Books by Dena Harris
Who Moved My Mouse? Self-Help for Cats (Who Don't Need Any Help)
Coming in Fall 2010 from Ten Speed Press
Introducing the only book that targets the self-help needs of our nation’s felines. Based on classic self-help texts, cats learn to make the 20 minutes they’re awake each day the best 20 minutes of their lives!
Chapters such as The Fur Agreements and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff (Unless It Moves Suddenly and Without Warning) assist today’s cats struggling to hide self-doubt and existential questioning behind dismissive “you bore me” and “I just sprayed the couch” smirks. Based on classic self-help texts and filled with quizzes, exercises, and insider tips, Who Moved My Mouse? provides felines with the inner fortitude necessary to address the shortcomings of others and the confidence to demand fixes. Visit www.selfhelpforcats.com to learn more.
Lessons In Stalking...Life With Cats,
Spotlight Publishing, Inc., 2005
Got Cats? Lessons In Stalking homes in on the wildly different responses the author and her long-suffering spouse have to a life shared with cats. Cotton mice found doing the dead man’s float in the water dish...5 AM wake-up calls...a “no-closed doors” policy...the cat declares a holy war when put on a diet. Anyone who owns a cat must own this book filled with derision, wit, and non-stop hilarity.
Publications International Ltd., 2006
From the back cover: “For the Love of Cats is a celebration of the irresistible feline. This fascinating book is filled with curious cat facts, unforgettable tales, and fabulous photographs. If you’re crazy about cats, this is the purrfect book for you.”
Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat's Life (contributor)
Chicken Soup for the Soul, April 2011
"From kittenhood through the twilight years, our feline companions continually bring joy, love, and laughter to the lives of their 'staff.' This collection of 101 new stories captures the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our cats — from the laugh-out-loud antics of kittens and tear-your-hair-out escapades of teenage cats to the more mature adult years and final stages of life. Stories cover each age and stage with all the fun, frustrations, special bonds and routines involved. The book also holds a special chapter about grieving and recovery when our feline friends leave us..”
* Includes Dena's humor essays, Feline Concerns and Morning Revelry
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners (contributor)
Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2010
Amazon description: “When runners aren't running, they are talking about running, planning their next run, shopping for running... This book contains 101 stories from runners... telling their stories to other runners... about how running has improved their lives, recovering from injuries, challenging themselves, and includes amazing stories of marathons, camaraderie, and the natural high that comes from this popular sport. Plenty of stories for triathletes too, covering swimming and cycling.”
* Includes Dena's essays, That Should Have Been A Left and Running With Geezers
Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From the Cat,(contributor)
Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2009
Amazon product description: "Lessons come in all shapes and sizes, like our feline friends. Cat lovers, both lifelong and reluctant, share their stories about life, love, and lessons learned from their furry companions.."
* Includes Dena's humor stories, Yoga Cat and Dibbs!
Cup of Comfort for Cat Lovers, (contributor),
Adams Media, July 2008
Cats are among the most fascinating, entertaining, and endearing pets on earth. This special volume features fifty compelling testaments to the deep connection between cats and the people who love them as well as heartwarming and humorous tales about truly amazing felines.
*Includes Dena's stories, Dibbs and Why My Cat May One Day Cost Me My Marriage.
2008 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, (contributor),
Writer's Digest Books, 2007
Amazon Review: For over 26 years, fiction writers have depended on Novel & Short Story Writer's Market to help them sell their work and make professional connections in the industry. Listings for over 1,350 book publishers, magazines, literary agents, writing contests and conferences provide current contact information, editorial needs, schedules and guidelines that save you time and take the guesswork out of the submission process. Top mainstream, literary and genre writers share their insights into the craft and business of fiction.
*Includes Dena's article, Should You Hire A Publicist?
2007 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, (contributor),
Writer's Digest Books, 2006
Amazon editorial reviews: "For twenty-six years, 2007 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market has been the only resource of its kind for fiction writers. Perfect for anyone writing novels and stories--whether romance or literary, horror or graphic novels--this packed resource also features how-to articles on the craft of fiction and the business of getting published."
* Includes Dena's article Making the Connection: What You Gain from Networking.
Chicken Soup for the American Idol Lover's Soul, (contributor),
HCI, 2007
From Amazon Review: For anyone who has watched America 's best loved television show, here's a collection of captivating stories that take you into the hearts, minds and souls of the Idols, the fans, and the team that makes the show possible. In Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul , those closest to the heart of American Idol --- from the executive producers to the stylists, from the fans to the judges, from the top finalists to the behind-the-scenes crew ---share their moving stories of obstacles overcome, love and support shared, lessons learned and lives touched and changed forever.
*Includes Dena's humor story, Under-Dawg.
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul, (contributor),
HCI, 2005
From the nationwide best-selling Chicken Soup series comes a new masterpiece: Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul. These stories of feline affection, mystery, and charm will have you falling in love with cats all over again.
* Includes Dena's humor stories The Creature Under the Fridge and Can You See Me?
Sixty Candles - Reflections On The Writing Life, (contributor),
ASJA Press, March 2008
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Journalists and Authors is the nation's leading organization of independent nonfiction writers. Written by ASJA members in celebration of their sixty year anniversary, this book is a wonderful read and a great testament to where the organization has been over the past 60 years, where it is today, and where it may be headed over the years to come.
*Includes Dena's essay, Unusable.
The Beginner's Guide to Preserving, (co-author),
Homestead Harvest e-book, 2004
73 pages of step-by-step instruction, benefits, history, frequently asked questions and over 40 recipes.
Free Download at http://www.homesteadharvest.com/. (After you click on the link, scroll down to bottom of page.)
Upcoming Titles
Kiss My Kitty Butt! More Life With Cats...
Lessons In Stalking was only the start! The cat and kitten are back in a barrage of stories designed to tickle the funnybone of even the dourest sourpuss. Stories include Let Me at the Twittering Things, The House Ate My Cat, The Attack of the Killer Vacuum, Kung-Fu Kitty, and many more! If you laughed at Lessons In Stalking, you’ll roar at the new collection of short humor stories found in “Kiss My Kitty Butt”
Expected publication: 2011
The Perfect Speaker (Doesn’t Exist)
– 161 tips and ideas to help devise, dispense, and deliver a perfectly adequate speech
People fear public speaking like the plague. And yet, most of us will at some time be called upon to perform an act of public speaking, be it offering a toast, leading a PTA meeting, or reporting quarterly findings at a staff meeting.
The public speaking books currently on the market offer valuable, well thought out advice—but advice few people follow. When’s the last time you conducted a two-page audience analysis before speaking in front of your co-workers? More likely is that when we’re required to speak we dress up, pray the earth will swallow us whole on the way to work, and muddle through it.
Packed with tips, techniques and more than a little humor, this is the book on public speaking that will embolden to give your next speech—whatever it may be—with confidence.
Expected publication: 2011
Millicent Powers Picks A Pet – (middle grade fiction)
The rule in the Powers household is that whenever anyone turns ten-years-old, they get to chose a pet of their very own. Millicent Powers’ tenth birthday is just three days away and she has a surprise for her family. Millicent wants a Sphynx—a hairless cat with soft, wrinkly, velvet-like skin, large eyes, and pointed ears. No one else she knows has such a unique pet, and Millicent loves to be stand out and be different.
There’s just one problem. Sphynx cats are expensive and Millicent’s parents won’t pay for one. They agree to pay half the cost if Millicent can come up with the other half.
Bake sales, Magic Goo, babysitting, and garage sales are some of the schemes Millicent and her best friend Ben come up with to raise funds, although not all events go as planned. They’re not allowed to use the oven so their bake sale is limited to foods prepared using either the toaster or blender. Magic Goo carpet cleaner ends up staining rugs. And when Millicent accidentally sets her sister’s four guinea pigs (Fee, Fi, Fo, and Fum) free while babysitting her little brother, there’s a race to find the lost guineas before her families Great Dane does.
Then one night a small, tired kitten finds its way to the Powers doorstep. It’s sick and needs medical attention. Even with treatment, it may not live. Will Millicent give up her hard earned money to help the small cat, or will she hold out for greater glory with the Sphynx?