1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I started writing at the age of seven. We were given a poetry assignment in class, and I never stopped! My first poem was about a greyhound. I was fascinated with dogs and fairies, and the sighthounds (greyhounds, salukis, whippets, Irish wolfhounds, Scottish deerhounds), anything with those long, tapered legs that could run so fast.
My second poem was slightly better. Golden Fawn was the title; I composed it upon the death of my beautiful golden hamster. Writing about animals that I loved, or that were a part of my life, just came naturally to me. The imaginary kingdom that most people couldn’t see started weaving itself into my writing very young as well.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
Every single poem or story, photograph, or drawing in this book is heartfelt. Again, my beautiful pets cross back and forth to the ether realm, making pictures of themselves in the sky or even in my bedroom. Their births, lives, and deaths are commemorated here. Often, instead of saying, “I wrote a poem,” I’ll say, “I poemed,” like giving birth to a piece of writing.
Inspiration comes from intense emotions, whether it’s about a pet or something I’ve experienced in my life — unfortunately, a lot of abuse — but out of that is born writing that can help others.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That it’s okay to feel deeply about your pets, whether they’re a cat or a dog, hairless or furred, people are beginning to understand that it’s okay to grieve for a pet like you would for a person. A relationship between two species possesses inherent magic; so it’s okay to give voice to that magic and the love that you have for your cat, dog, horse, or whatever. Animals are children, too.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Initially, I frowned upon long writing assignments; writing a poem, a short essay, or a story was easier for me. Now I have the freedom to write whatever I wish, but I value poetry’s capacity to traverse lifetimes, periods, or annum, truly anything. I love finding the words to express exactly what I’m feeling or what I want others to feel.
5) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Facebook is number one for me. From 2013 to lockdown, I had a store online that made clothing for cats. My wish remained to write, though the garments rose in popularity, restricting my availability, leaving no time for writing. So, what I would do is, when I felt something forming in my mind, I would type it into my Facebook feed and see what kind of response it’d get. A lot of it got an excellent response. I waited, confirming that it was not simply loved ones offering praise, but those I admired and respected who offered honest praise. Then my Facebook followers kept saying that I should make a book or a coffee table book because they also liked my photography and art. This took years to bring together, so this debut is for my followers.
6) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
This is one of the most challenging questions I get asked, because we’re all very different. I would say, find your voice first. Don’t copy others except if you like the cadence they’re using in their poem. You can use it in yours, but don’t steal. For instance, I tried to write a vampire story, and I love Anne Rice, but it started sounding too much like her voice and not mine. So, I stopped, and I do have a novella coming out now, working title: Bella and Lee and Me. It has immortal creatures, some that you’ve never heard of before, and a lot of spiritual, but differently stated storylines that are truly my own.
Find a Facebook group that has a lot in common with your tastes, and you can show them something that you’ve written, but be sure to write all rights reserved and your name underneath.
7) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I have several new books and development poetry books, one a novel, one a novella, all almost all the way finished. I have several chronic diseases, which limit me in my day-to-day life and in my writing as well. However, writing is something I continue to do, whether by typing or using speech to text.
Aber Stoat, my publisher, is wonderful for working with indie authors and has been great with me.
About the Author
Airie McCready got her journalism degree, but spent her early years in fine art, computer graphics, and freelanced as an art director for photo shoots. After her marriage ended, she changed her name in order to get out from under the shadow of her ex-husband‘s writing and set out on a journey of self-discovery, which led to her mission today, helping people understand the love of cats. After observing cats’ behavior for over 20 years, Sphynx and Devon Rex specifically for over 10 years, she now shares her expert knowledge with others. She views her bond with her cats as deeply spiritual, describing it as a symbiotic unit.
Links:
https://linktr.ee/airiemccreadybooks
