Interview With Author Josie Cruz-Meléndez

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

Having a small animal sanctuary provides me a daily reminder of the undeniable reality that non-human animals possess individual personalities and their own particular brand of wisdom. Every single day I chuckle, laugh, gasp, wonder, marvel, sigh or am blown away by the antics of each of my sanctuary residents. And, yet, there is still a widespread view that animals are only slightly higher than inanimate objects in the global pecking order. With each interaction, I progressively felt compelled to give them a voice in a way that did their stories justice. I started the Rescue Storytime series by writing an illustrated book called "I Promise You A Home" which introduces Rescue Mom, the sanctuary, and some of its residents.  This book, Maldo: Cantankerous Prince Fabulous, is a follow-up book about the rescue of one particular Siamese-mix cat. 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?

Maldo has a particularly poignant rescue story which, I am convinced, explains his cantankerous, yet affectionate, personality. From being found as a discarded baby next to a garbage dumpster, Maldo went through an extraordinarily difficult healing process aided by the ministrations of a loving Rescue Mom and the support of the sanctuary's other residents. Maldo is now a healthy, strong, and very vocal member of the Rescue Buddies and his rescue is the first "gotcha day" book in the Rescue Storytime series.   

The book, as all in the series, is written for children of all ages. I have found that the love for animals transcends age. School-age children love the illustrations of the book and the idiosyncrasies of each of the sanctuary residents.  Adults seem to be transported to beautiful times in their memories about loved animals or feel compelled to share their current experiences with significant animals in their lives.  Ultimately, each rescue story, and Maldo's in particular, generates personal reflections, leading to growth and healing.  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

My interest is two-fold. Firstly, I am intent on helping to change the harmful pervasive perspective that denies animals their sentience and, thus, generates such abuse, exploitation and neglect. I would like to provide a meaningful, relatable and approachable way for people to experience "aha" moments regarding the enormous capabilities and profound emotions of non-human animals. Secondly, I would like to provide readers the opportunity for healing and growth that comes from reading someone's transformation from abandonment to a happy life. Since these are stories that are based on real-life rescues, they include many of the difficulties, processes and growth that, as humans, we also experience in our lives.  

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The book's title includes three of the more striking characteristics of the protagonist.  Maldo is certainly a grouch (although he has many cuddly moments) who often behaves like he "owns the place".  Maldo is also a very handsome cat. His large, sky-blue eyes are strikingly beautiful.  

The cover design reflects a very dominant aspect of his personality. He does behave as though he is a prince and others simply need to obey him or get out of the way. Hence, the crown, royal cape and somewhat arrogant demeanor.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

I don't know that I can give advice to other writers.  I have not been writing for very long.  But, I would say that each person has his/her own voice and all voices need to be heard. Each writer is an important messenger of their truth.  Whoever is capable of writing, please do so. The world needs it.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? 

I have not studied trends at great length.  I believe digitalization comes with benefits and drawbacks. I  see the writing process as something intimately personal, an individual's contribution to their own development and that of their readers. So, I am particularly concerned with the overutilization (or normalization) of AI sources for publishing.  

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?

This book is ALL about my experiences with rescues and with Maldo's rescue in particular.  As I mentioned in the previous question, I truly believe that writing stories is an intimately personal process.    

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

My writing style is very personal and, when writing about these rescues, it is fraught with emotion, conviction and a deep desire to speak for those who do not have a voice. I don't really know if my writing is similar to that of other writers.  

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

The topic and words were not particularly difficult.  But, I am not familiar with the post-writing aspects such as marketing, promotion, etc.  I have not conquered those challenges yet.   

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

People should read Maldo: Cantankerous Prince Fabulous because it´s funny, sad, triumphant, real, poignant, healing, and, with only 36 illustrated pages, it's an easy read.   

About The Author: In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the legal profession in her native San Juan, Puerto Rico, Josie Cruz-Meléndez has generally found solace in her love for animals.  The graduate from UPR School of Law and Harvard Law School is an innate rescuer who inevitably gravitates toward homeless dogs and cats in need. This led her to create an animal welfare foundation which includes a small rescue sanctuary. It is this sanctuary which has provided an abundant array of life affirming lessons. Josie firmly believes that animals are extraordinary teachers for all who care to listen. In the end, she often wonders who rescued whom. For more info, please see: https://www.instagram.com/rescuestorytime/ 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.