Award-Winning Care Book--for Kitten Lovers!

[Susan in VA]

LOL!  Yeah, but those tiny kitten teeth don't really hurt...  it's the razor-sharp kitten claws that do more damage!     

[Amyshojai]

Hi Amy, and a belated welcome from another cat-owned person!     Seems to me I visited the Compuserve catsforum (or petsforum?) a few times....  my, that was a long time ago.   

Really??  I thought they encouraged each other...   "See, this is how you do it.  You pretend to be asleep, and then you wait until the Person is, and then you sneak just a little bit closer...  a little more....  focus on the big toe...  ready...  aim...  and POUNCE!"

Hi Susan,

Wow, the CompuServe CatsForum was long ago...1998 because I came initially to promote the Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care book launch, and the loved it so much I stayed. A bunch of those folks now have a new cat/dog/horse/etc BBS site (PetsForum) but I don't get to visit very often.

And yes, kittens CAN be taught bad habits too. *giggle* The kitten-size teeth and claws aren't terrible to deal with, but if they don't learn claw/bite inhibition as babies, the adult-size chompers and claws will REALLY nail you!
purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

But Susan - You forgot after POUNCE - BITE! 

LOL! Yep, Carol, they're like little race-cars with that "elevator butt" pose, revving up the rear paws, and then ZOOM! Sort of a drive-by bite-and-claw to get you to chase and play.

amy

[Amyshojai]

But Susan - You forgot after POUNCE - BITE! 

Carol, you know (of course) that kittens think humans are gigantic squeaker toys! They bite us just to hear the squeal. *s*

amy

[Amyshojai]

 

Yep, I'd purrrrrr if I could. A happy update about my Complete Kitten Care book--several positive reviews, solid tags (thanks folks!), and even a handful (pawful) of sales this past weekend. I really didn't know what to expect, especially since there isn't as much nonfiction. But I'm very pleased with the to-date success and hope that all the folks who've read the book will also post a review.

I've provided excerpts to several online websites, too. Do other folks have success with this practice? With nonfiction, it works quite well in the print arena, and I would think it's even more helpful with an Ebook since a click-able buy-link could be included.

Thanks again to everyone who has answered questions, tagged, offered your experience and insight. I am cat-egorically delighted and grateful!

purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

Big discussion on my FB page about how to refer to cats (well, dogs too)-- he, she, it?

In my nonfiction books I generally alternate chapters and refer to the pet as he/she. But in shorter articles, unless it's a specific pet, I simply choose a gender.

For pet lovers, in my experience, calling a dog or cat "it" just hisses off the reader! What do you think?

Apparenly readers thus far like how I handled the gender/pronoun question in Complete Kitten Care, since the book continues to sell. 

woofs & purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

I got a phone call this week from the producers of THE BALANCING ACT, a Lifetime TV Network morning "magazine" and they wanted me to be a guest author and talk about Complete Kitten Care for "Adopt-A-Cat-Month."

Yeeeee-hawwww! Right? Well NO! 

After spending a half hour on the phone doing a pre-interview (that's common, to see how the guest would perform on tv), I learned that guest authors had to be qualified/screened for approval. Not just anybody gets an invite to come on. Okay fine. Next I was told about all the WONDERFUL perks of being a guest--name/book/link to website in blurb from show's Enewsletter sent to 20 million (MILLION!) viewers; script approval....wait, huh? Yes, they TELL you what to say in your 3- minute segment because the spots are "branded" by companies who pay $40,000 for the privilege.

But wait, that's not all! ("Tell 'em what's the prize, Amy...") Authors don't have to pay the $40,000 like companies do. Instead, authors who are chosen for this great privilege only pay $4900.

And...I was done.

Listen, folks, I'm all about publicizing my book. But I've been on literally hundreds of TV shows, from the Today Show to No-where, USA, and NOBODY ever requires the guest to pay a fee. On the other side of the desk, I've been interviewing for radio and tv for 20+ years and I have never asked to be paid to include someone as a guest/expert. It just ain't done!

If you wish to pay for advertising, you should be able to control the content, be told the number of viewers, results of the advertisement and more. Don't get sucked in.  Unless you have the extra $$ to play with, and don't care.

As for me and Kindle sales for the first month of publication--I couldn't be happier!

best,

amy

[Amyshojai]

Happy Monday to one and all! June is Adopt-A-Cat Month and you can hear myPet Peeves radio program (http://www.markiac.addr.com/PET_LIFE_RADIO/peevesep59.html) on the subject. My book Complete Kitten Care has been selling like crazy, too, probably because it's kitten season. At the $2.99, this revised and updated triple-CWA-award-winner beats the value of the print version...last I looked, the out-of-print paper copies listed at $30 and more, yikes!

Most authors, I've found, have a "furry muse" that seems to help them with the writing, either by inspiration or simply a comforting presence. Do you have a cat or a dog near by when you write? My cat Seren(dipity) sometimes sits ON my manuscript! (everyone's a critic).

purrs & woofs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

The month of June is "Adopt A Cat Month" and by sales of my kitten book, LOTS of folks have invested in some furry love. For a first attempt at kindle-ization, I'm more than pleased at the response after less than three months.

THANK YOU to all who have read, reviewed, "tagged" and continue to spread the kitten-word about this book. You can see a couple of excerpts on my new Pet Peeves site, about the "Best Adoption Age" http://pages.videojug.com/pages/724-Best-Kitten-Adoption-Age and how to judge the "Best Kitten Sources." http://pages.videojug.com/pages/725-Best-Kitten-Sources 

I'm still debating whether to raise the price or not, but when it goes to POD and other sources, my publisher will up the cost...so I'm tempted to leave this at the $2.99 as a bargain destination. What do y'all think?

I'll be posting info on the next book shortly--this time on aging cats! (the dogs will come along soon, too, never fear!)

purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

According to book sales, a huge "herd" of Kindle owners also have kittens! I guess the Kit-n-Kindle-Boodle goes together, LOL! Thanks to all who've discovered the fun of adopting a new furry love, and making June's "Adopt-A-Cat-Month" a wonderful success. In fact, you can listen to the AVMA's public service announcement about the event in an audio radio spot:

http://www.avmamedia.org/display.asp?sid=262&NAME=June_is_Adopt-A-Cat_Month

I've known for a long time that writers, readers and pets go together. My cat Seren wants to "sit" on anything I'm reading (cats "read" by absorbing the info through their nether reasons, I suspect!). It's nice to know that Kindle folks continue that furry tradition. So whether you have a kitten, or know somebody who has one, I hope you'll check out Complete Kitten Care.

Folks, taking off for NYC tomorrow morning early to attend the Thrillerfest conference. So if I'm late replying (should somebody post here), I'll catch up on Monday when I return.

purrs,
amy

[cshenold]

Have fun at Thrillerfest. True about cat's butts. Punky was trying to read "The Passage" along with me yesterday, makes it danged hard to read the words through her fur. Hoping for more sales for us both.

[NitroStitch]

I just added my glowing review for Complete Kitten Care, along with plenty of tags.  The kittens we will get in about a month will really appreciate all my new kitten knowledge, and I know I'll be referring to the book quite often as our parent-kitten relationships grow.  Bravo!!

PS  I love the interpretation about why cats love to sit on whatever you're reading!  It makes purrfect sense. (Sorry, I just had to spell it that way.  )

[Amyshojai]

I just added my glowing review for Complete Kitten Care, along with plenty of tags.  The kittens we will get in about a month will really appreciate all my new kitten knowledge, and I know I'll be referring to the book quite often as our parent-kitten relationships grow.  Bravo!!

PS  I love the interpretation about why cats love to sit on whatever you're reading!  It makes purrfect sense. (Sorry, I just had to spell it that way.  )

Wow! Thank you so much! I'm just back from NYC attending "Thrillerfest" (another WOW experience) and what a treat to read this message upon my return. Thanks so much and I'm delighted that you enjoyed the book and the future kittens will benefit.

purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

For all those new "pet parents" out there, I've posted more than a dozen free articles at my website--including some excerpts from "Complete Kitten Care."  You can read the info here:

http://pages.videojug.com/sites/144-Pet-Peeves/page_collections/61-Puppies-Kittens-Adoption-Info

I'm so pleased that lots of folks have "adopted" my kitten book and I hope it continues to help the kitten lovers out there!

best,
amy

[Amyshojai]

I'm back after 10+ days in the mountains, ready to work on the next kindle-ization project (on aging dogs). Meanwhile, I keep finding things to add to the current titles. So perhaps in the future, the Complete Kitten Care book will include the answer to:

Why cats (and dogs) insist on schmooze time when we're in the potty?  Here's my answer:

http://cats.about.com/od/askamy/a/why-do-cats-seek-attention-in-bathrooms.htm

purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

I'm purrrr-fectly delighted. *s* And in thanks for all the wonderful reviews, "tagging" efforts, and word-of-mouth, here's some free content from the book--socialization tips for kittens, plus a color version of one of the pictures from inside the book.

http://pages.videojug.com/pages/1007-Kitten-Socialization-Tips

I'm a sucker for cute kitten pix and am delighted all the fuzzy baby images turned out so well.

best,
amy

[Thalia the Muse]

Hey, I just found this -- we have a brand-new kitten (rescued from a vacant lot, she's a total lovebug) AND an aging mean cat. I wish I'd known how to induce bite inhibition in HER. Well, she never bites hard, but she was a huge scratcher.

[Amyshojai]

Ah yes, the scratch-maniacs, LOL! Funny how some do a lot, and others not much scratching at all. *s* I just added some updates to the "aging cat" book (and dropped the price) so it'll be available at week's end after review. The "aging dog" book is currently in review, too.

How do your kitten and older cat get along? Old timers can get their tail in a twist over those juvenile delinquent kittens. *s*

purrs,
amy

[Thalia the Muse]

the old-timer doesn't have a tail, but if she did it would certainly be twisted.  Lots of hissing. The kitten started out terrified of her, but has gained a lot of confidence because she's realized the old meanie will not actually hurt her (she's been very restrained) and has started wanting to play with her. Now she whaps the kitten on the head with her paw, and as soon as she turns away the kitten whaps her right back. I almost feel sorry for the mean old thug, she's certainly getting her own back ...

[Amyshojai]

LOL! I assume the "whop" upside the head has claws retracted. *s* I usually recommend intro-ing a younger to an older kitty, because the youngster won't upset the senior cat's social standing. The mature cats usually are pretty tolerant of the juvenile delinquent kittens.

Problems arise when the older cat hasn't been around other kitties and is buffaloed or even frightened by an out-of-control kitten maniac. Of course, my cat Seren at age 13 still acts like a kitten, LOL!

Hope you enjoy the book! I gotta share this review (just got it yesterday!):

Complete Kitten Care by Amy D. Shojai—"A true treasure of a reference book. Packed with everything from where and how to choose a kitten to health and behavioral information, even seasoned pet owners will discover answers to questions found nowhere else." By Marci Kladnik, Catalyst for Cats Board Member (Santa Ynez Valley News, August 5, 2010)

purrs & headbonks,
amy

[Thalia the Muse]

Yes, she's giving her those discipline smacks with the paw raised high, then a quick bat, and no claws. The youngster acts submissive when it happens, but seems unfazed.

I bought your kitten book last night and it is EXCELLENT. Thanks for making it so affordable! I will review when finished.

[Amyshojai]

Thank you so much! I appreciate every review that I get. Hopefully, before the month's over, the book will also be available in POD. Have a great weekend...and enjoy the fur-kids!

purrs,
amy

[Amyshojai]

Wow, just overnight the sales of my kitten book went nuts!  Not complaining, at all, but 'tis a puzzlement. Just to celebrate, here's a fun "Ask Amy" column to share--it applies to kittens as well as adult kitties (and d*gs)--

Why does your pet follow you into the bathroom and insist on attention?  Here's why:

http://cats.about.com/od/askamy/a/why-do-cats-seek-attention-in-bathrooms.htm

purrs & trills,
amy

[Thalia the Muse]

Hahahaha! I think our kitten's bathroom obsession has a different motivation -- she LOVES to watch the toilet flush, and will pester the human sitting on it to hurry and get to the entertaining finale already.

[Amyshojai]

Thalia, how funny!  Have you seen those YouTube videos of the cat that actually FLUSHES the toilet? Talki about an outrageous water bill, LOL! I know that I could teach mine to use the toilet but don't want to risk having her learn to flush. 

amy