Today I have the honor of welcoming a friend and fellow blogger--someone who's definitely no stranger to Brant Flakes!--the lovely Edie Ramer. Hi, Edie!! So glad to have you here ;).As one of the founding members of Magical Musings, Edie has blogged regularly and offered many book reviews, author interviews and insightful posts on various aspects of the writing industry. It's a treat to have her here to talk about the book she just released on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle: CATTITUDE!! (I love that title.)
Welcome!
Can you tell us the basic premise of your book? It’s all in the Cattitude…After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.
What's one scene from this story you loved writing and why? My favorite scene features two secondary characters: the woman who switched bodies with Belle, and a lonely rich girl who befriends this confused woman in a cat body. I cried when I wrote it, and I cry every time I read it. It’s a good cry, the kind that happens when characters touch your heart and make you care.
What's your Writer Fantasy--i.e., to see your book make into a feature film, to be on the New York Times bestseller list for 40 consecutive weeks, etc.? One of my beta readers said she’d love to see Cattitude as a movie. Ever since she said that, I keep thinking about it and wonder who would play Belle. Jennifer Garner was one possibility, but she might be too nice. I need an actress with an attitude but still likeable. Any suggestions? (Hmm. Angelina Jolie is very cat-like, in my opinion, and also has an attitude...Jessica Biel, maybe...I'll keep thinking! Anyone else have some possibilities? :)
Being a on the NY Times bestseller list used to be one of my goals. Now it’s the Kindle bestselling list. Not yet, though. I know it’s not going to happen overnight. And that’s okay. The great thing about being an indie author is that you can build your audience. Your books aren’t going to be whisked off the shelves in a month or two. That takes a lot of pressure off the indie authors.
What's a personality trait you love about one of the characters in your novel and why? I love my cat, which is why I wrote a story about Belle, the heroine in Cattitude. I love her me-first attitude, her honesty, her independence. So when she became human, I had her keep all those traits. Plus, a few others, including a love of tuna, a dislike of vegetables, and a desire to scratch people who irritate her. (Which I find perfectly understandable, though it’s something I haven’t done since I fought with my brother when we were kids.) Belle is the most fun character I’ve written.
What’s the most surprising thing that has happened to you on your publishing journey? I don’t know if it’s surprising, but what’s wonderful is the support I’ve gotten from the writing community—from my CPs to writers I barely know. I mentioned on an online writing group that I was going to self pub Cattitude, and one of the newer members emailed me and offered to do my cover. She did an amazing job! The first thing people say about the book is how much they love the cover. (I agree--it's really eye-catching!)
When I think of my friends who’ve been there for me, I feel my heart swell. I think it must be three sizes bigger than before I published Cattitude.
Marilyn, you’re one of the heart-stretching culprits! Thank you for being a friend and having me as your guest. (Awww, Edie! It's my pleasure!!! I'm thrilled for you. ;)
Where can we find you on the web?Here is my website. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook and at Magical Musings.
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Cattitude is available on Amazon and Smashwords for $2.99. I’m giving away a free e-copy to two different commenters on today’s blog. And starting Friday, I’m having an exciting release party with a fun contest. The details will be posted on Friday on my website, Facebook, Twitter and Magical Musings (see links above).
YAY!! Can't wait to read it, Edie, and to celebrate with you ;). Congratulations!
37 comments:
Hi Edie,
It's so nice to hear your story. I was wondering - how did you decide on the cost of the book or was that price set by the companies you are working with?
Edie - wonderful interview! I'm in awe of you for your go-ahead attitude with this new venture. And in awe of Cattitude!
What a wonderful story and a beautiful cover. Best of luck to you in getting to that bestseller list.
And Marilyn, thanks for having Edie guest here.
Barbara
www.barbarawhitedaille.com
Marilyn, thanks again for having me here. I wouldn't turn down Angelina if she offered (I'm not an idiot!), but she isn't likable to me.
Jessica Biel would be good! Maybe Maggie Gyllenhaal.
I love your comments!
Cattitude is getting wonderful reviews, Edie, I'm so proud of you.
Marilyn, congratulations on book 2, I loved According to Jane!
It's so nice to see success come to two wonderful people.
Great interview, Edie! I hope you sell many, many copies. Can't wait to read it myself. Just need my reading time to increase.
Dale, Amazon gives the author 70% if the amount is over $2.99. If it's under, I think the author only gets 35%. Easy decision.
Most people spend more than $3 on a cup of coffee, and I think the price would be an incentive for them to buy.
Barbara, thanks so much! It took me awhile to get to this point. And even once I decided, I spent two or three months making sure it was as good as I could get it. You can say I was a bit scared. lol
Donnell, I read an ARC for Marilyn's 2nd book, Friday Mornings at Nine, and loved it!
Thanks for your good wishes!
Melanie, I need my reading time to increase, too! In fact, I'd like more hours in the day.
Great interview!
I love the idea of Cattitude the movie!!!
As for the actress, how about the super hot Donnell Bell??
:)
Laura, I love it!!! Super hot Donnell Bell would be perfect.
Edie, I'm thinking Eva Longoria, but wait! She's already slated to star in my trash-talking ghost mystery series!!
Seriously, I cant wait to read Cattitude. Every time I read one of your blogs with excerpts, I am tempted to put down my own deadline pen and just read.
It will be my reward for finishing my next story.
Congrats, BTW, and don't enter my name in the drawing, I already have the book!
Liz, I love being a reward! Eva Longoria would be perfect for Belle, but I understand if she's already booked for the ghost mystery series.
Hi, everyone!!
Dale~*waving* nice to see you here and congrats, again, on your Brava top 10 final!
Barbara~thanks so much for stopping by (and it was a pleasure to host Edie :).
Edie, you're very welcome! I was thrilled you could be here today. And, yes, I agree with you about Angelina not being esp. likable... Maggie G. has possibilities, though!
Donnell!! Great to see you! :) Thank you... Sending you a big hug from here!
Melanie~hello! I share your good wishes for Edie ;). I think all of us could use more reading time. My TBR pile is actually dangerously high...
Laura~LOL! That's a *perfect* recommendation. Super hot Donnell Bell, when can you start filming?!
Liz~I agree with you about reserving CATTITUDE as a reward! I'm looking forward to the weekend this month when I can just relax and enjoy it like a box of truffles ;).
Hi Edie!
The cover is so much fun and the story looks great. Congrats:)
And Marilyn - can't wait for Friday Mornings At Nine. I want my copy NOW, but I guess I'll just have to savor the anticipation a little while longer:)
Aw, thanks, Marilyn. And now I'm hungry for chocolate truffles!
Joelle, thanks! Laura Morrigan was my cover artist. I love what she's done. She's going to do my next cover, too.
Hey, Edie! The cover looks great (I'm such a cat person, I think sometimes I would like to switch places with my cat!). You asked about actress ideas: Maggie Gyllenhaal would make an awesome Belle, I think (did you see her in Stranger Than Fiction?).
Congrats on the release!
Amy, I agree about Maggie Gyllenhall! I'd like to change places with my cat, too. Except then I'd have to give up chocolates and reading, so maybe not.
Joelle~aw, thank you!! I hope you'll like it when the time arrives, and I'm really looking forward to your debut!
Amy~I loved "Stranger Than Fiction" (!!) and Maggie G. played a great character in it ;).
Edie, I didn't know Laura was your cover artist! Laura -- you did a fantastic job!!
Huge congratulations, Edie! I'm so very happy for you!! Best wishes for lots and lots of sales - and I hope you enjoy every minute.
Another great interview, Marilyn! Thank you.
Edie, I love that you've taken control of your own career, and I know you'll be successful.
Robin, thanks so much. I plan to enjoy it all!
Michelle, thanks! It's so fun that people are buying my books. It gives me a huge thrill.
Hello, Sarah PJ here, lurker of Brant Flakes - gotta vote for Eva Longoria, she's got the great eyes and the great comedic timing that I think would be needed for a cat-as-human role...shout out for Edie, I'm going to get this book SOON, and Marilyn for a great interview!
Sarah, thanks! I think Eva Longoria would make a great cat too. She already has the attitude, yet you can't help liking her.
Edie, you are a dynamo! Love the cover and the story.
Mary, I'm not feeling like a dynamo. Thanks!
Yay Edie! I think it's great!!
Tonya, thank you! You're a sweetheart.
Robin~thanks so much, as always, for being so supportive of my guests ;). Great to hear from you!
Michelle~she's taken a great step and I agree with you that she'll be successful at it!
Sarah~hey!!! {hug} Thanks for de-lurking and saying hi to us, my wonderful friend ;). I'm growing really attached to the Eva L. casting idea, too!
Mary~hello! So glad you stopped by ;).
Tonya~thanks for visiting and supporting Edie!!
Everyone~Happy Friday (!!) and, for those in the States, happy LONG weekend ;). Wishing you all a great one and, Edie, thanks again for spending the end of this week with us!!
Marilyn, thanks so much for having me as your guest! And thanks to everyone who commented. It's been fun.
We have winners! Marilyn said I could announce them. Congratulations, Robin and Joelle!
Whoo-hoo!! Congrats, Robin and Joelle--you're lucky ladies!! And a HUGE THANKS to Edie for the awesome prizes ;).
Take care, everyone!! xo
Woo Hoo, what a unique story line! I adore cats. This cat sounds like a hoot. I'd very much like to read this story. Our cat Homer loves peas. I've not read Marilyn's writing, and am not familiar with her, but I am looking forward to learning more about her. Thanks for the giveaway and the opportunity to win Cattitude! Love that title!
Sharing God's Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Sorry, I meant Edie's name instead of Marilyn's. That wasn't quite the cat's meow. Maybe you'll pick my name anyway. I'd love to win.
Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Barb, I already picked a winner. I am giving away more copies on two blogs next week, if you want to follow me. You can find out where on my blog.
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