Pump Up Your Book Chats with Cat Lover and Author Ingrid King
Author Interviews, Featured — By Dorothy Thompson on November 26, 2009 at 3:45 pm* * * * * * * * * *
Editor’s Note: Ingrid will be right in this very spot live on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m., answering any questions you may have about her book. Leave a question or comment (along with your email address) and you may win a free copy! One lucky reader has until 8 p.m. eastern time on Dec. 2 for a chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Ingrid’s book, Buckley’s Story. The lucky winner will be announced on Dec. 3. Thank you and good luck!
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Ingrid King is the author or Buckley’s Story – Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. She is a former veterinary hospital manager turned writer. She publishes the E-zine News for You and Your Pet, covering topics ranging from conscious living to holistic and alternative health. She shares her experiences with consciously creating a joyful, happy and healthy life for pets and people on her popular blog, The Conscious Cat. Ingrid lives in Northern Virginia with her tortoiseshell cat Amber. Visit www.ingridking.com for more information about Ingrid and Buckley’s Story.
Thank you for this interview, Ingrid. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?
Ingrid: I always loved to write and kept journals from a very young age. At one point during my teens, I also wrote a “novel” (I use that term very loosely!) about a soccer player I had a crush on. Thankfully, it got lost when my parents cleaned out their basement after I left home! Even though I’ve always enjoyed writing, I didn’t really discover my true passion for it until a few years ago, when I started publishing my online newsletter News for You and Your Pet. When I began working on Buckley’s Story, I knew that this is what I’m meant to be doing.
What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?
Ingrid: I can’t really say that I’ve experienced a lot of frustrations throughout the publishing process. Since Buckley’s Story is my first book, I decided to go with assisted self-publishing rather than going the traditional route of finding an agent and/or a publisher. I didn’t want to deal with the time it would take to make that happen, and I also didn’t want to deal with the rejections that are an inevitable part of that process. I just wanted to get my book out into the world. I’m also a bit of a control freak, and I liked having final say so on everything from content to cover design to layout.
Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?
Ingrid: I’m single, so I have a lot of freedom in terms of my schedule, when I write, how much I write, and so on. I’m very fortunate that I can do what I love full time.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?
Ingrid: I’m an avid reader, which probably comes as no surprise. I enjoy listening to music, getting together with friends (especially if there’s food involved – I love eating out), and spending time with my cat. I’m not much of a traveler, but when I do travel, my destination usually includes a beach.
Buckley's Story by Ingrid King (click on cover to purchase)
If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?
Ingrid: Probably New York City. I love the energy of the city, and I love that you can walk everywhere you want to go. I love that there are countless restaurants on every block. I love Central Park.
Who is your biggest fan?
Ingrid: My closest friends. One of the most fun aspects of getting published has been that at times, I think my friends are even more excited about it than I am!
Where’s your favorite place to write at home?
Ingrid: In my office. A few years ago, I bought my dream desk, and earlier this year, I added my dream desk chair – it doesn’t get any better than this as far as comfort, and I’m surrounded by things I love.
What’s your favorite library and why?
Ingrid: I have to admit that I’m not much of a library person. I love the pristine feel of a brand new book too much, so I tend to buy books rather than borrow them. I do, however, have fond memories of my childhood library in Stuttgart, Germany. Once a week, my mother and I would go there, and I got to pick out three or four books. I couldn’t wait to go each week.
What’s your favorite bookstore and why?
Ingrid: Barnes and Noble in Reston, VA. It’s my “hometown” bookstore – everything about it just feels right to me.
Do you have any pets?
Ingrid: I currently share my life with Amber, a beautiful tortoiseshell cat who is also the star of my blog The Conscious Cat.
What are you reading right now?
Ingrid: I’m reading Julia Cameron’s memoir Floor Sample, Beware of False Profits by Emilie Richards, and Maggie: The Dog Who Changed my Life by Dawn Kairns. I also have a stack of magazines that I never see to quite get caught up with, including Catfancy, Writers Digest, and two German magazines.
Tell us a secret no one else knows.
Ingrid: if I did, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, would it!
What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?
Ingrid: I tend to pick up on peoples’ energy before I notice anything else.
Have you ever won anything?
Ingrid: Yes! I just recently won a book blog giveaway, Anne River Siddons Off Season. Is it any wonder I love book blogs?
What’s on your to do list today?
Ingrid: Finishing up my next edition of News for Your and Your Pet, finishing an article for Weekend Pets, and writing a book review for NOVADog Magazine.
I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in December via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?
Ingrid: I think online marketing is the way to go for authors today – between blogs, social media and other online methods, the sky’s the limit! I think virtual book tours are a fun and effective way to reach a large number of readers.
Thank you for this interview, Ingrid. Good luck on your virtual book tour!
Ingrid: Thank you!
You can visit Ingrid’s official tour page here to find out where she’ll be touring!
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21 Comments
Just to let everyone know, Ingrid will be in here at 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Be sure to leave her a message or ask a question about her or her book to become eligible for a free copy at the end of the night. The winner will be selected after the chat and announced tomorrow morning. Good luck!
Wow! Buckley is beautiful! We have three cats, though my allergies aren’t fond of any of them, especially our Maine Coon.
It’s great to have the chance to chat with you Ingrid. Why did you decide that Buckley’s story was one you needed to share with the world? Also, since you self-published, have you had a harder time getting people to give your book a chance than someone who is traditionally published?
Thanks. I look forward to your answers.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
I’ve always believed that animals are amazing teachers, and I’ve been fortunate to have a number of these animals in my life – most of them, cats, but none changed my life as much as Buckley did in the three short years she was with me. Maybe it was a case of “when the student is ready, the teacher appears” – and in my case, the teacher came in a seven pound feline body! When I reflected back on the many wonderful ways in which she changed my life, I realized that most of the lessons she taught me were universal spiritual lessons about opening the heart and living a joyful life.
I’m extremely happy with how well the book has been received so far. While I may not be getting the same kind of in store placement that traditionally published books may get just yet (although that is in the works, eventually, Buckley’s Story will be available in brick and mortar book stores nationwide), I’ve found that the book has generated a lot of buzz online, to the point where People Magazine actually did a feature on it on their PeoplePets.com site! They titled the piece What Can You Learn from a Terminally Ill Cat? To Live In The Moment – it perfectly captures one of the many lessons I learned frmo Buckley. The link to the story is http://www.peoplepets.com/news/hero/what-can-you-learn-from-a-terminally-ill-cat-to-live-in-the-moment/1. I believe that if an author believes in her book and is willing to put time, effort and creativity into promoting it, it will be successful, regardless of whether it’s traditionally published or self-published.
Hi Ingrid! Sorry…had to slip into town. So glad you could pop in! How is Amber doing?
I have a question! I’m a firm believer in the afterlife and that loved ones do visit. Have you seen any signs or felt that Buckley has come back to tell you he’s okay?
I see you like listening to music and reading as well. Is there a certain type of music you enjoy or do you have a favorite band? And, is there a book that you have read recently that you would recommend?
Hi Dorothy,
Amber is doing much better now than she was earlier today. Her v-e-t came to the house to do her annual check up – never a happy time for her. Thankfully, she’s not holding a grudge, and I’m sure the treats helped… :-)
As for your question about the afterlife, I absolutely believe that life goes on after death. My believe is that there really is no death – we, and our animal companions, just change form and transition from the physical to a non-physical dimension. I think it’s hard to feel the spirit of departed loved ones around us when we’re in the early throes of grief. Feeling that connection requires a certain amount of inner stillness, and it’s hard to find that when you’re grieving. Buckley left me some pretty obvious signs of her continued presence in the early days after she passed, and I talk about them in the book. Now that more than a year has gone by, I feel her with me almost all the time. She visits me in my dreams, sometimes, I’ll catch a glimpse of a shadow out of the corner of my eye and I know it’s her, and there’s often a palpable sense of her energy in the special places she use to love around my house.
She is more than okay, that’s for sure. She was a happy, joyful cat when she was with me. Now she’s absolutely radiant.
I still think of Frosty. I loved that cat so much. BTW, still have 7 more pages to go and I know I’m going to cry as I’ve told you a million times but a reviewer has to do what a reviewer has to do – and finish, lol! I became so connected with Buckley!
Hi Tracee,
My taste in music covers a fairly wide range, I like anything from classical to heavy metal! Some favorite bands are Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ZO2, Edguy, and Nightwish.
Not surprisingly, when it comes to books, I’m partial to books about cats, or at the very least, books featuring cats. I recently read and loved Shades of Grey by Clea Simon, a murder mystery featuring a ghost cat. It’s the first in her new series. She’s also the author of another mystery series featuring cats that is also wonderful. Another really great cat book I read recently is Homer’s Odyssey by Gwen Cooper.
I wish we had a vet come to the house. Don’t even get me started with vets. We’ve seen both dogs go – one yesterday and one today – and it’s an hour drive. Went to one here on the island and he just wasn’t on the up and up so had to go to a better one. More expensive but isn’t that the case?
Oh, Homer’s Odyssey…omg, now talk about crying! Loved the part about 9-11…thought it put an extra edge to the book…you kept saying, make sure Homer’s alive!
Dorothy, it’s been suggested to me that I should sell a pack of tissues with each book :-)
I thought long and hard about how much of Buckley’s final days to share in the book, but ultimately, I felt that by sharing in detail how difficult and gut-wrenching it is to let a beloved animal companion go, I would hopefully be able to help others who are either going through a similar situation or who just lost a pet.
I love that you felt connected with Buckley – it’s been an incredible experience to share my little cat with the world like this.
As for the vet’s housecall, I’m fortunate that my vet is also a close personal friend (it’s Fern, the vet in the book). Although you can’t fool Amber – even when Fern comes over just for a visit, Amber plays it safe and goes into hiding!
Are your dogs okay? I hope it’s nothing serious?
Well Skylar, the Sheltie, it’s just a skin condition to the tune of $180 which my daughter was a little bit how do I want to put that…p’o'd? Ha…she’s learning pets don’t come cheap.
But the one that is bothering me is Max, the seven-year-old cocker spaniel. He’s had an on and off ear infection for a year. Kept taking him to the vet about 3 minutes away (changed from the good doctor an hour away because of convenience) and he just kept shoving pills at me. Over Thanksgiving, he ran out of pills and this vet only comes 2 times a week and of course that was Thanksgiving and the day after. So we suffered through it but Sunday night he got really bad. The smell would gag you. Took him to the good vet yesterday and he’s on a lot of medicine. Might have to be operated on. Here…I’ve got it all up at Boomer Chick. You can read all the gory details, but we’re not out of hot water yet, just trying to get this infection down.
Oh, poor Max! He’s sure been through a lot (and he looks like such a sweet boy!) I hope you can avoid surgery. I know it seems like a bit of a leap, but sometimes, these recurring ear problems can be tied to food allergies. What is Max eating?
I’m heading out to see a kitty client in a few minutes – back in about an hour! Looking forward to chatting some more.
Hi Ingrid!
I love the list of Buckley’s Lessons at the end of Buckley’s Story. What else can you share that might help people who have pets with chronic, possibly life-ending illnesses?
Hi Renee,
one of the biggest lessons Buckley taught me as she was going through the final months and weeks of her illness was to stay in the moment, and not get caught up in worry and fear. Animals are masters at living in the moment – they don’t care about medical test results or a poor prognosis. They just enjoy each moment they have without worrying about what comes next. I definitely took my cues from Buckley when it came to deaing with fear and worry.
I also think it’s important that pet parents get informed. Ask questions. If something that your pet’s vet tells you doesn’t make sense, ask for an explanation. Get a second opinion, if necessary. And trust your intuition. Nobody knows your pet like you do. Even though something may be standard treatment for a particular disease, it may not be the right treatment for your pet. I was fortunate that I had a vet who honored not only my wishes, but also Buckley’s, in that respect.
Hi Ingrid,
Your book was very beneficial to me in that I re-affirmed that I made the right decision for my Domino when I learned he had cardiomyopathy. He was perfectly happy and enjoyed every day of his life up to the last moment.
Is there any plan for another book in the near future?
Hi Debbi,
I’m glad that Buckley’s Story helped you!
There are plans for another book, but probably not in the near future. I have some ideas, but I’m not working on anything at the time. For now, I’m focusing on writing for The Conscious Cat, News for You and Your Pet, and various other publications, both online and print.