It's Here!

It's so cool to come home and find a box on the front porch from Simon and Schuster. Yep, I received copies of "I Can't Believe My Cat Did That!".

Bogey is featured in my story, "The Instigator". Anyone who reads this blog knows how feisty, felonious, and fleet Bogey can be. Now he's famous, too! I unpacked the books one by one and spread them out on the floor. Bogey sniffed them over and gave his paw-print of of approval. Thank goodness for that. I was a little worried he might sue me.

This latest Chicken Soup filled with delights will be in bookstores and on Amazon starting in September.

Hey! Hope all of you have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

The Perfect Gift

A few weeks ago, Bogey had his fifth birthday. He remains as much a pistol as ever (see my story in Chicken Soup: I Can't Believe My Cat Did That-available September, 2012)

I can't ignore the fact that one of his favorite activities (and most annoying habits) is sipping water straight from the faucet. Never mind if you're trying to brush your teeth or wash your face. He'll meow, push up against you, and be a general pest, until you let him slurp from the cool stream.

That's why I figured that his own personal drinking fountain would make The Perfect Gift. He could have flowing water whenever he wants. And I could wash my face in peace.

I placed the order and the mailman delivered a box only two days later (no kidding!) containing The Perfect Gift. I put it together, filled it with water, and plugged it in.

That The Perfect Gift is popular, could be described as an understatement.

The third fountain fan is visiting grand-dog, Tinker Bell.

Now wouldn't you think that The Perfect Gift would keep Bogey out of my bathroom sink? No such luck. Apparently he still enjoys having a drink with Mom as much as having a drink with his friends. I think he gets that from his Dad.

Anyway, I just received The Perfect Gift, too.

A writer friend announced a couple of weeks ago that her story made it into final round for Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive, to be released in October, 2012. I had made it through first round for that book, too, but heard nothing about making final round. So I figured I'd be getting the dreaded "Sorry we couldn't use your story" email. I sulked around the house in a most unpositive fashion as I waited for the bad news. But a few days later, lo and behold, I got an acceptance email, too!

I have to pinch myself to be sure I'm not dreaming. That will be three CS books in 2012. Unheard of...at least for me.   : )

I tried to figure out what I'd done differently. Better writing? Kinder editors?

Nope. I think it's because I'm submitting more stories than I've done in the past...at least one story a month to the CS people. The moral to my story is this: keep sending out those submissions if you want to be published. Your persistance will eventually bear fruit.

On the other hand, you could deduce that sending one story a month to CS and having only 3 selected is not a terrific statistic. But who wants to be a Negative Nellie? My batting average may be low, but at least I'm still in the game.

The Merry Month of May

Tra-la, it's the merry month of May!

Along with being a most beautiful time of year, turns out May is also a month filled with grantwriting deadlines. Each day has been a mega-writing marathon, which makes me not exactly thrilled to sit in front of the keyboard again once I get home. At least there's only two weeks left to go...

Wait a minute! Did I say there's only two weeks left to go? Excuse me while I smoosh my nose right back on that grindstone. I only hope to have some nose left by the time May 31 rolls around.

A bit of happy news took my mind off grantwriting for a moment yesterday. My essay, "The Instigator" made the final cut into "Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Cat Did That". A September release date is expected. Isn't the cover adorable?

You'll never guess who stars in my story. Or, if you read Critter Alley regularly, perhaps you will.

"I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by."

-- Douglas Adams

Things We Love

You just have to love Spring. The sun shines, the grass grows and the flowers are bursting into bloom.

Mother Nature's annual fertility dance promotes highly enjoyable window watching for Bogey. The birds, butterflies, and bugs flutter around in a most tantalizing way. Completely amped up on the addictive drug of "I wanna get me one of those", he lurks by the door hoping to zip outside when we're not looking.

No chance, Buddy.

Did I forget to mention the squirrels? We have a bumper crop. I don't mind as long as they stay away from the house. Those four-footed menaces can chew through vinyl...and wood...and pretty much anything else they choose. Indy keeps track of our bushy-tailed tree rodents. He'd love to personally remove each one of them from the yard. (Note to readers: Indy could never actually catch a squirrel. We keep him inside to preserve his self-esteem. Squirrels are extremely rude and tend to laugh and point when he reaches the end of his tether)

However, Indy does take a far more gentlemanly approach than Bogey does when it comes to getting out the door.

" Hey, Mom. I gotta go potty!"

Ahh, Spring.

My critters aren't the only ones having an awesome Spring. Yesterday brought word that a story I submitted to Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive, made the first cut. I faxed the signed contract back to the CS folks so fast my fax machine went haywire, pulling multiple pieces of paper through, and marking each one with lovely strips of black ink. Nice going, Mr. Fax Machine. Are you going to replace all the paper you ruined?

I didn't think so. Guess I'm off to the store for more paper. Not such a bad thing on a beautiful Spring day!

Good News Makes a Great Day Even Better!

Notice anything different about this book cover? Today I received the good news that Chicken Soup: Messages From Heaven has become a national best selling book. My true story, "A Little Nudge" is in the book along with many other inspirational stories of messages from beyond the grave. Perfect reading for Easter, or any other time. Woo-hoo! I'm excited and thrilled!

In other good news, On March 23, my Indy boy had his 12th birthday! We celebrated this special day with treats, toys, and a touch of triumph.

As many of you know, our vet diagnosed Indy with liver failure in November, 2010. She predicted he'd survive only a few weeks to a month longer.

I decided to research his condition and see if any treatment protocol existed that might help him. After reading and considering tons of information, I decided to continue him on his home-cooked diet (as found on Dr. Michael Fox's website), feeding him twice per day, and added the following:

One quarter tablet Metroclopramide (anti-vomiting, anti-diahrrea med) before each meal
1-225 mg Denosyl tablet one time per day about one hour before dinner
1teaspoon of low-fat plain yogurt with breakfast
1 tablespoon of low fat cottage cheese with dinner
NO high fat foods of any kind

Here we are, one year and 4 months later, and he's doing pretty darn well by any standard. My take-away from this? Look into other strategies to treat chronic illness. You don't know what you may discover that could gain at least a temporary reprieve. Do keep your vet in the loop. She/he may have some other suggestions, or at least assist you with providing any necessary prescription meds.

I'm sure not every case turns out as well as ours has (so far, fingers crossed), but I think our result speaks volumes.

A very happy birthday to my sweet and special Indy-boy!!  : )

Of course, every party has to have a pooper...

I will not accept any appearance of cone-headedness, for any reason whatsoever!

Heavenly Messages

What could be more fun than coming home to find a box of books on the front porch? Especially when those books contain one of your own stories. "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven" features true stories about miracles, amazing connections, angels, and answered prayers. My story, "A Little Nudge", is included in the anthology.

I thumbed my way through the book and have already read several stories. Each one gave me a little shiver up my back. But only in a good way, of course.

I can't resist hearing stories that confirm my belief in the hereafter. If you feel the same way, check out Messages from Heaven, either online via pre-order, or in bookstores starting February 28.

Critics-at-large, Indy and Bogey declare: "Messages from Heaven is an awesome read. We give it 8 paws up!"

Strange and Unusual Sighting

There have been strange and unusual sightings at our house this week. Indy and Bogey are amazed.

"Huh?"

"You mean this thing is for something other than a place to toss junk?"

Indy couldn't resist showing his surprise, and giving me the raspberries to boot.

Yes, yours truly is back on the treadmill, and I don't mean that figuratively, although my "figure" is why I'm back on the treadmill. Christmas cookies, appetizers, and treats have taken their toll. It's time to get up and get moving, so I won't need to ask for Christmas clothes in a larger size, please. I'm feeling good about walking for the past three evenings, but how long will it last? My goal is every day. The reality will be...well, time will tell, but for now, I'm energized and motivated.

Part of my new found energy relates to getting some good writing news. My contract for a story scheduled to appear in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven", has turned into approval of edits. The book's release date is February, 2012, so unless I get a last-minute letdown (always a possibility), looks like I'm in!

News also arrived that the ByLines 2012 writer's calendar will include one of my stories. I can't wait to see the calendar in its final form. They haven't given me a date certain for publication, but hopefully all will go through as promised.

And, yippity-do-da! This week I received a contract for another Chicken Soup story to appear in "I Can't Believe My Cat Did That!" Of course, I won't know for sure until July or August whether it will make the final cut since publication won't be until September, 2012. (Note to anyone who, like me, also submitted a story for "I Can't Believe My Dog Did That"...the dog stories are still being read. Notification should go out around the first of the year, per the CS editor) My cat story was inspired by Bogey. As all of you know, he certainly gives me plenty to write about!

As I sign off and head for the treadmill, let me leave you with this panic-inducing thought...only 11 more days until Christmas!

Stories on Stories

It's always a thrill when your work is chosen for publication. It's even better when the book is created for a great cause.

A few months ago a call went out for writers to submit their work for a proposed anthology to benefit the schools and libraries of Joplin, Missouri after a tornado of epic proportions leveled the town. Any piece submitted had to be related in some way to a storm.  Writers are generous people, and many reached out to support the project.  My poem, "Aftermath" appears in the volume.  Fellow writers and friends Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller, and Donna Volkennant also have pieces in the book.  And if that's not good enough to convince you, Walter Bargen (first poet laureate of Missouri) and Elaine Viets (former newspaper columnist) are in the book, too.  

If you're interested in supporting a great cause, check out Storm Country.

Meanwhile, there were a few other writerly delights to hit my inbox recently.  One of my essays will be in Echoes of the Ozarks, Volume VII, an anthology published yearly by the Ozarks Writers League. The volume is scheduled for publication in early November.

Today I received notification from the Chicken Soup folks that one of my stories made it through the preliminary selection process for the book, "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages From Heaven". I'm pleased but still keeping fingers crossed, as you never know until the 11th hour whether they'll keep your story or (gulp) cut it. So I'm faxing in my contract and hoping for the best.

Of course we're also hoping that all our two legged and four legged readers will have a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Stay safe, and go St. Louis Cardinals!!

Stories, Secrets, Success

Here's a heads up for all our blogger buddies. Chicken Soup for the Soul has a call for submissions. They're looking for stories to publish in two upcoming anthologies that will be of interest to all you wonderful writers who are also critter crazy. If you have an amazing, poignant, or funny story about your dog or cat, "I Can't Believe My Dog Did That" and/or "I Can't Believe My Cat Did That" will be right up your alley. If your story is accepted, Chicken Soup will pay you $200 and provide some complimentary copies of the book.

There are so few paying markets these days for freelance writers, I really appreciate the opportunities provided by the Chicken Soup folks. It's a quality publication with appeal, world-wide recognition, and a great reputation. However, if you don't have a critter story to submit, fear not. There are other submission possibilities, too. Read all the details here.

I'm hoping Chicken Soup can help me get on track. My pants are too snug. I'm eating too much of my favorite things, and the only time I seem to spend walking is when I'm pushing a grocery cart. And then there's all the "research"...a major excuse for not writing.

It's time for a better routine. I need all the motivation I can get to eat healthy, exercise, and write every day.

Blogger buddies, help! What are your secrets for success?

Oh What a Beautiful Day!

I went back to work after the long holiday weekend full of the blahs and wishing I could stay home just one more day. But instead I bravely marched through the front door along with my fellow reluctant warriors. Later in the morning I took a minute to check my blog and found a comment congratulating me on a contest win.

WHAT????

Immediately, I zipped over to the Saturday Writers website, and sure enough, I won second place out of 87 entries in a short story contest. Joy! Bliss! Nirvana!

This evening I planned to post the good news, but first took a look at a long list of emails. Uh-oh! A tantalizing Chicken Soup email nestled in the middle. I clicked on it first thing and read the opening sentences every writer wants to see:

"Your story "My Daddy's Name" has made it to the final selection round for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad. Only five percent of the submitted stories have made it this far. The vast majority of stories in this "last round" will appear in the book, but we do not make the final decisions until about a month before the publication date."

WHAT A DAY!!! Pardon me for yelling, but I couldn't help myself! Now I'll keep fingers crossed that I make the final cut into the book, even while I bask in the warm afterglow of the contest win.

No more after holiday blahs for me...I'm smiling from ear to ear!

The Chicken Soup Seven

Seven Chicken Soup writers equal a five star heart warming recipe.

We had a wonderful time at the book signing on December 11. It was a busy, busy day on Main Street. I parked 27 blocks away and still had to walk in the street instead of on the sidewalk--the only way to actually move. Yes, it was that hectic! Due to the extreme congestion, I failed to get any personal Christmas shopping done (my optimistic post-event plan). Oh well. Isn't that what lunch hours are for?

Thanks to Main Street Books for sponsoring the Chicken Soup event where an abundance of food was collected for those in need. And to the folks who came out to say hello or buy a book...Thank you so much!

Soup, Anyone?

My true story, "Canine Angel", appears in this volume.

In this weather, what's better than a cup of soup? How about seven Chicken Soup for the Soul writers?

On Saturday, December 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Main Street Books will sponsor a holiday book signing featuring Becky Povich, Tammy Goodsell, Teri Sanders, Linda O'Connell, Sherri Stanczak, Patsy Zettler, and yours truly. An assortment of titles will be available for purchase and refreshments will be served.

Chicken Soup books make wonderful gifts for anyone on your Christmas list. And if you bring along canned food items for donation to a local food pantry, you'll not only help a needy family, you'll also receive 10% off your entire purchase.

For more information, check out www.mainstreetbooks.net.

Hope to see you there!

It's Here!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From the Dog is in bookstores and for sale on Amazon starting today. I received my advance copies yesterday and absolutely love everything about them. The publishers and editors did a wonderful job.

My true story, "Canine Angel" is included in the volume and I hope you get a chance to take a look at it. I think the book would make a perfect gift for dog lovers as well as for those who simply enjoy reading a collection of funny, poignant, and heartwarming stories.

I'm pleased as can be and can't wait to set up a book signing!

I Just Love Good News!

Cool cover, or what?

All the finger crossing finally paid off!

On Thursday, I received final confirmation that my true story, "Canine Angel" will appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From the Dog. The story is about a journey...both my dog's and my own. It's scheduled for release on September 22, 2009.

Can't wait to see it in print!

Fingers Still Crossed

I heard from the Chicken Soup folks again last week. Apparently my story has made the next step in their process and I needed to approve edits. I read the copy and found few changes, so I promptly faxed back my consent. I'm not even sure the ink was dry before the machine pulled it through. Therefore my fingers are still crossed!

Sure hope I receive definite confirmation soon. My hand is getting a cramp from all this finger crossing!

Lady Luck Writer-Style

A while back I mentioned a story that I planned to send for a Chicken Soup book project. Yesterday I received an email that said my story was a finalist! They sent a contract to me that I duly printed out, signed and faxed back today to the Chicken Soup editor. Now comes another wait to see if I make the final cut.

One thing I'll say for sure. When someone expresses interest in publishing you, it certainly provides incentive! I plan to get back into the daily discipline of writing while I hope for Lady Luck to pay me a visit.

Fingers are crossed!

Excuses, Excuses

I've been the most dreadful sloth about writing and submitting. Months ago, I submitted a dog story to Cup of Comfort. Acceptances were supposed to go out end of December, rejections by February. I heard nothing and figured the story was not picked up. However, I was surprised not to have heard anything at all. Colleen Sell, who edits the books is wonderful about emailing a verdict one way or another.

In any event, March brought my expected rejection email. However, she kindly informed me that the story had made the top 70 cut, just didn't make the final cut, and went on to encourage me to submit elsewhere. It just so happened that the Chicken Soup series was looking for dog stories, so I sent it at the end of March. Now another wait to see if I'll have better luck. Unfortunately, I don't think Chicken Soup tells you anything unless they take the story. :(

I really must get myself back in the habit of writing every day. It doesn't help that I picked up an excellent book called "The Help". It's a debut novel by Kathryn Stockett and one of those books I can barely make myself put down.

Sigh. Yet another excuse not to write.