are interested in learning more about pet-centric social media. I’ve been a fan of bunches of these bloggers for a long time, so it’ll be great fun to meet them face to face…as well as some of the pets who will also be in attendance.
On Friday, I present a seminar on Ebooks & Promo for Bloggers at 2:00 with Sandra Beckwith. At 4:15 or so, I’ll also be PAW-tographing the latest pet books. So if you’re at the conference I hope you’ll introduce yourself.
If you can’t attend but really want to learn more about the topic, perhaps the attend-in-your-jammies-barefoot-with-no-makeup DIY Ebooks Webinar on June 1st would be an option.
For those who missed my OWFI talk, you can catch the Reinvented Writer Webinar on May 25. (drop me a line, and I’ll send a discount code…) And I’ve several more sessions scheduled throughout the summer on media training, nonfiction book proposals and niche writing, so stay tuned!
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Got A Picture Book or Graphic Novel? Kindle Format 8 has ya covered and is ready for download. NOTE: the “regular” kindle devices currently won’t support this, it’s designed for Kindle Fire (and future devices).
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
The always charming Frank Steele (my playwright co-author).
Keynote speaker Patrick Rothfuss, a new way of writing (despite kitten-eating children!).
Three Amigos…Frank Steele and Ron Richardson with Lois “The Babe” Richardson.
Three Amigos (Again!), David Freed, Casey Cowan and August McLaughlin (loving those tights, August!)
Frank with our new friend, theater tech-genius James Graham (origami wizard, magician and world-smith)
WANA Style! That’s August and Mike Miller
Just back from an AMAZING time at the Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference, where I presented a fun lunch workshop THE REINVENTED WRITER (complete with SQUEEE! cute pet pix). I’ve not missed one of these conferences since I attended my first in 1992, and am a former president of OWFI and honorary lifetime member. I’ve received awards from the contest, gotten writing assignments, found my agent there (although we’ve now parted ways), and made some of the best friends and writer-ly connections ever.
If you missed out on my workshop, never fear–it will be presented Saturday May 25 at 2:00 Eastern Time at WANA International as a WEBINAR for online in-your-pj’s attendance and no travel to-from a hotel. The class isn’t yet posted …but I’ll send the direct link as soon as it is. I’ll be presenting several online WEBINAR sessions in the coming months and will be sure to post announcements here.
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
Book Sales On the Rise good news for authors…publishers/book sellers still figuring it out–check out the Ebooks in Libraries info at the end of the article, that’s a Hmmmnnn moment!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Maurice-the-Dragon breathes FIRE when writers get dissssssed!
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. If you’ve ever wondered whether cats can be trained…just get a load of 8-month-old Suki in the video. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Visit me THIS WEEKEND at the OWFI Writers Conference, I’ll be speaking on The Reinvented Writer and signing books. Gots my sparkle-icity all lined up.
What the Hell Is A Hybrid Author? an irreverent (and spot-on) discussion from Chuck Wendig *warning language…and warning, you’ll snort beverage. Just sayin’
“Hi there, I am an independent literary agent contracted by my client; DIP Press, to target potential Authors for publishing. This is not an offer for self publishing; there are no fees of any sort required from chosen Authors. Manuscript submissions are currently being accepted for a limited number of slots. If you are interested please email myself or the editor at one of the addresses below: Editor: Ron (me): agentronnie@usa.com Booksubmissions@usa.com “
The note came to me via a writers BBS that I had not visited in over two years, so I asked Ronnie Pherson why I received the note and he answered:
“Hi Amy, Thank you for your message on this side! Concerning the message I sent to you, DIP is looking for authors for summer and fall schedules. This year’s budget was set for the purpose of growth and expansion, giving DIP the ability to bring on more authors and produce and promote them effectively. My job is to bring authors to the table, however, decisions to publish are made by the lead editor, Jason Fisher. If you have specific questions please ask and I will be glad to answer them for you or find the answer as soon as I can. Thanks, Ron
So I asked for details, as follows:
Since you are the “agent” contact would you be the author’s agent/advocate or are you advocating for the publisher?
What are the DIP Press terms? (royalty rates, duration of contract, etc)
Who have you published? (titles/authors)
Where are books distributed? (amazon, iTunes, Kobo, B&N, Diesel, etc)
Detail what “marketing” is included?
Ronnie answered (somewhat incompletely): “Great questions! In response to your questions; I would be considered the Author’s Advocate.” (This is odd–since he’s been hired by DIP and one assumes is paid by them, how can he then negotiate with them to the benefit of a client? Does he get a flat fee for bringing authors to the table? And on top of that, an agent percentage? Or a cut of books sold? or what?…and when I google the editor James Fisher, there’s not a lot of info. Yes, I’m a weee bit suspicious).
“Terms vary from Author to Author, however, an agreement will be sent with that information in the event you are selected. (So DIP declines to share details until/unless you’re picked). I know that the rates are very good, among the best in the industry among traditional publishers. (Sorry, but that’s not saying much…if it’s for Ebooks, when I can make 70% royalty on my own why would I go with DIP at a 26% royalty…which is just a tick above the “traditional publisher” standard). I have seen contracts for as short as a year and as long as 5 years. This, like many things in the agreement, can be negotiated. (Okay, that’s a positive that terms should be open to negotiation–again, with a strong advocate agent intent on rep’ing the author without potential conflicts of interest).
“You can see more titles here: www.dippub.com -DIP is also known for its high profile/celebrity Authors. (Really? What celebrities? Folks, please look for some DIP authors and point me to the celebs, because I didn’t find any or I’m clueless and didn’t recognize ‘em as famous). In terms of Marketing, DIP has a sophisticated system to promote books and get sales. Activities consist of interviews, press, ads, and a host of other avenues. (Again, please point me to some books from DIP doing well in terms of sales/ranking). I hope this helps! Ron
I’ll give big props to Ron and DIP for responding and offering some answers. The website lists a good-size list of author names, although most of the links do not yet have live info. After a search of my go-to resource Writer Beware I found one 2011 list of similar spam-mail messages soliciting authors. That situation offered a innovative publishing program that required $$ to participate, but wasn’t necessarily seeking to rip-off anyone. If interested in DIP I’d urge y’all to do further investigation. There are LOTS of opportunities these days to publish–and there be sharks in them-thar waters.
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
A Different Kind of Smart — fascinating look at tool use and cognition in animals (crows, elephants, chimps, etc).
When I’m frustrated, I just turn to a bling pick-me-up!
I’m typing from Panera Bread because my DSL line has gone ker-flooey (that’s a techie term). Since the promised fix isn’t scheduled until Monday afternoon, I’m finish up the blog post and scheduling so it will go out even if — (gasp!) — the fix doesn’t happen. See, the internet went down last Thursday morning and I called immediately and was promised it would be fixed the next day “between 1-5 pm.” But nobody came.
Hey, life happens and you make it work anyway, right? I’m actually getting quite a lot of writing done without the distraction of email. So I’ve saved up all the new puppy-licious articles, blog posts, and other writer-ly schtuff and batching it to publish in marathon coffee sessions here at the restaurant. I’ll get everything done, no doubt. I just hope that I can resist the allure of all the bakery enticements.
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
WordPress Attack! Change Your Password Haven’t a clue why it’s happening, but it is. And yes, I’ve changed my password. Oh, and my server guru notified me I had TWO wordpress installations. One that runs this blog and the other (I guess) was a backup but doing nothing–and it had been hacked! so beware, and take care.
Feral Cat Spay Day sponsored by Alley Cat Rescue. Almost 600 veterinary clinics from 42 states have joined ACR in the fight to prevent cat homelessness. Together, over 4,300 community cats were spayed or neutered through FFCSD.
Support the 2013 Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act Currently veterinarians are considered to be breaking the law if they transport controlled substances (pain meds, anesthetics, euthanasia solution) off their licensed premises…as happens in home house calls and farm calls. This limits their ability to practice.
Liz Wilson, a legend of the companion bird community, has died. She leaves behind a grateful world of bird lovers, and will be mourned by many including her husband and her 40-year companion Sam, a 60+ year-old female blue and gold macaw. The video below was a tribute to her produce three years ago–if nothing else you must watch the opening free-flighted macaws….just spectacular!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
“The kid followed me home…can I keep her?” Image Copr. Maria Magnus/Flickr
This is a topic I’m covering in the future release of my updated PURINA ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CAT CARE. I’d LOVE to have your discussion/opinions for possible inclusion so fire away in the comments!
How do your cats show affection? When Seren was younger, she’d run into the living room and meow-meow-meow until we finally paid attention. It was her “Timmy’s down the well!” cry, so we’d follow her.
Without exception, she’d race away, pausing every now and then to be sure someone followed, and lead us into the laundry room. There, she’d leap onto the washer and head over to her food bowl on the countertop–
Which was full.
She wasn’t hungry. She just wanted us to watch her eat. Seren demanded that we observe and comment on her cuisine, after which she’d meow-meow-meow her appreciation and head-butt (and wipe her face!) on our sleeves.
I”m preaching to the choir here, I know. But anyone who has spent time with a special feline understand that cats have an undeserved reputation as aloof, solitary creatures. I believe that’s because people who have never been around them–or that are more attuned to dog behavior–simply don’t recognized feline signs of affection. Cats communicate their moods, emotions, and desires in a variety of signs that can be quite subtle. And affection is, after all, a two way street. The cat who is offered little interaction will return that indifference, while the beloved feline showered with attention blossoms into a loving pet. Cats are also individuals, with a wide range of personalities.
Cats show affection to other cats–and even dogs or other pets–by sleeping together and grooming each other. They indulge in subtle body contact, like bumping hips as they pass in the room or twining tails together. Affectionate cats share food, and enjoy playing together.
They show affection to humans in many of the same ways. They want to sleep on the pillow next to your face, they groom your hair. Often, cats will solicit owners to play, or watch them eat (like Seren!). Affectionate cats twine around ankles, offer head bumps, purrs and trills, and knead with their paws to express contentment. They’ll even follow you into the bathroom and nestle in your unmentionables. Ahem.
What are some unique ways your cats demand your attention, and/or reciprocate? How do you explain some of kitty’s foibles to family and friends who may be less appreciative of their antics?
By the way, more “felinese” cat language is discussed in ComPETability-Cat . . . and to help out with the pending kitten season and onslaught of new fur kids, I’ve reduced the Kindle price today and tomorrow to $2.99. You can also enter the GoodReads giveaway for a chance to win a paw-tographed free print version.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
I have good news, and not so good news, and great news to share. First, I’m finally making significant progress on HIDE AND SEEK (the sequel to my 65+ starred review thriller LOST AND FOUND). I have a deadline looming every closer and have been scrambling to find a floaty-device to keep me from drowning in my to-do lists.
The bad news–in order to get traction on the fictioning process, I’ve had to make some very difficult decisions and slooooooow down on other fronts. Sadly, I’ve had to step away from some of my favorite projects, including the CAT CRAZY radio show. I’ll still be a “special friend” of the show and hope to return to the co-host chair once I’ve survived the various deadlines. Thanks so much for continuing to support the show.
Oh, the great news? MY LAPTOP IS HOME! Talk about a lifeline, that is very good news that I really needed. As far as I can tell (thus far) it’s made a full recovery thanks to the awesome Geek Squad over at Best Buy. That means I’ll be able to finish the audio version soon of the ComPETability (Dogs-to-Dogs) book and future titles. On that front, I again encourage y’all to subscribe (if you haven’t already) to my PET PEEVES newsletter. There’ll be some extreee-spashun book news on Thursday that will be announced there first.
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
Maybe kitty will grow into them…Image Copr. Diane G. Zooms/Flickr
I’m fascinated by kitty whiskers, how about you? Does your cat have lots of whiskers, or only a few? Have you noticed how s/he actually uses them? Seren has a “wild” whisker that’s started to grow curled forward now that she’s an aging kitteh. And for some of the longer furred cats, you might not even see all of the whiskers.
Whiskers also express emotion! Image Copr. Arlene Castro/Flickr
WHAT ARE CAT WHISKERS FOR?
Whiskers are a type of specialized hair referred to as vibrissae or sinus hairs. They’re most prominent on the cat’s muzzle. But take a moment and look–many cats also have whiskers on their eyebrows, toward the rear of their cheeks or below the chin, and Seren even has some on the underside of the lower forelegs. Whiskers are very long and stiff, yet flexible, and serve a sensory function for the cat. Think of cat whiskers as feline antennae.
The hairs are seated deep in the skin, with the base of the hair surrounded by a forest of nerve endings. These nerves register the slightest vibration or contact with the hair. Whiskers detect everything from the measure of a narrow opening, to shifts in the wind and barometric pressure. Whiskers also protect the cat’s eyes from injury, providing a startle reflex that shuts the eyes if anything touches them. Cats also communicate with their whiskers–learn to decipher felinese in the ComPETability book.
Whiskers are also said to be good luck. For a while, I collected the whiskers that Seren shed, when I could find them. What about your cats? Are the whiskers the same color as kitty’s coat, or a contrasting color? Curly or straight? Some cats groom off each others whiskers, too. (I wonder what they taste like…)
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments or dial me up each Monday night on the new weekly CAT CRAZY radio show. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Our roses have just begun to bloom–no, that picture was from last year. There’s another month to go before peak blossom time but I can’t wait. This year promises to be a glorious blooming frenzy (do blossoms frenzy?). As of last Friday the laptop gurus said my computer was FIXED and being shipped home so by the time you read this, I hope to have the laptop back. That means I can sit outside on the patio, amidst all the bloom-icity, while continuing the draft of the next thriller. Yeee-haw!
I want to encourage y’all to subscribe (if you haven’t already) to my PET PEEVES newsletter. There’ll be some extreee-spashun news in the middle of April and it will be announced there first.
Remember that tonight (and EVERY Monday night!) you can listen and call in with your pet questions on CAT CRAZY radio show.
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Check out the SQUEEE! cute pet-astic videos at the bottom, too. For new followers to the blog, welcome! and you can expect more cat and dog specific schtuff later in the week on Wednesday and Friday.
Common Jargon Writers Should Avoid I most certainly aspire to thinking this article has the capability to facilitate your utilization of word-smithery mechanics. Ahem. Shared from my colleague Andrea Dorn
National Service Dog Eye Exams registration now open!
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
National Service Dog Eye Exams registration now open! A way to keep service dogs healthy–American College of Veterinary Ophthamologists partner with Merial to provide service dogs and horses with eye care. Learn how to participate by clicking the link (or the picture).
Is your kitty a “mighty hunter?” How does your cat hunt and what kind of big game does s/he capture? I’ve written about gift-bearing cats before to explain the whole idea behind why Sheba leaves mousy offerings just for you, URK!
But I wonder how proficient cats might actually be. In the past weeks, there have been a number of hand-waving outrageous claims of outside cats decimating bird populations, and those figures tend to be based on guestimates of populations and extrapolations of X-number-bird-meals per cat.
I dunno. Seren may have the equipment and heritage to hunt, but her finely honed hunting expertise begins with the bowl and ends with (at a stretch) crickets. Oh, but she leaves the buggy drumsticks behind (must not have enough meat on ‘em). I have a friend with a cat and Shadow hunts and stalks…(wait for it…) DUST RAGS. Nom-nom-nommy-good.
Anyway, just as with anything else, the ability to hunt requires skill and technique that can only be learned–and earned–through practice. Kittens hone technical skills through play with their littermates, and by their mother’s example but if they’re indoor only cats, they may never get the chance to face off against a ferocious sparrow. The outdoor kitties that do have to feed themselves generally have a low success rate due to poor nutrition or just because the odds are against them. They have much great success with ground-dwelling critters like mice, voles, and lizards since healthy adult birds can stay out of reach.
HOW CATS HUNT
Cats don’t need to be hungry to hunt. It’s the sound and sight of moving prey that provides the stimulus to chase and capture, a hardwired behavior as natural to the cat as purring. That’s one reason kitten play aggression that grapples your moving ankles can prove so energetic and intense.
Feline hunting behavior relies heavily on sight and hearing to locate prey. Cats use a couple of hunting strategies, depending on the prey they seek. Sometimes Kitty prefers ambush, and will crouch in a likely spot — perhaps with eyes glued to the mouse hole — and wait with infinite patience for prey to appear. Cats may return time after time to areas where their hunts have been successful.
Fishing requires patience, too. Typically the cat waits in a likely spot on the bank for a suitable candidate to appear, then uses a paw to scoop and flip the fish from the water. In shallow water, Kitty may wade in and use both paws by pouncing and grasping the fish. Not all cats are able to perfect fishing technique, probably because of the visual perception difficulty regarding the water. But even dry-land-dwelling kitties use the fish-scoop technique down a likely hole that may yield something yummy.
The stalk-and-pounce method has many components. Once the prey is located, the cat quickly moves closer in a low to the ground pose, and then stops and freezes sometimes for endless moments while watching the prey. If the target moves farther away, the cat adjusts by ever-so-slowly creeping forward one paw-step at a time, even freezing with a foot in mid-air to avoid revealing herself. For the final rush, she gathers rear legs beneath her and treads in preparation for for a forward thrusting take-off. It may require several darting leaps before she’s near enough for the final pounce.
HOW CATS KILL
Rarely is the quarry dispatched right away. Often, it escapes and Kitty must attempt to chase it down for recapture. Cats often indulge in a great deal of pouncing and tossing of prey into the air, allowing escape only to recapture small game. This isn’t inherent cruelty and serves a couple of purposes. “Playing” with the prey is a way for the cat to practice her skills, and also tests just how dangerous that rat or snake might be. Properly socialized felines have learned to inhibit their bite through play with owners and other cats, and toying with the quarry helps them build up the necessary excitement for the coup-de-grace.
Cats kill by biting the neck where the skull joins the spine, severing the vertebrae with the dagger-like canine teeth. They grasp the neck and use a “chattering” movement to position their bite accurately. In fact, cats frustrated in the hunt (i.e., watching from a window as squirrels play outside) often exhibit this chattering behavior which is actually the killing bite, in reaction to seeing out-of-reach prey.
Once the prize is dead and stops moving, the cat typically seems to lose interest for a short time. After the thrill of the hunt, the chase, and the kill, the cat needs time to return to an emotional equilibrium, and she may groom herself before claiming the prize. Then, she’ll carry the prey to a well-sheltered area to eat. Like your pillow.
This is a topic I’m covering in the future release of my updated PURINA ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CAT CARE. I’d LOVE to have your discussion/opinions for possible inclusion so fire away in the comments!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments or dial me up each Monday night on the new weekly CAT CRAZY radio show. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
