It's National Cat Day!

Really, it is! Take a look at some of these strange and wonderful cats at the official website:
http://www.nationalcatday.com/. Aren't they beautiful?

I missed posting last week and just haven't been around much in general. This is mostly due to a big push to get the second book ready to turn in to my editor. I have a few more days to polish it up, but I think it's mostly there.

The second book has a title! FAT CAT SPREADS OUT. I think I'll be able to share the cover soon. The blurb hasn't been written, but I'll tell you that it involves a county fair and butter--and Quincy getting into trouble, of course.

photo from Paula Benson at BAM

To celebrate the official title, I'd love to give away an autographed copy of FAT CAT AT LARGE. If you'd like a copy, please leave a comment and INCLUDE your email address. If you're not comfortable sharing that, or if you have trouble leaving a comment, please feel free to email me at janetcantrell01@gmail.com.

Billions and billions of blogs

Not really, but it feels like it.

I've been very busy promoting FAT CAT AT LARGE and I think it's paying off. It reached national bestseller status last week! (Details are in the newsletter I just sent--if you'd like one, please email me at janetcantrell01@gmail.com.)

I'm going to cheat on this blog and post a (very long) list of the the blogs for this month. But FIRST, thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has supported me and this new series!!! The success is all due to you!

[There will be a recap of the Writers' Police Academy, which I attended a couple of weekends ago on http://travelswithkaye.blogspot.com/ tomorrow, if you're interested in what went on there.]

Advice for writers: http://bookbeatbabes.blogspot.com/2014/08/kaye-georges-alter-ego-janet-cantrell.html

Interview with Rocco the Cat: http://www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com/2014/08/author-kaye-george-in-hotseat.html

Interview at Writers Who Kill: http://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2014/08/janet-cantrell-aka-kaye-george-interview.html

Fat cats, music, and mystery, oh my: http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/2014/08/fat-cats-music-and-mystery-oh-my.html

Interview by PJ Nunn: http://bookbrowsing.wordpress.com/2014/08/28/an-interview-with-kaye-george/

A day in the life of Quincy: http://drusbookmusing.com/2014/09/02/quincy-oliver/

Review by A Cozy Girl Reads: http://acozygirlreads.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-fat-cat-at-large-by-janet.html

Interview by Kate Wyland: http://katewyland.com/2014/09/02/fat-cats-and-dead-bodies/

Review and Where did Quincy come from: http://www.books-n-kisses.com/2014/09/blog-tour-review-fat-cat-at-large-by-janet-cantrell/

Mochas, Mysteries, and Meow: http://nblo.gs/ZGHAJ

Review and essay: http://mariescozy.blogspot.com/2014/09/cozy-mystery-blog-tour-author-guest_8.html

Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/book.php?id=69071

Review: http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/09/blog-tour-fat-cat-at-large-by-janet.html

Overweight cats: http://www.writersandotheranimals.blogspot.com/2014/09/overweight-cats-and-what-to-do-about.html

Back to school for writers: http://www.mustardseedmarketinggroup.com/authors-corner-blog/janet-cantrell-is-a-guest-at-the-authorscorner-blog-today#.VBb7J_lSZvA

Something different—Interview on my short stories: http://www.nancychristie.com/findingfran/2014/09/15/short-takes-interviews-with-short-story-writers-with-kaye-george/

Review: http://drusbookmusing.com/2014/09/15/fat-cat-at-large-by-janet-cantrell/

Writer's Police Academy!

I'm so excited that I'm going to attend this! This is a place where mystery writers learn to get it right. It's run by some police personnel and designed to give writers the lowdown on how they operate.

There are a few things I've picked up from courses and from the Citizens’ Police Academy I attended in Austin, TX. Things like--don't put biodegradable clues into plastic bags. They should be saved in paper bags, contrary to what people do on TV shows.

This event, though, is geared toward things mystery writers need to know. Should be fun!

We writers are so fortunate that Lee Lofland, retired police officer, loves to work with us enough to put this on each year.

There are some things we can’t photograph, but I hope to bring back a good report when I return. I’m visiting some East Coast family after the academy, so I won’t be posting next week, but the week after, should have a report.

Meanwhile, if you don’t have a copy of FAT CAT AT LARGE yet, it’s in the bookstore! If you have a copy and liked reading it, please consider posting a review online.

I need to thank all my supporters and readers for lifting me to the clouds for my book launch. It’s been a fun time!

DO YOU HAVE A FAT CAT STORY?

I’ll bet many of you do, and I’d like to hear them. I’m putting my fat cat stories in the Quincy books, but invite you to post yours here!

 If you’d like, please post a story of 100 words or less about your fat cat or someone else’s, or even a fat cat story you’ve heard somewhere. I’ll pick one of the posters—somehow. If one of the stories is a standout, I’ll pick that one. If they’re all good, I’ll pick a random number.

 Then I’ll mail you a paperback copy of FAT CAT AT LARGE as soon as I get them. Publication date is September 2nd. I got one copy in the mail today from my editor and I’m very excited about this!

  Picture is Marilyn Levinson's Sammy, not fat, but cute