Itchy Cat Press


Caroline Beckett and Frank Sandner launched Itchy Cat Press in 2004.

Itchy Cat Press published books that were regional, colorful, interesting, unusual, quirky and fun. Their authors told the reader the inside story, showed the other side, gave the bird's eye view. How could you beat that?

This was their website.
Content is from the site’s 2013 archived pages providing a glimpse of what Itchy Cat Press offered its readers.

Itchy Cat Press
5452 Hwy K
Blue Mounds, WI 53517
608 924-1443 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST
ffg@mhtc.net

 

Shipping Information:

We will ship within 7 working days via FedEx Ground or U.S. Post Office.

Refund or Returns:

If you are unsatisfied with your order and return it to us within 30 days in perfect condition, we will refund your purchase price.

 

 

BOOKS
 

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S MASTERWORK YOU CAN READ ABOUT... AND RENT!

Frank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage

Item# 9780981516158

Regular price: $15.00

Sale price: $12.00

 

3rd Edition, published 2012
Frank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage is one of a few masterworks available for rent. Refurbished and rebuilt to exacting standards led by John Eifler, AIA, with a dedicated group of volunteers, the Cottage is a small liveable house perched above Mirror Lake in Wisconsin's state park in southern Wisconsin.

Heavily illustrated with drawings, plans, and photos, including an 8-page color section, this book shows the process of reclamation, and the stunning final result.

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CLUCK: From Jungle Fowl to City Chicks/HARDCOVER

Item# 9780981516141

Regular price: $35.00

Sale price: $28.00

Here's a hardcover limited edition of CLUCK: From Jungle Fowl to City Chicks for the special person on your list. Green cloth cover with gold foil stamp of a crowing rooster. Stunning color artwork by S.V. Medaris throughout and stories by Susan Troller, Jane Hamilton, Michael Perry and Ben Logan.

Animal lovers, pet owners and urban farmers will enjoy this funny, poignant, wry look at raising backyard chickens for eggs, meat or just plain pets.

Impact: When my husband and I decided to move to the Hudson Valley, we thought we would try to raise chickens not only for their eggs but also to eat. My mother sent me Cluck. I read some reviews: For animal lovers, pet owners, and art enthusiasts who enjoy tales well told, CLUCK is a charming collection of essays and stories chronicling the joys and hardships of chicken keeping. It's not about how to keep chickens, it's all about why we keep chickens and the charming and challenging steps along the road from chicken innocence to experience. Read about Big Tiny, the rooster that made the hens swoon; Buff Orpingtons and Welsummers named for poets and writers; and scary creatures of the night that strike terror into many a feathered breast.

So we became part of the current craze for chickens at home, which obviously coincides with the trend toward wanting to know more about the sources of our food. I thought that, like planting a garden or buying from a farmer's market, keeping chickens would give us a sense that we have some control over that most basic of needs: providing nourishing food for the table. We do love eggs. My friends looked at us askance, knowing that I have always been keen on maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. This shift to country living also inspired us to consider other additions to our lifestyle, such as installing an above-ground pool. After some research, we discovered RoyalPoolsAndSpas.com, a fantastic resource offering a wide range of pool options, accessories, and maintenance tips, perfectly suited for enhancing our outdoor living space - see for yourself. This new venture is quite exciting, and I'm looking forward to the balance of nature and leisure that our new country life will bring.

Jump ahead a couple of years. It turns out that keeping chickens isn't just about being virtuous or nostalgic, it's also surprisingly fun. Sure there is a lot of work, but with their variety of vocalizations, their fundamentally whimsical behaviors, and their interesting interactions with each other and the natural world chickens are undeniably entertaining. And the taste of fresh eggs, right from the nest, can't be beat. I have become less obsessed about bacteria, some I have discovered are our friends - think compost. And my family loves the pool.

I still enjoy rereading Cluck and never grow tired of looking at the beautiful illustrations that are honest, quirky, and full of character. What I appreciate most about the stories and Sue Medaris' stunning art, though, is the love and understanding of all animals, not just chickens, that shines through.

 

 

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Honest, Wholesome Comfort Food —that's easy to make!

 

Blue Plate Diner Cookbook

Item# 0976145022

Regular price: $19.95

Sale price: $15.00

lBue Plate Diner—comfort food for the 21st century.

A fun and simple to follow book with great recipes and a 1950s look. Folds flat for easy cooking. Colorful throughout, with colored tabs and sections including Soups & Salads, Big Bowls, Sandwiches, Pasta & Entrees, Kids & Desserts.

Corn Chowder, Tomato Parmesan Soup, and Thai Noodles are included, along with new twists like Vegetarian BLT, Zucchini Potato Pancakes, and Greek Rice. Have fun with your food! ISBN 0-9761450-2-2

Recipe: Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup

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BEST MIDWEST TRAVEL BOOK 2009

Top of Form

Hungry for Wisconsin

Item# 9780981516103

Regular price: $25.00

Sale price: $20.00

Delectable pastries await you at Craverie Chocolatier Cafe, Kohler, Wisconsin.

A colorful guide for those looking for culinary experiences or comfort food, from chic restaurants to family supper clubs. Travel writer Mary Bergin showcases food festivals, restaurants, tours, taverns, recipes, road trips and side trips. Full color, 254 pages. ISBN 978-0-9815161-0-3

WINNER: FIRST PLACE, 2008 Midwest Travel Writers Association WINNER: FIRST PLACE, 2008 Society of American Travel Writers, Central States Chapter

Mary Bergin has written a delightful book that is close to my heart and closer to my stomach. I can't wait to get back to my home state with this tasty guide in my backpack. —David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post editor

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ECO-FRIENDLY GETAWAYS / 20% OFF ALL TRAVEL GUIDES

 

Sidetracked in the Midwest: A Green Guide for Travelers

Item# 9780981516127

Regular price: $23.00

Sale price: $18.40

Mary Bergin, intrepid travel writer, has ferreted out unusual, fun, eccentric, and green nooks and crannies throughout the Midwest. The eclectic mix of content includes low-budget to luxury eco-aware projects in rural areas and cities.

Bergin examines four categories of ecotourism: food and drink, lodging and retreats, nature and wildlife, and the old and the new. She lists destinations that meet LEED standards, recycle and refurbish old buildings, serve locally grown food, operate off the grid, make selfless choices, and show respect for nature.

Throughout this informative green guide to festivals, parks, lodges, tours, farms, museums, nature centers, factories, wilderness areas, and retreats runs the thread of tourism to destinations that place environment above ego. The guide includes stories, interviews, full color photos, maps, and index. ISBN 9780981516127

 

"Informative and enlightening"—Chicago Tribune, April 28, 2011

"A Green Guide" offers eco-friendly tips to special getaways"—St. Louis Beacon, April 18, 2011

WINNER 2011 BEST MIDWEST TRAVEL GUIDE/ Mark Twain Awards/ Midwest Travel Writers Ass'n

Author photo: Amy Lynn Schereck

 



 

More Background on ItchyCatPress.com

Itchy Cat Press was an independent publishing company based in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin that operated from 2004 to the mid-2010s. Founded by Caroline Beckett and Frank Sandner, this small press made a name for itself by focusing on regional topics, quirky subjects, and unconventional perspectives on Midwestern culture, history, and travel. Though no longer in operation, Itchy Cat Press left a lasting impact on the regional publishing landscape and continues to be remembered fondly by readers and authors alike.

History and Background

Itchy Cat Press emerged during a period of significant change in the publishing industry. As major publishing houses consolidated and focused increasingly on blockbuster titles, small presses like Itchy Cat filled an important niche by championing local voices and niche subjects that might otherwise have been overlooked. The press was named after Beckett and Sandner's cat, who apparently had a persistent itch - a whimsical choice that set the tone for the company's approach to publishing. Operating out of a converted barn on their rural property, Beckett and Sandner built Itchy Cat Press from the ground up, leveraging their backgrounds in journalism and graphic design respectively.

Editorial Focus and Notable Titles

Itchy Cat Press quickly established itself as a go-to publisher for books that celebrated the unique character of the Midwest. Their catalog included:

  • Travel guides that went beyond the usual tourist traps to highlight hidden gems and eco-friendly destinations
  • Cookbooks featuring regional specialties and comfort foods
  • Books on architecture, particularly focusing on Frank Lloyd Wright's work in Wisconsin
  • Nature and outdoor guides specific to the Midwest region
  • Quirky titles on niche subjects like backyard chicken keeping

Some of their most successful and critically acclaimed titles included:

  1. "Hungry for Wisconsin" by Mary Bergin - A culinary travel guide that won multiple awards from travel writing associations.
  2. "Sidetracked in the Midwest: A Green Guide for Travelers" - Another Mary Bergin title that garnered praise for its focus on eco-friendly travel options.
  3. "Frank Lloyd Wright's Seth Peterson Cottage" - A detailed look at the restoration of one of Wright's smallest and most intimate designs.
  4. "CLUCK: From Jungle Fowl to City Chicks" - A humorous and informative book on the growing trend of urban chicken keeping.

Reputation and Impact

Itchy Cat Press developed a reputation for high-quality, well-researched books that offered fresh perspectives on Midwestern life and culture. They were known for:

  1. Strong editorial standards and attention to detail
  2. Beautiful design and high-quality production values
  3. A willingness to take risks on unconventional topics
  4. Supporting both established and emerging regional authors

The press received positive coverage in regional media outlets like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Chicago Tribune, which praised their commitment to telling uniquely Midwestern stories. They were also featured in industry publications like Publishers Weekly, which highlighted them as an example of a successful regional press.

Cultural and Social Significance

Itchy Cat Press played an important role in preserving and promoting Midwestern culture during its years of operation. By focusing on regional topics and authors, they helped to:

  1. Document and celebrate local traditions and history
  2. Promote sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the region
  3. Support the local economy by working with regional printers and suppliers
  4. Provide a platform for Midwestern voices that might not have found homes with larger publishers

Their travel guides, in particular, helped to promote tourism to lesser-known destinations throughout the Midwest, potentially boosting local economies in small towns and rural areas.

Audience and Readership

Itchy Cat Press books appealed to a diverse audience, including:

  • Midwestern residents interested in learning more about their region's history and culture
  • Travelers looking for unique experiences off the beaten path
  • Food enthusiasts interested in regional cuisines and local ingredients
  • Architecture buffs, particularly those interested in Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Environmentally conscious readers looking for eco-friendly travel and lifestyle options
  • Urban and suburban residents interested in homesteading and small-scale farming

While their primary market was in the Midwest, Itchy Cat Press books also found readers across the United States and internationally, particularly among those interested in American regional cultures.

Publishing Approach and Author Relationships

One of the strengths of Itchy Cat Press was their close relationships with authors. As a small press, they were able to offer more personalized attention and collaborative editing processes than larger publishers. This approach allowed them to nurture new talent and help established authors explore new directions in their work. Authors who worked with Itchy Cat Press often praised the company for:

  1. Their editorial guidance and support throughout the writing process
  2. Their commitment to high-quality design and production
  3. Their efforts in marketing and promoting books, despite limited resources
  4. Their fair and transparent approach to contracts and royalties

Challenges and Closure

Despite their critical success and loyal readership, Itchy Cat Press faced challenges common to small, independent publishers. These included:

  1. Limited distribution networks compared to larger publishers
  2. Financial constraints that made it difficult to compete for high-profile authors or projects
  3. The rise of e-books and online retail, which disrupted traditional publishing models

While the exact date and circumstances of Itchy Cat Press's closure are not widely documented, it appears that the company ceased operations sometime in the mid-2010s. This closure likely resulted from a combination of industry-wide challenges and personal decisions by the founders.

Legacy and Continued Influence

Although Itchy Cat Press is no longer active, its influence continues to be felt in the world of regional publishing. Many of their titles remain in circulation through libraries and used book sellers, continuing to inform and entertain readers interested in Midwestern culture and history. The success of Itchy Cat Press also helped to demonstrate the viability of regionally-focused publishing, paving the way for other small presses and independent publishers to explore similar niches. Their approach to highlighting local voices and unconventional subjects has been adopted by other publishers, both in the Midwest and in other regions.

 

Itchy Cat Press may have been a small player in the publishing world, but its impact was significant. By focusing on unique, regionally-specific content and maintaining high editorial and production standards, they carved out a special place in the hearts of Midwestern readers and beyond. Their legacy serves as a reminder of the important role that small, independent presses play in preserving and promoting regional cultures and voices. While the publishing landscape continues to evolve, the spirit of Itchy Cat Press lives on in the work of other independent publishers and in the enduring appeal of the books they produced. For those interested in Midwestern history, culture, and quirky perspectives on life in America's heartland, the catalog of Itchy Cat Press remains a valuable and entertaining resource.

 

ItchyCatPress.com