NINTH LIFE received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Jane Teresa Anderson.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
NINTH LIFE (May 2024)
What’s the book’s first line?
Who ever knew a solitary bee could make so much noise?
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Cat (a marmalade cat) has one mission: to keep the unruly human practitioners of the Serene Lotus Centre for Health and Wellbeing in line and find the mysterious Silver Crescent Nest, so that she can graduate from her ninth life to become a spirit mentor. But when a scandal rocks the centre, everyone’s livelihoods are at risk, and it’s up to Cat to guard and protect them against harm. A charming, beguiling story full of quirky characters who keep Cat on her paws as she uncovers the secret of her first life and why she is so driven to get this – her ninth life – just right.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
A random cat! I was doing some strength-training exercises in my kitchen while listening to a podcast. The podcast host was interviewing a psychic medium whose messages from spirit seemed highly dubious to me. The moment I had that thought, a tabby cat I had never seen before strolled into the garden and paused to stare at me through the window. In an instant, the idea for my novel – Ninth Life – dropped from the heavens.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
It’s quirky, light-hearted, with a touch of humour, but it delivers profound and poignant insight into living a meaningful life.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
She’s a cat! A psychic cat in her ninth life. The story is told from Cat’s point of view.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
My first non-fiction book, Sleep On It, was published by Harper Collins in 1994. This is my first fiction book. I am the author of seven non-fiction books on dreams and dreaming.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a dream analyst, dream therapist, and podcast host.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
A few hours every week. If I’m not writing a book, I’m writing blogs and material related to my work as a dream analyst.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
I’ve been published by Hachette, Random House, Harper Collins, and Piatkus. The best part of being an indie is retaining full creative control. The hardest part is having full responsibility for marketing and pr.
