Katz And Other Tales

Katz Tales by Ellen Whyte Book front cover image

Logomania by Ellen Whyte Book front cover image

I have two new books out! Click on the images above for free sneak peeks.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

COT Au Is Comfy

It's hot. In fact, it's darn hot.

It's too hot for cats to walk about on the pavement without burning their toes.

It's too hot for cats to go walkabout on the roof.

It's too hot for cats even to lie in bed!

So Au has taken over the dining room table. He's dragged the fruit bowl out of the way, kicked a box of chocolates to the side, piled the newspaper clippings into a comfy stack, and is now flumped right underneath the fan.

Au knows how to get comfortable.

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Follow Au on Twitter

For more cats, check out Gattina who hosts Cats on Tuesday.

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Labels: Au, Cats On Tuesday

posted by katztales @ 8:22 AM (10) comments links to this post | 10 comments

Monday, February 08, 2010

Monday Writers Craft Online: 3 Publicity Do's And Don'ts

Are you running a blog and looking for some publicity? In this 6 week series I'll be talking about common issues that are worth thinking about. For basic interview tips, checking legitimacy, whether you can approve pre-publication copy, and the pros and cons of email interviews, check the weeks past...

3 Publicity Do's And Don'ts

Do's
1. Organise way in advance. If you tell a journo you need them to turn up tomorrow, they will already have made other arrangements. Rule of thumb: contact people at least 3 issues before the one you would like to be in.

2. If you don't pay for it, you don't get to decide what goes in and when it goes in. What you can do is to make your publicity work along topical themes that encourages journos to put it in when you prefer: like pointing out the Christmas recipes in your cookbook in an August launch that will get you December coverage, etc.

3. Advertisers get an edge of non-advertisers. If you really need to be in print, paying for ads works.

DON'T
1. Forget to hand out press releases on paper and a CD with the text and nice pictures. The easier you make it to put out your stuff, the more likely it will be used.

2. Forget to write your contacts on all your press stuff. Your name and telephone number must be on each page so people can contact you five minutes before the deadline for that "extra something."

3. Ask journos to RSVP for a press conference or publicity party. If they say they'll come they probably will, however, the schedule changes when other things overrun their time, if a VVIP doesn't show up on time (COMMON!) and also according to "what's hot". Just try to make sure that your parties/speeches etc are hot!

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook

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Labels: Monday writers craft online

posted by katztales @ 8:09 AM (2) comments links to this post | 2 comments

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Katz Tales Competition Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Katz Tales Competition!

It was tough to make a choice but we managed. Here are the winners.

The 3 First Prizes go to:

I like Katz Tales because..
it gets me feline the warm fuzzies;
it provides purr-fect reading bliss;
KatzTales is paw-some! -- write a sequel, please?
Wong Ee Lynn, Rawang, Selangor.

Scoop, Au, Target, Whyte -
Mystic felines - no? You don't like?
Prowling, pouncing late at night,
For fans at their web site!
John Loh, Penang

I like Katz Tales because you think like a cat, live like a cat, but aren't a cat.
Thavamalar, Batu Caves.

The 3 Second Prizes go to:

I like Katz Tales because it's a great read that leaves me that warm fuzzy feeling inside. I sense a purr in sight.
Sharon Das, KUALA LUMPUR

I like Katz Tales because it is my best "medicine" for laughter and which makes Saturday my most favourite day.
Tan Mui Lian, Tampai, Johor Baru

I like Katz Tales because it never fails to warm my heart, perk me up, make my day, and bring a smile to my face!
Nurul Akma Mohd Jamal, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Winners will be contacted by Monday.

Looking to buy a present for someone? Buy Katz Tales: Living Under The Velvet Paw for animal lovers and Logomania: Where Common Phrases Come From And How To Use Them for people who loooove words or just want to improve their English. Click on the images for free sample chapters and more.

posted by katztales @ 9:58 AM (4) comments links to this post | 4 comments

Friday, February 05, 2010

Repost Friday: Bad, Bad, Person

When Au asked for biscuits on Sunday evening, I discovered we had none in the house. It was an awful moment. There was Au, sitting on the stairs, saying meow? in a friendly voice. I confessed and apologised. Au smiled, thinking it a good joke. Then, when he realised I really meant it, he drooped.

Au lay on the staircase, looking at me pathetically. How, his eyes said to me, could I have done such a thing? How was he, he said pathetically, a lovely and loving little cat, going to survive the night?

I offered cat food from a foil packet, tuna for people, and his all time favourite ham, but Au wanted something crunchy.

Luckily we were rescued. Our neighbour Umi who lives across the street feeds strays in her back garden. She donated some biscuits to Au who ate them with a satisfied crunch!

Since then we've stocked up on biscuits so the crisis is over. Au has forgiven me but I still feel guilty. I'm a bad, bad person...

That was a repost from Tuesday, May 01, 2007.

Katz Tales is out in The Star newspaper Weekender section tomorrow. Print version only so you have to pick up a copy. We'll also be announcing the winners of the Katz Tales competition!

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook.

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Labels: repost Friday

posted by katztales @ 7:52 AM (7) comments links to this post | 7 comments

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

COT Bed Pig

This picture was taken yesterday at 11AM.

Target got up at 6 for breakfast, was back in bed by 620 and then rolled about in luxurious comfort until 1115 - at which point he got up, stretched and demanded lunch!

I was forced to get up at 745 and work but Target took the Kuala Lumpur Thaipusam holiday. I want to be a cat! They get to take all the holidays...

Also wishing all Hindus a blessed Thaipusam.

For more cats, check out Gattina who hosts Cats on Tuesday.

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook.

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Labels: Cats On Tuesday, target

posted by katztales @ 8:26 AM (24) comments links to this post | 24 comments

Monday, February 01, 2010

Monday Writers Craft Online: Email Interviews Pros And Cons

Are you running a blog and looking for some publicity? Over the next 3 weeks I'll be talking about common issues that are worth thinking about. For basic interview tips, checking legitimacy, and whether you can approve pre-publication copy, check the weeks past...

This week I'd like to talk about pros and cons of email interviews.

First the pros...

#1 An email interview gives you more control over the things you say. You see the questions all lined up in advance, and have time to think about and polish your answers.

#2 If you are nervous at an interview and stammer a lot, emailing your quote means there is less likelihood of your being misunderstood and misquoted. When you write your replies the journo will cut and paste whenever possible (because we are lazy and love shortcuts at work just like everyone else!)

#3 If you want to talk about something that you were not asked, you can add a sentence or two at the end with your point, and you may be able to get that bit in too. That means more space and more publicity for you.

#4 If you're good at giving quick good quotes, then an online interview takes less time and effort than a face to face interview. Plus, we will remember you and ask you for more quick quotes anytime we're stuck!

The cons....

#1 Most of us speak one way and write another. Journos learn lots of writing styles, so they can appeal to many markets. This takes time and training.

Most people are competent but not skilled writers. Even really good bloggers sometimes freeze over an email interview. Online comedians come off sounding like academics, great fun mums sound like hanging judges...

If this is your problem, ask if you can talk on the phone for a few minutes and have the journo quote you instead so that you sound right.

#2 You don't get a feel of what the journo is thinking. When you talk to someone, you can tell whether you are "getting along" or not. And if your answers are too long, too short, or whatever. Over email, you don't get this sort of interactive feedback.

The best way to deal with this is to answer all the questions to the best of your ability as quickly as possible. And offer a phone interview "to clear up any other questions you may have"... Then give them your number.

NEXT WEEK: 3 Publicity Do's And Don'ts

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook

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Labels: Monday writers craft online

posted by katztales @ 8:07 AM (0) comments links to this post | 0 comments

Friday, January 29, 2010

Repost Friday: Nicknames

This repost is from Tuesday, September 16, 2008...

Dragonheart and Merlin posted a list of their nicknames last Thursday and it got me thinking about the other names we call Au and Target. It reveals a bit of character - theirs and mine - and our relationship too.

See what I mean by looking at their "other" names. Au's nicknames are followed by an A, Target's by a T, and ones that apply to both with an A and a T.

Fuzz face (A, T)
Squeezlebug (A,T)
Cat-Kur-Squizzle (A, T)
Squeezle-bug-fluff (A,T)
Cat fluff (A, T)
Mr Kitty (A)
Big kitty on the block (A)
You little bugger! (A)
Fuzzily wuzzily (T only because A objects!)
Mr Snizzles (T)
Little tail (T)

Au is a big man cat who's not much into hugs but he tolerates me quite well and let's me hug him every day - not too much though in case I am spoiled. And guess what I call him when he demands a treat to show his power over us and walks away without eating it!

Target is a very soft kitty who adores cuddles and baby talk. He's not at all worried about being called fuzzily wuzzily little tail snizzles sweetie... Mind you, it's early days and when he's older he may be put a limit on that sort of stuff.

Thanks for the great idea Dragonheart and Merlin!

Today is the last day for the Katz Tales competition, open to anyone living in Malaysia.

All you have to do is answer these questions:
1. Who is older: Target or Au?
2. Who was called Mr Snizzles as a kitten: Target or Au?
3. Who has a white tummy: Target or Au?

Also, complete the slogan in less than 20 words:

I like Katz Tales because . . . . .

Email entries to katztales AT lepak.com.

There are 3 first prizes:
1 copy of Katz Tales: Living Under The Velvet Paw
1 rock painting of your pet by Malaysia's pet artist Suzi Chua
Cat treats from Addiction
A 35% discount voucher for any Marshall Cavendish titles under General & Reference Publishing

And 3 second prizes:
1 copy of Katz Tales: Living Under The Velvet Paw
Cat treats from Addiction
A 35% discount voucher for any Marshall Cavendish titles under General & Reference Publishing

The closing date is THIS FRIDAY! Friday 29 January 2010. Winners will be announced in Weekender on Saturday 6 February 2010.

If you want to keep in touch with updates, here are some simple ways:
Subscribe to Katz Tales in a reader
Subscribe to Katz Tales by Email
Follow Au on Twitter
Follow Ellen on Facebook.

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Labels: repost Friday

posted by katztales @ 8:55 AM (11) comments links to this post | 11 comments