Amy Shojai's Blog, page 109
October 14, 2013
Monday Mentions: NAME THAT CAT, NAME THAT DOG!
That’s Elle (pronounced “Ellie”) in the picture and yes–she’s a Pit Bull. She’s also the hero dog of the year! Click the picture to find out about her and the other doggy heroes.
I got NEWS…the next thriller HIDE AND SEEK is done! Well, I’m heavy-duty-head-down in revisions, but I’m very pleased with this book. There’s more dog viewpoint, more cat involvement, more September and her friend Teddy…and some new characters (and villains). Those gnashing their teeth over the first book’s unanswered questions will find out the secrets September must keep.
NAME THAT DOG, NAME THAT CAT!
Oh, and there are a couple of dog and cat characters that need names. Yes, it’s time for NAME THAT CAT and NAME THAT DOG contest! As before, I’d love to include the name YOU choose (and perhaps description, too) in this next book. The winners will have that pet name/description in the book, get an acknowledgement in the book, get an ARC of the book (advance reader’s copy) before anyone else, AND a paw-tographed print book once it’s released. So what do you have to do? It’s easy…
Post your suggestion in the comments, and whether it’s for a dog or a cat (or both). Tell all your friends. I’ll narrow down the suggestions to the top 5-10 (depending on numbers) and then YOU get to vote on the ones you want. Here’s the furry characters and how they figure in the plot:
DOG CHARACTER is a resident therapy dog in an Alzheimer’s unit.
CAT CHARACTER is a barn kitty, with several half grown kittens, cared for (on the sly) by a nine-year-old girl whose mom won’t let her have cats.
So ready…set…NAME THAT CAT/DOG!
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 THRILLERFEST video 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
The Importance of Self Publishing–Top of the Heap?
The Fussy Librarian a new “match making” service (similar to BookBub) for authors and readers launches today! And yep, one of my books is on the schedule. Check it out, sign up, and get your “read” on!
Robotic Surgery and another blog on the subject could give y’all some fiction-icity ideas!
Prepare for NaNoWriMo! and yes, this year I’M IN!
Bloomsbury & Author Solutions, urk…
Merchandising for Apple advice from Mark Coker (and if you have to ask who he is well…
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
Dogs Vs Cats, Which Is Better? Hoooo boy, here we go again…
ACL & Dogs, Dexter’s Journey See what you can learn from my friend Carol’s experience with her dog
8 Ways to Get Your Dog Stolen another great post from Carol Bryant
2012 Thrillerfest Panel
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. 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!
October 11, 2013
Why Pets Drink from Toilets
Eww! But both cats and dogs drink from the toilet and gross us out. I’ve written about why pets drink from the toilet for the puppies.about.com site but the topic was just too perfect for an Ask Amy video.
Do your pets indulge? Image Copr. ArtGoesHere/Flickr
Do your cats and dogs indulge in potty games? It can be very dangerous especially if you use household cleansers that can poison pets, so it’s really important to prevent the behavior if you don’t object to potty-mouth-kisses from your pet. DOUBLE EWW!
Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
Thankfully, Seren these days only indulges in sink-sipping rather than potty-water-chugging. But there are the pets that don’t drink from the toilet but consider it a jacuzzi…
Image via izismile.com
What have I missed in the Ask Amy video below? Any other reasons you can think of why your dog or kitty might be attracted? Do they enjoy watching the water swirl around (watch out for cats that flush, LOL! can make for a very high water bill). Do tell!
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. 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!
October 9, 2013
Dogs Demand Vacation Time! Where Do Dogs Beg to Stay?
Image courtesy of Rover.com
I recently discovered ROVER.com and was intrigued by the company’s philosophy–that is, to provide match-making services between dog owners and dog sitters on the local level. I liked the idea so much that I agreed to write a few sponsored posts, including this one, about the company and its services. I’m being compensated by Rover.com, but as always, the viewpoints offered here are my own and I only share information with readers that I feel is relevant.
I’ve written about vacationing with (and without) pets many times in the past, and even discussed the situation on my Pet Talk TV segment–the one posted below is a couple of year’s old but still relevant. (Note: that doggy HAS been adopted, yay!).
Starting next month with Thanksgiving, many of us will travel to visit family and friends, have folks visit, or spend vacation time away from home. Time off from work and a change of routine offers humans much-needed stress relief. But the same is not always true for furry family members.
Magic loves car rides! Well…he thinks it’s his car. Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
Good vacation plans depend on the individual pet, and your special circumstances. Does your dog love riding in the car, meeting new people, hide, or become hyper around strangers? Perhaps Chance the cat enjoys riding in the car but your brother’s dog hates kitties, or Grandma is allergic. Are pets more comfortable at a kennel away from your nephew’s hair-pulling fingers? Or does your pet go on a hunger strike if boarded?
WHAT DO PETS WANT? TO STAY AT HOME!
In general, cats tend to prefer staying in their home amid familiar surroundings. Anyone comes into our house, my Seren-kitty stomps up to them on her lil’ non-foggy cat feet and demand they get the #$%^&YUI! out of HER house! Other kitties might dive under the bed, or go on a hunger strike if taken to a kennel. Some do well if left alone for a day or two when provided with adequate food and water, and extra litter boxes. That’s not appropriate for kittens, cats older than 10 years, or any cat with a health issue that needs attention, though.
The best choice for kitties, paws down, is a pet sitter. That person can come into the home at least once a day, sift the cat box, check the food and water, and make sure Kitty hasn’t picked the window lock with his rabies tag and escaped into the great beyond.
Leaving dogs at home is also an option. But unless your dog is litter box trained (yes, it can be done!), people visits must be more frequent for potty breaks and meals. Some dogs eat four-days’-worth of food at one time if it’s all left out at once.
WHEN STAYING HOME WON’T WORK
Boarding kennels are one option, and reputable kennels require proof of adequate health care, so get vaccination proof from your veterinarian in advance.Veterinarians may have kennel space for pets with health issues that need monitoring. The best of these boarding facilities offer home-like environments with sofas, playtime with other dogs, cat trees, videos of squirrels to watch, or even internet access for you to check in on them from the road. Of course, the more they offer, the higher the $$ too, so sometimes it comes down to whether you’ll fund holiday gifts for the rest of the family, or a stay-cation for your pet.
And then there are dogs that detest boarding. In fact, you can read about how I broke my arm boarding my dog.
Pet sitters treat your pet like you’d treat them–with LOVE! Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
Pet sitters are the ideal choice. There are some professional pet sitter organizations that make it easy for you to find credentialed professionals with a searchable database that lists individuals in your area. ROVER.com is one of the newest on the scene.
Rover.com is an online community of hand-selected & insured dog lovers founded on the belief that every dog deserves individualized attention in a safe, loving home when their family is away.
Rover hand-selects and approves all sitters, provides complimentary Peace of Mind™ coverage for your dog, photo and video updates, free last-minute concierge services, 24/7 customer support, 24/7 vet advice through their Ask-A-Vet service, and an end-to-end 100% satisfaction guarantee. Some of their “pet hosts” also offer cat care services. (Hey, I gotta give equal time to the kittehs :))
Wherever you find your pet sitter, check out their credentials, ask how long they’ve been in business, if they’re bonded/insured, what services they provide, and be specific about fees. If the pet sitter visits your house, ask how much time s/he spends on each visit—average is 30 minutes but for dog walking (especially multiple pets) or grooming/medicating it may take more time and require a higher cost.
Ask for references (and check them!) before you decide if the service or individual is a match for you and your pets. That’s another plus with Rover.com services, you can read reviews and ratings from other clients. It’s also important to see if the candidate interacts well with your cats and dogs, and Rover.com strongly encourages these “pre-visits” to make sure the furry fit is ideal. Some pet sitters specialize in special needs animals. For instance, they may be able to medicate your diabetic cat or “pill” your reluctant dog.
BE A RESPONSIBLE PET PARENT, TOO
Be sure to leave caretakers with detailed information about each pet’s care needs, veterinary contact information, and emergency phone numbers where you can be reached. Leave your pets’ leash, medications and other “must haves” in an easy access area and show the pet sitter where to find them, or provide them in the kit that accompanies your pet to their home.
Alert the neighbors that a pet sitter or family friend will be coming and going from your home so they won’t be alarmed at strangers in the neighborhood, and give the pet sitter your neighbor’s name and phone number. Talk with your veterinarian about signing a “just in case” authorization for medical care (you can designate the dollar amount). That way, emergency care is available and funded even if you are unavailable to give your okay in person.
Preparing for your pets’ comfort during your vacations gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy your time free from worries. After all the joy they bring you throughout the year, don’t your cats and dogs deserve happy howl-adays, too?
$25 DISCOUNT!
The lovely folks at Rover.com have provided me with a discount code to share with you! Any new Rover customer will get $25 off their first booking through Rover.com. It’s only good through the end of the year, though. Just enter this code during the checkout process after booking a sitter:
AMYSHO25
Create a free member profile for your pooch at Rover.com; search for sitters by price and location and enjoy your trip knowing that your dog is having a great time. Prices vary by location, but are considerably lower than kennels, and range from $15 to $30 per night. Most importantly, 95% of Rover Sitters are rated 5-stars by fellow members-our highest rating.You can find out more by visiting the Rover.com Facebook page, too!
What have I missed? Do you take your pets with you to Grandma’s? How do you keep pets happy if you leave them behind? Please share!
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. 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!
October 7, 2013
Monday Mentions: Writer-icity & Pet-astic Links & CHEW on THIS!
I love that picture! Used it as the header for my Puppies About.com Facebook Page which…has GONE AWAY! (or it will, shortly). Oh, the puppies.about.com site isn’t going anywhere, but the About.com powers that be have made a few changes. I’m no longer the Puppies Guide. Now I’m the Puppies EXPERT (can you see my virtual tail wagging?!). In addition, since guides/experts also often have our own platforms and social media sites, we are now encouraged to use THOSE to continue sharing our content–in my case, that’s lots of puppy-licious info I’ll be sharing regularly on my various outlets. So I hope y’all will join me–and if you previously “liked” my puppies site on facebook, just wag on over to the new hook up:
Of course, I also hope you’ll subscribe to my Pet Peeves quarterly newsletter (gave away over 20 books with the last issue…just saying 
) And you can always subscribe to this blog…see the link below to manage your subscription, too. 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 THRILLERFEST video 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.
Leave Blank:Don't Change:
Your email:
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
ALLi WARNING! Writers & Artists Comparison Site is a pay-to-play site, so the good may be listed alongside the very bad. Details in the link.
Writerly Motivations from Zig and Jenny Hansen
GallyCat’s Freelance Editor Directory you can find your next editor–or list your services
Swoon Reads, CrowdSource Publisher for Teen Romance Interesting concept, just be sure to read all the fine print.
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
Cats May Be Key to Developing Human HIV Vaccine!
Dogs Are People, Too …according to some awesome new MRI brain studies! Fascinating stuff.
Vote For Hambone Awards the most outrageous pet insurance claims of the year–the winner gets $10,000 donated to the clinic that treated the pet, to be used for needy critters that otherwise can’t afford treatment. (Named originally after a dog that ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while stuck in a refrigerator)
Innovative Canine Nasal Tumor Treatment
Thanks to Colin Falconer for the video, below–If you want something bad enough, don’t be afraid to plunge in after it!
2012 Thrillerfest Panel
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
October 4, 2013
Why Does Cat Knead and Bite
October 2, 2013
Do Pets See In Color?
September 30, 2013
Monday Mentions: How Cats Read, Nonfiction Tips & Deadly Dog Virus
September 27, 2013
Sitting Pretty? Earn Pet Sitting Income For The Howl-idays & Beyond!
Image courtesy of Rover.com
I recently discovered ROVER.com and was intrigued by the company’s philosophy–that is, to provide match-making services between dog owners and pet sitters on the local level. I liked the idea so much that I agreed to write a few sponsored posts, including this one, about how I broke my arm boarding my dog. I’m being compensated by Rover.com, but as always, the viewpoints offered here are my own and I only share information with readers that I feel is relevant.
Seren prefers her bed to travel. Image Copr Amy Shojai, CABC
I’d always prefer to take my fur-kids along on a road trip. Seren-kitty prefers staying home, though, and Magical-Dawg doesn’t fit in the overhead bin or under the seat as carry-on. Both are ideal candidates for a pet sitter, and with the holiday season approaching, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead. More on that in a future post.
PET-$IT for ROVER BUCK$
Today I want to talk about the other side of the pet-sitting equation. Have you thought about making your home available as a home-away-from-home for pets in your neck of the woods? Or are you already a professional pet sitter? Want more clients, more income, more furry fun? Read on!
Maybe you already share pet sitting duties on a “favor” basis right now, bless your furry lil’ heart! Perhaps your rescue Beagle and Aunt Petunia’s Pekingese (say THAT fast five times!) already love play-dates together and you share custody if either of you hits the road. It’s a no brainer.
Or maybe you’re retired, no longer can manage a pet of your own on a full time basis–but a long weekend or planned time frame would offer you a “pet fix” without the year-round commitment or cost. Especially if you got paid, too!
PET SITTING WITH ROVER.COM
One of the hardest parts of starting a new business is advertising and connecting with potential clients. That’s where ROVER.com can help.
Rover.com is looking for highly motivated & passionate pet sitters to join their community. Pet sitters, from new ones to experienced pros, can list themselves on the service for free, and the website helps promote your pet hosting offers, book potential clients, and pay you (minus a 15% referral fee). You control your calendar/schedule, you control your fees, you control your services–maybe dog-sitting only, or perhaps adding dog walking, or pick up/drop off service. Or even (GASP!) cat care. That’s a specialty that I can attest a cat lover would seek.
It can be a challenge to travel with this big guy. But you can get your DOGGY FIX with LOTS of furry wonders, by being a pet sitter! Image Copr Amy Shojai, CABC
KID FRIENDLY JOB? WELL…IT DEPENDS
When I was a kid, I would have liked nothing better than a job pet-sitting or dog walking. And I just KNEW that every pet would love me and I could handle anything.
I was 9. Thank goodness more reasonable minds prevailed!
Actually, one of my cousins dog-walked during the summer for a couple of years, and did a fantastic job. But she was 15 at the time, and her dad assisted. Even with responsible kids, the buck stops with the parents, right? I know that when I was 9, no way could I have managed that horse-of-a-dog in the picture, or even Magical-Dawg (although I would have loved to try!). Magic would have yanked me off my feet, and taken off on a doggy sniffing tour of the world.
Not all adults are suited for it, either. My first dog–the one that assisted in breaking my arm–got loose when a neighbor offered to watch him. She opened the door and he dashed out past her and was gone. And THEN she sat in the doorway to wait for him to come back (unaware that kept him away because she’d blocked access to HIS house). ARggg! That was MY stoopid mistake…but we didn’t have Rover twenty years ago. She finally gave up and went home…left the garage door open and he came back, thank doG!
Today, pet sitting is all about keeping pets happy and safe, and preventing owner gray hairs!
Rover does a good job of interviewing prospective Rover sitters, so you know what’s involved and won’t get in over your furry head. And pet owners get to interview prospective sitters, too. That’s where the “meet and greet” comes in, so both the pet parents and the host (you!) agree that it’s a good fit. Either party can say, “no thanks” and find another, better match.
REVIEWS REWARD ROVERS
At ROVER, the services get reviews from clients, too–another way word-of-mouth rewards caring pet hosts. And I see they also offers ROVER PACK, additional services for the leaders-of-the-pack hosts that qualify. And because accidents happen, they also provide Peace of Mind Protection that reimburses between $2,000 and $5,000 of emergency vet care. Oh, and here’s something I love–because all of us want to help our fellow dog/cat/man–check out their Sit A Dog, Save A Life program that lets you raise money for your pick-of-the-litter-ary cause.
Pet sitting has become a respected and in-demand service. Many pet sitters are not only pet LOVERS, but may also have vet tech credentials to care for and medicate aging pets, or dog training expertise to handle rambunctious pups, or kitty behavior savvy to take care of your cat in your home–without hissing her off. I gotta admit, the Rover.com plan looks impressive.
Your turn! Do you already offer pet sitting services or dog walking options? What about trading pet care with the neighbors? Or does your on-vacation college kid need holiday income? Have you ever thought about being a pet sitter? Pet sitters get booked early for the holidays, starting in early October, so now’s the time to plan. Maybe it’s worth looking at Rover.com to see what it’s all about.
Image courtesy of Rover.com
$25 DISCOUNT! & FIND OUT MORE AT THE #RoverChat
The lovely folks at Rover.com have provided me with a discount code to share with you! What better way to find out about the company than to try it our for yourself–and then maybe decide to sign up to be a host, yourself. Any new Rover customer will get $25 off their first booking through Rover.com. Just enter this code during the checkout process here:
AMYSHO25
Have questions? Follow @RoverDotCom during the twitter #RoverChat on Thursday, October 3rd from 6-7pm PST. I will be there, as well as Rover.com customer experience specialists to answer any and all questions Rover related. UPDATE! There will be a random drawing of everyone who participates in the twitter chat and 1 winner will get a $100 amazon gift card. Another 4 winners will get $25 amazon gift cards.
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. 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!
September 25, 2013
Cool Weather Pet Prep
Different size dogs and variations in coats impact how quickly they’ll be ready for cold weather.Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
Here in Texas, the weather stays HOT HOT HOT for another month, but it’s starting to cool down a smidge. For cats and dogs that will spend a lot of time outside during the cold winter months, it’s important to get ‘em ready now.
It takes time for that winter coat to grow. And it’s not fair to the dog to expect him to “get hairy” overnight when the first frost freezes. The video below offers some suggestions and cautions for prepping pets for the cold weather to come.
The Chow has lots of thick fur for cold weather protection. Thinly coated pooches like the Chihuahua may need a coat. Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC
How do you get your dogs ready? Magical-Dawg would stay out in the wind and wet if we’d let him, and doesn’t seem to have the smarts to come in out of the weather. (Don’t tell him I said that!) The cat, on the other paw, has a very good idea about how to stay comfy and already has the warmest spots staked out for snoozing in sunny puddles on the carpet.
KEEPING KITTY SAFE IN WINTER
I wrote about keeping outdoor cats safe on this blog, and received lots of comments here and on Facebook. That discussion had more to do with choosing whether or not to allow cats out. But what if you have strays that refuse to come inside, or a feral colony you care for? My colleague Louise Holton of Alley Cat Rescue shared some PAW-some tips with our Cat Writers Association group and gave me permission to also share it here. What are some other ways to help keep kitty safe? Many of these also apply to keeping outside dogs winterized and safe. Here’s Louise’s suggestions:
A feeding station will help to keep food and water dry and will help with freezing weather. Bedding should be straw or made of a synthetic fleece material such as that used to make horse saddle covers. Blankets, sheets and towels retain moisture and remain damp and should not be used during winter.
If you are unable to build a shelter, you can use any type of strong box or crate, or buy a dog “igloo” from your pet supply company. Mylar insulation is made of polyester and aluminum that reflects radiant heat. It is used to keep houses cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This type of insulation is normally used in attics and is a perfect material to use to insulate outdoor cat shelters.
TIPS FOR WINTERIZING YOUR COLONY
You should insulate the shelter with thick plastic or other material such as Mylar mentioned above to keep out wind and cold.
You could buy a dog house and modify it, blocking off part of the larger opening to make it smaller and therefore warmer inside for the cats.
Size should be approximately 3’ x 3 ’ and 2′ high.
Cats will cuddle together inside for warmth.
Build enough shelters so that around 6 cats can stay in each one.
Use straw for the bedding NOT HAY or blankets or towels.
It is safer to have 2 small openings for the cats to enter and be able to get away if danger presents itself. Put the openings on the side of the shelter that is protected from the wind. Two openings will give a chance at escape should a pesky raccoon for instance or any other animal try to enter the shelter.
Raise the shelter off the ground by placing it securely on bricks or on a wooden pallet. If left on the ground it will retain moisture and will rot.
Clean shelters each spring and autumn by replacing the bedding with fresh hay.
Be sure and visit Louise’s Alley Cat Rescue to find more feral cat resources and info.
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. 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!
September 23, 2013
Monday Mentions: Book Covers, Breathprints & Cat Wins!
Muse Medallions will be presented to the winners at the 19th Annual CWA Conference November 2nd. Image courtesy Cat Writers Association.
It’s CONFERENCE TIME…almost, anyway. There are two outstanding events coming up in the next few weeks, and I’m very proud to be participating in both. Here’s the first–where I’ll offer this 90-minute Webinar: Just the Facts: Create Winning Non-Fiction Book Proposals
But that’s just ONE of the sessions. Learn more from my colleague Jami Gold: WANACon: A Conference for All Writers. “Imagine a writers’ conference with high-quality speakers, matching those found at national conferences. Imagine being able to attend for a fraction of the cost of other national writers’ conferences and with no travel costs. Imagine being able to attend no matter your location, time zone, health or family issues, etc. Now imagine all that in a virtual conference center, complete with a “lobby” for chatting between sessions, social activities to get to know other attendees, live presentations with webcams and screen sharing, and real-time question and answer sessions. In short, imagine an online conference that felt like an in-person conference—other than the pajamas and fuzzy slippers.“
Now, if you’re more into the “traditional” face to face conference, you’ll want to check out the 19th Annual Cat Writers Association Conference where I’ll present EBOOKS FOR WRITERS and also get to sing some catty (and doggy) songs. I’m very pleased to announce that I have been awarded two Certificate of Excellence Awards in the Cat Writers Association Contest. This annual event recognizes the best cat-centric work of the year in writing, broadcast, images and more that educates, entertains and enriches the world of cats. It is judged by a panel of my peers from the CWA–meee-WOW, how paw-some is that?
Think about attending this conference, located in Dallas this year, as it’s one of the best and most economical (AND FUN!) events for writers…especially if you love pets and are an industry pro (pet blogger, writer, involved in rescue, etc.). Reduced fees go up October 1st.
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. You don’t want to miss the TED talk video on book covers–it’s a hoot and very educational. There’s also a fun kitty video, and check out the THRILLERFEST video 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
Hugh Howey Speaks–State of Book Publishing this is a must read. And don’t miss his incredible book promo…can you do something similar?
Ten Tips for Book Covers be sure to also watch the TED video, below–it is AWESOME!
Breathprints vs Fingerprints what an idea!
PET-CENTRIC SCHTUFF
Cat Vaccine Guidelines Updated!
Well Known Writers’ Animal Connection oh my…thanks to my cat writer colleague Andrea Dorn for the share
2012 Thrillerfest Panel
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. 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!
