WHAT'S NEW?
….several exciting things, at the moment! A number of updates have been added to this page, so scroll on down. A quick recap follows-you can read further for nitty-gritty details.
Authors write alone, of necessity, but not in a vacuum. Writers cannot hope to succeed without readers-one cannot exist without the other! This page offers YOU the opportunity to participate in the writing process by telling what kind of information you want to read, and why.
Send in your comments and suggestions-or if you'd rather not be that bold, simply forward along a "howdy" to amy @ shojai.com (just remember to remove the spaces). If you're interested in having me speak at your event, check out the Speaking page for further information.
Have you ever seen "cat juggling?" Take a look at this fascinating juding final of Betty White judging cats. Then take a look at this lovely, unusual Selkirk Rex
who visited the signing event. Finally, take a peek at the feline take on agility.
Cat Writers' Association Annual Conference was held in White Plains, New York the weekend before Thanksgiving. This is one of the most economical conference around.
As one of the founders, I returned as President for 2009 and had a ball planning the conference. This year it included a stellar lineup of seminar and speakers including Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet Emergency Vets-even an autograph party during the cat show. (Pictures courtesy of CWA member Robin Olson
I even get to wear my sequins! That's a picture of the five past and present CWA Presidents: (L-R) Fran Shaw, Nancy Peterson, newly elected president Su Ewing, myself, and Kim Thornton.
I also have the privilege of presenting the annual Shojai Mentor Award, a $500 honorarium and plaque. The image on the plaque is a pair of hands holding a kitten up so he can reach the star that's hung from the moon. As writers, we all reach for our own stars. The Shojai Mentor Award honors that CWA member who has given another writer the boost they need to reach their particular star-goal. To me, that's a basic goal of the CWA, to mentor each other to reach our best. This year's winner is Betsy Stowe.
Each year the CWA conference grows bigger and better. As in the past, the conference remains open to the public. Hope to see you there!
I've made my hotel reservations and registered for Thrillerfest held July in New York. What an outstanding event! I re-connected with friends, made some new ones. Last year, I booked several guests to appear on my Pet Peeves radio show. To learn more about the "pet-behind-the-author" tune in and find out all the pet-centric secrets! You can also get some "Peeves Coupons" for great savings on pet products.
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
For more than a decade I've worked with Purina to help owners better understand the emotional needs of their cats. This relationship first developed through the company's support of the Cat Writers Association, an organization I helped found in 1992. The relationship continued when Purina lent its name to my books The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care and The Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care. I was delighted to be a part of the "Lifetime of Love" Kitten Adoption Tour, sponsored by Kitten Chow at this time, and many furry babies found new homes during our travels, as we partnered with animal shelters in Houston, San Diego, Columbus, Asheville, and Atlanta. It was gratifying to meet and speak with cat lovers across the country, and share tips on how to help cats and their owners enjoy each other even more.
Purina Cat Chow then asked me to serve as their National Spokesperson for the next incarnation of this event, and for three years I traveled with the "Way of Life" Tour, which visited more than 100 cities. Although the tour has since been suspended I continue to write the award-winning weekly online "Emotional Health" column at www.catchow.com, along with the other veterinarian mentors.
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More than any other, this page offers an insider's look at the author's life and work. A book begins as an idea, then evolves with research, questions asked and answered, pictures added or subtracted, and edits made, until every intricate piece fits together like the myriad jigsaw pattern of fine stained glass. When successful, the published work shines-the individual parts no longer stand alone, but instead work as one to make a single glorious work of art.
Of course, I'm never alone when I write--and always have a past, current or (perhaps?) future furry-muse hanging around to inspire my work. That's "Magic von Fernheim" with his nemesis. This special German shepherd has already been featured in several of my newspaper columns and television segments, as well as a "case study" in the IAABC professional journal, and has quickly become a big part of our lives. The cat, Seren(dipity) has not yet succumbed to his charms, though, which keeps things interesting.
THRILLERFEST! I'll be attending--and speaking on a panel this year--at the International Thriller Writers conference, July 8-10. My panel on Friday afternoon discusses, "Is Social Networking A Waste of Time?" Bestselling author Alison Brennan leads the panel, after which we'll sign our books. Stop by and say howdy at "
This year I was honored to win three CWA Muse Medallion awards for my 
held its conference April 24-26 in Houston--what a terrific event! IAABC is a professional association for the field of animal behavior consulting, and represents the professional interests of behavior consultants throughout the world. IAABC acts as a resource for people who love pets and need behavior assistance. I am a Certified member and am pleased that my book PETiQuette is listed as recommended reading for organization members. You can read more about the organization in one of my online articles on that page.
My goal has always been to provide pet lovers with the information they need to make sure adoptions are permanent, for the lifetime of the cat. The C.A.T. techniques developed for the tour, which include the P.E.T. Test for diagnosing behavior problems, the P.U.R.R. Program for solving them, how to S.H.A.P.E. the best home environment, plus all the must-knows of feline behavior and care, are featured in 
OWFI holds an outstanding writers conference the first weekend of May each year. It is one of the best and most economical conferences I've attended, and includes a good mix of both established and beginning writers. I've served as president of the organization, and the OWFI conference has been good to me. I have in the past sold numerous articles, garnered a pet column from Woman's World, met countless editors, and hooked up with a great agent as a result of attending this event. Whether you are an aspiring or an established writer, I highly recommend participation in a conference in your neck of the woods. The networking alone is priceless. For more information about upcoming events with OWFI, check out 
