Attention authors, artists, journalists, illustrators, and other creators. Below are opportunities to showcase your work that features cats or that promotes compassion for animals.
THE CAT WRITERS ASSOCIATION COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST
Each year, the International Cat Writers’ Association (CWA) holds a contest offering awards of excellence for creators that support cats across a variety of media, including fiction, journalism, photography, videography, fine art, graphic design, and more. The highest-scoring Certificate-winning entry in each category receives a Muse Medallion at the CWA Annual Awards Ceremony. The contest opens on April 1 and works completed in the previous year are eligible.
Award Categories include:
- Best fiction and non-fiction books with subcategories
- Best short stories
- Best written articles in subcategories such as health, general care, behavior/training, trap-neuter-rescue, product review, and the human-animal bond
- Best social media sites
- Best publication columns and series
- Best video/television production.
- Best lives events and marketing
- Best visual media including graphic design
- Best illustrations
- Best photography
Additionally, a number of special awards with cash prizes are available as well.
For more information, go to https://catwriters.com/contest/
THE 2025 PURRFECT PAGE-TURNER AWARD© FOR OUTSTANDING CAT-THEMED CHILDREN’S BOOK
The Purrfect Page-Turner Award© (PPTA) is given annually to an outstanding cat-themed children’s book. The Award is sponsored by Paws to Read Month and children’s book author author/cat-wrangler Lee Wardlaw. The winning author and illustrator each receive a plaque and $500.
In 2025, the winning book was “The Cat Who Couldn’t Be Bothered” by Jack Kurland, a humorous and touching story about feelings and the importance of friendship.
Anyone may nominate a book for the PPTA. This includes the author or illustrator; a representative from the publishing house (editor, publicist, publisher); teachers; librarians; parents; and/or cat enthusiasts. The nominations deadline for 2026 is January 15th.
For more information about the Award, nominations, and submissions, please contact the coordinator of the Paws to Read – Purrfect Page-Turner Award, Ms. Wardlaw at: PawsToReadMonth@gmail.com or visit the PPTA Facebook page at: https://www.facebook/PawsToRead
THE CHARLOTTE AND WILBER AWARD FOR BOOK FEATURING COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS
From: The SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund
In past years, the Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals awards one winning book and one honor book for their dedication to promoting compassion and respect for animals in their readers.
Award founder, children’s book author, and animal activist Karen Winnick says, “My hope with this award is that young readers learn about animals, so they develop compassion and respect. They will be the generation that saves them.” In 2025, the winning book was “Home Is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly” by Katherine Pryor, illustrated by Ellie Peterson, which poetically tells the story of the monarch’s epic migration from the perspective of the butterflies themselves.
Contest submissions must be a picture book, chapter book, middle-grade book (or graphic novel), or young adult book traditionally or self-published. Books in translation are welcome.
The deadline for submissions in past years has been December 1st. Check the award webpage for details.
Any other awards for cat creators? Let us know!
