1. What inspired you to write this book?
Having a small animal sanctuary provides me a
daily reminder of the undeniable reality that non-human animals possess
individual personalities and their own particular brand of wisdom. Every single
day I chuckle, laugh, gasp, wonder, marvel, sigh or am blown away by the antics
of each of my sanctuary residents. And, yet, there is still a widespread view
that animals are only slightly higher than inanimate objects in the global
pecking order. With each interaction, I progressively felt compelled to give
them a voice in a way that did their stories justice. I started the Rescue
Storytime series by writing an illustrated book called “I Promise You A
Home” which introduces Rescue Mom, the sanctuary, and some of its
residents. This book, Maldo: Cantankerous Prince Fabulous, is
a follow-up book about the rescue of one particular Siamese-mix cat.
2. What exactly is it about and who is it
written for?
Maldo has a particularly poignant rescue story
which, I am convinced, explains his cantankerous, yet affectionate,
personality. From being found as a discarded baby next to a garbage dumpster,
Maldo went through an extraordinarily difficult healing process aided by the
ministrations of a loving Rescue Mom and the support of the sanctuary’s other
residents. Maldo is now a healthy, strong, and very vocal member of the Rescue
Buddies and his rescue is the first “gotcha day” book in the Rescue
Storytime series.
The book, as all in the series, is written for
children of all ages. I have found that the love for animals transcends age.
School-age children love the illustrations of the book and the idiosyncrasies
of each of the sanctuary residents. Adults seem to be transported to
beautiful times in their memories about loved animals or feel compelled to
share their current experiences with significant animals in their lives.
Ultimately, each rescue story, and Maldo’s in particular, generates personal
reflections, leading to growth and healing.
3. What do you hope readers will get out
of reading your book?
My interest is two-fold. Firstly, I am intent
on helping to change the harmful pervasive perspective that denies animals
their sentience and, thus, generates such abuse, exploitation and neglect. I
would like to provide a meaningful, relatable and approachable way for people
to experience “aha” moments regarding the enormous capabilities and
profound emotions of non-human animals. Secondly, I would like to provide
readers the opportunity for healing and growth that comes from reading
someone’s transformation from abandonment to a happy life. Since these are
stories that are based on real-life rescues, they include many of the
difficulties, processes and growth that, as humans, we also experience in our
lives.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and
cover design?
The book’s title includes three of the more
striking characteristics of the protagonist. Maldo is certainly a grouch
(although he has many cuddly moments) who often behaves like he “owns the
place”. Maldo is also a very handsome cat. His large, sky-blue eyes
are strikingly beautiful.
The cover design reflects a very dominant
aspect of his personality. He does behave as though he is a prince and others
simply need to obey him or get out of the way. Hence, the crown, royal cape and
somewhat arrogant demeanor.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have
for fellow writers – other than run!?
I don’t know that I can give advice to other
writers. I have not been writing for very long. But, I would say
that each person has his/her own voice and all voices need to be heard. Each
writer is an important messenger of their truth. Whoever is capable of
writing, please do so. The world needs it.
6. What trends in the book world do you see —
and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
I have not studied trends at great
length. I believe digitalization comes with benefits and drawbacks. I
see the writing process as something intimately personal, an individual’s
contribution to their own development and that of their readers. So, I am
particularly concerned with the overutilization (or normalization) of AI
sources for publishing.
7. Were there experiences in your
personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?
This book is ALL about my experiences with
rescues and with Maldo’s rescue in particular. As I mentioned in the
previous question, I truly believe that writing stories is an intimately
personal process.
8. How would you describe your writing style?
Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
My writing style is very personal and, when
writing about these rescues, it is fraught with emotion, conviction and a deep
desire to speak for those who do not have a voice. I don’t really know if my
writing is similar to that of other writers.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the
writing of this book?
The topic and words were not particularly
difficult. But, I am not familiar with the post-writing aspects such as
marketing, promotion, etc. I have not conquered those challenges
yet.
10. If people can buy or read one book this
week or month, why should it be yours?
People should read Maldo: Cantankerous
Prince Fabulous because it´s funny, sad, triumphant, real, poignant,
healing, and, with only 36 illustrated pages, it’s an easy read.
About The Author: In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the
legal profession in her native San Juan, Puerto Rico, Josie Cruz-Meléndez has
generally found solace in her love for animals. The graduate from UPR
School of Law and Harvard Law School is an innate rescuer who inevitably
gravitates toward homeless dogs and cats in need. This led her to create an
animal welfare foundation which includes a small rescue sanctuary. It is this
sanctuary which has provided an abundant array of life affirming lessons. Josie
firmly believes that animals are extraordinary teachers for all who care to
listen. In the end, she often wonders who rescued whom. For more info, please
see: https://www.instagram.com/rescuestorytime/
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About Brian
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Brian Feinblum should be
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copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now
resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue
dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The
Writer and IBPA’s The Independent. This
award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts
over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by
BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018
as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by
www.WinningWriters.com as a “best resource.” For the past three decades,
including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book
publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses,
Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres,
right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark
Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay,
Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan
RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah
Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association,
Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and
Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have
been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY
Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington
Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, &
Co-Op Association Handbook. It was featured
in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.
