A Halloween Poem and My Last Book Signing Event for 2014

Is it really true that Halloween will be here in just a week? The calendar insists it is so. Therefore, I’m sharing a poem I wrote two years ago, inspired by the style of the lofty Robert Burns. Prepare yourself for whimsy!

Also, my final Book Signing Event for 2014 will be held at Hastings in Norman, OK, tomorrow evening from 6pm-8pm. Come get your book signed, chat with the author (that's me!), take a free bookmark, and enter to win a gift card. I’m so looking forward to seeing you there! These events always allow me to meet new people and fellow book-lovers, which I enjoy so much. Of course, I'm also looking forward to seeing some familiar faces! 

The Kit and the Kettle

by Natasha Wittman

All black and lithe, the young kit hides

among the rocks and brittle grain

where brave barn cats with kippers had

may dip their dainty paws in rain.

Against the sleeping dog she rubs her back

and purrs while scuttling from the eaves.

A pause beneath the bush and limbs, her fluffy tush 

she feathers ‘gainst the thickest bark and leaves.

While in the house, the Humming Wife

a white-haired matron sighs,

and sets upon the stove the metal pot,

a kettle for her tea and rye. 

The aproned Misses muses still

and hastens to the rising shrill;

the whistle whines and streams its steam,

-The Melodic Spout begins to sing!

‘Til Naughty Kit jumps o’er the flame

and tackles by her mettle, Great Metallic Beast

-The Brute! She conquers the cruelest

the meanest, The Steamest!

More peril than all her past pursuits!

She hisses ‘mid the boiling brew, until

-Alas! the Kit has killed the Kettle

and the Whistler has become the Mute. 

...

Did you know there is a section in Wolves and Men about Halloween? 

What are some of your favorite Halloween traditions?

All About Cha, Elemental Coffee, and a New Event Added to the Schedule

 My publishing team and I had a great weekend at our first two signing events.

 Below are photos from our premier event at All About Cha. 

Andrea and Brad won the vintage copy of The Spy Who Came in From the Cold along with their signed copy of Wolves and Men! 

I’m excited to mail out this gift card to the winner of our giveaway from our All About Cha gift card drawing! 

I finally took a picture of my Goguma Latte (after drinking half of it, of course), along with one of the bookmarks we’re giving away at each signing.

My view from the signing table at Elemental Coffee on Saturday evening. I forgot to take more pictures as we were busy meeting new people, signing books, and giving away free stuff! I’ll be mailing out a gift card later this week to the winner of the Elemental giveaway. 

Also, we have a new event added to the October Schedule! Come join me for an evening in Shawnee, OK, on Friday October 17th from 6pm to 7pm at the Main Street Art Show and Live Music Event, downtown. I’ll be signing books and giving out free bookmarks while enjoying the art and live music. As always, you’ll have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a free gift card! 

You can now find the complete schedule on the Wolves and Men, A Novel tab up above. This page will reflect any changes in the future, as well. 

 .....

There are still four events left for the month! Which one are you planning to attend? 

For those who have finished reading the book: What do you think of the book's overall look, design, and feel? 

What are some of your favorite things to look forward to in the Autumn season?

Spotlighting Tonight's Event: An Evening at All About Cha Stylish Tea and Coffee

Join me tonight for coffee, tea, dinner, or dessert (or all four) at All About Cha Stylish Tea and Coffee in Edmond from 6pm-8pm. 

What can you expect at tonight’s event? 

• I’ll have a table set up with copies of the Wolves & Men paperback available for purchase and signing!

•  I’ll also have free bookmarks on the table, as well as an E-mail List Sign-up Sheet for a chance to win a gift card at the end of the evening! This will be a come-and-go event, so I'll contact the winner of the giveaway using the contact information provided. 

• I’m especially looking forward to visiting with you, and if you’ve read the book already, hearing your thoughts and impressions! 

Remember: The first person to purchase a copy of the paperback at my table will also receive this beautiful vintage copy of the ultimate spy classic: The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John LeCarré. You can find out more about why that novel is a personal favorite of mine by reading my review posted here: 

http://steepandsavor.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-ultimate-spy-classic-review.html

So, what are my personal recommendations for enjoying an evening at All About Cha (Edmond)? 

I am in love with the Goguma (Sweet Potato) Latte! It’s coffee/caffeine free, and has a smooth, subtle sweetness to it that you just have to try. All About Cha also has a steady supply of Macaroons available in a gorgeous array of pastels. Their lineup of unique beverages, lunch/dinner menu items, and desserts is altogether impressive, and even award winning- so come prepared to make some difficult choices! If I’m in the mood for coffee, I’ll usually stick with an Iced Cappuccino or a Caramel Macchiato, though the cooler weather usually drives me back to that ever-seductive Goguma Latte.

I've been planning to post a picture of my beloved Cha beverage for some time. But, alas, I seem to drink them down before I remember! 

Come check out All About Cha- and of course, Wolves & Men, for yourself! I look forward to seeing you there!

.....

What are your favorite menu items from All About Cha in Edmond or OKC? 

What are some of your other favorite Edmond hot spots? 

What do you look forward to most when attending a book signing event? 

Author Interview: Natasha Wittman's Wolves and Men

I am so excited to share with you the interview- shot, directed, and edited by Paul Yeager. In the seven-minute-long interview, my publisher, Callie Ferguson and I discuss the newly released novel, Wolves and Men. Watch the video for insight into the book’s main characters, its inspiration, and how it came to be. 

Enjoy!