Signing for Cupboard Maker Books’ Annika
Cupboard Maker Books in Enola has many cats. Squeekie gets most of the attention due to his gregarious nature and charming ways. He wears a little bowtie on a daily basis, since like most cats, he believes in being stylish and fashion-forward. Everyone knows bowties are cool.
There are also the constant parade of Castaway Critters felines, being hosted by Cupboard Maker Books so they can find their forever homes.
But let it be known right now, her personality does not match her appearance. Annika does not suffer fools gladly. She bears up under the weight of her adorableness because she has to. She would like you and everyone else to know that, despite appearances to the contrary, she is not a stuffed plushie, waiting eagerly to be petted.
That’s Squeekie.
Not Annika.
Squeekie has several collections of short stories written about him. He’s even gone on television to promote them. They are sold, obviously, at Cupboard Maker Books.
It came to Annika’s attention that she was being neglected. Squeekie had his books. Why didn’t she? She’s a bookstore cat as well and there is plenty to say about her.
Thus, a new collection of short stories was born, one focusing almost exclusively on Annika. Squeekie appears in most of the stories as, at best, a supporting character in Annika’s exciting, dramatic life.
Local authors, me being one of them, were invited to write stories channeling Annika. I’m thrilled to say that my story, by my alter-ego Odessa Moon, was selected for inclusion. “Of Mice and Murder” addresses Annika’s existential crisis: What is a cat for?
She works it out, of course, in a spectacularly bloody fashion. That’s why my story, of the 13 selected for the collection, ended up in the lucky thirteen position and behind a warning page for blood and violence.
Let me reassure you, dear reader, that Annika did not suffer any of the blood and violence. She did the inflicting with her claws and fangs and enjoyed herself very much too.
This is how I ended up at Cupboard Maker Books last Sunday at a book signing for Annika’s new book along with the other local authors.
It was a fun day, getting to talk to everyone who came out to Cupboard Maker to celebrate Annika’s special day. It was, by the way, her birthday. Included in our group signing were Natalie J. Damschroder, Cathy Leach, Elizabeth Koerber, Jennifer Woodings, Jim Fisher, Susan Dickinson, Michelle Haring, Kristian Beverly, Samantha Coons, and Carrie Jacobs. And me.
Contributors Misty Simon and Donna L. Leiss were unable to attend; due to prior commitments that couldn’t possibly have been as important as Annika’s birthday celebration (with cake!) and book launch.
Bill, as an ever-supportive husband of Instagram, came out to take some pictures and man the table with my novel “The Bride from Dairapaska” and “The Dictionary of Flowers and Gems.”
Sadly, the guest of honor characteristically herself did not put in an appearance for her adoring fans. Annika doesn’t care for crowds and she really doesn’t like anyone attempting to play with her. Her beauty is a curse. She bears up well under the stress, but still.
A great time was had by all. We ate cake, we signed books, we talked and got to know each other. Annika signed too, or rather, Michelle had a stamp made so Annika could sign all her books without having to do any of the wearying work of actually laying paw to paper.
It’s a charming little book and one you should enjoy. If you haven’t already done so, you can get your own copy (signed by Annika!) at Cupboard Maker Books.
Ask for “The Very, Very Bad Misadventures of Annika, the Reluctant Bookstore Cat.” A sketch of Annika’s charming face is on the front cover, her tail is on the back cover, and she appears in all her glory in her author photo. She’s charming and adorable in her picture and wants you to know that you are welcome to pet that image.
Just don’t try to pet her. She doesn’t like it.