This document is a proposal for a new book by Sparkle the Designer Cat titled "Dear Sparkle: More Advice from One Cat to Another". The proposal outlines Sparkle's credentials and success as a cat advice columnist and author. It discusses the strong cat market and complementary books. Sample chapters, marketing plans, and praise for the previous book are provided to showcase the commercial potential for the new book.
The document introduces several short stories that deal with mysteries, including:
1) Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a murder case and find the killer of a woman's sister.
2) A story about a man who turned to alcoholism and murdering his wife, possibly due to the influence of a black cat.
3) Stories about ghosts seeking revenge, witches trying to capture victims, and a woman who has bad luck after taking a valuable bracelet she found.
4) The document encourages the reader to read the stories if they like unusual, mysterious or strange adventures.
The document introduces several short stories that deal with mysteries, including:
1) Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a murder case and find the killer of a woman's sister.
2) A story about a man who turned to alcoholism and murdering his wife, possibly due to the influence of a black cat.
3) Stories about ghosts seeking revenge, witches trying to capture victims, and a woman who has bad luck after taking a valuable bracelet she found.
4) The document encourages the reader to read the stories if they like unusual, mysterious or strange tales.
This document provides summaries of new books being released in the fall of 2011. It groups the books into genres such as mysteries, sports fiction, multicultural books, realistic fiction for boys and girls, science fiction/fantasy/horror, and nonfiction. For each book, it lists 3-4 interests or genres that readers who enjoy that book may also like. There are over 50 books summarized in this catalog of new fall releases.
Daniel Radcliffe discusses his unconventional career choices since Harry Potter and his dislike of being pigeonholed. The article describes Radcliffe as cheerful yet odd, choosing strange and complex roles rather than mainstream parts. It notes his openness in the interview and willingness to discuss both his career and personal life. Radcliffe expresses surprise that the Potter franchise continues expanding but interest in seeing its future portrayal and how fans still find meaning in the stories from their childhood. The piece presents Radcliffe as not fully realizing his own fame despite constant public recognition.
This document provides an analysis of fairy tales and their relevance to teenagers. It discusses how fairy tales can teach valuable lessons through their chronological order of events and consequences. It then analyzes the fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood" as an example, examining the characters, themes, and values presented in the story. Specifically, it looks at how the character of Little Red Riding Hood develops from being naive to learning from her mistakes. Respect is highlighted as one of the key values portrayed in the tale.
The document provides background information on Alice in Wonderland and analyzes the characters in the story. It discusses how Lewis Carroll created the story to tell Alice Liddell and presents details on Carroll's life experiences that may have inspired elements of the tale. The document also summarizes the roles of key characters like the Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and White Rabbit. Finally, it shares the results of a survey of people's opinions on the story and characters.
The article profiles British actor Daniel Radcliffe, known best for his role as Harry Potter, discussing his unconventional career choices in independent films since the franchise ended, his self-deprecating and cheerful personality during an interview, and his perspective on the ongoing popularity and expansion of the Harry Potter universe despite having moved on from the role.
The document summarizes an interview with actor Daniel Radcliffe. It discusses his unconventional career choices since playing Harry Potter, taking on strange and interesting roles rather than mainstream ones. It also describes Radcliffe as an open interviewee who is frank about his past and surprisingly knowledgeable about older TV shows. While hugely famous from Potter, Radcliffe seems to wear his fame lightly and is grateful it was for a beloved series rather than something more controversial.
The document introduces several short stories that deal with mysteries, including:
1) Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a murder case and find the killer of a woman's sister.
2) A story about a man who turned to alcoholism and murdering his wife, possibly due to the influence of a black cat.
3) Stories about ghosts seeking revenge, witches trying to capture victims, and a woman who has bad luck after taking a valuable bracelet she found.
4) The document encourages the reader to read the stories if they like unusual, mysterious or strange adventures.
The document introduces several short stories that deal with mysteries, including:
1) Sherlock Holmes trying to solve a murder case and find the killer of a woman's sister.
2) A story about a man who turned to alcoholism and murdering his wife, possibly due to the influence of a black cat.
3) Stories about ghosts seeking revenge, witches trying to capture victims, and a woman who has bad luck after taking a valuable bracelet she found.
4) The document encourages the reader to read the stories if they like unusual, mysterious or strange tales.
This document provides summaries of new books being released in the fall of 2011. It groups the books into genres such as mysteries, sports fiction, multicultural books, realistic fiction for boys and girls, science fiction/fantasy/horror, and nonfiction. For each book, it lists 3-4 interests or genres that readers who enjoy that book may also like. There are over 50 books summarized in this catalog of new fall releases.
Daniel Radcliffe discusses his unconventional career choices since Harry Potter and his dislike of being pigeonholed. The article describes Radcliffe as cheerful yet odd, choosing strange and complex roles rather than mainstream parts. It notes his openness in the interview and willingness to discuss both his career and personal life. Radcliffe expresses surprise that the Potter franchise continues expanding but interest in seeing its future portrayal and how fans still find meaning in the stories from their childhood. The piece presents Radcliffe as not fully realizing his own fame despite constant public recognition.
This document provides an analysis of fairy tales and their relevance to teenagers. It discusses how fairy tales can teach valuable lessons through their chronological order of events and consequences. It then analyzes the fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood" as an example, examining the characters, themes, and values presented in the story. Specifically, it looks at how the character of Little Red Riding Hood develops from being naive to learning from her mistakes. Respect is highlighted as one of the key values portrayed in the tale.
The document provides background information on Alice in Wonderland and analyzes the characters in the story. It discusses how Lewis Carroll created the story to tell Alice Liddell and presents details on Carroll's life experiences that may have inspired elements of the tale. The document also summarizes the roles of key characters like the Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and White Rabbit. Finally, it shares the results of a survey of people's opinions on the story and characters.
The article profiles British actor Daniel Radcliffe, known best for his role as Harry Potter, discussing his unconventional career choices in independent films since the franchise ended, his self-deprecating and cheerful personality during an interview, and his perspective on the ongoing popularity and expansion of the Harry Potter universe despite having moved on from the role.
The document summarizes an interview with actor Daniel Radcliffe. It discusses his unconventional career choices since playing Harry Potter, taking on strange and interesting roles rather than mainstream ones. It also describes Radcliffe as an open interviewee who is frank about his past and surprisingly knowledgeable about older TV shows. While hugely famous from Potter, Radcliffe seems to wear his fame lightly and is grateful it was for a beloved series rather than something more controversial.
Daniel Radcliffe discusses his unconventional career choices since playing Harry Potter and his dislike of being seen as a "mainstream" actor. He talks about some of his unique roles in independent films and on stage productions. Radcliffe also addresses rumors about his behavior on the Harry Potter set and maintains a willingness to discuss both his professional and personal life openly in interviews. While famous for Harry Potter, Radcliffe seems to want to distance himself from that image and establish himself as an interesting character actor going forward.
Harry Styles of the boy band One Direction was thrilled to be named Billboard's Top New Artist of 2012, capping an amazing year for the band after cracking the American market. While performing at the VMAs was a highlight, Styles noted the personal highlight was performing at the Olympics where all of their families could be there. Styles is excited for their upcoming concert film which will capture their journey on camera and allow them to look back on it in the future.
It's Not How Bad You Are, It's How Bad You're Born To Beedbuller
The world's best smelling book by Ed Buller. A slimline pamphlet of slop psychology perfect for those with neither the time nor patience to acquire an informed opinion.
This document discusses graphic novels and comics. It begins by defining what a graphic novel is, noting that it tells a fictional story through both words and pictures. It discusses some pioneering graphic novels like A Contract with God and Maus that helped establish the format. It also explores the genres that graphic novels cover, from memoirs to superheroes to manga. It provides examples of popular graphic novels and discusses some of the major awards for excellence in graphic novels and comics.
This document discusses graphic novels and comics. It provides definitions of graphic novels, discusses their origins and how they differ from traditional novels and comics. It also explores various genres in graphic novels including manga, discusses important works and authors, and considers the educational benefits of graphic novels for readers.
This document discusses graphic novels and comics. It begins by defining what a graphic novel is, noting that it tells a fictional story in comic book format but with more length and complexity than a regular comic. It explores the difference between graphic novels and comics. Several examples of pioneering graphic novels are provided, such as A Contract with God and Maus. The benefits of graphic novels for readers are discussed. An overview is given of manga, anime, and the genres of manga like shonen. Examples of awards for graphic novels and comics are outlined. The broadening scope and genres of graphic novels beyond just superheroes is touched on. In the end, it is noted graphic novels can encourage reluctant readers and introduce vocabulary similarly to traditional books.
Digital Humanities Congress 2014, Sheffield
What is a ludic book?
Game play artefacts and NPCs can create meaningful play?
Can words be power?
What interaction can be derived from Skyrim?
Useful and effective tool?
1) Neil Gaiman's new book Stardust features ferocious faeries from old legends, not the more benevolent garden variety. The story is a romance that begins in a small English town and moves into a fantasy realm.
2) When a young man named Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star for a girl, he is sent on an adventure into faerie land to recover the star, which has also attracted a witch and three murderous lords.
3) Gaiman wrote the book partly because adults need faerie stories too, to reconnect with their imagination, and he wanted to write a pre-Tolkien fantasy without derivative imitations of Lord of the R
Suniti Namjoshi is an Indian author known for her work "Tales of the Blue Donkey". The document discusses several stories from this collection that feature a blue donkey who lives by a red bridge. In the first story, local councilors demand the donkey change color, but she refuses. This causes the councilors to argue among themselves. Later stories see the donkey become famous but ultimately retire. Namjoshi's work draws from Indian literary traditions like Panchatantra to construct feminist narratives centered around recognition, resistance, and subverting expectations.
Daniel Radcliffe discusses his unconventional career choices since Harry Potter and his affinity for "weird" roles. While hugely famous from Potter, Radcliffe comes across as modest and down-to-earth as he struggles with making coffee and discusses his love of obscure television shows from his childhood. Radcliffe is open about his past issues with alcohol and clarifies a misleading quote about his time on the Potter set. He remains fond of Potter's legacy and is curious about its expansion into new works, though happy to pass the role of Harry to others. The conclusion notes that despite his fame, Radcliffe may not fully realize his own celebrity status.
The document summarizes 15 free online tools that can be used as alternatives to paid software for tasks like word processing, organization, photo editing, video creation, productivity, social sharing, and entertainment. Some of the tools mentioned include Ajaxwrite, Tada List, Pixer.us, The GIMP, One True Media, CCleaner, LogMeIn, LibraryThing, Del.icio.us, Slideshare, Krazydad's Colr, and Pandora. Many of the tools allow file sharing and remote access from any internet connection.
This document discusses emerging research on brain science and its implications for education. It emphasizes the importance of metacognition, stress management, differentiation, feedback, and developing students' thinking habits and dispositions. It provides examples of thinking routines, formative assessment strategies, and technology tools that can support these goals by making thinking more explicit and developing students' reflective abilities. The overall message is that understanding how the brain learns can help educators create learning environments centered around developing lifelong thinking skills.
This document outlines elements and strategies for conducting research in a digital world. It discusses frameworks like project based learning and POGIL that encourage collaboration. It provides tools and strategies for defining tasks, conducting searches, evaluating resources, organizing information, synthesizing writing, and evaluating work. The goal is to update the research process by incorporating digital tools and emphasizing common vocabulary, differentiated roles, and feedback throughout the process.
The document discusses key concepts in chemistry including elements, atoms, pure substances, compounds, mixtures, solutions, suspensions, viscosity, density, solutes, solvents, flammability, reactivity, and filtration. It defines each term and provides examples. The document also includes study questions about separating mixtures, gas pressure and volume, states of matter, and factors that influence boiling points.
The document discusses using the DyKnow Monitor software for teaching and monitoring students. It includes options to learn more about DyKnow, take a poll, view a YouTube video for entertainment, broadcast the teacher's screen, manage files, and answer a question about the theme of The Great Gatsby novel. Links are provided to online tools like a countdown timer and collaborative document for further discussion.
This document discusses strategies for differentiation in the classroom. It begins by defining differentiation and discussing Sternberg's three types of intelligence: analytical, practical, and creative. It emphasizes the need for students to have options for taking in information, organizing ideas, and expressing what they learn. The rest of the document provides examples of strategies to support differentiation, including formative assessment, student choice, understanding assessment, graphic organizers, tiered and layered curriculum approaches, Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, flipped classroom approaches, and using tools like Google Forms, OneNote, and Socrative. It argues these strategies can create a more engaging learning environment.
The document discusses how grieving individuals may avoid reminders of the deceased person in order to escape painful feelings of grief. However, avoiding reminders or getting rid of the deceased person's belongings too quickly can lead to complicated bereavement. The document suggests that while avoidance may provide temporary relief from grief, it is healthier to allow oneself to experience grief and process reminders of the person that was lost over time.
The document discusses various topics related to books and reading culture. It includes pictograms depicting plots of six classic books that must be guessed. It also contains extracts from book reviews that describe books in different ways and opinions on controversial topics in reading, such as whether movies can be better than books or forcing kids to read. It poses questions about how reading habits have changed over time and the role of classics in shaping personality.
Kaylin McFarren is an author who has written her first novel titled "Flaherty's Crossing". The novel is about an artist named Kate Flaherty who confronts issues from her past during her father's deathbed confession. Writing the novel was a therapeutic process for Kaylin to work through unresolved issues from her father's death. She found success with the novel, which has won over a dozen literary awards. In her personal life, Kaylin enjoys activities like cooking, spending time with family, and watching television shows to relax away from her daily writing routine.
Daniel Radcliffe discusses his unconventional career choices since playing Harry Potter and his dislike of being seen as a "mainstream" actor. He talks about some of his unique roles in independent films and on stage productions. Radcliffe also addresses rumors about his behavior on the Harry Potter set and maintains a willingness to discuss both his professional and personal life openly in interviews. While famous for Harry Potter, Radcliffe seems to want to distance himself from that image and establish himself as an interesting character actor going forward.
Harry Styles of the boy band One Direction was thrilled to be named Billboard's Top New Artist of 2012, capping an amazing year for the band after cracking the American market. While performing at the VMAs was a highlight, Styles noted the personal highlight was performing at the Olympics where all of their families could be there. Styles is excited for their upcoming concert film which will capture their journey on camera and allow them to look back on it in the future.
It's Not How Bad You Are, It's How Bad You're Born To Beedbuller
The world's best smelling book by Ed Buller. A slimline pamphlet of slop psychology perfect for those with neither the time nor patience to acquire an informed opinion.
This document discusses graphic novels and comics. It begins by defining what a graphic novel is, noting that it tells a fictional story through both words and pictures. It discusses some pioneering graphic novels like A Contract with God and Maus that helped establish the format. It also explores the genres that graphic novels cover, from memoirs to superheroes to manga. It provides examples of popular graphic novels and discusses some of the major awards for excellence in graphic novels and comics.
This document discusses graphic novels and comics. It provides definitions of graphic novels, discusses their origins and how they differ from traditional novels and comics. It also explores various genres in graphic novels including manga, discusses important works and authors, and considers the educational benefits of graphic novels for readers.
This document discusses graphic novels and comics. It begins by defining what a graphic novel is, noting that it tells a fictional story in comic book format but with more length and complexity than a regular comic. It explores the difference between graphic novels and comics. Several examples of pioneering graphic novels are provided, such as A Contract with God and Maus. The benefits of graphic novels for readers are discussed. An overview is given of manga, anime, and the genres of manga like shonen. Examples of awards for graphic novels and comics are outlined. The broadening scope and genres of graphic novels beyond just superheroes is touched on. In the end, it is noted graphic novels can encourage reluctant readers and introduce vocabulary similarly to traditional books.
Digital Humanities Congress 2014, Sheffield
What is a ludic book?
Game play artefacts and NPCs can create meaningful play?
Can words be power?
What interaction can be derived from Skyrim?
Useful and effective tool?
1) Neil Gaiman's new book Stardust features ferocious faeries from old legends, not the more benevolent garden variety. The story is a romance that begins in a small English town and moves into a fantasy realm.
2) When a young man named Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star for a girl, he is sent on an adventure into faerie land to recover the star, which has also attracted a witch and three murderous lords.
3) Gaiman wrote the book partly because adults need faerie stories too, to reconnect with their imagination, and he wanted to write a pre-Tolkien fantasy without derivative imitations of Lord of the R
Suniti Namjoshi is an Indian author known for her work "Tales of the Blue Donkey". The document discusses several stories from this collection that feature a blue donkey who lives by a red bridge. In the first story, local councilors demand the donkey change color, but she refuses. This causes the councilors to argue among themselves. Later stories see the donkey become famous but ultimately retire. Namjoshi's work draws from Indian literary traditions like Panchatantra to construct feminist narratives centered around recognition, resistance, and subverting expectations.
Daniel Radcliffe discusses his unconventional career choices since Harry Potter and his affinity for "weird" roles. While hugely famous from Potter, Radcliffe comes across as modest and down-to-earth as he struggles with making coffee and discusses his love of obscure television shows from his childhood. Radcliffe is open about his past issues with alcohol and clarifies a misleading quote about his time on the Potter set. He remains fond of Potter's legacy and is curious about its expansion into new works, though happy to pass the role of Harry to others. The conclusion notes that despite his fame, Radcliffe may not fully realize his own celebrity status.
The document summarizes 15 free online tools that can be used as alternatives to paid software for tasks like word processing, organization, photo editing, video creation, productivity, social sharing, and entertainment. Some of the tools mentioned include Ajaxwrite, Tada List, Pixer.us, The GIMP, One True Media, CCleaner, LogMeIn, LibraryThing, Del.icio.us, Slideshare, Krazydad's Colr, and Pandora. Many of the tools allow file sharing and remote access from any internet connection.
This document discusses emerging research on brain science and its implications for education. It emphasizes the importance of metacognition, stress management, differentiation, feedback, and developing students' thinking habits and dispositions. It provides examples of thinking routines, formative assessment strategies, and technology tools that can support these goals by making thinking more explicit and developing students' reflective abilities. The overall message is that understanding how the brain learns can help educators create learning environments centered around developing lifelong thinking skills.
This document outlines elements and strategies for conducting research in a digital world. It discusses frameworks like project based learning and POGIL that encourage collaboration. It provides tools and strategies for defining tasks, conducting searches, evaluating resources, organizing information, synthesizing writing, and evaluating work. The goal is to update the research process by incorporating digital tools and emphasizing common vocabulary, differentiated roles, and feedback throughout the process.
The document discusses key concepts in chemistry including elements, atoms, pure substances, compounds, mixtures, solutions, suspensions, viscosity, density, solutes, solvents, flammability, reactivity, and filtration. It defines each term and provides examples. The document also includes study questions about separating mixtures, gas pressure and volume, states of matter, and factors that influence boiling points.
The document discusses using the DyKnow Monitor software for teaching and monitoring students. It includes options to learn more about DyKnow, take a poll, view a YouTube video for entertainment, broadcast the teacher's screen, manage files, and answer a question about the theme of The Great Gatsby novel. Links are provided to online tools like a countdown timer and collaborative document for further discussion.
This document discusses strategies for differentiation in the classroom. It begins by defining differentiation and discussing Sternberg's three types of intelligence: analytical, practical, and creative. It emphasizes the need for students to have options for taking in information, organizing ideas, and expressing what they learn. The rest of the document provides examples of strategies to support differentiation, including formative assessment, student choice, understanding assessment, graphic organizers, tiered and layered curriculum approaches, Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, flipped classroom approaches, and using tools like Google Forms, OneNote, and Socrative. It argues these strategies can create a more engaging learning environment.
The document discusses how grieving individuals may avoid reminders of the deceased person in order to escape painful feelings of grief. However, avoiding reminders or getting rid of the deceased person's belongings too quickly can lead to complicated bereavement. The document suggests that while avoidance may provide temporary relief from grief, it is healthier to allow oneself to experience grief and process reminders of the person that was lost over time.
The document discusses various topics related to books and reading culture. It includes pictograms depicting plots of six classic books that must be guessed. It also contains extracts from book reviews that describe books in different ways and opinions on controversial topics in reading, such as whether movies can be better than books or forcing kids to read. It poses questions about how reading habits have changed over time and the role of classics in shaping personality.
Kaylin McFarren is an author who has written her first novel titled "Flaherty's Crossing". The novel is about an artist named Kate Flaherty who confronts issues from her past during her father's deathbed confession. Writing the novel was a therapeutic process for Kaylin to work through unresolved issues from her father's death. She found success with the novel, which has won over a dozen literary awards. In her personal life, Kaylin enjoys activities like cooking, spending time with family, and watching television shows to relax away from her daily writing routine.
The document provides instructions for writing an essay on creating a care plan. It outlines 5 steps: 1) Create an account; 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline; 3) Review bids from writers and choose one; 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment; 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction and receive a refund if plagiarized. The purpose is to receive high-quality original content by following these steps when requesting an assignment be written online.
Writing The Science Fiction Film: Where do you get your ideas from?robgrant
The lazy way of coming up with science fiction film ideas is to take any an existing movie title and add ..in space! to it. Like High Noon ..in space! (Outland) or Jaws ..in space! (Alien). It’s become a tried and trusted method, but while it has led to the occasional classic - no-one is going to argue against Alien being a sci-fi classic - there are a lot more films in the mediocre pile.
So where do we find new ideas ripe for science fiction?
Well as you might expect they’re all around you, all you have to do is start looking, but it requires that you leave your SF prejudices at the door and open your eyes to the wider world of sci-fi storytelling.
This workshop looks at sources of new ideas, basic tools to gather and store them, explores exercises for taking an idea and turning it into a story and we’ll actually take an idea and break a story with the audience in the room.
38 Free MLA Format Templates (+MLA Essay Format) ᐅ TemplateLab. MLA Format: Everything You Need to Know Here. 005 Essay Example Mla Format Template ~ Thatsnotus. 001 Mla Format Example Essay ~ Thatsnotus. mla format examples | Sample MLA Essay | College Stuff | Pinterest. 34+ Research Essay Examples Mla Most Popular - scholarship. MLA essay example. Mla Format Essay – Amat. 018 Mla Format Essay Example ~ Thatsnotus. 002 One Page Essay What Is The Mla Format For Essays Page1 ~ Thatsnotus. 005 Essay Example Mla Format ~ Thatsnotus. MLA Sample essay needed...?. Mla format Template Download Best Of 38 Free Mla format Templates Mla .... 018 Essay Example Mla Format ~ Thatsnotus. 12-13 how to format an mla essay - loginnelkriver.com.
Write My Apa Paper. Online assignment writing service.Tina Marie
The document provides instructions for requesting an assignment writing service from HelpWriting.net. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account, 2) Complete an order form with instructions and deadline, 3) Receive bids from writers and choose one, 4) Review the paper and authorize payment, 5) Request revisions if needed. It emphasizes that the service aims to provide original, high-quality content and offers refunds for plagiarized work.
8 Easy Ways To Motivate Yourself To Write Papers In College ShScott Donald
The Cheesecake Factory is recommended as an investment as it created the upscale casual dining segment in 1978 and has established an identity and reputation for high quality desserts, resulting in a substantially higher dessert mix and average check compared to competitors. As one of the most differentiated casual dining concepts, The Cheesecake Factory's per unit sales of over $10.5 million demonstrate its strong performance potential as an investment.
The document provides instructions for creating an account and submitting a paper writing request on the HelpWriting.net website. It outlines a 5-step process: 1) Create an account with an email and password. 2) Complete a 10-minute order form providing instructions, sources, and deadline. 3) Review bids from writers and select one. 4) Review the completed paper and authorize payment. 5) Request revisions to ensure satisfaction, with the option of a full refund for plagiarized work.
This document provides a summary of the growing popularity of Indian English literature in recent decades. It notes that the number of publications in this genre has increased significantly, with fiction by Indian authors gaining particular popularity. Some of the key factors contributing to this rise include the growth of digital platforms that have encouraged more people to take up writing, as well as socio-economic changes that have expanded the market for published books. However, the document also argues that newer generations of media-savvy writers and publishers, who focus more on marketing, have an advantage over older authors who relied solely on the strength of their writing. It concludes by emphasizing the responsibility of readers, reviewers and organizations like Storizen to actively promote high-quality Indian English
This document lists 8 reasons to write fantasy fiction. It discusses how fantasy writing allows authors to share life lessons through characters, discover uplifting stories, and see characters influence culture. It also explains how fantasy can help authors work through personal issues, test leadership ideas, learn about their creative process, and grow as a person through their characters' development. In the end, the document advocates that fantasy fiction attracts audiences but also brings out the heart and soul of the writer.
Essay On Freedom Of Speech In Hindi. Online assignment writing service.Tracey Souza
The document provides instructions for requesting an assignment writing service from HelpWriting.net in 5 steps:
1. Create an account with a password and email.
2. Complete a 10-minute order form with instructions, sources, and deadline.
3. Review bids from writers and choose one based on qualifications.
4. Review the completed paper and authorize payment if pleased.
5. Request revisions until fully satisfied, with a refund option for plagiarism.
Cat's Mother or Cat's Spouse? Creating the voice of a cat food brandSuzi Robinson
Suzi Robinson created personas of "Cat Mothers" and "Cat Spouses" to represent different types of cat owners based on her research. She used these personas to develop a new voice for the Gourmet cat food brand that targeted "Cat Spouses" rather than the typical "Cat Mothers". This refreshed voice, portrayed through an anthropomorphized cat named Archie, helped grow Gourmet's sales by 25% and brand awareness to 30% within its first year.
Similar to BlogPaws 2010 - Blog to Book: Janiss Garza (13)
Laurie Ruettimann: Pet Blogging - Your Next Career MoveBlogPaws
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive functioning. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help protect against mental illness and improve symptoms.
Robbin and Joe Everett: The Other Social Media - Bringing your blog to radio ...BlogPaws
The document provides guidance for starting a radio show or podcast. It discusses factors to consider such as budget, show goals, format, equipment needs and interview skills. The document advises asking yourself questions about purpose, direction and commitment before beginning. It also covers show preparation such as researching guests, testing equipment and having backup materials. The overall message is to be bold, fearless and confident in starting your show.
Kristin Dewey: How to Pawty like an AnipalBlogPaws
The document provides instructions for how to host an animal-themed Twitter party, or "pawty". It recommends including music, dancing, prizes, and meeting new friends to increase followers. It also lists typical pawty elements like nom snacks and drinks, quizzes, DJs, barktenders, and security. Themes and using animal avatars are encouraged to get into the spirit.
Joanne McGonagle and Paris Permenter: Getting creative with social mediaBlogPaws
1) The document discusses using social media as a way to promote a new business on a tight budget from a rural home. It emphasizes building multiple social media accounts across platforms like Twitter and Pinterest to expand reach.
2) It provides tips for growing social media accounts like cross-promoting accounts, using consistent branding, and improving photo quality.
3) Examples are given of using social media to promote causes, products, and events. Combining social media efforts and creating unique content are encouraged.
Anne Hogan, HSUS: Facebook - Ur Doin' it RightBlogPaws
The document provides guidance on properly setting up and using Facebook profiles, pages, and groups. It explains that profiles must represent real people, while pages and groups can be used for organizations, businesses, and pets. The document also outlines the key differences between pages and groups, and provides tips for properly running contests and giveaways as well as cross-posting content on Facebook.
Rachel Phelps: How to go local with your blogBlogPaws
This document discusses how to go local with your blog by targeting your local community. It recommends finding your local pet niche and engaging readers by covering local events, businesses, and issues. Going local can boost engagement, open revenue opportunities like sponsorships and paid work, and allow your brand to make a positive impact through fundraising and advocacy. Creative local content like interviews and guest posts can attract readers. Marketing locally through various promotional methods is also key to success. Reaching out to local media extends reach and positioning as a community expert.
Susan Daffron and James Byrd: Cash in on Your ContentBlogPaws
The document summarizes how a business started in 1994 to allow the owners to live in a rural forested area with their dogs. It outlines how they built their business online since 1996 with limited resources. It then provides examples of how the owners generate multiple passive income streams by creating and monetizing various types of content on topics they are passionate about, including books, software, templates, training courses and more. The document encourages attendees to brainstorm their own ideas for passive income generation based on what they enjoy creating and what problems they can solve for others.
Spencer Quinn: How to Get Your Book PublishedBlogPaws
The document outlines the steps for getting a book published, which include getting an idea, researching the idea, writing and revising the book, finding an agent, waiting for the agent to find a publisher, editing the book, and seeing the finished published product. It also discusses using online platforms like blogs and social media to promote the book.
F inal frictionless integration of game mechanics into your online presenceBlogPaws
The document discusses how game mechanics can be applied to business by leveraging human drives and player types. It asserts that game concepts can improve poorly designed business models if grafted on properly. Myths about gaming not belonging in business are dismissed. The document also suggests determining one's "score" by assessing individual drives and player type tendencies. Finally, it outlines the evolution of gaming concepts in business applications from the 1800s to present day.
Dr. Dan Aja Luncheon Talk: Tips on Pet Nutrition and Pet Food LabelsBlogPaws
The document discusses pet nutrition and pet food labels. It provides information on:
1) The importance of nutrition for pets' health and quality of life as recommended by veterinary associations.
2) The key components of pet food labels including the display panel, information panel, nutritional adequacy statement, guaranteed analysis, and ingredient list.
3) Factors to consider when evaluating pet foods such as nutrients, ingredients, and life stage nutrition requirements that vary based on age, health, activity level and other factors.
Green Illustrated Sustainable World Presentation.pdfliwangshu074
Our project "Recycling Old Clothes" aims to enhance the public's understanding and participation in the recycling of used clothes through scientific and technological means, and promote the concept of sustainable development.
MISS TEEN HYDERABAD 2024 - WINNER RYKA TANDONDK PAGEANT
In the dynamic city of Hyderabad, a youthful and outstandingly skilled person has as of late made waves on the national stage. Ryka Tandon, a 14-year-old understudy, has been honored with the prestigious title of Miss High Schooler India 2024 Victor, Pride of India, from the Dk Show. Her travels to this regarded position are a confirmation of her unflinching devotion, ability, and tireless endeavors. Despite her youthful age, Ryka has, as of now, accomplished momentous points of reference that recognize her as a guide of motivation and pride for her city and her nation. This article digs into the uncommon life and accomplishments of Ryka Tandon, investigating her foundation, achievements, and the qualities that make her a standout individual.
HR STRATEGIES AND EMPLOYEE OUTCOMES: A STUDY ON COMPENSATION, APPRAISAL, RECO...indexPub
This study examines the relationship between HR practices and employee outcomes in order to provide insight into the crucial role HR practices play in organisational dynamics. The results show that HR procedures significantly affect workers' engagement with their work and their ability to decide whether or not to stay with their current employer. In order to improve staff retention rates and achieve sustained organisational effectiveness, this study's findings stress the significance of well-crafted human resource policies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the multifaceted relationship between human resource practices and employee outcomes, specifically focusing on compensation, performance appraisal, and recognition programs. By delving into these dynamics, the research aims to enhance our understanding of how these HR strategies influence job embeddedness and the intention to quit among employees, ultimately providing valuable insights for organizations to optimize their HR policies and employee retention strategies. Design/Methodology: This research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured survey instrument administered to a diverse sample of employees across various industries. Data collected will be analyzed using advanced statistical techniques, including regression analysis, to examine the associations between compensation, performance appraisal, recognition programs, job embeddedness, and intention to quit. Additionally, qualitative data such as open-ended responses will be analyzed to gain deeper insights into employee perceptions and experiences. Findings: Reveal significant correlations are identified as key determinants of job embeddedness, with higher levels of job satisfaction and commitment associated with these practices. Moreover, employees exposed to effective HR strategies exhibit a decreased intention to quit, highlighting the role of these practices in retaining talent. The study also identifies nuanced interactions between these variables, shedding light on the complexity of HR practices' impact on employee attitudes and behaviours. Practical Implications: By recognizing the importance of compensation, performance appraisal, and recognition programs in promoting job embeddedness and reducing intention to quit, organizations can design and implement more effective HR policies. This, in turn, can lead to improved employee retention rates, increased job satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to organizational success and stability. Originality/Value: The originality of this research lies in its ability to provide organizations with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of these variables, thus offering valuable insights and practical recommendations for HR practitioners and organizational leaders striving to retain talent and foster a positive workplace culture.
Navigating the World of Topsoil: A Guide to the Right Choice for Your Gardennerissacampuzano
Are you looking to improve your garden's health but unsure about which topsoil to choose? This PPT provides insights into selecting the right topsoil for your gardening needs. From understanding various types of topsoil to evaluating their benefits, this resource equips you with the essential knowledge to make an informed decision. Explore to learn more.
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Dive into this presentation to explore the complete guide to the 7 Chakras and their effects, and discover the fascinating world of chakras. Learn how these seven energy centers influence your physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and find out how balancing them can improve your overall well-being and harmony.
Press Release - Invisible Disease June 21, 2024Purdue Global
Invisible Disease
PRESS RELEASE: 21 June 2024 / Lenawee County
When I moved my family to Clinton Village in 2021, I had no idea how much our lives would change. I was drawn in by the cute Victorian homes, and the historical presence of the rural community. Little did I know that the reality of a family like mine moving into the community would have so many immediate negative repercussions. Despite my love of our new home and the idealism of a country lifestyle, only a few people wanted us to share in their same happiness. Life over the past couple of years has changed drastically.
We first came to Michigan to take care of my then nine-year-old son Ben. Ben was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer at the age of 2. He has had three reocurrences and one aneurysm during that time. In 2020, he had his last reocurrence which resulted in seven weeks of gamma knife radiation treatment to a little over a quarter of his brain in the front left parietal lobe. The remaining scar tissue affects various aspects of the brain. He also has 36 staples, bolts, and plates in his brain and parts that are keeping his skull together.
Ben looks like a regular boy. His disease is what we call invisible because to look at him, you would never know he has brain trauma. He is the epitome of a cancer warrior! I thought Clinton Village was perfect for us. The motto is exactly what I’ve always said about Raising Ben. “It takes a Village.”
My naivete was shattered because of the constant turmoil we’ve encountered with the Clinton school system, The Village Inc. and the local police. The problems started immediately after living in the village for only a few weeks. The police became a consistent presence at our front door, prompted by our neighbors who felt we needed formal reprimands for a variety of reasons which included having a dangerous carport, owning a loud pocket dirt bike, and complaints that our front and backyard lawns were apparently too long. These are just a few of the supposed violations that were cited by our neighbors and that compelled them to report us to The Village headquarters and/or the police department.
During this time, we as a family tried to be good neighbors, were always friendly, smiled, said hello, and continued to offer baked goods whenever possible. They weren’t having it!
The Clinton elementary school held an IEP meeting, upon my request, to help Ben in school when we arrived in 2021. Ben had a few minor needs that required attention such as additional breaks during class time to give his over-stimulated brain a rest, extra help on assignments, assistance from a paraprofessional a few hours a day for redirecting and fine motor skill attention, as well as ADHD and non grand mal seizures (Epilepsy). The control factor for the implementation of Ben’s IEP is ongoing. He needs brakes when he feels overwhelmed, and that time cannot be scheduled.
Imagine a child swimming underwater. The child needs to breathe, so he comes up f
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4. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Overview
“If cats ruled the world…wait a minute, we already are in charge!”
It’s always impressive when a first-time author wins an award. It’s even more impressive
when the first-time author is a cat. But mere months after its release, Dear Sparkle: Advice from
One Cat to Another won the Wild Card category at the 2007 Hollywood Book Festival. Sparkle
the Designer Cat knows how to beat humans at their own game, whether it’s in her advice col-
umn or on the literary circuit. Now she’s sharpened her claws to dole out more cat-to-cat advice
in Dear Sparkle: More Advice from One Cat to Another.
The Dear Sparkle volumes are not your usual human-written cat books. Even when hu-
mans want to help, they lack the feline instinct that is both the source and the solution to real cat
problems. As a full-blooded feline (100% Somali, as a matter of fact), Sparkle understands what
troubles her fellow cats and offers her insight. Whether it’s a confused kitty who doesn’t under-
stand why he’s supposed to stay off the couch, a cat who’s furious because the new puppy ate his
catnip stash, or a freaked out feral who wants to return to the wild, Sparkle the Designer Cat has
the answer for their woes in her latest book.
4
5. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Sparkle’s advice column began in 2003 as an adjunct to her online diary, www.sparklecat.
com, but it soon became the most popular section of her website. Her sage advice and pointed
witticisms have earned her thousands of fans on the internet and celebrity status on social net-
working sites such as Twitter and MySpace. In late 2006, her advice first became available in
book form, and it has been embraced not only by cat owners, but by anyone who enjoys light-
hearted, fun books. In addition to being a winner in the Wild Card category at the Hollywood
Book Festival, Dear Sparkle was also an honorable mention in the same category at the 2007
New York Book Festival.
But enough of the preamble…wouldn’t you rather talk with Sparkle herself?
5
6. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Q&A with Sparkle
Let me get this right…a cat expert who’s a cat?
Look at it this way: which would you trust more—a book about France written by a Frenchman
or one written by someone who only studied about France in school? I will confess that there are
many good cat books out there that were written by humans, but if you examine them between
the lines, you’ll find something missing—that unique point of view that only cats have. A true
expert has been there and done that. And unless you’re a cat, you probably haven’t used a litter
box, eaten much kibble or been yelled at for sharpening your claws on the rug. As a cat, I’ve had
all these experiences and many more. So yeah, I’m definitely an expert.
So…What Makes You a Cat Expert Among Cats?
I confess I started my advice column on my website, sparklecat.com, at a very early age—I
was just a little over a year old in September, 2003. At the time I probably didn’t have the right
to dole out cat advice. But I’ve always had a talent for observation, and living with two other
cats, two humans and (ugh) a dog has taught me some invaluable lessons. Plus I have a couple
6
7. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
of qualities that many cats (not to mention humans) seem to lack: a logical mind and common
sense. Both, I think, are necessary requirements for any advice giver, feline or otherwise.
You’re a purebred—how can you possibly relate to the problems of common cats?
You’re assuming that just because I can trace my lineage that I can’t relate to a shelter cat or a fe-
ral? The two cats I live with came from unfortunate circumstances—one from the meanest shel-
ter in Los Angeles, and the other one dumped in a box in the parking lot of a vet clinic—and we
all have to deal with the same pair of humans and the same dog, not to mention each other. Trust
me, I don’t get preferential treatment because of my background, or because my father appeared
on the cover of Cat Fancy magazine in 2001. Sometimes I wish I did get preferential treatment,
but actually it’s the other way around—because of my internet success and talents, I’m expected
to help support the other cats here. I work for my kibble. The other two cats are freeloaders.
What is a Somali anyway?
We come from the Abyssinian breed. In fact, with our ticked fur and classic facial markings, we
Somalis look quite a bit like them, only a bit plusher and with a big, bushy tail. Humans some-
times compare our look to squirrels or foxes—but please don’t do that. It’s insulting.
You seem awfully literate for a cat—are you sure you’re not getting human help?
Wow, the insults keep coming, don’t they? I do happen to live with a human who is an editor and
published author (she co-wrote White Line Fever, the autobiography of heavy metal frontman
Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead). She cleans up my writing and makes sure everything is spelled
correctly. She is also my personal photographer—together we won First Place in a contest held
7
8. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
by Cats USA, the annual magazine put out by the humans at Cat Fancy. But the voice expressed
in my writing is absolutely my own. Trust me, if either of my roommates were to write a book,
it would sound completely different…and a lot less literate. Seriously. They make the LOL Cats
sound like geniuses.
When you say “No Humans” in your title, do you really mean it?
Yes and no. That’s one of the secrets about my book. The advice is definitely geared towards
helping cats solve their problems, but between the lines there are usually clues humans can use
to avoid the problems suffered by the cats in the first place. I added “No Humans” to the title for
two reasons: 1) to let cats know that my book was written specifically for them; and 2) because
the only creatures on earth with more curiosity than cats are humans, so they’re bound to pick it
up too, and maybe learn something about cat behavior. I’ve made the advice fun and entertain-
ing so that the humans don’t realize they’re learning something. Humans are best taught through
indirect means, I’ve discovered.
Truthfully, is there a place for a cat author in an economic downturn?
Like most cats, I don’t sully my paws with finances—I leave that to humans—but I do know one
historic fact: in times of bad economy humans still want to be entertained and give gifts, and
Dear Sparkle is the perfect inexpensive gift for a cat lover. As pets, it’s our job to offer comfort
when our humans are feeling sad. At the same time, humans are always on the lookout to find
special ways to better connect with their pets; my book can help with that. And the cat market is
big—even bigger than you might know. You’ll find the facts and figures in the next section.
8
9. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
The Cat Marketplace
“As much as we’ve tried to teach them, humans still haven’t learned that
their lives should completely revolve around us cats.”
According to the Humane Society, there are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in
the United States. This makes dogs the number two most owned pet in the U.S. because there
are about 88�3 million owned cats! Thirty-four percent of U.S. households (38.4 million) own at
least one cat; more than half of these households have two or more. Through 2008, the U.S. pet
industry has suffered few effects from the poor economy; the American Pet Products Association
estimates that the pet industry pulled in 43.4 million dollars in 2008—2.2 billion more than in
2007. Even in 2009, this industry is expected to grow, although more slowly, while many other
industries are shrinking. Cat Fancy magazine, with over half a million monthly readers (huge for
a niche market), has been published since 1965, making it one of the most enduring periodicals
of the past 50 years.
Our world is becoming increasingly pet centric, and people consider their pets part of
the family. Dear Sparkle speaks to today’s cat owner, whether it’s the Baby Boomer whose cats
9
10. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
are filling in for the children who have grown up and moved away, or the busy professional who
comes home from work to her faithful feline friend every night. These readers will find the spirit
of their own pets in Sparkle’s unique blend of warmth, sarcasm and pure cattitude. And as the
next section shows, cat lovers are definitely book buyers.
10
11. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Complementary Books
“Just as important as content is a book’s tastiness and the quality of its sitting surface.”
Cats have an enduring popularity among readers. Here are some cat books (about cats, by cats
and cat stories) that share Dear Sparkle’s readership. Some may view such books as competition,
but they are more complementary, since people tend to buy more than one cat book, the same
way they often own more than one cat. Here are Sparkle’s thoughts on each book:
The Devious Book for Cats: A Parody by Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls, and
Anita Serwacki (Villard)
Based on the best-selling Dangerous Book for Boys, this volume gives advice to cats that is
funny, but nowhere near as practical as what I dole out. I have to admit, however, there are some
great tips on food stealing.
11
12. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties And Cats Gone Bad by Jim Edgar (Workman)
It’s mainly a picture book of misbehaving cats with captions that went on to become a series of
calendars. It’s pretty amusing, but not very helpful.
Stuff on My Cat: The Book and More Stuff on My Cat by Mario Garza (no relation to my
human) (Chronicle)
Here’s an idea that, like my advice column, started on the internet and took off. In fact, so many
people wanted to see photos of random items on cats that there is now a second volume. While as
a cat I think the photos are undignified, I have to begrudgingly admit the idea worked.
I Can Has Cheezburger? A LOLcat Colleckshun by Professor Happycat (Gotham)
Trust me, the average cat is much more literate than the ones you see on icanhascheezburger.
com, which is where these humorously captioned LOL cat photos originated. But humans refuse
to accept the fact that other creatures may equal or surpass them in intelligence, which explains
the popularity of this book.
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron (Grand Central)
One of the best selling books of 2008, and just a really great story. Proof that a great cat book has
a large audience.
12
13. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Feline Ques-
tions by Arden Moore (Storey)
This is a really useful book by a human cat expert. But it doesn’t have the entertainment value
my book has. Humans will buy this book when they need to do something about their cat’s be-
havior. They will buy my book when they want to be entertained, and they may not even realize
they’re learning something at the same time.
13
14. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Praise for Dear Sparkle: Advice From One Cat to Another
“This book is better than a bag full of kitty treats. (And much healthier!) Sparkle is most defi-
nitely the Dear Abby of the feline world.”
—Quasi, author of The World Is Your Litter Box
“I think Sparkle has re-invented the standard for all know-it-all cats, combining humor, a little bit
of wisdom, and a sense for punky, cat-styled interior design. Come to think of it, Sparkle can also
inspire people, as well, showing how cats seem to think. This is a fun read.”
—Anne Leighton, Cat Fancy contributor, and author of Paws for Thought: How to Understand
What Your Cat is Thinking
“Sparkle is a feline philosopher par excellence when it comes to sharing cat-on-cat wisdom. If
your life seems duller than stale catnip, Dear Sparkle will show you how easy it is to whip your
owner and your home into shape. You’ll want to keep this book right beside your litter box. It’s
worth its weight in toys and treats!”
—Fred (dictated to Karen Wormald, author of How to Work Like a CAT)
www.worklikeacat.com
“Sparkle takes us to the forefront of our cat’s mind’s eye, giving us a fun and insightful look at
what our companions are really thinking. Each passage is filled with clever advice and a hint of
witty sarcasm. A great read for both cats and humans!”
—Kerry Hyde, PhD, Cat Behaviorist
“When it comes to advice, Sparkle is the best. Much better than that of our human, who has
14
15. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
made many advice faux pas in her time—such as ‘It’s not dinner yet,’ or ‘I just fed you,’ or
‘There’s such a thing as too much dairy,’ whereas Sparkle’s advice is always spot-on. Also,
Sparkle is very beautiful. We would be happy to touch noses with her. If there is one thing in life
better than an empty cardboard box or a dancing spot of light, it is Sparkle.”
—Tsuko and Buzz (dictated to author/writing coach Jami Bernard)
www.barncatpublishing.com
15
16. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Sparkle in the Press
“I would hate having to look at the world through a human’s warped perspective.”
• The New York Times “Technology Bits,” November 6, 2008
“The Age of Tweety Cats,” twitter profile mentioned
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/the-age-of-tweety-cats/
• Cat Fancy, March 2009
“How Virtual Fundraising Saves Actual Lives,” book mention
• Enterpreneur.com, July 2008
“5 Perfect ‘Spare-Time’ Online Businesses,” website mentioned
http://www.entrepreneur.com/ebusiness/gettingstarted/article194524.html
• Discovery.com, “Daily Cuddle” blog, December 19, 2008
Photo featured
• All Pets Radio
“Get Real Cat Advice in Feline Columnist’s Book Debut,” book article
http://www.allpetsradio.com/article.php?id=320
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17. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
• Cats on about.com, April 8, 2004
“Breed of the Week: Somali,” photo and website featured
http://cats.about.com/b/2004/04/08/breed-of-the-week-somali-2.htm
• Cats USA magazine, 2004 edition
Photo featured, first place contest winner
17
18. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Sparkle on the Internet
“While the internet makes a nice cat toy, humans are still advised to invest in more traditional
playthings such as cat dancers and high quality catnip mice.”
Nowhere is the passion for cats more apparent than the internet. In addition to the many
thousands of human-run websites and blogs about cats and cat-related topics, there are also a
few thousand blogging cats—blogs and websites that are narrated by the cat itself. Look on
MySpace.com and you’ll find thousands of cat profiles. Even twitter.com, near the cutting edge
of social networking, features several hundred cat profiles, with the number growing every day.
Sparkle has been on the internet since January, 2003 and has nurtured a high-profile internet
presence since day one. In addition to her own website, she comments on other blogs, and has
earned links either to her own website or one of her social networking sites from high-traffic
destinations such as cats.about.com and nytimes.com.
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19. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Here are some of Sparkle’s websites and social networking profiles, where she has been
and will be promoting Dear Sparkle:
http://www�sparklecat�com—her personal website, containing her journal, advice column, book
reviews and store.
http://www�advicecat�com—This will be the main website to promote Sparkle’s advice books.
In development and not yet live.
http://www�myspace�com/designercat—her MySpace profile, where she has nearly 2900
friends.
http://twitter�com/sparklecat—her Twitter account, where she is quickly heading towards 1000
followers.
http://www�youtube�com/user/SparklecatDotCom—her YouTube channel, which features a
paw-picked roster of the best cat videos YouTube has to offer, plus her own video clips, many of
which have received several thousand views (her top viewed video reached over 14,000 pairs of
eyes).
http://www�goodkittybook�com—the biggest chapter in Dear Sparkle is the one concerning hu-
man behavior issues, so it’s obvious that at some point, Sparkle will have to speak directly to hu-
mans herself. This is the site (and possible book) where she will be doing that. In development.
19
20. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Marketing and Events
“Generally, humans really like to please you and they can be manipulated.”
While the campaign for Dear Sparkle is already established in the web-based world of
social networking, the push in other venues has barely begun. Here are just a few ways that the
book can be promoted:
• Magazine and webzine interviews� While Sparkle doesn’t do phoners (for obvious reasons),
she is more than happy to do interviews for print and internet via email. Some potential outlets
for her include Cat Fancy (where her human is already a contributor), high-traffic websites in-
cluding catchannel�com (Cat Fancy’s sister site), catster�com, the Animal Planet website (she
has already been featured in the discovery.com “Daily Cuddle” blog), and cats�about�com (site
guide Franny Syufy is an acquaintance). There is also a long list of cat websites and blogs that
Sparkle can contact for interviews.
• Other Cat Writers� Sparkle’s human, Janiss Garza, is a member of the Cat Writer’s Associa-
tion, an organization of over 200 members who write about cats. This is a supportive group, and
most will be more than happy to review the book for their journalistic outlets.
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21. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
• Promotional Video� While most promotional book videos aren’t that exciting, mainly because
they feature humans, a promotional book video starring a cat has the potential to become a viral
phenomenon.
• Cat Rescue Events� Cat lovers are passionate about rescuing homeless cats. Tying in Dear
Sparkle with rescue and adoption events will result in book sales and create goodwill in the cat
community.
21
22. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Possible Spin-Off Books and Projects
“There are no bad cats—just poorly-trained humans.”
Here are other projects Sparkle has in the works:
• Dear Sparkle: Advice from One Cat to Another� The rights to the original, award-winning
book are available.
• Good Kitty! Cat Behavior Problems from a Cat’s Perspective� When you read Dear Sparkle, it
becomes clear that many cat behavior problems are really human behavior problems. So at some
point, Sparkle should write a book directly to humans to help them out. This is the tentative title
of that book.
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23. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
DEAR SPARKLE
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction
1 Games Kitties Play
We cats can make a toy out of just about any inanimate (or ani-
mate) object. Twist-ties, pens, antique porcelain, crickets…ev-
erything’s fair game. There’s nothing more joyful than galloping
through a dark house at 3 a.m. Unfortunately, not every species
has such a well-developed play instinct. Humans, for example—
their sense of play is almost as dull as their sense of smell. So it’s
no surprise that many cats write me, complaining that they’re not
being allowed their full measure of fun. Such letters always sadden me—we cats thrive on play,
and a lack of recreation can lead to inappropriate acting out. But then, some humans consider
many of our amusements inappropriate to begin with. So you can see why this topic alone keeps
me very busy handing out advice.
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24. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
2 Strange Invasions
A cat’s home is not her castle—it’s her whole universe, especially
if she’s indoors-only, like I am. So you can imagine how aggrieved
we are when some strange creature comes along and squats on
our property. There are only two types of beings we accept on our
turf without complaint: those that give us food and those that are
food. Not in either category? Then who needs you? Considering
how famous we cats are for protecting our territory, and marking
it if necessary, I’m constantly amazed at the ways we cats get our space invaded. You will be too
when you read these yowls for help.
3 Cat Vs� Human
Sometimes I wonder why we cats have chosen to live with
these large, furless creatures known as humans. They’re
clumsy, not very bright, and they expect every other crea-
ture to speak Human. It’s a rare occurrence when one of
them even attempts to learn the most basic Cat language.
So no wonder there’s such a huge communication break-
down between cats and humans. Usually when there’s a
difference of opinion, the cat will win because we are very persistent. But every so often a hu-
man comes along who just refuses to get it. That’s when a letter, such as the ones in this chapter,
will pop up in my mailbox.
24
25. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
4 Litter Box Letters
Considering how much humans complain about our
litter boxes (especially when we don’t use them),
you might guess that this would be the longest
chapter in the book. But you guess wrong. Cats
don’t have litter box issues. We either like ours or
we don’t, and if we don’t, we take our business
elsewhere. It’s the humans who think that this is a
Big Deal. The only time I get letters from cats about their litter boxes is when their humans are
having some weird issues about the confounded things. Just wait ’til you hear some of the weird
behavior they exhibit over something that should be a cat’s private matter!
5 Mixed Mailbag
Every cat has his or her own unique problems, and not every letter
I get can be easily categorized. Some cats don’t have a permanent
set of humans or a home of their own. Some are outlaws in ev-
ery sense of the word. And although this may be hard for you to
believe, some cats are just a little bit insane. But they still write to
me for advice. In fact, I’m often the only one they can turn to—
they’re certainly not going to approach a human with their dilemma! It’s times like these that
require me to use every bit of feline insight I have at my clawtips.
Acknowledgements
25
27. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
1
Games Kitties Play
Mayhem After Midnight
Dear Sparkle,
I have to complain about my humans’ schedule. They are always asleep during the best time for
play, which is around 3 or 4 a.m. I do my best to get them up at this hour—I jump on them, run
through the house, knock things off their nightstand, you know, the usual—but it never works.
They just get mad and yell at me. I don’t understand why they are such grouches. If I did the
same to any cat, he’d be up instantly and ready to wrestle! It seems that all my humans want to
do is roll over and go back to sleep. Is this because they are old? I am 3 and a half and I know
they have to be at least ten times my age. I just thought that maybe humans aged slower than
cats, since their life span is so much longer. Is there any way I can get these humans out of bed
and excited to play?
Signed,
Frisky
27
28. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Dear Frisky,
The biggest problem I see here is that you are expecting your humans to behave like cats, and
that just isn’t possible. Humans are not as tuned in to the world as cats are. They can’t just drop
down and nap at will. Their lumbering bodies are anything but agile. They place excessive im-
portance on useless things like sitting in front of a desk and fiddling around with strange, unin-
teresting machines. Do you really expect such dull, graceless creatures to understand that 4 a.m.
is playtime? It has nothing to do with age; it’s human nature. I hate to bum you out, but it’s better
that you know what you’re dealing with.
What you really need is a friend who understands about the important things in life,
whose schedule more closely resembles your own. I am referring, of course, to another cat. If
you had a roommate to pal around with, you wouldn’t feel the need to get your humans up at
what they consider an “ungodly hour.” Of course, this will probably still happen since you and
your friend will both be jumping on the bed, knocking things off the nightstand and running
through the house. But of course, that’s not your problem, and my advice column is for cats, not
humans.
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29. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
2
Strange Invasions
Pet Sitter Protest
Dear Sparkle,
Every time my humans leave town, they have this strange woman come over to feed us and
spend the night. She’s called a “pet sitter,” and my three roommates (two tabbies from the local
rescue, and the fuzzy gray cat who showed up at the back door one day) tell me she’s okay, but I
don’t believe them. She smells weird and even the food smells different when she gives it to us.
Whenever this woman comes over, I spend most of my time under the bed until my humans ret
urn. Now they are pulling out those dreaded suitcases again, which means that pet sitter is com-
ing back. Is there some way to get her out of the house so I can have some peace…or is it true,
like my roommates say, that I can use her to my advantage?
Signed,
Dubious
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30. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Dear Dubious,
I have to agree with you—pet sitters do smell weird and unfamiliar, and the food does taste dif-
ferent when they serve it. I think that’s mainly because their scent mingles with the food dish
and hangs in the air after they’ve left us to eat. Humans have a really bad sense of smell, so they
have no clue what a big deal this is. I can’t blame you for hiding under the bed when this stranger
comes by. But it would probably be better for you if you came out of hiding to see just what this
pet sitter is all about.
It’s true that pet sitters can be manipulated, just like any other human, but not as much
as your roommates may believe. Most of them have a bunch of rules that they follow. Some of
these rules were even set down by your own humans before they left. So if you’re an overweight
cat who thinks you might weasel an extra treat or two out of the pet sitter, you’re probably out of
luck—your humans have already warned her not to give you any. And she’s probably not going
to give you any out-of-the-ordinary food or treats, no matter how yummy, because it might not
agree with you. Even worse, if the vet has prescribed you any medication, you will still have to
take it. On the other hand, if you like to play, you can probably get her to pull out your favorite
toys. In fact, her job is to keep you happy so it’s likely she will play with you for longer periods
of time than your humans do. And—surprise!—I bet she will also keep your litter box cleaner
than your humans do.
So pet sitters are a mixed bag. If you are expecting special food or if you are sick, you’re
not going to enjoy her very much. But in a lot of ways, she might treat you even better than your
humans do. This goes especially for the sleepover ones like you’re getting. So hold your nose
and give her a chance. If you decide you still don’t like her, you can always annoy her by wrestling
on the bed with your roommates all night. That should at least show her who rules your home.
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31. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
3
Cat Vs� Human
Boyfriend Blues
Dear Sparkle,
My human and I live by ourselves in a big apartment that overlooks a yard that attracts lots of
birds. I even have my own window perch so I can nap when I’m not bird watching. I think our
life is perfect, but my human apparently doesn’t agree because lately she’s been seeing this
guy—a lot! Sometimes she’s gone all night. Other times, he comes over and stays overnight.
I don’t like this guy. He’s big and loud and obnoxious and he smells funny. He watches noisy
things on TV, with people screaming a lot. Sometimes he screams at the TV. He’s very strange
and I don’t know what my human sees in him. Can I get rid of him somehow? He’s not mean
to me or anything—in fact, I usually hang out under the bed while he’s around so I don’t see all
that much of him. But my human’s talking like she wants to move in with him, which means we
would have to leave this cool apartment! This guy has to go. Any tips on what to do?
Signed,
Concerned
31
32. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Dear Concerned,
I know how worrisome new humans can be. They are oversized, unpredictable creatures—plus
there’s that odd smell they all seem to have! And from the sounds of it, the one you’re dealing
with is less pleasant than most. He’s extra-large, loud, and he’s turning your own human into a
nitwit. I can totally understand why you’d want to get rid of him. That said, however, I do have
to admit that you’re jumping to conclusions here. Since you spend most of your time hiding from
this new human, things may not be as bad as you have assumed.
Instead of going into a panic and resorting to your most drastic measures, such as pee-
ing on his clothing or sharpening your claws on his pants leg (while he’s still wearing the pants,
of course), you should assess the situation first. So next time he comes over, get out from un-
der the bed and check him out. Walk over to him and give him a few cautious sniffs (try not to
wrinkle your nose), then step back and see what he does. For your sake, I hope he’s not one of
those obnoxious types who immediately makes a grab for you. Some male humans try to make
a good impression by showing off how good they are with the female human’s cat. This always
backfires, because as you know, we hate it when humans are too forward. If he tries this, I sug-
gest you scoot right back under the bed until he learns some manners. If he acknowledges your
presence but then lets you be, that’s good. Worse case scenario is if he pushes you away. Then
sure, go ahead and pee on his stuff. He deserves it. But if he behaves himself, take some time to
get to know him. Chances are he’ll be nice to you (he does want your human to be nice to him,
after all). Maybe your human will even encourage him to give you treats or play with you. The
situation can be manipulated in your favor, you know.
As for the moving part, I wouldn’t get too nervous just yet. Male humans hate change
almost as much as we cats do, so he may not be in any hurry to make a new home with you and
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33. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
your human. In fact, if he is slow enough maybe your human will grow tired of him and stop
seeing him. On the other hand, it’s also possible that you could wind up in a new home with even
more space and a yard that has a better selection of birds than what you already have. So calm
down! You really don’t know what’s going to happen and stressing out about the possibilities is
useless. Just keep a watchful eye on the situation, and that should give you a better idea on how
to proceed.
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34. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
4
Litter Box Letters
Sandbox Silliness
Dear Sparkle,
I am two months old and my favorite thing to do is play. I suppose that’s logical, since I’m a kit-
ten! I haven’t met an object, animate or inanimate, that I haven’t been able to turn into a cat toy.
My human loves to watch me jump around and chase things, and sometimes she even plays with
me, except lately things have gotten kind of weird. One of my favorite games is to leap into the
litter box and roll around and kick out as much of the litter as possible. My human doesn’t like
it when I do this—when she catches me, she calls me “Icky” and “Smelly” (neither of which are
my name) and then she does the unthinkable: she gives me a bath! Lately this has been happen-
ing on a daily basis, and I am very, very unhappy about this, as you might imagine. What do you
suggest? Should I stay away from the litter box completely? I thought it was there just for me,
but now I have no idea what it’s for.
Signed,
Perpetually Playful
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35. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
Dear Playful,
I must commend you on your vocabulary—it’s quite advanced for such a young kitten. I also
admire your ingenuity at creating cat toys out of every object you encounter. You must have an
incredible imagination. But I have to agree with your human—your playing in the litter box is a
little strange. I think litter boxes are kind of disgusting and spend lots of time trying to get that
gritty feeling of the litter out from between my toes. It is icky and smelly! But that’s really my
human’s fault—she really could do a better job of keeping it clean. And since you seem to like
spending so much time in your litter box maybe your human should work even harder to keep
it spotless. It’s not your fault that you wind up smelling icky because your human left you with
a dirty litter box. And besides that, if she really wants to keep you from playing there, the best
thing she can do is distract you with a better toy. All that bathing and negativity will do is make
you hate the litter box and never use it for its original purpose.
If I sound a little put off by this habit of yours, don’t worry too much—you’re not the first
kitten I’ve heard of who makes his litter box into a plaything. From what I gather, the ones that
do will grow out of it after a few weeks. Kittens bore easily, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you
were off very soon, making a toy out of yet another object that your human deems inappropriate.
If that happens, feel free to write in again and we’ll suss it out.
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36. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
5
Mixed Mailbag
Rebel With Four Paws
Dear Sparkle,
I was born in an abandoned shed on the outskirts of town. It sounds like a tough life, but it re-
ally wasn’t—there were dozens of us cats and kittens living in the area and while we did have to
scrounge for food now and again, a couple of women would come by nearly every day and feed
us. But then they started putting out these boxes with yummy tuna in them! You know I had to
check that out, and next thing, I was trapped in the box and taken away. You can imagine how
panicked I was—I screamed and thrashed around the box like crazy and tried to tear myself out
of it. So now I’m being held prisoner in this place with a bunch of other cats. Most of the other
cats seem to think this is okay and they kiss up to the humans who have us locked up. I won’t do
it—I hide every time they come in and try to hang out with us. I don’t really like humans, even
though I do appreciate the food they give us. Honestly, I just want my freedom back. I’m five
months old—almost six—so as you can tell I am almost grown up and I can do just fine on my
36
37. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
own. How do I get outta here?
Signed,
Freaked Out and Feral
Dear FOF,
You may think you’re grown up at five months, but trust me, humans still think you’re a kitten.
And really, you are, even though it may not seem that way. In your world, cats might have kittens
when they’re barely seven months old. And that’s what these humans who have captured you are
trying to prevent. I imagine that along with picking up overly-curious kittens like yourself, they
are also doing something called TNR, which stands for Trap, Neuter and Return. They find colo-
nies of homeless cats, capture as many as they can and spay and neuter them so that they don’t
produce more kittens, thus keeping the population down. This is actually a good thing because it
means fewer cats wind up in pounds, or are killed by predators, dogs and mean humans. Some-
times these people also capture kittens and try to “socialize” them (make them human-friendly,
in other words), and then find them homes. It sounds like this was the intention with you—but
obviously, you are a hard case.
Unfortunately, if you have been held prisoner for a while, and not just spayed and released,
chances are that the humans have no intention of setting you free. In spite of your bad attitude
when you were captured, you were deemed “adoptable,” and they are probably intent on making
you human-friendly somehow. As you can tell by your fellow inmates, often their tactics work…
and sometimes they don’t. But even if you never warm up to humans, you probably won’t be set
free again—you’ll just be held in limbo with a group of other cats like yourself, who were cap-
tured wild and who prefer to stay that way. You can deal with this one of two ways: make friends
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38. Dear Sparkle: A Proposal
with the other cats, eat the food the humans leave for you and continue to hide. Or suck it up,
make friends with the humans, get adopted…and figure out an escape route as soon as you get to
your new home. Oh, or you could always figure out a way to tolerate human companionship for
real (after a few months of goading, pleading and a lot of effort on the humans’ behalf), but I get
the feeling this may be below you.
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