I Started A New Website And Almost Lost My Damn Mind

by Marinka on October 7, 2011

So here’s my big news.

After many, many months of talking about it, I wrote a children’s book, based loosely on the story of how Nicki came into our lives. And when I say loosely, I mean word-for-word as it really happened. Originally, I wanted to write the book with my daughter, but she was all eyeroll and I don’t really have time for this and after a few months of threatening, cajoling and DNA testing, I gave up on it and asked Peajaye to do the illustrations.

He agreed, and that’s how I ruined his life. Because he was consumed with drawing cats and my family and getting feedback from me like “Can you make Nicki more purr-y and the Mom A LOT MORE GLAMOROUS WITH BIGGER BREASTS AND A HEIDI KLUM-CUM-MONA LISA SMILE? Oh, and also make her look very wise, so that it’s clear to everyone that she’s the soul of the family. Thanks.” And that’s not even getting to the whole cat butt discussion.

Just as Peajaye and I were really getting into the book writing/illustrating swing of things, my daughter and her team of lawyers said something like “thanks for stealing my idea!” And then I remembered that it had been originally her idea, albeit one that she hadn’t executed, and as they tell you in Intellectual Property 101, you can’t copyright an idea. And then she said “so you think stealing is ok?” and after consulting with our Dream Team of Judge Judy reruns, Peajaye and I decided to let her work on the book with us and take photographs of Nicki and have a say in how the book turns out. So my dream of writing a book with my daughter sort of did come true. (Related: I’m thinking of a way to make Peajaye my daughter.)

And as we were finishing up the book, I realized that Peajaye still had a bit o’ life in him, so I thought that we should design a website to go with the book, because what kind of a moron has a book without a website these days? But because I am not designy, Peajaye had to do everything.

I have to tell you — I struggled with this website. Because at first I thought that it would be “Nicki’s blog” but after writing one post about taking a nap on a sunny bed, I immediately went to one of those Get Drugs for Cheap From Canada websites and ordered poison pills. After a lot of back and forth with Peajaye and my kids, together with some meditations over Nicki’s litterbox, we finally have a format with the new site.

It’s called Wanted Cat and I love it so much.

It’s part photos of Nicki, part blog posts written by me, my daughter and Nicki herself (ahem) and part hilarious YouTube videos of Mews News You Can Use–one minute news segments about what’s rocking the cat world lately. It’s a great way to catch up on all things feline so that you don’t sound like a moron at your next cocktail party.

There’s also a place for you to submit your cat’s photo to be featured as our Feline Foto of the Week. Obviously this is an amazing opportunity for your cat. Seriously, please consider submitting a photo on the site. And if you think Young Ladrinka is not participating in this project, obviously you know absolutely nothing about Young Ladrinka.

Peajaye came up with an idea that I’d pay the kids $1 for the best photo of Nicki every week so now there’s an intense competition about who will get the weekly $1. Needless to say, Nicki is exhausted.

I hope that you will check it out and I hope that you will love it.

And don’t forget to get multiple copies of the book— one for every room is a nice idea (unless you live in a one room apartment, in which case, one for every day of the week, because you deserve it, goshdarnit!)

One year ago ...

0saves
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the RSS feed.

{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

Megan October 7, 2011 at 12:45 pm

How exciting! Congratulations! Is the book available on Amazon yet?

Reply

OHmommy
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Congrats! Can’t wait to read it.

Reply

Catherine
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 1:15 pm

I don’t even know what to say…….

Reply

Tracy
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Congrats! Yay for cat butts!

Reply

Stephanie @ DialMforMinky October 7, 2011 at 2:33 pm

considering my blog and online name is you know the name of my (now deceased) beloved cat, I whole heartedly love this.

Reply

Twsited Domestic Goddess October 7, 2011 at 3:51 pm

I keep saying one of these days I will write a book….I need to stop procrastinating

Reply

b a seagull
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 5:11 pm

Congratulations. Just bought 2. (I think you are delightful and talented, a winning combination.)

Reply

Suzy
Twitter:
October 7, 2011 at 7:30 pm

When the new website becomes more popular than this one because hello, CATS! INTERNET! SUCCESS! those poison pills are going to come in handy.

Reply

noordinarymomma October 7, 2011 at 11:50 pm

Meeeeow! I am soooo not a cat person, but love that you are doing this. I’m pretty sure my cat issues stem from getting bit in the fucking eye by one back in 7th grade, but that’s just a guess…a professional hasn’t confirmed. Best of luck to all of you!

Reply

Glamamom
Twitter:
October 8, 2011 at 12:03 am

Congrats Marinka! That Nicky is one lucky feline!

Reply

awesome dude October 8, 2011 at 7:09 am

The site misses some important buttons for cats of different religious affiliations, let’s say Katz for Jewish cats, Gatos for Spanish, Кошкин for Russians and so on for Koreans, Malaysians and others.

Reply

dusty earth mother October 8, 2011 at 9:01 pm

So thrilled for you and Nicki. And Peajaye. And Daughterinka. And I love the site!

Reply

Kati
Twitter:
October 8, 2011 at 10:11 pm

Question – when I buy this book, will I have to come all the way to NYC to have it autographed?

Reply

Marie October 8, 2011 at 10:30 pm

Good question Kati, I am also wondering how to get it autographed…

Reply

erin@mommyonthespot October 9, 2011 at 9:59 am

Congratulations! That is awesome!

Reply

Anna Lefler
Twitter:
October 9, 2011 at 4:31 pm

Right ON. Congratulations to you! I just ordered two copies and tweeted and FB’d it within an inch of its life.

Love this and I’m so happy for you!

~ Teats Lefler

Reply

By Word of Mouth Musings
Twitter:
October 9, 2011 at 5:40 pm

My 13 yr old just sent you a picture of her cat – great site.
Cool idea! And lucky Pussy xxx

Reply

Becky
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 9:48 am

Congrats on your publication. Adoptable cats everywhere are rejoicing!

Reply

Alexandra
Twitter:
October 10, 2011 at 10:02 am

I am very happy for you.

This is exciting, and I can’t even imagine how it feels.

Yes, of course, ordering copies.

Will be you at BlogHer 12, if I bring my copy, for you to sign?

I’d be thrilled, beaming, ear to ear.

Congrats, Marinka!

Reply

sweetney October 10, 2011 at 3:08 pm

Crafting with… CAT HAIR? Umm, wow.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: