Boost Your Career (and Life)

In anticipation of the annual Cat Writers’ Association conference, let’s take a look at the importance of attending this yearly event from members who have benefited from previous CWA conferences and how it affected their writing and their lives.

If you are still undecided about attending this career-enhancing, networking opportunity, the following “testimonials” should certainly make up your mind for you:

Wendy Christensen:

I wouldn't miss the CWA conference! First, it's been enormously valuable to be able to match faces with names. Rather than just disembodied voices on the phone or email addresses or names on a masthead, writers, editors and other cat communicators became friends. We share our favorite cat pix, brag about our fluffy babies and admire each other's cat jewelry and attire! We share our tales of writing adventures and successes and commiserate over disappointments and setbacks.

Finally, the conference is just plain fun and enjoyable. I'm not a particularly sociable person, but I can talk cats approximately forever. At a CWA conference, that's what we're there to do. What could be better?

Carin Smith, DVM:

The CWA meeting provides a fantastic opportunity to network with a wide variety of pet writers, with the added advantage of being able to attend the CFA cat show. The seminars are useful for everyone from advanced professionals to those just entering the writing field.

Gina Spadafori:

I found the CWA conferences that I attended to be inspirational, fun and educational. I loved meeting others who loved cats and loved writing about them.

The conference gave me an overview of the astonishing range of talent our organization represents, how far we've come and how far we have to go. I really loved putting faces to some of the names I've seen so often.

Writing is such a solitary pursuit, and I think we would all go nuts without knowing there are others like ourselves out there. I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.

After attending the recent conferences, my cat writing career has virtually skyrocketed! I met so many writers, editors, and experts (i.e. quotable people) that there is always someone to call for advice or pitch an idea to. I never thought I would get the opportunity to write a book length project but, after meeting the distinguished Dominique DeVito (TFH Acquisitions Editor) at the CWA conference, I now will have not one, but TWO “Cats Quarterly yearBOOKS” with my name on them. It wouldn’t have happened (at least not this quickly) if I hadn’t attended the CWA annual conference.

So, don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your career, meet people who share your interests, and have a lot of fun . . . all in one short weekend!

Copyright © Sandra L. Toney
Updated: March 2006
Re-use must be authorized by the author in writing

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