Stamford Resident Set To Release Debut Novel

STAMFORD, CT — When Leslie Popp's orange tabby cat, Pumpkin, passed away in 2021, she began to write down moments to remember him by.

Popp, a Stamford resident, had adopted Pumpkin in 2010 when she was volunteering at a shelter and living in Maryland. Pumpkin provided Popp and her husband with great joy over the years.

"I had always done some of these voiceovers for him as to what he was thinking, and I realized this would be really fun and funny to remember him and tell stories from his perspective," Popp said. "I also thought it was a fun way to talk about the joy pets bring to our lives and also have an undertone of 'let's adopt shelter pets' because they're wonderful pets. They bring things to our day-to-day and are part of our family."

Fast forward two years, and Popp, who has a full-time job in finance, is ready to release her debut novel, "Life by Pumpkin," which will come out on paperback, hardcover and online on May 2.

The book chronicles Pumpkin's life in New York City through small vignette stories. Pumpkin is described by Popp as "an orange tabby with determined curiosity, a desire for undivided attention, and dreams of world dominance."

According to the book's synopsis: Pumpkin provides instruction on how to train your human and an analysis of their odd rituals, such as standing under falling water in the morning, changing their fur daily, and being obsessed with portable, lighted rectangles that periodically make annoying noises.

He also offers his views on everything, including how to handle intruders, the importance of morning yoga, and the best day of the year when boxes, ribbons, and crinkly paper are strewn about the floor in abundance.

The book is meant for all ages to enjoy.

"It's all kind of these small, short chapters that are easily digestible," Popp added. "It's supposed to represent what he's thinking and how he really views these small moments that we might find adorable and interpret one way, but maybe he interprets another way."

For example, the first chapter is titled "Breaking Out of Jail." Pumpkin finds himself in a small, metal box with bars on it at the shelter, and his way to break out of jail is to adopt a human.

"While we think we're adopting them," Popp said, "they think they're adopting us."

The cover of the book depicts Pumpkin in a palace.

"After coming home from the shelter and settling in, Pumpkin definitely thought he was king of the house and the neighborhood," Popp noted.

Another moment in the book shows Pumpkin playing with his toys.

"We think that's cute, but from his perspective, he's training a small mouse army because he wants to take over the apartment next door," Popp added. "All of these moments are things I think people can relate to, but it's meant to talk about the special moments we have with our pets and what they're thinking, and also to entertain and show a fun side of our pets."

Popp highlights the importance of adopting from shelters, and the fact that pets are true members of the family.

"There are wonderful pets and animals in these shelters," Popp said. "At the end of the day, they deserve all of our respect and attention and should be well-cared for and taken into consideration as family members."

Working on the book started out as a creative outlet for Popp, but it quickly morphed into a side project. Popp has had a love for writing since childhood.

"I'm very excited. I think seeing the finished product has been a huge, kind of uplifting feeling," Popp said.

Plans are already in the works for a Pumpkin sequel and ultimately a trilogy. Popp said she might delve into other animals in future books.

Popp will hold a reading event at Housing Works Bookstore, 126 Crosby St., in Manhattan, on June 25 at 2 p.m.

"Life by Pumpkin" will be available on hardcover, paperback and online May 2. E-book pre-orders are available now.

The book will be released on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Books, Apple Books and Kobo.

For more on author Leslie Popp, check out her website.