We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview with author Cynthia O’Brien, who recently spoke to us about her children’s book, Noname the Feral Cat. (Noname is pronounced “Noh-naa-mee”.)
We love this book and it’s so inspiring. Is it based on a true story?
Yes, it is. My soul mate cat died suddenly in 2016 and I had a very hard time finding a reason to wake up in the morning. I felt guilt about how he died and was in tremendous pain. My cat was like a son to me since I do not have children. I had five years with Noname and every word in the story is true (except for the way he passed away, as I did not want to focus on that day). I wrote the book as a way to heal and to remember and honor the five years we had together.
I never thought I would self-publish the book. I really wrote the story just for me. Then a ladybug appeared on my bed on the one-year anniversary of my Noname’s death and I took it as a sign that my cat was still with me. I finally began to feel better and accept that he was gone. I decided to publish the book so that he would never be forgotten.
Did you ever have a pet cat before Noname?
Yes. I have always had at least one cat ever since I was two years old. I LOVE cats. But Noname was different. He came along at a time in my ‘40s when I was feeling maternal for the first time in my life. He was a feral cat that took a year to let me touch him and trust me. The journey to get to that point was a beautiful one.
Can you tell us about the writing and publishing process?
The story came very easily to me because it was all true. I wrote it quickly and then had to teach myself how to publish a book. It took a year. I worked closely with the artist, Anne Berry, to make sure she captured the essence of Noname and the Texas hill country where I live. I found a lovely graphic designer in Idaho who laid out the book and worked on the title and fonts with me. Then I found a print broker in Seattle who worked with a printer in South Korea to actually produce the book. It was an amazing experience and it kept me focused on healing and on the memory of my sweet cat.
The illustrations are charming. Did you know the artist prior to writing the book?
I didn’t know her at all and I still haven’t met her in person! She lives in the Los Angeles area. I am actually shocked that an artist of her talent doesn’t have an agent yet. She is amazing. I saw her work on the website for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and reached out to her. She agreed to illustrate my story because she loves cats as well. Anne had never done a children’s picture book before and she wanted the challenge.
What was your goal for the book?
The goal for my book was to heal. And to never forget my cat and the life we had together. To honor how special Noname was. It took great courage for Noname to trust me against all his better instincts. I made our story into a children’s book because I felt it would be less sad and more healing that way. It is hard to explain. I did not realize at the time that there were other adults and children out there who had also had similar experiences with a feral cat.
What’s the response been to the book so far?
The response has been better than I could have ever dreamed. The book has won several awards and all the feedback has been so heartwarming. Many people have bought the book for a friend who has lost a dear cat. I can’t think of a bigger compliment than that. I have done several book signings and giveaways for my book with the Austin Humane Society and have met so many wonderful bookstore and retail shop owners that are cat lovers as well.
It has touched my heart beyond belief to see how well the book has resonated with adults who have loved and lost a feral cat. I am also very moved that feral cat rescue organizations like FixNation have connected with the book. Most of the proceeds from the sale of my book have been given to the Austin Humane Society as a way to give back, since in my grief I adopted my cat Henry from them. I figured Noname would love that.
Do you look after any feral cats now?
Yes. Last November I went to a restaurant near from my house and there was a small cat outside who was freezing and eating out of a dumpster. This cat looked just like Noname. I took that as a sign from the universe. I asked the restaurant staff about the cat outside and they told me they called it “Dumpster Cat”. The cat had been hanging around the restaurant for about two years eating out the dumpster and they were not allowed to feed her. She had no shelter set up for her and people were throwing rocks at her.
Well, after a very cold winter last February, I was finally able to trap her. She is likely about 10 years old and had worms, cataracts and fleas. She was dehydrated, malnourished and wasn’t spayed, either. I named her Lucy and used money from my book sales to get her to my vet.
I also used book proceeds to build Lucy a catio and outdoor enclosure at my home. I live in the country and there are coyotes and lots of predators that could get a cat that is old and doesn’t see too well. Lucy isn’t scared of me anymore and has regained her health. She still won’t let me touch her but that is okay; she will live out her life in comfort. I had to convince my husband that I needed to rescue this cat. It was fate that led me to her.
So how many pet cats do you have at home now?
I have Lucy the former “dumpster cat” who is white and looks like Noname. I also have Henry, an orange tabby who appears in my book at the end. He is crazy and has allergies to everything – cedar, grass, chicken, mold, seafood…he has been an expensive rescue but is so loving and so worth it. Charlie is our large male tabby that we rescued from the Austin city shelter ten years ago. He only loves my husband and tolerates me. Our grey cat Sophia is probably about 20 years old. She was a stray who was fed by neighbors until they moved away and left her behind. She and Lucy are best friends and hang out together in the catio together.
My cat life is very full, so there might be another book coming soon!!!
A limited number of autographed copies of Noname the Feral Cat are available to purchase at FixNation’s clinic as well as our online shop. The author has generously donated all proceeds from these books to support homeless cats in Los Angeles. Additional copies are also available directly from the author; she can be contacted at cynthia.obrien@gmail.com.
