The first picture Angie and I ever posed for together was in 2011 at the Cat Writers’ Conference in White Plains, NY. While much has changed for her since then, one thing that remains the same is her warm nature and beautiful smile.

I met author, blogger, and humorist, Angie Bailey of Catladyland in 2011 when I attended my first BlogPaws conference in Tysons Corner, VA. We were both nominated for a prestigious Dogtime Media Pettie Award – she for Funniest Blog and me for Best Designed Blog. She won and I didn’t, but our friendship began to blossom as we caught up with each other a couple times a year via the Cat Writers’ Association Conferences and subsequent BlogPaws conferences.

In getting to know one another, we have shared some very personal connections and I was actually one of the first people to find out that her dream of writing her first book, whiskerslist, was going to become a reality. She came and sat down next to me after meeting with a potential agent and whispered to me that they loved her concept and signed her on!

Her life has been a cat loving whirlwind ever since then and I thought it would be fun to interview her and share a bit of her life with you all. I hope you enjoy the interview, and as a special treat, Angie has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader an autographed copy of  whiskerslist as well as a signed postcard from Mittens, the newest feline entity in Angie’s life from Texts from Mittens. Just leave a comment to be eligible (sorry, U.S residents only). The contest will be open until Monday, April 7^th, midnight PST, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, April 9^th.

Thanks so much for participating in this interview Angie – before we get started, let’s just get a little background information first. Your blog, Catladyland, is about all things silly and humorous cat related with a simple post concept – catchy title, one or two simple pictures and limited text. Tell me the what, when, and why this blog was created and what was your first blog post about?

I started blogging in January of 2009. I’ve always written in one way or another and found blogging an attractive and simple outlet. I could write as often as I wanted to and it would be a way to share my thoughts and stories with friends and family. The original name of the blog was Eclectic Catladyland and included more than just catcentric posts. I wrote about my kids, pop culture, and silly stuff that went on inside my head. My very first post was about how cats would make wonderful baristas. I’ve always had a fascination with cats doing people things — those thoughts amuse me to no end. I also wrote silly haiku poetry about things like housework and rants about Martha Stewart. It really was eclectic, and many of the posts were a little more “out there” than what I write now. After awhile, I noticed I was getting most of my comments on the cat-related posts — and that’s when I began refining the blog into a cat-focused one. And I changed the name to Catladyland in 2010.

So clearly you love cats and I also know you have human inhabitants that share your home – your husband, John, your daughter, Frances, and your son, Ben.  Have you always been a cat loving family and how did your current feline gang of three – Saffy, Cosmo, and Phoebe come to be?

John and I both grew up with cats, so it was a natural decision to include them in our family. We had a cat named Dobie before we had human kids. Frances and Ben are teenagers and grew up with cats as well. We’ve always been “that family with the cats.” Saffy is 14; we adopted her from a shelter when she was a year old. She has a very subdued personality and mostly keeps to herself, although she is a total daddy’s girl. Cosmo is a year younger than Saffy and he came from a local barn cat who’d had babies. He’s always been my baby and I adore that about him. He follows me around and would love nothing more than for me to carry him in one of those baby slings. Ha — there’s a visual. Phoebe just turned nine and she’s a little dynamo, the queen bee of the house. She was another barn cat baby,and claimed her role as alpha from the moment she walked into the house. In fact, I just wrote a post about her on Catster. Phoebe loves everybody — just not Saffy. Poor Saff.

Seen here is Ben holding Saffy and Frances holding Phoebe! Photo courtesy of Angie Bailey.

That was enlightening, Angie, but I think we need the real scoop. No, not the gossip scoop. We literally want to know who scoops the litter in your house. Is it you, John, or one of the kids?

Haha. Well, it’s a team effort. I scoop once in the morning and Frances scoops once in the late afternoon. I sweep the area and wash the scooper… you know, the glamorous work.

Riveting stuff Angie…So maybe the litter stuff isn’t quite so glamorous, but your life, that is a different story. In the few short years I have known you, your life has turned upside down – first, all the awards and accolades from your fans and peers for the daily comedy on Catladyland (the list is far too extensive – please click here to see all of her awards, nominations, and achievements) and then whiskerslist, your first published book which is a clever parody that combines two of the Internet’s hottest sensations–cats and craigslist. How has all this fame and recognition affected your life? Do Saffy, Cosmo, and Phoebe treat you with more respect?

It has been a crazy couple of years, and I feel grateful for every bit of it. I am extraordinarily busy and get to create cat-related writing and projects 8-12 hours a day (depending on what’s on the to-do … these days, it’s veering toward the 12). And I get PAID to do it. That’s the cool part. Not a day goes past that I don’t stop and feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without the love and support of friends, family, colleagues and readers. And cats, of course, but that’s family. Last year whiskerslist came out and right now I’m working on the whiskerslist page-a-day calendar for 2015, as well as other projects. I also write about five days for Catster each week, which I adore. I love that I get to do a variety of projects. It keeps me sane, with just the right amount of crazy. Do the cats treat me with respect? Are you kidding me? You know the answer to that. I laugh sometimes because I look at them and say, “Do you know there are people you don’t know who think you’re pretty cool?” Unimpressed, the whole lot of them.

And what about the Catman behind the Catlady? How has John adapted to your new life? I know spending time together is important for both of you – how do you juggle your busy schedule with writing, book signings, and public relations, while keeping your relationship grounded?

He’s so great. I’m the high-strung one in the family and he keeps me grounded. Our kids are old enough now that it’s not a problem if I travel. These days, John is really handling a lot of the household stuff because I have some big deadlines. He’s great about it. I always end my day by 6, so we can all have family time. I think that’s super important. He and I try to have “date night,” even at home on the weekend. We love watching movies and he’s a great cook. I really wish he’d open a food truck. He makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches and omelets. I can see it now: Hungry people would swarm his food truck and he’d throw grilled cheeses out into the crowds. He probably shouldn’t throw omelets, though. Ew.

Angie’s husband, John, holding Saffy and Angie holding her precious Cosmo! Photo courtesy of Angie Bailey.

Speaking of busy and new things, you would have to live under a rock not to know about Texts from Mittens, those irreverent and off-center text quips from Mittens the Cat that he sends on his iPhone. Tell us about Texts from Mittens – how did it all start and what projects have you landed as a result of his popularity?

Oh, Mitty. Mittens is my heart — I love that cat. It’s funny how you can become so connected with a character. He started on Catster as a one-time post in February of 2013. People responded positively, so Mittens eventually became a bi-monthly feature. After many requests for a daily dose of Mittens, I created a Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter account for him and they have really taken off! I sometimes laugh because the readers get so involved in Mittens’ life and have definite opinions about him and the characters in his life. He just started dating a tabby named Fiona and the readers are going wild over it. It’s so much fun to watch. Mittens brings me an extraordinary amount of joy. It’s so cool to be able to share his life with others, and we can all enjoy it together. It’s like a big party. There’s something new and cool in the works, but you’ll have to stay tuned for more info.

Everything you do – from Catladyland, to whiskerslist, to Text from Mittens is about comedy and you make it all seem so simple. Have you always been funny or did your life as a funny cat lady just evolve? What is a typical day in the life of Angie Bailey like and how do you come up with something fresh and funny each and every day?

I’ve always had a weird sense of humor. When I was growing up, my family used to make up stories about our cats’ secret lives — parties, motorcycles, and all kinds of crazy things. I studied theatre in college and connected with some good friends who shared the same bizarre brand of humor. In fact, my best friend from college, Nicky, and I have produced, written and acted in two seasons of a comedy web series called 82 South St. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and wish I’d tried something. So what if I’m a 44-year-old mom? If I want to do some non-cat-related comedy writing and performing, I’m gonna do it. I don’t think it’s ever too late to try something for which you feel passionate.

I have no idea how I come up with daily humor. It always surprises me when I do. I wake up, get some coffee, come downstairs to my desk and sit. I look through my photos for Catladyland, and think about the next segment of the Mittens saga, and something usually clicks within a few minutes. I usually write both of those daily posts the morning they’re posted — combined, they take me a little less than an hour. I know it’s kind of flying by the seat of my pants, but it works for me. I was always one of those kids who waited until the last minute to turn in assignments. The funny thing is, I think I’m exceptionally organized and love good planning. I’m an organized, well-planned risk-taker who flies by the seat of her pants. Most of the time, that works for me. The whiskerslist site is mostly comprised of reader-submitted posts, so I just have to be the admin for that. I still do write posts now and again, though.

One of my favorite Angie Bailey moments ever – hanging out with her and Janea Kelley from Paws & Effect. This was at the Cat Writers’ Conference in Dallas and we were acting silly after winning some awards!

So much funny, but humor is very personal to people and sometimes your Catladyland posts and texts from Mittens can be a bit off-color and self-depreciating (which I happen to love) and not everyone “gets” that. Do people ever comment that they don’t think what you are doing is funny and if they do, how do you handle it?

Oh, sure. I’ve developed a thick skin over the years and handle it much better than I used to. Even when Mittens first started, there were some pretty mean, hateful comments. Now I’m over it. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. And I’ve become very familiar with banning people from the Facebook pages. Those situations are few and far between, thank goodness. Most people like what I write and, I have to say, it’s made me a more confident person — not only in choosing the pieces I write, but in my life in general. I love what I do and who I am.

Angie and her best buddy, Cosmo! Photo courtesy of Angie Bailey.

Thank you Angie – this has been so much fun, but before we close, I’ll let you take the lead. Anything you want to talk about or share that I haven’t covered here? Any upcoming projects, promotions, or words of feline wisdom?

I just want to comment on how much I adore our cat-blogging community — both the bloggers and readers. It truly feels like a community and I’ve made some of the best friends over the last few years, including you! Even though we each have different styles and missions, we can all come together and squee over a cute cat photo. Cats people are good people!

Thank you again to Angie for the interview and giveaway. And in other news, we are so excited to announce the winner of our perch giveaway from Urban Pet Haus – it is Jennifer Walters and her very lucky three furbabies! Thank you for the giveaway Urban Pet Haus and congratulations to Jennifer!