Kindle version of Fluffy Cat on sale this week

A peek inside.

This week you can get your very own eBook version of Fluffy Cat for only $0.99/£0.99 at Amazon and Amazon UK. Hurry, though, as the offer expires on January 2nd (US) and January 3rd (UK).

Reflections and Thanks

Tonight is the perfect night to reflect.

The house is still, the Christmas tree is lit, and I’m snuggled on the sofa with my fluffy Persian cat Gizmo — the star of Fluffy Cat.  She is softly purring away, and it is hard to tell if it’s because she’s happy to keep me warm or because I’m providing her with a warm lap to sit on. I assume it is the latter — never mind the fact that she has enough fur on her to line thirty pairs of gloves, twenty winter hats, and at least ten pairs of boots.

And as I sit here, basking in the tree’s heavenly glow, the past year flashes through my mind. I smile and cringe at its ups and downs, and when I find myself still sitting in my seat, I can’t help but let out a huge sigh. 

Then, I smile again.

It’s been a busy year. Last February, my first book, Art the Spiffy Spider, found its way out of an old cardboard box after many years and became something real, something for others to see, feel, and learn from.  So many late nights were spent reviewing illustrations, researching marketing techniques, and crossing my fingers, hoping I was doing the right thing. 

After all, a writer’s work is a part of them.  It is imagination, creativity, a piece of their mind and a good chunk of their soul.  It is one thing to write down words on a page, but to then share it with others is a big step to take.

We all want our work and efforts to be liked and praised, and we want to fit in—just like Art wanted to do. I must admit I’m not the bravest person in the world, but when taking on a project like this, bravery is a must.  If only there were a writing bravery badge … I know I’d wear it proudly.

Publishing Art the Spiffy Spider was a good decision. I’ve enjoyed hearing from people who like the book and who have recommended it to others.  As the book sells and Art’s story is told again and again, I know it was the right step to take.

Taking a few steps here and there often leads to new opportunities, and in my case, it led me to Fluffy Cat.  The book is based on my Persian cat Gizmo.  She has lived with my family for three years, after we adopted her from someone who was moving house and could no longer keep her.  When I first saw Gizmo, I knew there was something special about her. 

She is lazy, affectionate, bossy, sometimes grumpy, and she is extremely loyal.  She sat with me alongside my laptop every day for two months while I worked on “Art”. I just knew she had to be the subject of my next book. 

So once again, I found myself working late, reviewing drawings, and watching Gizmo like a hawk. I looked at her, really looked at her, and imagined what feline thoughts must be going through her head.  I thought about her companionship and how empty the long days would have been without her. 

She’s more than just a cat.  She’s a part of the family.

From there Fluffy Cat was born.  The book is still in its early days, but sales are doing well and people have asked when the next Fluffy Cat book will be published.  I’m pleased that Fluffy Cat has wriggled her way into readers’ hearts, just as Gizmo wriggled her way into mine.

Although spiders and cats were a major part of my life this year, I also kept busy working on clients’ writing projects.

Fiction books. Self-help eBooks.

Websites. Direct mail.

Editing a little bit of everything, really. Everything from IT-related articles to documents about French fries. 

Yum.

While sitting here stroking Gizmo, I reflect on how important family and friends are, and how invaluable my readers’ support is.  So as 2014 comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported my literary endeavours.

Thank you, readers, for buying the books, reading them, and sharing them.  Thank you to my Facebook friends for tolerating my endless book promotional posts, and to all of my family for your encouragement and support.

And finally, thank you to my clients for a fantastic work relationship day in and day out.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Fluffy New Year! J

 

 

 

 

Download Art the Spiffy Spider for only £0.99 this week

UK readers - Art the Spiffy Spider is available to download for only £0.99 this week as part of Amazon Kindle Countdown deals.  You can get your copy  at Amazon UK.

Print version of Fluffy Cat Available Now

Fluffy Cat having fun

The print version of Fluffy Cat is now available at Amazon and Amazon UK.  Join Fluffy Cat as she steps into a world of exciting and fun adventures all from the comfort of her favourite spot - the sofa. The story will warm the hearts of young readers and cat lovers alike.

Fluffy Cat is the first book in the Fluffy Cat Series. This is Kathryn Calvert's second children's book, following the success of her first book Art the Spiffy Spider which was published in April 2014.



Fluffy Cat Now Available to Purchase at Amazon

The ebook/Kindle version of Fluffy Cat is now available to purchase on Amazon.  It is the purrfect gift for any young reader or anyone who simply loves cats.  You can get your paws on a copy by pouncing over to Amazon. The printed version will be released soon.

Amazon.com

Amazon UK

Meet Fluffy Cat!

Author Kathryn Calvert's second book, Fluffy Cat, will be released on Amazon, on Monday the 3rd of November.  Fluffy Cat is the first book in the Fluffy Cat Series. For more information on the book and series, please visit the Fluffy Cat tab.

Amazon UK introduces KindleUnlimited

Amazon UK has introduced KindleUnlimited.  For £7.99 a month, customers receive unlimited access to more than 650,000 titles and audio books, including Art the Spiffy Spider.  For further details, visit KindleUnlimited.

Caught in a Trap

Ahhh … yes.  It’s that time of the year again, the time when the nights become longer, the mornings become nippy and shrieks of “Ackkk!!! A spider!!!” echo across the land.  Yes, Autumn is upon us, which means spiders everywhere will leave their outdoor environment and move into our warm, toasty homes.  Just as birds and butterflies migrate south, spiders flock to the nearest doorway or window, desperate to begin their winter holiday away from the not-so-warm winter sun. 

This, of course, can cause extreme (and unnecessary) distress for many people, and after the initial “Ackkk!!! A spider!!!” greeting, what usually follows is one of two options:  aimless slipper swiping at the poor creature with further intermittent screams or sometimes, just sometimes, the spider will get lucky and come across a kind, sensible human that proudly brags about his no kill spider policy to his arachnophobic friends at work on a daily basis.  Out comes the cardboard and a small glass, and before the spider knows what is happening, it is chucked outside back into the cold, frosty garden. 

Obviously, it is all a simple misunderstanding.

However, it is the spider that gets the last laugh.  Spiders aren’t stupid. Doubtless the same spider will be back inside the house before that glass is put away.  After all, would you want to stand in the garden completely naked with a blustery breeze whooshing between your legs?

Probably not.  

So I’m afraid that until spiders can sew themselves eight-legged onesies, they will continue to pay us a visit in our homes whether we like it or not. Clearly the best option, should you wish to rehome the spider outside, is to toss him into next door’s garden.  Just be sure to have your earplugs on standby.

However, spiders on their winter holiday are only one type of spider humans must contend with.  Somewhere in your home, perhaps under the bed, behind the wash machine, or at the back of your cupboard lurks the notorious house spider.

 

Most likely, the house spider will never have set foot outdoors.  It will have emerged from an egg sac from somewhere within the house, left there by its mother.  And often it seems that house spiders come out into the open more in Autumn than they do at other times of the year. 

Why? 

Because the house spider you see scooting across the carpet is most likely a male, searching for a female so that the House Spider Legacy can be passed on to future generations of house spiders.  For an interesting insight on the life of a house spider, check out this article The Life Story of Large House Spiders I recently read.  Again, as you’ll see, our eight-legged roommates are really harmless, often misunderstood, and they live a fascinating lifestyle right under our roofs.

I actually came across one of these house spiders yesterday.  I was innocently cleaning out the hall cupboard when I thought to myself, “I better be careful and prepared to meet the Cupboard Spider.” Because, as you and I know, every cupboard has one.  And it’s not because I am terrified of the actual spider.  It’s more the surprise encounter that sends goose bumps down my spine.

I even warned my daughter about him as she knelt down to retrieve some papers for me that had fallen behind the shelf onto the floor.  She just rolled her eyes at me, but as she dug around in there, sure enough, as predicted, the Cupboard Spider made his appearance.  

My daughter suddenly shrieked “Ackkk!!! A spider!!!” just as a spider the size of a £1 coin scuttled across the cupboard floor, probably shrieking “Ackkk!!! A human!!!” before disappearing somewhere into the safe confines of the dark abyss at the back of the cupboard. 

After flashing my daughter a motherly I told you so grin, I debated about sweeping him out, but seeing as one of our cats was about, I thought death via a cat’s mouth wasn’t a very pleasant way to die.  Plus I also remembered the invaluable service spiders provide to humans.  So I made a deal with the spider:  stay in the cupboard, keep all the other uninvited creepy crawlies under control for me and you’ll have earned your keep. I assume the spider agreed to these terms because I didn’t see him after that, and the cat soon stalked to its food bowl, tail hung low, to munch on some chicken and veg biscuits instead.

Now I’m sure people will argue about whether spiders have any feelings or not.  A common question on the internet is:  Are spiders more afraid of humans than humans are afraid of them?  No one really seems to know, and if a spider’s body language is anything to go by, I’m guessing a stunned non-moving spider is just as scared as a darting spider appears to be. 

In Art the Spiffy Spider, Art is possibly the most human spider ever.  Art has feelings.  Honest human feelings.  He hates being bullied by insects. He ponders over their negative and hurtful words. And ironically, he feels trapped by their cold, closed-minded nature.  

Clearly his intentions are misunderstood. 

While he struggles to cope with the hearty insect-diet that Mother Nature inflicted on him, his longing for a friend is more prevalent than a tasty dinner.  The turmoil he feels, thanks to the insects’ unkind words, almost makes Art forget who and what he is.  It nearly breaks him.

There are many subtle messages in Art the Spiffy Spider, lessons that perhaps all people, children and adults alike, need to be reminded of now and then.  Don’t bully. Don’t say unkind words to others. Don’t judge others – there’s simply something about them, or something going in their lives, you don’t understand.

And most importantly, if you are bullied or treated unkindly, never give up on yourself.  Because whether it seems like it at the moment or not, the light at the other side of the tunnel isn’t as far away as it seems.  As we learn, Art's friend, Bart, is testament to that.

So before you are tempted to open your mouth – whether it is to say something that is not so kind to another person, or to scream something as simple as “Ackkk!! A spider!” think about the impact your words or actions will have on that person (or creature!).  Is there a kinder way of saying it?  Do you need more information before you jump to conclusions? Because always remember, while it is so easy to misunderstand someone or something, it is even more difficult to take back the unkind words. 

It's Back! Download Art the Spiffy Spider for only $0.99/£0.99

From today through the 8th of August you can download Art the Spiffy Spider for only $0.99/£0.99 as part of Amazon's Kindle Countdown Deals.  This is a great way to check out this heartwarming story, featuring stunning illustrations by Marina Saumell.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Art the Spiffy Spider Giveaway on Facebook

Come on over to Facebook and "Like" Kathryn Calvert - Art the Spiffy Spider and then "Share" the page with your friends.  When we get to 40 "Likes" one lucky fan will receive a copy of the book.  Good luck!

Hanging out with Art...

I had a lovely time today at the Lane End Primary School Summer Fair, Cheadle Hulme, UK.  It was great to see so many eager readers and to talk with people about the book.  

Who is the Bart in your life?

I’ll share a little secret with you – as long as you promise not to tell the children.  Okay? Good.  Here it goes … In Art the Spiffy Spider, Art realizes his dream of finding a friend.  There, the beans are spilled.

After Art leaves his rather pleasant home and garden, his world becomes sadder, darker, and more and more lonely.  All he wants is a friend who will like him for who he is – a really nice guy.  That’s not too much to ask for, is it?  To be liked is something everyone wants in life.  Surely, no one wants to be shunned or ostracized for being who they are, no matter how different they are from “the norm”. 

Art ends up in a dreary, rundown place. A derelict shed, surrounded by garbage and broken dreams.  Yet he settles down to sleep, tired and rather hopeless, but willing to make the best out of an unfortunate situation. 

Cheery, optimistic Bart

So imagine his surprise when he wakes up and finds another spider greeting him with the rising sun. Yes, this is where Bart joins the story.  The expression on Bart’s face during that unexpected meeting pretty much sums him up.  He’s simply one cheery, optimistic spider.  Exactly what Art needs.

Just by looking at Bart, it is obvious that he’s been living rough for some time.  His coat is torn and patched up.  His hat is broken and shabby, yet he wears it with pride.  Perhaps he used to be a spiffy spider just like Art.  And maybe, just maybe, he left his home once upon a time to find a friend himself.

Still, in this rather dark and desolate place, Bart has clung onto something for a very long time. Hope. And that hope shines and shimmers in his stunning silver platter, which most likely came with him from wherever it was he used to call home. 

He’s kept it perfectly polished, ready to use for whenever a potential friend should finally show up.  Or maybe he’s kept it pristine so he could just see his hopeful face in its reflection, and maybe so he wouldn’t feel so alone.

By now Art is quite frustrated about his insect diet and the happiness this has cost him.  He doesn’t really want to join Bart for breakfast, but Bart isn’t having any of his self-pity.  His jovial attitude convinces Art that they are what they are – spiders.  And that’s okay. 

Their friendship soon blossoms and no doubt, they will be friends for life.  Bart has shown Art what happiness is like, when you are true to yourself and not pressured into being something you’re not. 

I hope young children will grasp this story, this theme, and hold it close to their hearts.  Their journey is just beginning and as parents, we need to encourage them to become their own person, and not give in to the pressure (and sometimes even the bullying) that surrounds them. 

Indeed, we all need someone like Bart in our lives whether we are 4-years old or 84.  And there’s nothing too shabby about that. 

Special offer for UK readers

For a limited time you can purchase the Kindle version of Art the Spiffy Spider at a super low price of only 99p at Amazon.co.uk. Check it out here.

The Artistry in Art

Wow.  Art the Spiffy Spider has been available for sale for a month now.  And during these four weeks, I’ve had several people ask, ”Why did you name the spider Art?”  The answer is simple:  Spiders are artists.  

A spider’s web is a mystifying piece of artwork.  It appears delicate and is finely crafted, but it is also incredibly strong and vital to some spiders’ survival.  In fact, did you know a spider’s silk is the strongest naturally made fabric?

Spider webs are simply stunning – a fine weave of silk that goes around and around.  Add an extra touch of a morning’s dew, or in late Autumn, a frigid frost, and presto! What you end up with is nature in its most beautiful form.    

Spiders have three glands at the back of their body with tubes called spinnerets. There are about eight different types of known glands, but no spider will have all eight of them. All of the spinnerets produce silk, but the type of silk they produce differs from one another and is used for specific purposes. Some silk is sticky to trap insects, while some isn’t, allowing the spider to move freely along its web, for example.

When a spider presses its spinnerets against an object, such as a tree branch, this forces liquid silk to flow from the spider.  Once it meets the air, it hardens into a silky, yet incredibly strong and elastic thread. 

Starting off a web is a game of chance.  The spider will project a strand of silk into the wind.  All it needs is a surface to catch onto and then the artistry can begin. Once that first thread is established, the spider will crawl along it, back and forth several times, strengthening the strand.  After all, this will be the web’s main support beam. 

Next, the spider will create a Y-shaped frame before adding more radicals to the web.  Think of these as the spokes on a bicycle wheel. They will be placed closely together so that the spider doesn’t have large gaps to walk over. 

Once the radicals are completed, the spider will focus on strengthening the center of the web, creating about five circles of support.  To avoid becoming trapped in its own web while it is under construction, the spider then creates a series of non-sticky circles for it to use.  These are its guidelines.

When the web is complete with non-sticky strands, the spider will retrace its steps, depositing sticky web behind in its place. Apart from the radical threads, the round non-sticky strands will be discarded as they aren’t needed anymore.  Now the spider has a roundish web to trap its food and non-sticky radical strands to reach it without any problems.  Even more so, the end result is a piece of art that should not go unnoticed – regardless of how squeamish you are when it comes to spiders!

In Art the Spiffy Spider, Art’s lifestyle – his appetite for insects – costs him the chance of having any good friends.  The insects that live alongside him are terrified of being tricked by Art’s web and becoming his next meal.  Yet I chose not to focus too much on his web, but instead on how Art’s isolation affects him. 

I could have had the book illustrated in a very simple cartoon style, but I wanted the artistry of a spider – and nature itself - to carry over into the world of human art.  This is why the book features full color pages of artwork, splashed with vivid flowers and different saturations of light.  This is also why the landscape changes as Art becomes more withdrawn and lonely, and why it comes to life again when his journey is successfully completed. 

It is simply art telling a story where sometimes words simply cannot be found. And just like spiders – big and small – I think that’s also pretty amazing!

Art the Spiffy Spider at a very special price

Grab the Kindle version of Art the Spiffy Spider at a super low price!  For the next few days, the book is participating in Amazon's Countdown Deals, starting at only $0.99.  But hurry as the price will gradually rise to its regular price of $4.13.  Perfect for taking with you on vacation - take your books without all the extra weight!  Offer ends May 31st.  Stay tuned for a special UK offer later this week.

Buy your copy here.

Art the Spiffy Spider is now available in print via Amazon

Kudos to Amazon who now have Art the Spiffy Spider live on their site much sooner than expected!

It can be purchased at www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com

Art the Spiffy Spider is available now!

Art the Spiffy Spider (print version) is now available to purchase from my CreateSpace store. It will be available on Amazon within the next week.

The book is also available in Kindle format at http://www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk and Amazon worldwide.  

Thank you for your support!

Let's Go Cruisin'

As I ran my fingers across the glossy surface and inhaled its fresh scent, a sense of wonder and a warm fuzzy feeling began to grow within me.  No, it wasn't a new sports car, not even a slightly used one. But nevertheless, it has been a vehicle that's taken me on quite a journey these last three months.  Yes, I am talking about Art the Spiffy Spider.

The proof copy arrived in the post today. Holding the book for the first time was a strange experience. Up until now, this version of the book only existed on my PC. Lots of JPEG files, and I mean lots of them. First the storyline sketches, then slightly more developed black and white drawings, and then finally the colored versions. I had lost count of the time spent studying every fine detail, changing one or two scenes, and making sure I've dotted all my i's and crossed all the t's so to speak. Yet, during this time, I never turned a single page.  

I guess Art has been a fragment of my imagination for many years - half of my life to be exact.  The story was written one evening and then placed inside a box with pages of my other creative writings.  Every so often, I'd pull Art out of the box and think I should do something with this, before putting the paper away once again. But to be honest, Art never really ever left my mind. Whenever I'd see a black spider in the corner somewhere, I'd let out a little shriek and then say, "It's Art!" Then I'd smile and let the spider go unscathed.

It was only this February when I should turned into I will.  Perhaps it was a case of the After Christmas Blues or my creative juices just went into overdrive and made me a bit restless.  Whatever it was, the time felt right to bring Art to life.  

The only way to do this was to find an illustrator, someone who could feel as passionate about my little eight-legged friend as I did.  So the ads went out and the bids and samples came flying in from more than forty artists.  I clicked through files and files of overly excited spiders, skinny spiders, plump spiders, and one or two rather scary ones.  Then I came across Marina Saumell's spider and I knew that the time for this adventure was now the right time indeed.  

The hours spent on the book turned into weeks, and then months, and now Art is finally here. No longer a part of my imagination, not just on a PC screen, but in a tangible book form.  My eyes were certainly strained and put to the test as the book developed, but I'd be lying if I said they didn't feel rather teary as I gazed into Art's golden eyes this afternoon.

And as I stood in the garden with the book in my hands, trying to take a good picture of it with my somewhat average phone camera, something funny happened.  From out of nowhere, a little brown spider parachuted down, landed on the book’s cover, and began to crawl across its surface.  To understand the humor in this, you will have to read the book! 

A big part of my journey - of Art's journey - is now over, but as I get ready to click on the "Approve" button and give Amazon the go-ahead to print, a new, exciting journey is about to begin.  Sharing Art's story with the world is definitely, and finally, a dream come true. So now it's time to step on the gas, roll the windows down, and set Art free!

Welcome to my blog!  This is actually my first blog post ever.  I've tried to resist blogging for some time, but a recent conversation with an author friend encouraged me to take the plunge.  So here I am!

The launch of my blog comes at a rather exciting time.  I have just published my first children's book, Art the Spiffy Spider.  Prior to this, I have worked as a freelance editor and proof reader for six years. While I enjoy helping my clients perfect their work, and am happy to sit quietly in the background as their projects take off, I must say that publishing my own book has been an incredible adventure.  It's given me the chance to stretch my imagination, work with an amazing illustrator, and experience the freelancing world from another viewpoint. But most of all, it's lovely to see something I created with my name on it!

You can find out more about my freelance editing services and Art the Spiffy Spider under their individual tabs.  (Once I figure out how to create tabs, that is!)  I hope you will watch this space for updates on Art the Spiffy Spider, and if you are looking for a proof reader or editor, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I will be back soon!