Meet the Author: Kathy Page "Invisible Cougar"

Kathy Page dabbles in many things, writing being one of them. She also enjoys participating in the local community theatre, reading, painting, and spending time with family and friends. Traveling is a particular enjoyment, which is good as she does quite a bit for both her paying job and volunteer work. She is on the national Board of Directors and an FDA Patient Representative for the Ekbom Disease Foundation. Kathy also does advocacy work for the American Cancer Society. Kathy enjoys an occasional challenge to keep life exciting.

The Invisible Cougar

Kathy Page

T

wo major events happened on my fifty-fifth birthday; I started losing my invisibility, and I became a cougar. The birthday was inevitable; losing the invisibility was a mixed blessing, and at the time I had no idea what a “cougar” was.

Let me back up a little. Two years ago my husband Alvin left me for his secretary—his  much younger secretary. While I knew he had been unfaithful in the past, it still came as a hurtful surprise. Even more hurtful was our daughter Niki’s ready acceptance of the situation. Her words when he moved out were, “Well! You have let yourself go. Dad has a prestigious job and needs someone “glam” to stand beside him.” It was at that point that I started becoming invisible. Once the divorce papers were signed, I no longer existed for my ex-husband. Our daughter completely defected to her father’s side and became fast friends with the new wife.

Then I started noticing that friends stopped calling. When I passed them on the street, they looked right through me. During the long walks I started taking, not one person responded to my “hello” or smile. Sales people ignored me as I wandered the aisles and the Girl Scouts didn’t come to sell cookies at my door. I assured myself several times a day that I still existed by looking at myself in the mirror. Of course, that did nothing to make me feel better. Looking back was gray listless hair, a face with no make-up, frumpy loose clothing, and a defeated look about the eyes. I realized I was slowly fading away.

The rest of this story, and twenty other fiction stories, can be found in A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl available in paperback and in Nook and Kindle versions.

Book Signings for Cougars on the Prowl Saturday December 3, 2011

Sonia Todd ("A Workers Compensation"), Susan Thomas ("Ashes Remain"), and Mary Ellen Martin ("Speed Dating") will be siging A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl at Hastings in Moscow, Idaho, Saturday December 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Linda Fisher ("Cyber Cupid") and Kathy Page ("Invisible Cougars") will sign Cougars on the Prowl at Sedalia Book and Toy, Sedalia, Missouri, on Saturday December 3 from 1 - 3 p.m.

“Cougars on the Prowl is a delightful collection of fiction stories with adventurous female protagonists,” Editor L. S. Fisher said. “This book is dedicated to boomer women who are youthful thinkers and creative in their romantic choices.”

Cougars on the Prowl is the second anthology in the Shaker of Margaritas series. The first anthology, Hot Flash Mommas, won a 2011 Show Me Book award from the Missouri Writers’ Guild.

Storm Country: The Anthology

Missouri is Storm Country and my hometown is in a place affectionately known to locals as “tornado alley.” We share that designation with many other towns in Missouri, but after the disastrous tornado that hit Joplin, they have earned the title the hard way. 

My thoughts have been on Storm Country since I have been working on the anthology. My small press, Mozark Press LLC, was honored to donate publication of the anthology. Claudia Mundell, President of the Joplin Writers’ Guild, who lives in Joplin first came up with the idea of an anthology of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction stories with the subject of Midwest storms as a way for writers to help the people of Joplin. She said, “Not everybody can carry steel and lift walls and not everybody can cook, so everybody does what they can, and writers write.”

I have had a chance to read the book several times while copyediting. The stories range from poetic observations to raw emotions of a teenage boy who was crowded into a basement room with family and a stranger off the street while the EF-5 Joplin tornado raged overhead. The fiction stories speak of real emotions in intriguing stories.

The works in Storm Country: The Anthology were written by veteran writers, poets laureate, previously unpublished writers, and poetry by sixth-grade students.

This outstanding collection is available online at www.mozarkpress.com or at  www.stormcountry.workpress.com/. All proceeds will benefit libraries in the Joplin School District. It isn’t everyday that you get to help a worthy cause by reading an outstanding book. 

Cougars on the Prowl Proof Review Underway!

The first proof of Cougars on the Prowl is finished and the cover is stunning! I really thought it would look great, but it surpassed my expectations.

The authors had a chance to enjoy each other's stories during the author review. Everyone is getting excited about the publication and we are on track for early November.

Mozark Press is publishing Storm Country: The Anthology which is also nearing completion. Storm  Country is a labor of love to benefit the schools and libraries in Joplin, MO. We've been working with a great editorial team.

Three of the Cougar authors have stories in Storm Country too! More about that later. ~ Linda

Cougars on the Prowl - Authors Review

We have sent a copy of the stories to the Cougars on the Prowl authors for their review. Many of the authors have commented on how much they enjoyed reading the other stories.

Cathy Hall author of School Days wrote: "Read my story and bio and everything looks fine to me. (Okay, I read Donna's, too, and had to laugh about her story with a tutor. It's weird how alike our writing is!)" Donna Volkenannt's story "Look Back, But Don't Stare" is the lead story in the anthology.
Publication of A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl is on schedule for November. The book should be available in time for your holiday shopping!

We'll keep you posted!

Linda Fisher
Mozark Press LLC

Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl

I'm going back through for a final edit on Cougars on the Prowl. Authors' final reviews will be sent soon!

The author/story list is posted on http://www.mozarkpress.com/.

A Posting on Facebook about A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas

I found this on Facebook today. Thanks, Bonnie!

Bonnie K. Tesh: Just finished reading the most delightful anthology I've had the pleasure to read in a long time. A Shaker of Margaritas; Hot Flash Mamas, is a collection of twenty-five short stories, edited by L.S. Fisher, and published by Mozark Press. Check it out at www.Mozarkpress.com. Lots of lol.

Cougar Alert! A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl

I'm back from vacation and finally spent a few hours editing on Cougars on the Prowl last night. Thank you, authors, for sending in your publication agreements and edits.

I plan to post the index soon!

In the meantime, keep writing. The next project will be Mid-Life Crisis.

Linda Fisher
Mozark Press LLC

Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild Supports Joplin

The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild voted yesterday to donate $500 to the American Red Cross to benefit Joplin after the devastating tornado. We wanted to show support for the Joplin Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild.

The Joplin Writers will publish an anthology Storm Country. Profits will be used to buy books for Joplin Schools. To enter your storm stories into the contest visit Storm Country for guidelines.

Storm Country - Midwest Writers Call for Submissions

The Joplin (MO) Writers’ Guild, in coordination with the Missouri Writers’ Guild, is seeking fiction, non-fiction and poetry to be included in an anthology, Storm Country, to be published near the end of the summer. All proceeds from book sales will go to the purchase of books for school libraries damaged or destroyed by the May 22nd tornado.

Midwest writers are encouraged to submit their original work June 1st through July 15th. Submit work with the theme of storms and severe weather in the Midwest. All forms of stormy weather should be considered: ice, floods, tornadoes, wind, and snow.  Include name, address, phone number, and email address on first page of submission.

Poetry of any form and up to 30 lines may be submitted.  A maximum of THREE poems from any author will be considered.

Short fiction in any genre, 1,500 words or less, will be considered.

Nonfiction (features, essays, memoirs, etc.) of 1,500 words or less may also be submitted. A maximum of three pieces of prose will be accepted per author.

All submissions must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman. Prose should use three-space paragraph indention and double-spacing. Poetry should be single-spaced. Pages should be numbered. Spelling and grammar must be as the author intends.  Author retains all rights. 

Please include third-person author bios up to 75 words. Submit your Word documents by July 15th to [email protected] or mail to Claudia Mundell, 1815 River Street, Carthage, Missouri 64836.

More more information visit http://stormcountry.wordpress.com/

A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl

We sent out the publication agreements today for Cougars on the Prowl. If any of you have any problems opening the email, please let me know.

What do you think of the preliminary cover design????

Wow! I've sure been working hard for a holiday weekend!

For those of you who haven't seen my blog post this week, hop over to http://earlyonset.blogspot.com/ to see a photo of the tornado as it came roaring into Sedalia last Wednesday.

Crazy Missouri Weather

Thanks to everyone who inquired about my safety after the tornado hit Sedalia yesterday. The tornado did a lot of damage to the south part of town where it demolished businesses, mobile home parks, and a subdivision. We were so fortunate that no one was seriously injured.

Have a safe holiday!

Cougars on the Prowl Update

Last night I had a problem with my computer and lost my entire Shaker of Margarita directory including the Cougars on the Prowl stories and files. My backup is a month old so I'm not sure how much work it will take to bring it back to speed. I had planned to send out the agreements and suggested changes this week, but I'm going to have to delay it.

I don't antcipate that this will slow down the schedule for Cougars on the Prowl and expect it to be available this fall. For those of you who had already finished your updates--I should have them in my email files. I've already restored some of them.

Have a great day and remember to back up those computer files often! I had intended to back up all the files before I went to Washington DC on the 14th, but got busy and didn't get it done. It makes me sick to think how much time I would have saved if I had only completed that task.

Hot Flash Momma Anthology and Authors Win Contests!

A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas won third place in the “Show Me” Best Book Award category at the Missouri Writers Guild 2011 “Just Write” Conference held in St. Louis Missouri.

Talented Hot Flash Momma writers won contests at the Missouri Writers’ Guild 2011 “Just Write” Conference. Two of the winners in the President’s short story contest won with their Hot Flash Momma stories. I asked for a sweep in the Short Story Category, and I believe this is about as close as it gets!

Short Story Category

1^st Place: Criminal Minds by Donna Volkenannt (Published in Hot Flash Mommas)

2^nd Place: Road Trip by Linda Fisher (Published in Well Versed)

3^rd Place: Not Quite Soon Enough by Lee Ann Russell (Published in Hot Flash Mommas)

Other awards to Hot Flash Momma authors:

Free Verse Poetry -1^st Place: “Morning Service” by Susan Peters

Form Poetry - 1^st  Place: “Villanelle for the Status Quo” by Susan W. Peters

Flash Fiction – HM: “Sharkey’s Back in Town” by Linda Fisher

Best Humorous Article or Essay – 1^st HM: Old Osceola by Fred Farris

Cathy Hall was chosen to judge the Flash Fiction contest.

Congratulations to all!

Submissions Closed for Cougars on the Prowl

Mozark Press has closed submissions for A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl. The selection process is underway and authors will be notified by April 30 of the stories to be included in the anthology.

Many thanks to the authors who submitted stories!

Linda Fisher
Mozark Press LLC

Submissions wanted for anthology before March 31, 2011

Mozark Press seeks submissions for an upcoming anthology A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl. Fiction stories of 1500-3500 words. Complete submission guidelines at http://www.mozarkpress.com/.

Mozark Press LLC
http://www.mozarkpress.com/

Important Announcement! Cougar Deadline Extended to March 31

Mozark Press has extended the submissions deadline for A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl to March 31, 2011. We are looking for intriguing, well-written short fiction between 1500-3500 words.
 

Your story may be humorous, romance, mystery, suspense, or any genre set in modern times. No stories involving underage men will be accepted. Please avoid sexually explicit content or profane language. It is okay to allude to sexual encounters or to use an occasional swear word.

Cougars on the Prowl will be published in 2011. The anthology will be Boomer Lit, or in the category “Women of a Certain Age,” so indicate that the female character is a baby boomer (born 1946 – 1964). 

 

We have received several entries, but need more entries to make a quality selection for the anthology. Don't miss this opportunity to submit short fiction to a paying market!

For complete submission guidelines visit http://www.mozarkpress.com/.
The first Mozark Press anthology, A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas, is available online at http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.mozarkpress.com/ in paperback. Digital books are available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ or www. Amazon.com.

Mozark Press LLC
http://www.mozarkpress.com/ 

Hot Flash Mommas at Go Red for Women

Sedalia, MO. The Go Red for Women event will take place Saturday February 26, 11 AM to 2 PM, at the Sedalia Country Club. Linda Fisher, Mozark Press, will sign copies of A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas. Fisher edited the book of twenty-five captivating stories about women living the adventure of mid-life. Fisher's award-winning story in the book, "New Identity," is set in Sedalia.

Go Red for Women is a fundraising event for women's heart health research. The event will feature a luncheon and symposium with keynote speaker Marcia L. McCoy, director of Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kaufman Women’s Heart Center in Kansas City, a fashion show, an apron auction and booths.

"Every woman should be concerned about heart health," Fisher said, "but especially those of us who have reached or exceeded the hot flash momma age. Like the Go Red for Women event, the anthology is a fun way to celebrate being a woman."

Hot Flash Mommas is available from Mozark Press at http://www.mozarkpress.com/,  at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (e-book only), and select independent bookstores, including Sedalia Book and Toy.

http://mozarkpress.blogspot.com/

Cougar Stories Wanted for Anthology

Good Morning Writers,

Have you written your "cougar" story for A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl? Mozark Press has issued a call for submissions for intriguing stories between 1,500 – 3,500 words. The protagonist should be a boomer (born between 1946-1964) and the story must allude to a "cougar" interest. 

Don't go for the obvious, but look for a unique take on the older woman/younger man flirtation or relationship. Stories with layers, unusual scenarios, and just good storytelling will have the best chance of being included in the anthology.

Don't delay! Deadline is March 1, 2011.

Vist http://www.mozarkpress.com/ for complete guidelines.

Linda Fisher
Mozark Press LLC

Interview With Linda Fisher, Publisher of Mozark Press

 Posted on Donna's Book Pub - Donna Volkenannt

Today I have a special guest at Donna's Book Pub. Please welcome Linda Fisher, award-winning writer and editor, and publisher of Mozark Press. I've known Linda for several years through the Missouri Writers' Guild, and I was fortunate enough to have a short story of mine included in A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas, a recent anthology from Mozark Press.

I've co-edited a few anthologies, but I've always been curious about how the publishing end works and Linda was kind enough to answer interview questions about her press. I thought my blog readers would enjoy hearing first-hand from Linda about her publishing company.

DV: First, Linda, thank you for answering my interview questions. Besides being an editor and a publisher, you are an award-winning writer. Please tell us about some of your writing accomplishments.

 

To read the interview visit Donna's Book Pub at http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com/

Donna Volkenannt is the author of "Criminal Minds" one of twenty-five captivating stories in A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas.

Stories in My Head--Now to Get Them Written

My best stories come to me when I'm relaxed and have time to think. I'm working on a novel (can you believe it!) and it seems that during that short period of time when I put down the book I'm reading and before I go to sleep, my mind turns to my characters. I work on plot, scenes, and dialog.

Another time stories pop into my head is in the shower. Do you think it could be that when I'm washing my hair, I'm massaging my brain? Well, maybe that's a bit far fetched, but it is a great time for me to think.

I hope everyone is thinking about a great Cougar story! I know we writers like to wait until the last minute, but I have received some excellent stories and know more will be popping up in my in-box well before the deadline.

Visit http://www.mozarkpress.com/ for complete submissions guidelines for the upcoming anthology A Shaker of Margaritas: Cougars on the Prowl!

Cougars on the Prowl

Call for submissions!!! January 1 - March 1, 2011

Older women hooking up with younger men intrigue us. What is their story? Does age really matter? Is she looking for a fountain of youth and is he just arm candy? Could he be out to take advantage of her? Maybe he’s after her fortune. Or did she get lucky and find the love of her life?

Submissions guidelines are on the website at http://www.mozarkpress.com/ and on the Cougars on the Prowl blog page.