Jennifer Hubbard is a debut author. Her upcoming novel The Secret Year is coming out in January. Scout is her psychotic cat.

Scout:

1. Describe a typical day in your life in 5 sentences or less.

I’m up before dawn, patrolling the house. If I see a dangerous object, such as a plastic fork lying on the floor in a provocative and aggressive manner, I will pounce and thrash it soundly. Then I go upstairs to wait outside the bedroom door for my people. If they are slow in waking up, I help them by meowing loudly. The rest of the day, I nap, seek attention, and get the people to let me in and out of the house.

2. What is the most annoying thing that your human does?

Sometimes the people in this house seem to believe they have other things to do besides petting me and letting me in and out the door. Can you believe it?? Also, they fail to properly appreciate the fine mice and moles that I lay on their doorstep.

3. How do you feel about being on the The Tenner cats?

I’m hoping it will lead to more opportunities for me. My true purpose in life is to be petted. The humans in my house tend to tire of it after ten minutes or so. I then glue myself to their ankles, squawking indignantly, to let them know that I expect more attention. If your blog brings me a greater following, perhaps I could be petted for hours at a time.

4. Where is your favorite place to take a nap?

There is no place that is not suitable for a nap. I know, because I’ve tried them all.

5. Why do you like to be called King Scout?

The humans have several nicknames for me, which I suspect are disrespectful. “Psycho Kitty” is one—usually when I have been practicing my leaping and pouncing skills, or when I continue to meow loudly at the food cabinet even after they’ve just filled my food dish. They’ve made some remarks about “The Great White Hunter,” since I am pure white and, if it weren’t for me, there would be no dead rodents on the porch. Were they to give me my proper due, “King Scout” it would be. Bowing, however, is optional.

6. Would you ever consider starting a blog?

I don’t need to. I can just take over Jennifer’s any time I feel the need to express myself.

Jennifer:

1. Describe a typical day in your life in 5 sentences or less.

I divide my time among my day job, writing, reading, hiking and other forms of exercise, online networking, promotional and business activities associated with writing, keeping up with my friends, and spending time with my husband. Once in a while, I squeeze in some housework, shopping, or travel.

2. What is the most annoying thing that your cat Scout does?

I think we covered that in Scout’s answers.

3. How do you feel about being a 2010 debut author (Tenner)?

I was with Debut2009 first, because my book was originally scheduled for fall 2009. When my publication date changed, I happily joined Tenners because being part of a debut-novelist group is one of the best things I’ve done. We share practical information with one another, but we also act as a sort of support group. We’re all going through a similar process at roughly the same time, and it’s wonderful to have people who really understand the ups and downs of the debut year.

4. Do you like to take naps with Scout?

I don’t nap. And if I tried to sleep near the cat, his acrobatic sleeping positions would probably push me off the couch.

5. Do you think that Scout would like your book The Secret Year?

I decided to ask him. I quote: “Suspenseful and fascinating, but NEEDS MORE CATS. If you use this blurb on the book cover, I expect compensation.”