ALBUQUERQUE, NM “Cattiness pays. The international Cat Writers’ Association (CWA) is now accepting entries for its 17th annual Communications Contest with more than $12,000 in prize money in its kitty.
This year, CWA is offering 20 corporate-sponsored special awards of $500 to $1,000 as well as its own Muse Medallions™ to winners in approximately 50 writing and graphic arts categories. The special awards in 2010 cover topics that include veterinary research, health, behavior, nutrition, seniors, kitten care, safety issues, the human-animal bond, humane issues and responsible ownership, plus awards for fiction and new writers.
“This contest showcases the very best in the feline field of professional writers, broadcasters, photographers and graphic artists,” says Nancy Marano, contest chair. “You don’t have to belong to CWA to submit an entry. However, we encourage you to be part of this professional group that strives to improve the lives of cats and serves as a great network of professional journalists.”
CWA’s writing competition is open to work published between June 16, 2009 and June 15, 2010. Categories cover feline-oriented articles and columns, short stories, poetry, books, photography and video/audio tapes. Entries must be published in magazines, newspapers, newsletters and online or on the air. Fees are $15 per entry. Awards will be presented at CWA’s annual conference, November 18-21 in White Plains, NY in conjunction with the TICA/Westchester Cat Show.
Rules and entry forms are available after mid-April from the CWA website (www.catwriters.org) or by sending a self-addressed stamped business-size envelope to contest chair Nancy Marano, 7601 Vista del Arroyo NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. The deadline for submitting entries is July 1, 2010.
CWA was founded in 1992 and is dedicated to providing news, information, and education on all aspects of cat care and welfare, as well as improving the quality of writing about cats. CWA provides members with networking opportunities and encourages professionalism and communication among cat writers, photographers, artists, editors and broadcasters.