Who Are the Cat Writers’ Association? DEBBIE DE LOUISE

Today on Who are the Cat Writers’ Association? I’m happy to introduce you to a personal friend of mine, Debbie De Louise. Debbie is a prolific mystery writer and cat person whom I met several years ago at the Cat Writers’ Association Conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Debbie De Louise is a reference librarian at a public library. She’s the author of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series featuring Alicia, the librarian and Sneaky, the library cat. She’s also published three standalone mysteries, a paranormal romance, a time-travel novel, a romantic comedy novella, and a collection of cat poems. Her stories and poetry appear in over a dozen anthologies. Debbie also writes articles for Catster.com. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and three cats. Learn more about Debbie and her books by visiting her website at https://debbiedelouise.com.

Debbie, please tell us about your writing career.

I write a variety of standalone novels and short stories in various genres. I also write some poetry. Most of my writing features cats and also other pets. My main genre is mystery and cozy mystery. My Cobble Cove cozy series featuring Sneaky the Library Cat consists of five, full-length novels and a short story collection that are available in paperback and eBook and are all free on Kindle Unlimited. The title for the story collection is Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery and other Short Stories. It was recently published by Solstice Publishing.

I’ve also started a new cozy series called Buttercup Bend Mysteries. The first book, The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady, was just released May 15th. The main character, Cathy Carter, is the co-owner of a pet cemetery and rescue center. She is also a photographer for the local newspaper, the Buttercup Bugle.

How do cats inspire your creativity?

My cats all have different personalities, as most cat people know from observing their own cats. The funny and cute things they do help me characterize the cats in my books and stories.

Now for five extremely arbitrary questions.

Did you grow up with cats?

I sure did. My parents were animal lovers. We always had many pets in our home, cats as well as dogs. My mother couldn’t turn down a stray, and she also cared for outdoor cats. I describe many of the cats I grew up with and cared for after I married in my short story, The Path to Rainbow Gardens, and my poetry collection, Meows and Purrs. I also wrote The Story of Harry and Hermione for the anthology, Second Hand Cats: The Cats We Rescue and the Cats Who Rescue Us, about adopting my current cats, Harry and Hermione.

Does cat love run in your family?

Yes. I believe my daughter has inherited the cat-loving gene or has developed that special attachment to felines because she grew up with them, as I did.

What would your life be without cats?

I can’t imagine that. Although it’s so painful when I lose them, having cats in my life provides comfort, laughter, fun, and so much love.

Have you ever seen a ghost cat?

Yes. My daughter and I have both been visited by ghost cats in our home, and I wrote about the experience in Dusty Rainbolt’s upcoming book, Ghost Cats 2.

Have you won any awards for your cat writing?

Yes. I’ve won several certificates from the Cat Writers’ Association for some of my published work, as well as a special award from Purina Hartz for my cat grooming article in Catster Magazine, Brush Your Cat for Bonding, Beauty, and Better Health. I also won a Muse Medallion, the highest award of the Cat Writers’ Association for my short cozy mystery story, Sneaky’s Christmas Mystery that will be included in Sneaky’s Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories.

My current cats are:

Harry (3 1/2). He’s a black shorthair who is the alpha cat in our house. He has a huge appetite and is very active. He loves to play and jump after cat teasers and enjoys hiding in cat tunnels. He’s also a lap cat that loves to watch TV on my lap.

Hermione (3 1/2). She’s Harry’s sister, a dilute calico. She’s a sweet and beautiful girl. She was a finalist in America’s Favorite Pet Contest and will appear in a Catster magazine. She loves to sleep in my bed but isn’t a lap cat. She does seek affection by kneading and purring.

Angel Stripey, who left us recently (14) was a mackerel tabby. We miss him.