{"id":18583,"date":"2018-03-25T00:10:47","date_gmt":"2018-03-25T04:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/?p=18583"},"modified":"2018-03-25T08:59:38","modified_gmt":"2018-03-25T12:59:38","slug":"cat-writers-association-certificate-of-excellence-winners-and-how-to-win-a-free-ticket-to-the-2018-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeezoey.com\/blog\/cat-writers-association-certificate-of-excellence-winners-and-how-to-win-a-free-ticket-to-the-2018-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat Writers’ Association Certificate of Excellence Winners and How to Win a Free Ticket to the 2018 Conference!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

The CWA conference will be June 7 -9 this year and will be held at the Hyatt Regency North Houston.<\/p><\/div>\n

I sound like a broken record lately \u2013 between the issue with my eye and other things, it\u2019s been one physical ailment after another, most recently a nasty flu bug that had me bed-ridden for a couple days. But it\u2019s not all bad, in-between the blurriness, a fever, coughing, sniffling, and a massive headache; I got the wonderful news that I was the recipient of six Certificates of Excellence from the Cat Writers\u2019 Association.<\/p>\n

Considering I don\u2019t have the time to write like I used to, it was an uplifting breath of fresh air. Cats are my passion, they always have been, and it was touching to be recognized for my efforts. But I think what was even nicer, was seeing the other winners (please see the full list here<\/a>). When I joined the CWA in 2011 I barely knew what I was doing. I attended my first conference in White Plains, NY, completely in awe of the talent around me, a timid and shy little kitten who was completely out of her element.<\/p>\n

\"\"

One of many star-struck moments at my first CWA conference – meeting then editor of Cat Fancy Magazine, Susan Logan.<\/p><\/div>\n

Since then, not only has my world significantly changed, so has the world of writing. Traditional publishing has become redefined, self-publishing has become more sophisticated, and blogging and social media is anything but a passing trend, it is the voice of our world. I\u2019m part of that world and there was a time, not so long ago when we weren\u2019t always taken seriously for our efforts by some of our peers, or the industry.<\/p>\n

So, for me, it\u2019s a personal victory for all of us. Not only have I become a better writer (winning the Writer of the Year as presented by Friskies Purina in 2013 and going on to win the President’s Award last year for my Makin’ Biscuits book), but so have many of my peers. Melissa LaPierre of Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries & Meows<\/a>, Paula Gregg of Sweet Purrfections<\/a>, Dawn White of Lola the Rescued Cat<\/a>, Marjorie Dawson of Dash Kitten<\/a>, and Yasaar Nakchbendi of Chirpy Cats<\/a> to name a just a few. These are all newly emerging talents who also won certificates this year and I’m so proud of how far they’ve come.<\/p>\n

And then there are those like Janiss Garza of Sparkle Cat featuring Summer,<\/a> JaneA Kelley of Paws and Effect<\/a>, Layla Morgan Wilde of Cat Wisdom 101<\/a>, and Bernadette Kazmarski of the Creative Cat <\/a>who consistently win certificates every year, not only for their blogging and authoring talents, but for publishing, photography, and column and magazine writing.<\/p>\n

\"\"

I learned a lot in 2011 – first and foremost, it’s not easy to write and publish a book, and that it’s important to have a support system to help. This was me with Janiss Garza, someone who is always a wonderful mentor.<\/p><\/div>\n

The CWA is an amazing organization in that regard. It\u2019s really not about winning or losing, but the personal challenge of striving to achieve whatever goals you might have \u2013 whether it be to start a blog, or write your first book, or learn how to take better pictures, or anything else.<\/p>\n

The CWA has nearly 250 members and we are a mentoring organization filled with every talent you can possibly think of to better inform or educate on all things cat, from authors, editors, and publishers, to videographers, bloggers, freelancers, artists, photographers, and more. <\/p>\n

\"\"

We’re an organization of nearly 250 and growing…If you’re thinking of joining, what are you waiting for?<\/p><\/div>\n

We hold a conference every year and this year it will be June 7 -9 at the Hyatt Regency North Houston. Whether you\u2019re a member of the organization or not, I encourage you to attend. There will be educational seminars, Dr. Marty Becker will be the keynote speaker, there will be a book signing opportunity, the Cat Fanciers\u2019 Association  will be holding their Gulf Shore Regional Cat Show, and to top it all off, there will be an awards banquet on Saturday night where we honor those certificate winners who will go on to win coveted Muse and Special Awards.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” will be our keynote speaker. He’s always a wealth of information and is also a good sport, seen here wearing a pair of my cat ears!<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s an opportunity for established writers, bloggers, artists, photographers and more to get together to network and reconnect, or meet for the first time. For those that are thinking about writing, it\u2019s a great way to get your feet wet and learn from the pros. It\u2019s also a nice event for those that prefer a lighter crowd. Sometimes conventions and expos can be overwhelming, but the CWA conferences are cozy and intimate, allowing for lots of quality time in a smaller venue.<\/p>\n

I hope you\u2019ll consider going \u2013 we\u2019re currently offering the opportunity for one lucky winner to win a free registration valued at $159.00 \u2013 click here to enter<\/a> and if you want further information on the conference or would like to take advantage of early-bird pricing, please visit the CWA at here for details<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"hearts\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m honored to have received the following Certificates of Excellence:<\/p>\n

Jazmine\u2019s Story\u2026 By Mr. Jazz as featured in the Rescued Volume 2 series<\/a><\/p>\n

With Cats and the Holidays, It\u2019s Not About Who\u2019s Naughty or Nice, It\u2019s About Cat Behavior<\/a><\/p>\n

Is your Cat Feeling Stir Crazy? 10 Tips to Relieve Boredom in an Everyday Environment<\/a><\/p>\n

Cat that Doesn\u2019t Like to be Hugged? He or She Might be More Affectionate than you Think<\/a><\/p>\n

How I Overcame my Fear of the Veterinarian for National Take your Cat to the Vet Day<\/a><\/p>\n

10 Tips to Help Children with the Death of a Pet Cat<\/a><\/p>\n

\"hearts\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"

It’s a Blog Hop!<\/p><\/div>\n