16th Annual Cat Writers Association Conference
I spent this past weekend in White Plains, VA with over 100 other cat writers at the 16th annual Cat Writers Association Conference. I’ve only been a member of the association for less than a month. Thanks to social media, I already “knew” some of my fellow cat writers, but I was still blown away by the warm reception I received from everyone I met.
The weekend was a whirlwind of outstanding seminars on topics ranging from publishing to social media to pet health to mystery writing, shared meals (the food was absolutely delicious, not to mention plentiful!), receptions, banquets and an awards ceremony.
On Saturday afternoon, 30 of us went to a pet book autograph party at the Westchester Cat Show. CWA volunteer Lyn Garson did an outstanding job organizing this event from ordering the books to setting up the bookstore at the conference to making sure that we knew where to go and when to be there. You’ve heard the expression “it’s like herding cats?” Well, try herding cat writers!
I enjoyed every single moment of this exciting and fun weekend, but there were some definite personal highlights that stand out for me. One was meeting Clea Simon. I’ve been admiring Clea’s work for so many years, and finally getting to meet her in person was a little like meeting a rock star for me. I had also been looking forward to meeting Linda Mohr in person. Linda had been so gracious and supportive, not to mention patient, in answering questions via e-mail and on the phone throughout the writing of Buckley’s Story. I felt like I’d known her all my life when we finally met in person. Meeting so many Facebook and Twitter friends and finding that the online friendships do translate to real life relationships was another wonderful experience. One of my favorite bloggers, Layla Morgan Wilde, stopped by the cat show to say hi. These are just some of the highlights, there really wasn’t a single moment all weekend that wasn’t thoroughly enjoyable.
The weekend went by much too fast, and I can’t wait for next year’s conference!
Oh-it sounds like such a wonderful time-a dream weekend! I’m so glad you finally got to meet your fellow writers in person!
I can just feel your excitement in your words today. Congratulations on your new status (albeit short) – membership in the Cat Writers Association! It’s wonderful that you got to network and meet in person manymany wonderful and supporting peers!
I’m finding it pretty awesome, too, the actual friendships that are made via social media! I feel I have a couple trusted friends in each corner of the US, as well as abroad, thru this means of communication.
I consider YOU one of them!
I’m genuinely glad you had such a good time!…muchly deserved!
=^..^=
Renee, it was a great weekend.
Cindy, thanks – it really is wonderful to belong to an organization that is all about cats and about improving cats’ lives. And I certainly count you among my new friends found through social media!
[...] I had an amazing time at my my first writers’ conference the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Cat Writers Association conference. November 28 marked the first anniversary of Buckley’s passing, and it made for a quiet [...]