The Reinvention of a Cat Writer and The 2013 Friskies Writer of the Year Award
Our new logo was unveiled at the conference. Design by Debbie Glovatsky.
Now that I am back from the Cat Writers’ Conference I have had some time to reflect on what the experience meant to me. This year’s theme was “Reinventing Yourself for the Digital Age” and I found the premise relevant to me on so many levels because I was someone who used to fight the dizzying array of social and technological changes that came my way tooth and nail. I now realize reinvention is akin to a cat who manages to make the difficult task of balancing on a ledge look so graceful and effortless – easier said than done, but the marriage of new and old can be a wonderful balance of reinvention if you embrace and allow it.
This is my third conference and the main difference for me this year as both a writer and member is that rather than be a bystander whose primary function was to network and attend seminars, this year I was an active participant in every sense of the word. I really wanted to immerse myself into the mechanics of the organization and I volunteered for as much as I could – I was on the Contest Committee Board, I was a judge for the Certificates of Excellence, I was the Book Signing Coordinator and I was a guest speaker on two panels (“Social Network Navigation for the Over-40 Set—You Know Who You Are” and “Doing It All Without Pulling Your Hair Out!”). Hey, if you’re going to jump in, why not jump in with all paws!
I was honored to be on the “Doing it All Without Pulling Your Hair Out” panel with Lorie Huston, DVM, and our new CWA President!
As a result of this, not only do I have a new perspective on the organization and its members, but I have an enormous respect for who they are and what they do. The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to coordinate a conference is massive – planning meals, deciding on seminar topics and finding guest speakers, entertainment, sponsorships and donations, hotel accommodations, websites, print work and program design, book signings, contests, judging, membership, and on and on. This is a group of volunteers and everyone who steps up to the plate to help out while juggling the rest of their busy lives handles it with true professionalism and enthusiasm.
The best part of this for me was getting to know people on a much more personal level – Vice President, Dusty Rainbolt, became my support system as we spoke numerous times on the phone so she could assist me on the ins and outs of coordinating a book signing – her guidance made my task all the easier (relatively speaking) and she is a multitasking wizard. How she handles everything she is involved in without landing in the loony bin is beyond me, but she does it!
Seen here with Angie Bailey, Dusty Rainbolt, and Christine Michaels
By taking such a hands on approach with the conference this year I quickly learned that reinvention was the name of the game not just for the theme of the conference, but for coordinating a conference in general and that is where our members absolutely shine. Circumstances and plans seem to change by the minute and having a plan B, C, and D is often necessary. Cat herding 101 at its best!
Point in case, literally at the 11th hour the day before I was supposed to board a plane to Texas, I got the phone call from the book store where the author signing was scheduled to take place that due to unforeseen circumstances the event was canceled. I was at work when I got the call and my heart fell onto the floor and I could barely breathe I was so paralyzed with shock. A dozen authors were relying on me to make the event happen and now I had to inform them (while at a hectic day at work under the eagle eye of my boss) that the event was canceled.
I called Dusty in a panic because I knew that she would need to know this right away. Normally she picks the phone up on the first ring, but not this time. I emailed her. I texted her and I called her again, all while trying to act like everything was okay at work. Finally she called me back and when I choked the news out to her, she interrupted me to let me know that she had 3 other emergencies in her queue and to calm down, relax, and basically said “Oh well, *hit happens, we’ll just have the signing at the hotel instead.”
Thanks to some quick thinking we were able to make a sign for the Autograph Party at the hotel. Artwork courtesy of the talented Marci Kladnik!
And just like that, I was able to breathe again and I contacted all the authors who were wonderfully gracious about the whole thing. And truthfully, in the long run I think it was better. If the signing were at the bookstore, it would have been 3 authors at a time in one hour shifts. By having it at the hotel, we lined up a row of tables and all of us got to sit together. It was an absolute blast interacting with everyone on such a personal level and we all had a great time getting to know one another better.
As a wonderful bonus after the signing I grabbed a much needed, quick drink with renowned authors Amy Shojai and Carole Nelson Douglas (Amy is also co-founder of the CWA and has attended every conference since its inception in 1992). Wow, talk about two incredible ladies! Getting to know them outside of the surface level of cat writing was a moment I will forever cherish and one of my favorite memories of the conference.
Carole Nelson Douglas and myself. She was wearing a spider lady theme and I was in my trademark leopard!
The ever talented Amy Shojai (center) – not only did she co-author STRAYS, THE MUSICAL, she starred in it! We were all treated to the production as the entertainment for Friday night!
The other part of the conference that was different for me is that I am now starting to accept the fact I am an author. I still have my moments of self-doubt and I still marvel at the scope of it all – a small town girl who’s dream to be a writer finally comes true. I rode the shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport with the editor of Cat Fancy, Susan Logan, and that still blows my mind that I know her let alone that I write for Cat Fancy. She mentioned my name in a panel discussion she was speaking at as her “go to” person for the topic of spay/neuter. She asked me after the seminar if I minded her using my name. Seriously? Did I mind? I was floating on cloud nine, that’s all I can say!
The event ended Saturday night with the awards ceremony where a year’s worth of collective talent in various cat loving venues is celebrated. I was sitting at a table with many of my favorite cat ladies – Angie Bailey, JaneA Kelley, Debbie Glovatsky, Janiss Garza, Lisa Richman, Paris Permenter, Dan Koehler from Purina, and my best friend and roomie, Christine Michaels (missing was good buddy, Layla Morgan Wilde who had to cancel at the last minute). Since I was involved in judging some of the categories of works up for awards this year I honestly took my own entries with a grain of salt not over thinking any of it. I was at the conference to enjoy myself and I was fully prepared to be cheering on my friends.
Before the awards ceremony – me with the pawsome JaneA Kelley of Paws & Effect!
Sharing a hug with one of my favorite cat ladies before the festivities – Janiss Garza the human behind Sparkle the Designer Cat!
Some stylish posing before the awards – me, Peter Keys of the Cat Fanciers Association, Christine Michaels, and Janiss Garza.
I really wasn’t paying close attention – I was chatting with my friends and having a great time. Blah, blah cat talk. Blah, blah cat talk… I heard my name above the din of noise in the room, but I wasn’t quite sure if I really did. Then everyone at my table turned to me, I heard hoots and applause and Christine turned to hug me. It was my name. I had been presented with the 2013 Writer of the Year Award by Friskies/Purina for the compilation of works I had done throughout the year to promote the health, happiness, and well-being of cats. I stood up, walked up to the podium like a deer in headlights to accept my award and to be perfectly honest, the rest of the night was a blur for me and completely surreal. I woke up the next morning and saw the award sitting on the dresser, so I knew it wasn’t a dream after all…
Me stumbling up to the podium and accepting the “Friskies Writer of the Year Award” as presented to me by Dan Koehler of Friskies/Purina.
Wow… see… I did win the award – my name’s on it and everything!
All I can say is that it is an honor and privilege to be part of such a group of incredibly talented people. The lesson I learned from it all is that no matter how difficult that life might seem, is that dreams do come true and the key to success is to be willing to extend beyond what you think you are capable of and to believe in yourself. Truly reinvention at its best. I am feeling reinvigorated and I have a new book idea in the works.
So, my message for those you aspiring writers who are still on the fence about who you are and what you want to be in the world of cat, I encourage you to strive to be a member of the Cat Writers’ Association. Please stop by the site get to know a bit more about the organization and what we’re all about.
Hope you enjoyed my take on the conference and here are a few more of my favorite moments:
As with any Cat Writers’ Conference, it all starts with the swag! Thank you to all the incredible sponsors for donating such amazing loot for our kitties!
Another look at the cat loot with the adorable Angie Bailey!
I dressed up as a leopard/witch/cat lady and won a bottle of wine for my costume! Whoo Hoo! Sharing my good fortune is my roommate and pal, Christine Michaels!
One of the best perks of the conference is all the great food! Clearly Christine agrees with me!
BJ Bangs, Paws for Reflection, and Board of Directors for the CWA is always our resident photographer. I thought it would be nice to share a picture with her in it instead of behind the camera!
Christine and I before Friday nights festivities!
Since it was the Cat Writers’ Conference, naturally there were cats present! Seen here is Zeki who has an amazing story of survival – she was found as a young cat with her fur knifed away on her lower half. Luckily a good Samaritan found her and got her help. Today she travels around the country and serves as a model for first aid therapy with her beloved guardian Arden Moore.
Two cat ladies at their finest – all dressed up for the awards ceremony!
After the awards ceremony – here I am with fellow Catster writers, JaneA Kelley and Angie Bailey who both won Muse Awards!!
Home from the conference and bribing the kitties with massive doses of swag so that they will still love me after abandoning them for a few days!
Wooo Hooo ,ConCATulations to the Friskies award !
XOXO
Thank you Kjelle Bus!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The part about the cancellation made my heart sink but it rose back up to see everything worked out and even for the better. I seen so many familiar faces in your pics. I still have not met Lorie Houston in pawson but really hope I can one day.
The part of you winning had me in happy tears. You DO deserve it! May you win many more awards and accomplish all the task you have on your list of a writer and I look forward to reading about each and every one of them.
Congratulations!
Thank you so much Carma Poodale! It was a bit hairy for awhile, but I am glad everything turned out for the better too! I really appreciate your support and kind words – thank you, thank you, thank you!
We really do need to meet face-to-face one of these days, Carma. We’ve been in the same place at the same time several times (BarkWorld, BlogPaws) and never managed to connect. But we’ve sure spoken often enough online. I feel like I know you and consider you a friend, even if I haven’t formally met you. 🙂
Concatulations on your well-deserved award! It looks like you all had a purrfect time.
Thank you Mistletoe & Hitch – it was definitely an experience of a lifetime!
What a GREAT post and CONGRATULATIONS to you on your award. That is outstanding, and you deserve it. You have way more talent as a writer than you give yourself credit for. We’re proud to know you and call you friend. I’ve always said, animal people are the best people in the world., They are so very caring and supportive.
Mariodacat – I am so glad you enjoyed the post and I really appreciate your assessment of my writing. But most of all, yes, us animal people are the best in the world and I am so happy and proud to be your friend as well.
Deb what a fabulous recap of the conference! I can’t believe I have been a member for the past 2 or 3 yrs and have yet to attend one of the conferences. More than likely I will be there next year.
You KNOW how THRILLED I am for you about the Friskies Award….well deserved my friend, well deserved!!!! Onward and upward!
xoxo
I can’t believe you have not attended a conference yet either Caren, but it is understandable. There are so many different ones going on every year that it is really hard to find the time, and or finances to go. The Cat Writers’ Association is reinventing themselves in every sense of the word and will be merging as a group with BarkWorld next year. That way people won’t have to choose between the two conferences and we can learn so much more by combining the best of both worlds!
Thank you for your kind comments and I appreciate your support and congratulations. Oh, BTW, for the Friskies award, I had to submit 10 pieces of my work for the judging criteria that best represented the health, happiness, and well-being of cats. One of my submissions was the guest post I did for you on what World Spay Day meant to me. That remains one of my favorite pieces I have ever written! 🙂
What a great recap! I’m sorry I missed the conference this year. Congratulations again on your award!
Thank you Ingrid – it felt odd not having you at the conference and you were missed!
The Woman is chuckling about the author signing. She’d been thinking–why doesn’t blog paws and the cat writers conference have a big old author signing like they did at B Dalton when she worked there. We’d have 30 to 50 (once we had over 50 and that was more work than we wanted to coordinate) children’s authors every year in October for children’s book fair. It was the one author signing event that really worked for the authors and the store because it was so big that it go noticed. And we did a ton of publicity because it was a big deal for the store as well–Barnes and Noble wouldn’t let us stop even when we wanted to. Plus, you aren’t sitting there making small talk during off times–you’re actually there with friends. If you do it again, and if you get a book store to do it, see if you can get one that has the space to put up tables for everyone all at once–that’s huge fun for the store and the authors and it really does get a lot of sales–we were always up at weekend before Christmas level sales. But anyway, she kept thinking, I think they should do that. Maybe I should email Deb about that idea? Or who else would I email? And there you were–the coordinator! HA HA.
That sounds like a wonderful idea Chey – having all the authors together really was a blast and the more the merrier! The only problem is finding the right bookstore. Nowadays things are a bit more sticky and complicated because not all bookstores are willing to allow authors to participate if the store does not carry their book(s). With so many authors self-published today, not all of them are part of the major distribution channels and they are often penalized. Because the CWA is joining up with BarkWorld, I think they will be able to find a venue where we can get all the authors together and really promote the heck out of it! I hope to be a part of that and I really enjoyed your suggestion!
This sounds like a great conference! I only wish I was a cat writer so that I could attend. Once again, Deb, congrats on your award. It is well deserved. 🙂
Sue
Thank you so much Sue/Island Cats. You actually don’t have to be a member to attend the conference and we would love to have you come by next year. We are always looking for new talent to mentor and if you are thinking you want to be a member one day, you could look for a sponsor to help you with the guidelines and requirements.
What a wonderful recap! I’m just so thrilled I was there to see you win the Writer of the Year Award. It was definitely the HIGHLIGHT!!!
I think I told you this already… when Dan was on the stage presenting the award, as he started talking about you and all the amazing things you’ve done (even though we didn’t know it was you) I was thinking to myself, “Self, this TOTALLY sounds like Deb Barnes.”
I’d like to say I’m psychic, but actually it’s much simpler – you’re amazing.
xo,
GG
Thank you GG – I wish I there were a video of the event, because I honest to goodness don’t remember Dan’s intro at all and that bums me out! I just went into such a state of shock that my brain froze and blocked out every bit of reality in front of me!
I appreciate your kindness and it was such an honor being at the conference with you. Congratulations on your well deserved Muse Awards and for designing such an amazing new logo!!
That was a great review of the conference and I really enjoyed reading about it. Congratulations on your award. It is very well deserved.
Thank you Flynn – I am glad you enjoyed reading the review – I know it was a bit long, so I appreciate you sticking with me!
You do SO much good work for kitties in need, and my human and I were over-the-top thrilled that you won the Friskies Writer of the Year award! The CWA conference is one where I can’t really complain about my human running off to have a good time without me, because she returns with such cool stuff.
Sparkle – you and your human do such good for kitties as well and I appreciate you letting her leave the house for a few days without complaining because I really enjoy visiting with her! Thank you for your concats and enjoy your cool cat swag!
All I can say Deb is “wow!” Concatulations for winning the award and thank you for telling us all about the conference. It sounds like so much fun! I loved all the photos, too. You deserve the award for all of your excellent cat writing work!
Thank you so much Beverly! I am glad you enjoyed the write up and it was my pleasure to share it!
Wonderful pics and story. Big Congratulations to you for winning Deb.
Great new logo, a fine piece of art.
I really want to know where Christine got that fabulous dress she wore , I love it!
Thank you Connie! It was a wonderful event and all of us are thrilled with the new logo! As far as Christine – she always looks fabulous and got the dress in Miami!
What an amazing recap. I feel like I was there and More than ever wish that I was!
The CWA has My application in their paws right now and I have fingers and toes crossed that I am approved. Truffles’ paws are crossed too 🙂
Thank you Melissa – I always try to write in such a way that invites a reader into the story, so I am glad it made you feel like you were with us! Paws crossed that your application is approved and I hope to see you next year!
Deb, BEST recap ever! I so missed you but great to see all these pics. Didn’t anyone record the awards or part of them on their phone or something? The pic of you with your awards makes me teary with pride.
xox Layla
Layla – glad you enjoyed the recap – I hope it made you feel like you were there with us! I don’t know if anyone recorded the awards – I’ll have to ask. I don’t think anyone at my table was!
Thank you for your support and kindness… This has been a rough year, so I really appreciate your pride on my behalf. I feel the same way about you!
Concatulations!
Loved your article, and photos!
I m honored to have met you this year, and to have an autographed copy of your book (Miss Elvira promises to read and review it!).
The theme of the conference sounds so relevant to me and what I am trying to do in the midst of all my struggles.
It still hurts that I could not attend as I had planned.
I have a ticket to Blog Paws 2014, bought when I left 2013, but do not know yet if I will be able to attend.
Kiril – I am glad you enjoyed the article and pictures. I had a great time meeting you at BlogPaws and am sorry you could not attend the conference. I do know that things have been difficult for you and I am sorry. I hope that 2014 will be a year that we all can rally and be strong. I have my own struggles going on and am not certain if I can attend BlogPaws which breaks my heart. Blessings to you and thank you again for your kind comments.
Congrats on the award. Well deserved. Sure looks like a lot of fun.
Thank you Sue – it truly was fun!
What a great conference it was, and how neat that so many friends were there with you. Surely it made everything extra special! Thank you for the great recap, Deb. And congratulations on your very well-deserved award. We are proud of you!
Meowmeowmans – being around so many talented, cat loving friends is the BEST part of the conference. You know what that is like from going to BlogPaws! Thank you so much for the congratulations!
It’s no wonder you won best writer…I literally feel like I was there….and even got a little teary (I’m such a sap) reading about you “hearing your name”…I just want to just give you a big ol hug!!
Congratulations Deb, you deserve it!
Awww…. thank you Toni… I’m glad I was able to recreate the feeling of the conference for you… didn’t mean to make you teary eyed! And in many ways you were with me – I wore my “One Cool Cat” shirt home and it was like having you with me! xoxo
It has been so many years since I attended my one and only CWA conference when it was in KC so I’m glad that you posted such a clear coverage of the festivities. I feel like I saw at least a part of it through your eyes.
And a big congratulations on your award! What a thrill. I’m so proud of you — as if I had anything to do with it 🙂
Andrea – I am so happy that you could feel a part of the conference through my eyes and I wish you could have been there. Thank you so much for the congratulations – in many ways you did have something to do with it. I have always appreciated and respected the comments you have left on my blog and support like yours inspires me and keeps me going.
But, enough about me – HUGE congratulations on your Pro Plan Pedigreed Cats Award for your story “Harder Than It Looks” on CATCHANNEL.COM!!! I am so happy for you!
Thank-you so much. I am so thrilled with it.
I was so busy blushing that I pressed “Post” before thanking you for pretending that I had anything at all to do with your success. You own it! You earned it!
Andrea – you are adorable but I stand by what I said earlier!