Rhymes With Orange Newsletter #10, June 2003

Howdy friends,
We don't call this the Charming-But-INFREQUENT-Newsletter for nothing-- it's been about 8 months since my last one.

But now that the lilacs are blooming and our cat is presenting us with a dead mouse every evening at 3 am, it time to join in with the unbridled self-expression.

So here's what's happening in Rhymes-With-Orange-land: First, the new dog and cat cartoon collection, called REIGNING CATS & DOGS, is now out in stores!

It's a snappy little gift book with one hundred of the most requested Rhymes With Orange dog and cat strips. It's got me thinking-- if it inspired a cartoon, can I deduct that $200 dollar vet visit for the swollen anal gland as a business expense?

The biggies--Borders, Waldenbooks, Amazon and Barnes & Noble-- have it in stock, and you'll find it in the humor section. You may have to let your favorite indie bookstore know about it, but they will happily order you up a copy.

Wherever you go, call the book store first. I don't want any tears or tantrums if they need to reorder.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out and already have a few signings lined up. (I did one signing at my hometown bookstore in Weston, MA. Since my mother managed to strong-arm all of her friends into coming, it was a rousing success.) I will keep you posted on times and places as it gets nailed down.

Benevolent cartoonist that I am, I've heard your pleas for mercy and have finally taken off the pop-up ads on the website. Hallelujah! (There's still a little obnoxious coding in the favorites section, but that's getting the boot in the coming weeks.)

You'll also notice on the website the new ONLINE STORE! Want a T-shirt or mug with your favorite strip on it? That's the place to go. And, if you have a strip in mind you want up there, let me know. I can add to the selection at any time.

In other news, I've finally learned powerpoint and have started giving talks about cartooning with an accompanying slide show. Turns out, I really like doing it.

On Thursday June 5th, I'll be speaking at the Museum of Fine Arts in Springfield, MA. It's in conjunction with their current exhibit, coincidentally called "Reigning Cats and Dogs," which chronicles pets in fine art through history. It's a lunch thing, from 12:15 to 1, and I'll be talking about the creative and business end of cartooning. Come say hi!

Here's their website for directions: http://www.quadrangle.org/

If you have a favorite bookstore and have lots of friends that would want to come to a signing, let's make it happen.

If you have a favorite bookstore and DON'T have lots of friends that would want to come to a signing, buy the book and send it to me with a postage-paid return envelope. I will gladly sign it and send it back, and at the same time thank you profusely for saving me the road trip. (My mailing address is on the website.) As far as signings go, it'll have to be in reasonable driving distance from Northampton, MA.

Finally, I've got a challenge for y'all. There are alot of dog and cat specialty stores out there, little boutiques with fresh-baked pet treats and fun gifts for Fido and Fluffy. Please bring in the book and show it to them! My website is on the back of the book, and they can e-mail me for information on ordering smaller quantities.

Now, about my personal life. My partner and I just had a tag sale, and sold $192 dollars of junk to people who actually wanted it. So not only did they take our stuff, they paid us money to do so. AND I got the Alabama quarter I needed for my nerdy 50 state quarter collection. Life is sweet.

Take care,
Hilary