Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures is pleased to have as our guest Linda Mohr, award-winning author of Tatianna-Tales and Teachings of My Feline Friend. Linda is also a Catnip Connection blogger for the Seattle Press-Intelligencer and a professor at Northwood University. In addition, she is co-founder of Pet Apothecary and a member of the Cat Writers Association with human-animal bond expertise.
Good day Linda and thanks for participating in our interview.
Norm:
As I have several relatives who are very fond of cats, I was wondering why are some people enormously drawn to cats why others dont particularly like them?
Linda:
I have often wondered about that as well. I think that some people have had a bad experience with a cat like being scratched or bitten. Cats are eerie to some people. Because they have an independent nature, some people think that you really cant get close to cats or you cant become their best buddy. One of the editors of my book, a self-proclaimed dog person, now has three cats (along with two dogs). She attributes her new found love for cats to becoming intrigued with them after reading the Tatianna book. She adopted one cat and that led to a couple more!
Norm:
How many cats have you owned in your life and what made you adopt or want to adopt your cat Lexie Lee after Hurricane Jeanne?
Linda:
Six cats including Noelle, Tatianna, Taittinger, Marnie, Katarina and most recently Lexie Lee.
My sweet Lexie Lee blew into my yard following Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances in 2004. She spent lots of time in the safe, secluded paradise. Occasionally I saw her sleeping on a patio chair during a rain storm or drinking out of the swimming pool. She was missing a tip off one ear and her one time beautiful bushy tail was a stump. I could only imagine what she had endured. The bonding process took a long time, but she grew to trust me. Today she is strictly an indoor cat, and I love her dearly.
Norm:
How did you decide you were ready to write Tatianna-Tales and Teachings of My Feline Friend?
Linda:
I did not make a conscious decision to write this book. Rather a Higher Being decided for me. The day after Tatianna passed away I was compelled to sit down with a spiral notebook and write. The pen was flying across the pages. I did not know where the thoughts were coming from. But I stayed with it. Later I realized I had a message to get out to people and their pets.
However, a promotion at work landed the completed manuscript into a drawer. Some efforts were made to find an agent, but those were unsuccessful. Once in a while I would get the manuscript out and revise it; then it went back into hiding. In January of 2005, I lost Tatiannas devoted companion, Katarina, to feline kidney failure. That was my wake-up call. Two catsboth succumbing to kidney disease. I hired a life coach in February of 2005, and my book was published in the fall of 2007.
Norm:
Could you briefly tell our readers something about your book and is there a message that you want your readers to grasp? What are your hopes for this book?
Linda:
My book is a memoir about the daily relationship I shared with Tatianna for almost sixteen years and about the eternal bond we will always share. The message I want my readers to grasp is miracles can be accomplished between humans and animals simply by love and an enduring belief in God. Additionally, I want readers to embrace the notion that animals are a sacred gift, and they deserve love and respect. A kind word, a caress, a scrumptious meal and proper medical care are just as needed and appreciated by animals as they are by humans. The bonds between owner and pet can be deepened during periods of extended or terminal illnesses. If kidney failureone of the leading causes of death in catsstrikes, it is possible to provide an environment for your pet to live her or his last months or even years in a high-quality way.
My hope is that the timing is right for this book and that it contains all the best ingredients for learning, laughing, grieving, and growing through everything that makes us better peopleto counteract animal cruelty and disregard for animal life that permeates part of our society. Ultimately, I want to make a difference in the lives of people and pets through Tatiannas message.
Norm:
As a follow up, whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why?
Linda:
Cat enthusiasts, animal lovers in general, animal communicators, animal associations, grief counsellors, veterinarians, pet stores, librarians. The book has won awards in diverse categories including memoir, inspiration, spirituality and animal/pet.
Norm:
What was the most difficult part of writing your book?
Linda:
The editing, proofing and rewriting were tedious. The other difficult part was lack of firsthand experience in writing and publishing a book.
Norm:
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Linda:
Yes I didhow much I truly enjoy writing and how much I want writing to be a part of my professional life. I learned that I dont mind publishing deadlines, and I can meet them. That helps me to post my blogs or to enter writing contests.
Norm:
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Linda:
Yes, I do. I receive notes, cards and e-mails on a regular basis. Here are a few of their comments:
The Tatianna book was the best sympathy gift I could have ever been given
What a wonderful gift for cat lovers
I loved the bookyou need to sell Kleenex with it
This book will complete the unfinished grieving process for some people
Tatianna is a healing piece, a way to manage the process of death, a healthy way of looking at death, a way of living life to the fullest while waiting to go home, spiritually illuminating
Its a true love story of that great bond we know between ourselves and our petsfilled with insight, introspection and a deep appreciation for the unspoken connections between man and animal
Even the die-hard dog lovers will find great joy in reading Tatianna
Norm:
What has been your overall experience as a self- published author and what will you be doing for promotion and how much of it is your doing?
Linda:
The experience has been a positive one. Based on my research of print-on-demand companies, I made the right selection with iUniverse. I also assembled a team beyond the publishing company including a graphics artist, a proofing editor, a Web site designer, a cat portrait artist, manuscript readers and a personal coach. Without this incredible team, the book would not have made it to print.
I am doing most of the marketing. My background is teaching marketing at Northwood University. Although I have not had experience marketing books, I am applying general marketing principles to the process. My daily goal is to accomplish one marketing task a day. I have formed Tatiannas Team which includes Meowleaders who cheer us on with support, Chatty Cats who talk about us any chance they get and Feisty Felines who promote us with spirited courage. Tatiannas Team members have sent out e-mails to their network of contacts to promote the book, have mailed postcard promotions, purchased multiple copies, referred speaking engagements and posted 5 Paw Reviews. Some of my promotion efforts include book launch party, hometown book tour, radio interviews, book club appearance, library, high school and college presentations, weekly blogs, ezine articles, and membership in Cat Writers Association. Recently I hired Penny Sansevieris company, Author Marketing Experts, Inc., to launch a virtual Internet publicity campaign for me.
Norm:
Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!
Linda:
Many people ask me if I am writing another book. Yes, I expect I will. In fact, this past summer my sister and I compiled a family cookbook in tribute to our mothers 90th birthday. However, my focus now is marketing Tatianna to make a difference in the lives of people and pets and to continue my article and weekly blog writing.
Norm:
Where can our readers find out more about you and your book?
Linda:
Please visit my Web site at: http://www.lindamohr.net
You can download a complimentary chapter, share your cat stories and photos, access Catnip Connection blogs, obtain ordering information and more.
Norm:
Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?
Linda:
Thanks Norm and Bookpleasures. I appreciate this opportunity. Happy Purrs!
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors. |
