2017 has been a great year in may ways for me – one of the reasons for that was finally finding a publisher for my novel Purgatory Hotel. After publication I have had the great fortune to come into contact with a great many writers who I have been busy chatting to about their own books which has been an amazing experience.
In a bonus interview I was able to get an audience with the mysterious Crooked Cat. In a rather surreal turn – the publishing house known as Crooked Cat Books agreed to an interview. But it turns out that the reason I am now a published author is because of an actual cat. A talking one….
Welcome to my blog!
Thanks so much for inviting me. And may I say what lovely wallpaper you have here. Not sure about the lampshade though.
The lampshade? Its not from Ikea…is that a problem?
Who are Crooked Cat Books?
I are Crooked Cat Books and I are six years old. I’m based in France, but I used to live in Great Britain, and I’m a Cat, albeit a bit Crooked. I have around 220 books to my name (well, I didn’t write them), and about 90 authors. And I have rather a following across social media.
What inspired you to start an independent publishers?
I wanted to give really good storytellers an opportunity to have their voice heard, and being independent helps that. I’ve seen lots of stunning stories over the years and am proud that these are now being read by hundreds of thousands of people across the world. I embrace two things – that authors are the best people to talk about and promote their books, and that they sometimes feel they just want to hear it – to get advice – from other authors.
What is your favourite genre to read?
I love a bit of crime, me, though there are days when something chick-litty doesn’t go amiss. Having said that, we all like a bit of fantasy, don’t we? Oooh – I’m not sure I have a favourite.
Do you have a favourite author?
Always the next one I meet!
Crooked Cat has a variety of genres in its catalogue, what is it that you look for in a story that hooks you?
A really interesting and engaging person writer behind it. Knowing the story is only half of…er…the story, and we’re not only looking for a great hook, well-written, but someone that is a bit of a self-starter, confidence in engaging with their readers, willing to learn and share. If this isn’t you, you’re not going to do well as a published author these days.
What do you do when you aren’t publishing books?
I eat. I sleep. I chase mice and things.
If you could have a night of drinks and literary discussion with any writers (alive or dead) who would you choose?
Evelyn Waugh and David Hasselhoff, authors of Brideshead Revisited and Making Waves: The David Hasselhoff Autobiography, respectively.
Many thanks to you for chatting with me, and agreeing to appear on my blog, I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.
That is my pleasure. I’m sorry about your lampshade.
You can enter the world of Crooked Cat Books and its cattery of authors here;
Anne-Marie Ormsby 