Franklin is not impressed, hahaha
NOTE: My book did go on to win the MUSE Award that year! My book, Catwoods, Volume 1, Stories and Studies of Our Feline Companions, just got a Certificate of Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association! I am stunned and over the moon! I’ve gone back to see if my name is really there! I feel so honored to be on the list with artists and writers I’ve read and enjoyed, and cited, for years. And I’m so grateful to all of the CWA, and to those members who worked on this contest. One thing is for certain, the CWA is devoted to excellence in writing, and all other media, about cats.
This is an award in itself, but later in the summer, one book from the category I’m in, NONFICTION-OTHER – I was never easy to classify, LOL, will be chosen to receive another award, the Muse Medallion. I will allow myself a little hope there but if it’s not to be, I’m certainly happy to have this one, which now appears on the right-hand sidebar of this website.
In contrast to Franklin, a friend’s cat, Primrose, has something to say:
(January 9, 2021: Sadly, photo of Primrose has been removed by me, Leah Alford, to protect it from those who are taking pictures off this site without permission to use on another site at this time. I am hoping WordPress will take appropriate action so I can restore this picture! And keep this website up.)
“WTH, there is no map to the catwoods in this book.” Photo by Louise Patten, Caption by Jeff White. Used with permission.
Thanks also to all who have purchased and read my book! Here’s a link to the Amazon Catwoods page or you can go to “Order the Catwoods Book Online” page above for direct links to Ernest and Hadley or Borgo Publishing. Outside the US, for right now you have to email easty@ernestandhadleybooks.com and they will arrange for you to get your book. The publisher has told me they are working on making changes so this will be easier in the future.
We’ll get back to spring, and kittens, soon!
I live near a creek in a forest, in close observation and awe of the wildlife outside, as well as the domestic animals of the household. I'm writer Leah T. Alford. I was "catwoods" on this site Catwoods Porch Party, Itchmo Forums for Cats and Dogs, and a few other sites that may or may not exist now. I have now published a book, and the publisher wanted it called Catwoods. I never expected the book title to be the same as my username, so for now I've changed the username to Leah. For more info, click the "About" button above.
Catwoods Porch Party 
Congratulations! That’s great news.
Thank you Ellen, I appreciate it!
Many congratulations, Leah! Your photographs are lovely, especially the Iris.
Thanks very much, Kerry, I appreciate it! And I’m so happy you enjoyed the pictures!
You deserve all your plaudits!
That’s great, Leah! Congrats!
Thanks Candace, I appreciate it!
What an honor! Congratulations!
Thank you Chandra Lynn, I appreciate your kind words!
Way to go, Leah. A thrill rarely earned.
Thanks so much for your kind words, David! I appreciate it!
Congratulations and good luck!
Thank you so much cat9.984, I appreciate it!
Congratulation Leah! This is great news indeed and I am very pleased to hear that. This recognition is important to help safeguard cats from across the chessboard and your tireless work and passion towards cats must always be well praised! Keep up the brilliant work! Towards Cats of the World! Ashraf
Thank you so much for your kind words Ashraf! Indeed it’s nice to get some recognition. I do what I can, I just wish I wasn’t ill so I could do more. But, we do what we can! Meows!
You deserve it!
Thanks Lauren, I just hope I can keep up with all everything I need to do concerning the book and the blog, I’m feeling mighty ragged these days.
Concatulations!!! We’re very happy for you.
Thank you Lola The Rescued Cat! I appreciate your kind words!
Congratulations, Leah!
Thank you so much Lauren, I appreciate it!
so exciting, good for you!
Thanks Iceland Penny, I appreciate your kind words!
ohhh, recognition from your peers, that’s pretty terrific
I’m very happy about it and I hope it means my book can be meaningful for many of those who love kitties!
Primrose is a funny comedienne kitty!! MOL! She got her message across though:)
Franklin, I hope you are giving your Mom lots of purrs and headbonks…she deserves them.
Congrats on your honor!
Hahaha I cracked up when my friends posted that picture of Primrose! Thanks so much for your kind words Meezer’sMews&TerreristicalWoofs!
Congratulations! A well-deserved award!
Thank you Whisker Times, I appreciate your kind words!
Hi, I wanted to ask about sponsorship in the CWA. Is there a way to email or message you? Or is it okay to discuss right here? Thanks
Hi Polly, I’d be glad to communicate with you about sponsorship but I’d like to do it by email and I hope that works for you. There’s a comment section on the wordpress dashboard that includes the emails of commenters. I found yours there and can email you in a few days. Or, if you can find mine on a comment you can email me. Just don’t get worried if I’m slow to answer as I stay busy, have health issues, so I’m a slacker.
Thanks very much.
Charlee: “Congratulations, that is very cool! And gosh, Franklin, what does it take to impress you?”
Chaplin: “Birds, probably!”
Thank you, Charlee and Chaplin! And Chaplin, that’s a pretty good bet about Franklin. However, he’s not talking . . .
Con-cat-ulations! I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you so much Bernadette! And many con-cats on your Certificates of Excellence, too!
Wonderful, congratulations dear Leah 🌟😺🎆
Many thanks Yvon, I appreciate it!
Congratulations, Leah!
Pam, thanks very much, I appreciate it!
Congratulations! 😻
Thank you Eugenia, I appreciate it!
Most welcome!
Congratulations. I am very happy for you.
Thanks so much Chuck, I appreciate it!
Fantastic! Congratulations!
Thanks so much Terre, I appreciate it!
Congratulations! Franklin has such a cute little white patch. 🙂
Thanks so much Lynette, I appreciate it! Franklin does indeed have a white spot on his undersides Lynette, but that’s our friend’s cat Primrose in the second picture, and the late Minx on the cover of the book; all very similar looking black kitties!
BRAVO!!!
Thank you Jazz!
Congratulations!!!
Thanks Leslie, I appreciate it!
Congratulations, Leah, and a friendly pat to Franklin!
Cate, many thanks, I appreciate it and Franklin appreciates the pat although he might not show it!
ConCATulations! 😀
Thank you kindly, retrodee, I appreciate it!
The writing community is proud of you!!!
I love hearing success stories. 🙂
Congratulations!
Thank you Joelle, I appreciate it, and so do the kitties!
Big congrats from all of us, that’s really a wonderful thing and we’ll all happy dance with you!
Thanks so much Brian and everyone, online happy dance, that is so cool! I’m there!
Congratulations on your well deserved honor. I love your book and I hope you get the Muse Medallion. XO
Thanks Ellen! XO
Congratulations, that’s great!!
Thanks so much Correne!
Congratulations, Leah! 🐱🐱
Lavinia, thank you so much!
That’s great@! You go, Cat. All the best, Larry
Thank you so much, Larry!
Congrats! Wonderful honor.
Thanks FACE Foundation, I appreciate it!
Congratulations despite Franklin’s unimpressed expression.
Thanks Tim!
Concatulations Miss Leah!!! Yore a *star*!! An Franklin you gotta bee proud of yore Meowmy…Just think yore her inn-spiration…
**purrss** BellaDharma
Thank you BellaDharma an LadyMew, we appreciate it. You are right, Franklin is an inspiring kitty!
Congratulations to you! The bottom photo is so cute! Meow! 😻
Thanks John! I cracked up when that picture of Primrose and caption arrived!