The winners of the 2001-2002 Cat Writers’ Association Communication Contest were announced at an Awards Banquet held November 23, 2002, in Houston, Texas as part of the ninth annual Cat Writers’ Conference.
There were more than 400 entries in this year’s contest in both the regular and Special Award categories. Winners in the regular categories receive a Muse MedallionTM. Special Award winners receive the prize designated in the award.
2002 CWA MUSE MEDALLIONTM WINNERS
Category: Books
Fiction
| Cat Laughing Last, Shirley Rousseau Murphy (Avon) Judge’s Comments: “She makes us care deeply about all her characters. They are sensitively drawn with great detail. Her feline detectives are irresistible.” |
Care & Health
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Kitty Stuff, Jodi Alessandrini & Kathy Kinser (Unknown) Judge’s Comments: “This is a good ‘Why didn’t I think of writing that!?’ book. Fantastic topic that I had not seen covered like this before.” “Tone is amusing and the illustrations appealing.” |
Behavior & Training
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Complete Kitten Care, Amy Shojai (New American Library) Judge’s Comments: “Exhaustive book. Has she written herself into a corner? How can she top this one? Outstanding content that is streamlined and attractively laid out.” |
Other
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When Your Pet Outlives You, David Congalton & Charlotte Alexander (NewSage Press) Judge’s Comments: “It is not only a good book, but it’s an important book. Well done.” |
Humor
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Cat Haiku, Deborah Coates (Warner Books) Judge’s Comments: “I loved this little book. The author captures all things cat in this clever and delightful book.” “Paws down winner. So cat-true and funny, too. Wish I’d written it.” |
Category: Magazine
Magazine Four-Color, National Circulation
| Your Cat, Vicki Christian Budrevich, editor Judge’s Comments: “Fine photography (lots of gorgeous cats); short, punchy items/articles; and useful info-bits.” |
Magazine Article/Feature on Health Care
| Silent Suffering, Fran Pennock Shaw |
Magazine Article/Feature on Training Behavior
| “Lashing Out,” Cat Fancy, May 2002, Pam Johnson-Bennett Judge’s Comments: Judge’s Comments: “Good advice. Novice cat owners may not know why cats act out. The article is clearly written and organized and provides solid, not commonly known information about common aggressive behavior.” |
Magazine Article/Feature on Any Other Topic
| “Allergies and Your Cat,” Whole Cat Journal, December 2001, Fran Pennock Shaw |
Magazine: Column (Tie)
| “Serving Animals,” Cat Fancy (Various dates), Susan Easterly “Unsung Heroes,” Cat Fancy (Various dates), Arden Moore Judge’s Comments: “The two tied winners were articles that kept sucking me in as I judged.” |
Category: Newspaper
Newspaper Article/Feature/News Story
| “Vets Using Pain Meds,” Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, April 23, 2002, Fran Pennock Shaw Judge’s Comments: “It was one of those articles I wanted to save and read over and over again.” |
Newspaper: Column
| “Do Animals Have Souls?,” Dayton Daily News (Various dates), Roz Young Judge’s Comments: “After reading these columns, I feel like we’ve been good friends forever, and as if I knew Edith personally.” “Her columns drew me into her life and made me care what she wrote about.” |
Category: Newsletters or Regional Publications
Newsletters or Regional Publications: Breed Specific
| International Scottish Fold, Evelyn Russell, editor |
Newsletters or Regional Publications: Other/Color
| Our Animals, Paul Glassner, editor Judge’s Comments: “The articles would interest many different pet owners and the publication shows a high quality in every sense.” |
Newsletters or Regional Publications: Others/Black & White
| Alley Cat Mews, Louise Holton, editor Judge’s Comments: “If you have an interest in learning more about stray or feral kitties, this newsletter is a good place to start.” |
Newsletter – Yearbook, Annual or Semi-Annual
| Feral Cat Activist, Kris Rerecich Judge’s Comments: “Inspiring and well-done. The content is well researched and reported. It is fresh and informative.” “Excellent, compelling articles.” |
Newsletters or Regional Publications: Article/Feature
| “A Wish for Emma,” Our Animals, Spring 2002, Linda Brinen Judge’s Comments: “This judge was moved to tears by this well-told, heartwarming, moving story.” |
Newsletters or Regional Publications: Column
| “Dear Hobbes,” City + Country Pets (Various dates), Dusty Rainbolt Judges Comments: “Putting advice in a cat’s mouth – especially on subjects such as health and behavior – takes plenty of nerve but she pulls it off.” |
Short Story (Tie)
| “Chasing China Cats,” LinQ, October 2001, Lyn McConchie “The Cat and Mouse Caper,” Alfred Hitchcock’sMystery Magazine, July/August 2002, Cynthia Lawrence Judges’ Comments: “These were a lot of fun to read. The top stories were well written and had engaging characters, strong viewpoints, good conflicts, and satisfying endings.” |
Series, Subject Related
| “Coping with Allergies,” Whole Cat Journal, Sept/Nov 2001, Fran Pennock Shaw Judge’s Comments: “Packed with detail and new research. I felt I really learned something new.” |
Other Categories
Brochure/Pamphlet, or Special Publication
| Feral Cat Colony Management, Louise Holton Judge’s Comments: “Easy to follow and very well done.” |
Video or Television Production
| “Shelter Cats with Karen Pryor”, Darlene Arden Judge’s Comments: “A very strong interview showcased by a guest and a host who were equally matched and concerned on the issue. This is the kind of broadcast deserving of a larger audience.” |
Radio Presentation, Audio Tape or CD
| Animal Planet – Show #60, Steve Dale |
Electronic: Online Presentation
| www.iluvcats.com, Lisa Allmendinger |
Electronic/Online Presentation: Single Online Article
| “Finding and Choosing a Breeder,” www.PetPlace.com,August 2001, J. Anne Helgren Judge’s Comments: “Outstanding writing, good research and reference, great links, informative and showed a total understanding of the subject matter.” |
Electronic/Online Presentation: Online Column (Tie)
| “Purina Cat Chow Way of Life,” www.catchow.com, Amy Shojai “Choosing A…,” www.PetPlace.com, November 2001, J. Anne Helgren Judge’s Comments: “These entries inform and entertain the reader.” |
Graphic Arts: Single Black & White Photo (Tie)
| Sleep Champ,” Complete Kitten Care (New American Library), Amy Shojai Jasmine Grooming,” Catnip, Feb. 2002, Sandra Toney |
Graphic Arts: Single Color Photo
| “Cat Jumping,” Here Kitty Kitty, Catherine Crawmer Judge’s Comments: “The winning photo instantly tells a story. No words are needed to explain why it’s on the cover of this magazine. Not only does it portray an unusual event, it’s also an action photo, one that’s difficult to capture.” |
Graphic Arts: Series of Photos/ Black & White
| Complete Kitten Care (New American Library), Amy Shojai Judges’ Comments: “A beautiful balance of text illustration and emotion. Excellent job.” |
Graphic Arts: Series of Photos/Color
| “Love Beneath the Skin: Cat Tattoos,” Our Cat, May 2002, Heike Hagenguth Judge’s Comments: “Innovative subject, intriguing photo essay.” “Arresting images that make you think way out of the ordinary. Very good use of the medium.” |
Graphic Arts: Illustration
| “Two Ears, Two Eyes, Tulips,” I Love Cats, May/June 2002, Wendy Christensen |
Graphic Arts: Series of Illustrations
| Why Cats Do That (Willow Creek Press), Wendy Christensen Judge’s Comments: “The illustrator does a very good job of literally illustrating the text.” “The illustrations capture the essence of ‘catness.’ We see coy, mischievous, naughty, curious – all qualities that made us fall in love with cats in the first place.” |
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