Actually seeing the certificate gave it an added dimension for me! When writing I try to think of the ways spoken language sounds . . . and we might say something is “purty” here, with emphasis on the first syllable, and drawing it out. So when I said it, of course “purr” came to mind so I made it “purr-ty”.
I’d been writing and doing artwork all my years when chronic illness with no known cure really set me back in mid-life. Then one day I decided to write a book about my cats . . . it took forever, four times as long as it would have if I’d been able to work at full speed. It’s my first book. So this is a big deal for me!
I am so grateful to the Cat Writers’ Association and all those who worked so hard on the contest!
That’s Franklin’s blankie sans Franklin. He wouldn’t pose with the book because that’s The late Minx on the cover, not him. This is Volume 1 and it goes way back and ends in late 2004 – early 2005, before Frankie joined us.
That’s Franklin on the day he realized he wasn’t on the cover!
Sale of the book does help us care for Franklin, as well as those cats known as “the kittens” (though they are about 10 months now, and growing large) and also some ferals. So do check out the link to the upper right hand side of this page, or the “Order the Catwoods book online” page, if you would like to have a copy! We appreciate it!
Lagniappe:
Here’s Shelley watching us, on a dazzling sunny evening!
Wow, nice and congrats. I had no idea that there was a cat writer’s association, that’s fabulous!
Thank you JoAnn, I appreciate your kind words. Indeed there is a Cat Writers’ Association and I have found them to be a wonderful group! There is also a Dog Writers’ Association.
many congrats & best of luck!! would you be so kind as to guest blog post for my site? if you’re so inclined, here’s a link to general guidelines: https://wp.me/p6OZAy-1eQ
Thanks so much for your kind words, da-AL! I’m flattered and honored that you have asked me to contribute a guest post. I really like your blog in so many ways; I’ll just mention the colorful background for now. Sadly I must say that I can’t absolutely promise due to health problems. I’ve had a serious chronic illness for 27 years and have recently had a downturn in what I can do per day. I’m now really struggling to keep up. That’s why I don’t get around and comment on the blogs of others the way I’d like to; also why I’m several years behind on book reviews I wanted to do/said I would do; also why even though I won a MUSE Medallion award last night from Cat Writers’ Association, it will likely be tomorrow or even longer before I post about it. So if you were okay with waiting as long as a month or two, or even more, and would not feel that I was just “making excuses”, I’d love to start thinking along the lines of maybe, the process of making animals a part of one’ s writing goals, or something like that. Just let me know, whatever you decide is cool with me. Cheers and best regards, Leah
Any time that works for you would be great, Leah — no timeline at all. sorry for your current challenges — wishing you a speedy recovery, dear ❤
Wow! I don’t know how I missed this!
Many congrats on your award from the CWA.
You should be very proud.
Your book is a knockout, and I have enjoyed every page I’ve read so far!
All my best,
Paz
Paz, thanks so much for your kind words about my book! I’m so glad that you are enjoying it. My favorite part of being published is when someone likes the book. BTW I have now read both of your Sasha of the Chukchi Sea books, and they are excellent! Very gripping story-telling! Cheers and Meows, Leah
Congratulations, Leah. May your feline friends continue to inspire you and find themselves immortalized in your writing. 😸
Thank you for your kind words, Tanja, I appreciate it!
You are most welcome.
Very well deserved certificate indeed. A Big Congratulation to Leah, Franklin and Shelly. Keep up the good work. Best! Ashraf
Thanks Ashraf, Franklin, Shelley, and I appreciate your kind words! Meows!
Congratulations!
Thanks Julia, I appreciate it!
Yeah! Congrats! It’s wonderful that your work has been recognized!
Many thanks, hairballsandhissyfits, I appreciate it!
Lulu: “What big eyes you have, Shelley!”
Shelley and I thank you Lulu, for noticing her big eyes!
Congratulations!!! What a major accomplishment. I am going to have to see and read it. And Franklin, tut tut my boy. Be a big boy about the picture!
Katie Isabella— Blogspot
Thank you Carole and Katie Isabella, I appreciate your kind words and I hope you enjoy the book! And LOL I will pass on your comments to Franklin!
I am very happy for you that your work has been recognized for excellence. I would like to recognize that those two photos are beautiful.
Thank you so much for your kind words! And I’m happy you like my pictures!
Congratulations! Well earned!
Thank you so much, catscue, I appreciate it!
Awesome! Congrats, Leah!
Many thanks, Charlotte!
This is great news, congratulations dear Leah, Thank you, Love, nia
Nia, thank you so much, I appreciate your kind words. Best wishes and love always, Leah
Congratulations, Leah!
Thanks so much Lavinia, I appreciate it!
Congratulations!!!
Leslie, thank you so much, I appreciate it!
Concatulations, Leah, Franklin and Shelley, that’s Excellent🎉😸Pawkisses for a Happy Tuesday🐾😽💞
Thank you Little Binky and Granny, we appreciate your kind words and wishes, and we wish you a Happy Tuesday also!
Congrats!! A wonderful achievement!
And here’s to the next volume:)
Franklin is jealous of his ‘furbears’? OMC! He should know that they set the stage for him…but oh well, his day will come, I am sure.
Shelly sure knew to be in the best possible place to show off her gorgeous self!
Thank you so much for your kind words and hopes for the next volume, Meezer’sMews&TerrioristicalWoofs! You thought of an angle I had not about the previous cats in our home, but when I presented it to Franklin, well, there’s no telling him anything, LOL! Shelley and I thank you for the nice compliment, the sun was streaming in from a window directly above her when I got that picture.
APAWSS APAWSS!!! Well dun Miss Leah!! HURRAH!! You toetallee deeserve this award an many more fore ritin a book deespite yore health issuess…LadyMew sayss shee admiress you so-o much an yore her “Shee-row”!!
An Franklin do not wurry; yore tern will come to bee on a mew book…mee iss sure of it!!
An Shelley girl yore lookin furry purrty tonite…..
**purrss** BellaDharm an (((huggiess))) LadyMew too
LadyMew furgot mee ‘a’…that shuud bee BellaDharma 😉
Thanks so much for all your kind words, BellaDharma and LadyMew! Franklin will no doubt be on a book someday – and he is on this website more than most – but he is a cat who does not much like other kitties, some cats are just that way, LOL. Shelley and I thank you for the nice compliment! Purrs and hugs and all the best going out to you two, BellaDharma and Lady Mew!
Congratulations, well deserved!
Thank you so much, Inese, I appreciate it!
Congratulations and well deserved!
Thanks so much -Eugenia, I appreciate it!
You’re welcome!
Congratulations! Franklin does look a tad surprised.
Thanks Polly, I appreciate it! Indeed, Frankie thinks he should be the cover cat as well as the only cat pictured on this website, and he is not shy about expressing that viewpoint.
It’s obviously been tough, but your purr-severance has paid off. Congratulations 😺
Thank you Playpus Man, I appreciate it!
Wonderful and well done Leah 👍🍀
Yvon, thank you so much, I appreciate it!
Weezer! This is great!
Thank you Claudia, I appreciate it!
Congratulations! 😀
Thanks Lynette, I appreciate it!
Congratulations Leah and I am motivated by your commitment to finish the book despite the health issues. I too, will muster up strength and courage to live daily and nag at my bag of bones to behave! Well done and am proud of you!
Thank you so much for your kind words, GH, I appreciate it! I am inspired daily by your strength as you keep going, you keep posting, and you retain your marvelous sense of humor, as I know you also have health challenges. So I am also proud of you!
Aww thank you Catwoods! We plod on😉Life does not stop for me nor you🥰🤗🤗
ConCATulations!
Thank you retrodee, I appreciate it!
Congratulations on your hard work and on your award.
Thank you so much, Indulgedfurries, I appreciate it!
Congratulations!
Correne, thank you so much!
🐈 💗
Thanks LA, I appreciate it! ❤
That really is a pretty certificate, congrats from all of us!
Thank you Brian and everyone, we appreciate it! Greeting and best wishes to all!
Congratulations on your much deserved certificate. I hope you get the muse medallion too. And I hope you write volume 2 so we can learn more about these cuties. XO
Thanks Ellen I appreciate it! You make me want to go on with Volume 2 which I’m really dragging on – it’s mostly written but getting the last details done feels daunting this year. XO
Way to go, Leah. Franklin looks surprised and Shelly looks gorgeous. Same as it ever was?
Thanks so much Tim! Ahahahaha that’s true for sure, Franklin’s big prominent eyes always look startled and Shelley is always a glamour girl!
Congratulations, Leah!! I just purchased your book, thanks!! 😻❤️
Thanks so much John, and thanks also for getting my book! I appreciate it!