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. Anyone (including those outside the United States) with a work published during 2023 can enter.
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 visual media including graphic design
- Best illustrations
- Best photography
Additionally, a number of special awards with cash prizes are available as well.
The contest opens for entries between March or April of each year. 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.
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 deadline for nominations and submissions is January 10th, 2025.
One (1) copy of the book must be submitted along with a nomination. ARCs are acceptable for an advance review; however, a hard copy of the book must be received before January 10th. Book published solely in electronic form are not eligible. The book – – which may be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry – – should be cat-specific: meaning, a cat must be the main character OR must be integral – not incidental – to the plot, theme, conflict, and subject matter. The publication date for the 2025 award is 2024.
For more information about the Award, nominations, and submissions, please contact Ms. Wardlaw at: PawsToReadMonth@gmail.com
For more information, you can also visit the PPTA Facebook page at:
THE CHARLOTTE AND WILBER AWARD FOR BOOK FEATURING COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS
From: The SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund
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.” The winning book will touch something in its readers that will open their hearts and minds to the importance of other creatures and to the responsibility of doing their part to protect them.
Submissions must be a picture book, chapter book, middle-grade book (or graphic novel), or young adult book traditionally or self-published in 2024. Books in translation are welcome.
Submissions for the contest will be accepted through December 1st, 2024. Check the award webpage for details.
Any other awards for cat creators? Let us know!
