I think it's so cool I can pick a mood in LiveJournal. And there's so many to choose from.

But, just like in advertising, stirring up emotion must have a cause. So while internally I still rant when I see evidence of cat dismissal, I decided to do something about it.

I wrote a book.

It's been a while since I had been wading the whirlpools of book marketing (agent retired, life intervening) so I was a bit stunned to realize outsourcing had done its dirty work here, as well. Agents and book publishers alike were increasingly taking the attitude that any book they take on should be pre-sold. They want you to be a celebrity, a newsmaker, to somehow bring an audience to the table, before they want a non-fiction book.

Well, it's not like celebrityhood is all upside. I seriously considered it <grin>. But I was wondering, myself; does anyone want to read my book? After all, I'm whacky, opinionated, and have an outlook on cats that might not mesh with prevailing wisdom.

Though I don't mind taking a crack at prevailing wisdom. It's so often more prevailing than wisdom.

So if I have to build an audience, I'll put the book out there in the form of a blog. I'll invite people to ask me about their cat problems, in every venue I feel comfortable working in. I've always helped friends and co-workers. Now, I'll expand my sphere and see if people I don't know will approach me with their cat problems.

People have! And they've told me I've helped. So I can do more, for cats and their people.

Because I usually assume people have good intentions. Most of the time, I'm right.

Tags: cats, writing
Current Mood: creative

I'd like to see cat parity.

Cats aren't given credit for being as affectionate and intelligent as I know they are, simply because of prejudice.

I dislike prejudice.

I hate the way people regard cats as disposable and interchangeable. It's their own fault; they won't open their eyes and see what's in front of them.

There, rant over.

Tags: cats, parity, prejudice
Current Mood: bitchy