The CWA Communications Contest

The yearly CWA Communications contest offers awards for media excellence in a variety of areas, including categories for writing, photography, art, graphic design, and much more. Anyone (including those outside the United States) can enter. Special Award winners receive cash prizes, while Regular Category winners earn much-coveted Muse Medallions.

Nominations will be accepted for the 2025 Shojai Mentor Award and the Michael Brim Distinguished Service Award through May 31, 2025. To submit a nomination, follow the appropriate link below:

Shojai Mentor Award Nomination Form

Michael Brim Distinguished Service Award Nomination Form

The 2025 CWA Communications contest (with the exception of the Shojai and Brim Awards) closed on May 4, 2025. Winners will be announced during the awards presentation ceremony during our 2025 Annual Conference in October…in Indianapolis. 

More details on that coming soon!

Read or download the 2024 CWA Contest Program:

Awards Ceremony

The (virtual) 2024 CWA Communication Contest Awards Ceremony was held on October 26, 2024. Below are recorded announcements of the winners:

• Introduction, Written Articles, In Memoriam: https://youtu.be/W9Yp1sTolLM
• Muses, Part 2: Poetry, Short-Form Writing, Audio, Video, & National Publications: https://youtu.be/TjANEhHsd18
• Muses, Part 3: Books: https://youtu.be/5fnhLa23ye0
• Muses, Part 4: Blogs, Websites, Columns/Series, Social Media: https://youtu.be/Gt6NHn34XVM
• Muses, Part 5: Visual Arts & Photography: https://youtu.be/y05VaJhiqVk
• Special Awards, 1-12: https://youtu.be/U8784fcRlVQ
• Special Awards, Top Three: https://youtu.be/7MnkRIrhPJM

Special Awards

CWA is pleased to present winners of each Special Award contributed by our Sponsors:

• Catit Kitten Care and Rescue Award: https://youtu.be/ZcMEAwz6ejU
• Lorie Huston Health Award (sponsored by Belvoir Media in the name of the CatWatch newsletter): https://youtu.be/dox9nztiXWc
• Cornell Feline Health Center Dr. Jim Richards Award: https://youtu.be/UHtohDPID3A
• GoodNewsForPets.com Human-Animal Bond Award: https://youtu.be/u7gfmd2XHkY
• Hartz Kuykendall Image Award and Hartz Newcomer Communications Award: https://youtu.be/Hy-Vs5BAr-k
• Nancy Marano Senior Cat Well Being: https://youtu.be/t073YozQ55M
• Pioneer Pet Behavioral Training Award: https://youtu.be/T7wBQIrW-dQ
• Sleepypod Cat Safety Award: https://youtu.be/nSXmZyYGhNE
• Kari Winters Rescue & Rehabilitation Award (sponsored by TICA): https://youtu.be/MuSisHV0rsQ
• World’s Best Cat Litter-ary Award: https://youtu.be/1scJ47q2L7g
• Zymox Skin and Ear Care Award: https://youtu.be/7MdMDKKlDRE
• CWA President’s Award, sponsored by the Cat Fanciers’ Association: https://youtu.be/tvUvZgDh72I

Past Contest Winners (Muses & Special Awards)

For questions about the Contest, please contact contest@catwriters.com.