Details of Publication - Apex Publishing Ltd.

Truffles' Diary
	Author: Sheila Collins Classification: Pets/Fiction Sorry this book is Out Of Print	Brief Description: Truffles is no ordinary cat – in fact she would claim that she is very special indeed, and who would dare to argue with her? Her fifteen-plus years of observing human behaviour, often mystifying and comical, have equipped her with all the wisdom and cunning necessary to use the human environment and its two-legged inhabitants to her best advantage and, as is the ambition of all cats, she has learnt how to make her existence as comfortable as possible. In this short diary Truffles allows us to take a very privileged peek through her discerning eyes, as she describes her day-to-day activities (or lack of them!) and thoughts during one week in the summer of 2004 as she approaches her sixteenth birthday, and recounts an assortment of amusing anecdotes from her past, the last laughs most often being on the hapless humans. What is quite clear is that twenty-first-century cats are a far superior species in terms of getting what they want, when they want and with the minimum amount of effort, and the very humanised Truffles is certainly no exception. She has her human carers well trained to carry out their expected feline-oriented duties to her exacting standards, is always one step ahead of them and knows exactly which buttons to press to get the desired effect … which only goes to prove that it is a cat’s life after all!

Visit Sheila Collins's Authors Den home page: www.authorsden.com/SheilaCollins

About the Author: Originally from Croydon, Sheila Collins lives in Cornwall with her long-term partner, Peter, and their cat Truffles. Both are cat lovers and, since taking early retirement from her career as a PA/Secretary, Sheila has had the time to realise her ambition to write a humorous book, looking at life from her cat’s point of view.

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-- Purchasing Information

	Paperback	Hardback
Publication Date:	30 June 2005
ISBN: ISBN 13:	1-904444-50-4 978-1-904444-50-3
Page Extent:	50
Book Size:	210x148mm
Price:	£3.99
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Publication Date:	30 June 2005
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-- Reviews by the Famous and well Known

Well written with humans in mind!
Sheila Woods, Author of 'Maud's Stone'

A great little story about cats! Being an owner of two myself, I can sympathise and empathise with Sheila. Do I clean the litter tray because I want to? or am I doing a chore for the cats!?
Robert Auty, Author of 'Trance Warriors: The Siege of Scarn'

We don't think cats really think like humans, but 'Truffles' may make you think they do! Miss Collins has a great insight into cat behaviour which every dedicated cat-watcher will recognise and appreciate.
Jean Alexander, Actress

Sheila Collins with Alan Cox, Author of 'Nibbit's Tale: My Life as a Cat'
Alan Cox, Author of 'Nibbit's Tale: My Life as a Cat'

The author obviously likes cats. She has throughout her pet cats life observed its mannerisms and actions and had kept a diary of 'Truffles' every day life. A sincere and interesting account of a cat. A must for cat lovers. Having read it they will probably see their own cats in a different light. So read the book then ask yourself 'Do you train your cat or does the cat train you?' Well done Sheila!
Joesph James, Author of 'Above The Water Line'

I thoroughly enjoyed it. As the owner of a fat tabby cat (Arbuthnot) I reckon this diary is utterly realistic; humans under control, strolls in the garden, plenty of grub...!
Ann Widdecombe, Politician

This book is very interesting to any cat lovers, I myself have got cats of all ages and often look at them and wonder what they think of each other and how they see us humans. It was a very enjoyable read and I am sure it will be to many other people. Well done Sheila.
Mary Howis, Author of 'The Mercury Man: Freddie Mercury In My Life'

-- Newspaper and Website Reviews

A charming book, a perfect gift for cat lovers. Well written with charming observations of the feline world, through Truffles' eyes.
Christine Stalker, Editor of 'Our Cats' Newspaper

TRUFFLES' DIARY
Cornish Guardian

Truffles' Diary
Truffle is no ordinary cat - she would claim that she is very special indeed, and who would dare to argue with her?
Her 15 years of observing human behaviour, often mystifying and comical, have equipped her with all the wisdom and cunning necessary to use the human environment and its two legged inhabitants to her best advantage and, as is the ambition of all cats, she has learned how to make her existence as comfortable as possible.
Written by Sheila Collins, who lives in Cornwall with her partner Peter and their cat Truffles, 'Truffle's Diary' is published by Apex Publishing Ltd in paperback, priced at £3.99. This book can be purchased from Apex Publishing Ltd, PO Box 7086, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 5WN or tel. 01255 428500.
* Your Cat has ten copies of the book to give away. For a chance of winning, send your name and address to Your Cat/Truffle's Diary, Roebuck House, 33 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1RB.
Your CAT Magazine

If you want to know how cats see the world, read this delightful book. Actually, Truffles really exists, so it’s not so much a novel as a creative interpretation of animal behaviour.
Innocent and charming, TRUFFLES’ DIARY lets the reader feel what its like to see the world through feline eyes. They hate curry and are baffled by oranges and lemons. On the other hand, they are quite acquainted with scotch eggs.
Never thought I’d ever read a book like this through to the end, but I’ve got to admit it grabbed me. Maybe I’m just a big, old softie…
Mike Hallowell, The Shields Gazette

‘8.30 a.m.. Was awakened from a rather nice dream… I was chasing a mother mouse and three babies…’
Truffles’ Diary by author Sheila Collins is a delightful story to read to children who might wonder what it is, exactly, that their beloved cat sees in humans.
From Truffles perspective, it is a wonderful life!
Peter earns the money, ‘Whatever that is?’ Truffles preens. He is Truffles’ servant, grooming her coat, feeding her delicacies, along with boosting her out the cat flap onto dewy grass, when all she wants to do is sleep on a Sunday morning.
The day to day events in Truffles’ life are challenging at best, especially when she loves to rest on the path in sunshine. But Truffles struggles on, keeping her friend Pandy on his toes while making sure Sheila does not fill her bowl with the same meal two days running.
Truffles’ Diary is a wonderful story for both cat lovers and children alike. A great book to teach children to read from.
www.rollingseas.com.au

20 QUESTIONS...
Cornish Guardian

TRUFFLES' BOOK IS THE CAT'S WHISKERS!
THE musings of a Clay Country cat are set for national acclaim following the publication of her diary.
Sheila Collins, the devoted human of Roche cat Truffles, 17, said after news of the book had appeared in the Cornish Guardian it was snapped up by bookshops across the area. Now she had been invited to go along to the National Cat Show at Birmingham NEC to sign the books on Truffles' behalf.
Sheila - who helped out with the typing - said: "It also featured in the magazine Your Cat this month and it is going to be in another catty newspaper called Our Cats Newspaper on October 7.
"And of course Truffles expected no less. After all, her years of observing human behaviour had equipped her with all the wisdom she needed, though some things still puzzle her, such as why we spend so much time staring at a silver box every evening."
As well as musing over the more strange aspects of human behaviour (why use all those bowls when you could have one for food and one for water and save on the washing up?), Truffles recounts some of the memories she shared with her former playmates in days gone by.
Though they have long since departed to that garden in the sky, Truffles can't help but look back on the antics of her four feline friends, including an "aristocat" and a specialist Scotch egg stealer, the slobbering St Bernard who constantly messed up her cat suit and the loud-mouthed Macaw she couldn't wait to get her claws into.
At just £3.99 this giggle-a-minute treasure trove of tips is a must for any potential cat servant, or indeed anyone who has ever had a cat, and can be picked up from Ottaker's, Truro or online at amazon.co.uk
Truffles' Diary is also available directly from the publishers at http://www.apexpublishing.co.uk or by calling 01255 428500.
Sarah Carey, Cornish Guardian

TRUFFLES' DIARY
'Our Cats' Newspaper

CLAY CAT'S PAWS PEN FIRST NOVEL ON HER LIFE
A CLAY country cat has decided to take the radical step of letting mere humans have an insight into her life, as her witty and insightful diary hits the book store shelves, writes Sarah Carey.
Truffles, now 17, lives in Roche with her humans Sheila Collins and Peter Weir and decided to take the plunge after Sheila finally saw the error of her ways and stopped going to work to devote all her time to her care.
Her diary charts the week leading up to her 16th birthday, catching her in an unusually reflective mood as she teetered on the edge of dignified middle age.
And the short but amusing result impressed publishers Apex so much they couldn't wait to snap it up.
Sheila - who helped with the typing - said "O course Truffles expected no less. After all, her 15 years of observing human behaviour had equipped her with all the wisdom she needed, though some things still puzzle her, such as why we spend so much time starring at a silver box every evening."
As well as musing over the more strange aspects of human behaviour (why use all those bowls when you could have one for food and one for water and save on the washing up?), Truffles recounts some memories she shared with former playmates in days gone by.
Though they have long since departed, Truffles looks back on the antics of her four friends. She also talks about her new neighbours, two whipper-snappers, and the cat next door she occasionally allows to share her garden.
Truffles also lays down the law to feline-owned humans as to exactly how animals of her calibre should be treated, from food to sleeping arrangements. At £3.99 this can be ordered from any local bookshop or online at amazon.co.uk
(Picture 1: Sheila with Truffles' book, a feline version of Bridget Jones. Picture 2: Cover girl Truffles looks proud of her fame.)
Cornish Guardian

A most delightful insight into a cat’s self-contained world. The author had definitely studied and watched carefully 'Truffles' behaviour, and had got her mannerisms down to a tee. It was a most enjoyable read.
www.FurryLittleMonsters.co.uk

Apex Publishing Ltd
“Truffles’ Diary”
by Sheila Collins
“A feline version of Bridget Jones.” - Cornish Guardian
£3.99 plus 60p p+p
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Phone: 01255 428500
Film News Magazine

New Book:
“Truffles' Diary”
By Sheila Collins
A diary of a cat...
What do they get up to?
“A feline version of Bridget Jones.”
- Cornish Guardian
Only £3.99 plus 60p p+p
Credit/Debit Cards Taken
Apex Publishing Ltd - Tel: 01255 428500
or post payment to: PO Box 7086, Clacton, Essex, CO15 5WN
'Our Cats' Newspaper

MEET SHEILA COLLINS
'Our Cats' Newspaper

Author Sheila Collins with 'Our Cats' Advertising and Promotions Manager Scott Zverblis. Sheila signed two copies of each book for prizes on 'Our Cats' trade stand at 'The National Cat Show' Birmingham, 2006.
'Our Cats' Newspaper

TAKE TRUFFLES' ON HOLIDAY
Island Connections: The Canary Island's Biggest Fortnightly English Newspaper

MEET SHEILA COLLINS
'Our Cats' Newspaper

TRUFFLES' DIARY
The Self Publishing Magazine

-- Radio and TV

Charming and full of character, I can see why they have won praise.
Andrew Offiler, Calon Television (Head of Development)

Sheila Collins was interviewed on her local radio station, BBC Radio Cornwall, answering questions and talking about her book. Sheila appeared on the Emma Lloyd show, where they ran a competition giving five copies of the book away.
BBC Radio Cornwall

Sheila Collins talking to Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere about her books.
Andy Akinwolere, Blue Peter

Apex Media Player

The purrfect read for all cat lovers and for anyone who dreams of sleeping for twenty two hours of the day. Truffles is a gorgeous fat cat snob and she also confirms that you never own a cat - it owns you!
Emma Lloyd, BBC Radio Cornwall (Presenter)

TRUFFLES' DIARY
Colchester Garrison 107 FM

Apex Media Player

-- Readers Comments

This is a delightful record of a week in the life of a senior cat, written from the feline point of view.
Nicola Marlow
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This is a delightful short tale of one week in the life of a cat eagerly anticipating the forthcoming celebrations for her 16th birthday. It is well written and will appeal to readers of all ages, but especially to all 'uprights' who have been adopted by a feline friend. Any feline devotee will understand how Truffles' mind sees things and recognise her natural superiority over all things human. Hopefully, Truffles' will live a long and healthy life to allow Sheila Collins to provide us with further memoirs to entertain and delight us.
Fiona Hulse
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What a great story! I always wondered what a cat got up to - and now I know!
A reader from England
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This is a charming little book, the author understands cats very well indeed.
Mavis Gill
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I really enjoyed this book with a smile. My older cat of 14 years is a matriarch to my two younger cats; and it makes me laugh when she puts everything including myself in our rightful place. The place is of course being able to care and be there for her every whim, and this is what the female 'Truffles' does to her human and cat family.
Debra Merry
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Very entertaining, easy to read. Truffles is my kind of cat!
Sarah Britt
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-- Book Signings and Events

Sheila Collins signed copies of her books 'Truffles' Diary', 'Truffles' Diary: One Year On' and 'Truffles' Diary: The Encore' at Waterstone's, Truro.
Waterstone's, Truro

Sheila Collins signed copies of her books: 'Truffles' Diary', 'Truffles' Diary: One Year On' and 'Truffles Diary: The Encore' at 'The National Cat Show' 2007, Olympia, London.
The National Cat Show 2007, London

Sheila Collins signing copies of her books at 'The Supreme Cat Show' in Birmingham 2006.
The Supreme Cat Show 2006, Birmingham

Sheila Collins, signing copies of her book at Ottakars, Truro.
Ottakars, Truro

Sheila Collins signing copies of her book at 'The Supreme Cat Show' in Birmingham 2005.
The Supreme Cat Show 2005, Birmingham

Sheila Collins signed copies of her books at Waterstone's, Plymouth.
Waterstone's, Plymouth

Sheila Collins, signing copies of her book at Waterstone's, Truro.
Waterstone's, Truro

Sheila Collins signing copies of her books at 'Kingsley Village' in Cornwall.
Kingsley Village, Cornwall

Sheila Collins signing copies of her books at 'The National Cat Show' in London 2006.
The National Cat Show 2006, London

-- Libraries that stock this book
Balloch Library, Glasgow
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Clydebank Library, Glasgow
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Dalmuir Library, Glasgow
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Duntocher Library, Glasgow
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Faifley Library, Glasgow
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Gavinburn Library, Glasgow
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Ladyton Library, Glasgow
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Parkhall Library, Glasgow
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Renton Library, Glasgow
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Par Library, Cornwall
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Fowey Library, Cornwall
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Redruth Library, Cornwall
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Morrab Library, Cornwall
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The British Library, Boston Spa
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The University Library, Cambridge
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The Library of Trinity College, Dublin
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The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
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The National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
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The Bodleian Library, Oxford
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Alexandria Library, Glasgow
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Callington Library, Cornwall
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St. Columb Library, Cornwall
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Helston library, Cornwall
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Cornish Studies Library, Cornwall
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St. Ives Library, Cornwall
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Helston Library, Cornwall
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Bodmin Library, Cornwall
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