2nd Book Order In - Whoo-Hoo!

Received my 2nd order today for my book.  The first was from my Dad because he didn't read the fine print which said the book wouldn't be out until September which counts as first order but you know... This is the first NON-FAMILY man-on-the-street order which makes it all the more exciting. 

In honor of being the first non-family ordering member, I am posting links to Margy's beautiful cat sonnets.  Here's one at Cleverkitty Caterwauling E-zinesand another at Fanc-e -mews .

I only need to sell about a billion more books to break even.  Very exciting!

I'm going to be on TV

A gentleman in my Toastmaster group hosts a local community cable show and has asked me on as a guest to speak about self-esteem and public speaking.  We've talked about this for a month and it's always been one of those, "Yeah, I'll call you and we'll set something up," and then nothing happens.  Well this morning (Saturday) I got a call from him asking if I could be at the studio at 11am on Monday for the interview.  I got the message off my cell phone, turned to Blair and said, "Of course we'll be chucking all our weekend plans in favor of going shopping for a new outfit for me."

Not really!  For Oprah, yes, I will hit the stores but community access is going to have to live with me wearing my has-beens.

I've read that people appearing on TV should wear solid colors, not white, and never go sleeveless.  A peek in my closet reveals striped and patterned long sleeve shirts or sleeveless solids.  Story of my life.

I need to submit a list of questions to him by tomorrow.  I was just working on it and it's harder than it sounds to come up with questions to interview yourself about.  My wanna-be-questions range from, "So tell us, Ms. Harris, is it true you're a natural genius or do you have to be a little thought into it?  to "How long do you think you can hold out until everyone figures out you're a fraud?"  (Just kidding on both counts....) =)

Although the topic is public speaking and not my humor book, you can be darn sure I'm going to manage to slip that in somewhere.  Every ounce of publicity counts... Wish me luck!

Alexander and the Lion's Cut

Here's one of the e-mails I received on the Great Cat Butt Wiping Adventure story, along with accompanying photo of Alexander.  Thanks to Alex's owner, Linda, for giving me permission to reprint here:

Hello Dena,

Oh my gosh...what a great story !! I have this 5 year old , 25 lb Main Coon (Alexander), who also can't seem to reach his bottom. I've only had him about 4 months and I've had lots of cats in the past but none with this problem. I took him to a groomer about a month ago to get a cool "lion cut" for the summer months and his bottom was a disgrace. Anyway, they cleaned him up good and said I could bring him back anytime for a bottom wash (only $5). I try to keep him clean with baby wipes but sometimes he's not in the mood and when a 25 lb cat is not in the mood to have his bottom cleaned .....it don't get done! Anyway, I decided today he was going to have a bottom wash here at home. So I put some cat shampoo in the sink with warm water and put him up on the counter, with his bottom next to the edge of the sink and we got it done. His bottom is washed, rinsed and dry and the view is much better as he walks away from me with his big fluffy tail up in the air. Thanks for the great story & the idea to just do it myself.

Linda Shook

Lakewood, WA

The Great Cat Butt Wiping Adventure - Fan Mail

You know, I try my best as a writer.  I work hard, research, double check facts, interview experts and spend hours searching for the perfect words.  But there's not a lot of recognition in the craft.  My piece on Morris the Cat's comeback?  Big deal.  My article on what happens to pets when owners divorce?  No one cared.  All my articles on breeds and backgrounds?  All escaped unnoticed.

Which is why I am LAUGHING at the fact that yesterday when the new issue of Cats & Kittenscame out that contained my humor piece on having to wipe my cat's ass because she was too fat to clean herself, I received no less than 3 pieces of fan e-mail before 5 o'clock.  All this time I've been trying to write high-profile pieces when really what I should have been focusing on is poo.

I love it though.  What a great feeling to know you made someone laugh through your writing.  It's the best high there is.  And I doubly appreciate it because I know how difficult it is to get people to write in about anything.  So I'm honored they bothered to find my website, then my e-mail and go to the trouble of dropping me a line.  Absolutely made my day.

BTW, I e-mailed my editor that I was receiving complimentary mail on the piece and advised her if she ever needed someone to write about s---, I was her gal.  Her response: "I had always suspected as much."

It's great to be valued. =)