Hello from the CFA Cat Show!

I have so many reasons to be thankful. My husband and family, Seren and Magic, friends and colleagues--I am richly blessed. One of those blessings is the Cat Writers Association.

I’ve written about the CWA before (www.catwriters.org) and have just returned from the annual conference. It’s sponsored by a host of incredible pet products companies and organizations including the Dog Writers Association of America. This year it was again held with the CFA International Cat Show in Atlanta.

The conference is near and dear to my heart because I am one of the founding members. This year, I was elected president, and am honored and excited by the challenge. The organization is composed of over 200 professionals who write, edit, broadcast, and illustrate work with an emphasis on cats. Seminars range from how-to basics to advance issues such as working with an agent and marketing. Many of us also participated in a booksigning extravaganza over at the cat show.

CWA also hosts an annual contest for published work. I’m thrilled to have been nominated in several categories and be the winner of three Muse Medallion ™ awards for my newspaper column, an online article, and a Pet Peeves radio program featuring Winn Feline Foundation. Wow! The awards are doubly meaningful because they’re judged by my peers. The awards list will be posted at the catwriters.org website--check it out to see if some of your favorite authors are winners!

As the new president, I’m eager to get off on the right “paw” and anxious to welcome new members into the organization. While you must be published to join, anyone is welcome to attend the conference. The biggest benefit is networking with other folks who love cats (and other critters), and have a passion for making the world better for these delightful animal companions.

Next year, our conference will be held in conjunction with the Westchester Cat Show in White Plains, New York, the weekend before Thanksgiving. Mark your calendars, tell your cats--it’ll give writers and feline friends all something to be thankful about all year long!