Talkfest Blog

Featured image for “Sandy Kubillus, Dog Caregiver”
Anne Marie Duquette

Sandy Kubillus, Dog Caregiver

I didn’t start writing this book until almost a decade after my dog Kaylee died from osteosarcoma. But all the while, I kept thinking, “I should write a book about my experiences with her.” At…

Spotlight | March 20, 2025

Featured image for “Lynn P. Goswick, Shepherds o’plenty!”
Anne Marie Duquette

Lynn P. Goswick, Shepherds o’plenty!

I have always been creative, and my Mom encouraged and guided my ability at a very early age. I dedicated my Award to her. She was my greatest teacher and inspiration to pursue art/writing/photography, as…

Spotlight | March 13, 2025

Featured image for “Anne Marie Duquette, Ghost Dog Whisperer”
Anne Marie Duquette

Anne Marie Duquette, Ghost Dog Whisperer

My grandparents came to visit our family in Hawaii where my Air Force father was stationed. While with us, Grandma asked me to write up a daily journal of their vacation for all their friends…

Spotlight | March 11, 2025

Anne Marie Duquette

Chelle Martin, Dog mom, Writer, Artist, Photographer

I primarily write, but I’m an artist and photographer as well. I think some people just feel the need to be creative.…

Spotlight | March 6, 2025

Featured image for “Susan Bulanda, M.A. C.A.B.C, Animal Behaviorist, Author and Adjunct Professor”
Anne Marie Duquette

Susan Bulanda, M.A. C.A.B.C, Animal Behaviorist, Author and Adjunct Professor

I have been a traditionally published author since 1970 when my first short story was published. The Business of Dog Training is the second half of the program that I created and taught at two…

Spotlight | March 4, 2025

Featured image for “An Interview with Dr. Adam Christman”
Lisa Begin-Kruysman

An Interview with Dr. Adam Christman

We are so excited to assemble LIVE, once again, for the DWAA Award Banquet in New York City on February 8th! To mark this special occasion, Dr. Adam Christman, DVM, MBA and Chief Veterinary Officer for…

Spotlight | January 13, 2025

Featured image for “Interview with Lisa Kruysman – Author and Artist”
Anne Marie Duquette

Interview with Lisa Kruysman – Author and Artist

Thank you for your sponsorship, which is very special to DWAA members. Please describe for us the qualifications which must be met to be considered for your award. The Manette-Begin-Loudon Award is presented to the…

Spotlight | July 29, 2024

Featured image for “Danica Barreau, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., CPP, MAI, Visual artist”
Anne Marie Duquette

Danica Barreau, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., CPP, MAI, Visual artist

I am a professional artist and photographer. At the urging of friends, I decided to try writing and illustrating a children’s picture book. The subject was the antics of my dog, Rook, who had started…

Spotlight | July 4, 2024

Featured image for “Kathy Hamrick, Part of a Winning Pair”
Anne Marie Duquette

Kathy Hamrick, Part of a Winning Pair

I have worked as artist/Illustrator in a commercial/fine art capacity for most of my life–which seems like a really long time! This book is number 3 in the “Tales of Sydney” series, and I have…

Spotlight | June 27, 2024

Featured image for “Kay Whaley, Part of a Winning Pair”
Anne Marie Duquette

Kay Whaley, Part of a Winning Pair

Sydney and the Christmas Star is the 3rd book in the Tales of Sydney series. I wrote the first book, published in 2019, as a gift to my two oldest grandchildren. My grandson is the…

Spotlight | June 21, 2024

Featured image for “Dorothy Wills-Raftery – Siberian Husky Advocate & Canine Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador”
Anne Marie Duquette

Dorothy Wills-Raftery – Siberian Husky Advocate & Canine Epilepsy Awareness Ambassador

Anne Marie Duquette interviewed Dorothy Wills-Raftery the Winner of the 2023 DWAA Captain William Lewis Judy Special Award sponsored by American Legion Brick Memorial Post 348 with the entry “March 13 is K9 Veterans Day:…

Spotlight | June 13, 2024

Featured image for “Interview with Lyn T. Garson, CVT, CCRP, responder and rehabilitator”
Anne Marie Duquette

Interview with Lyn T. Garson, CVT, CCRP, responder and rehabilitator

I am so honored to be a recipient of a Maxwell Award. I’m a writer and a Certified Veterinary Technician with over 40 years of experience in this field. I’ve spent the past 10 years…

Spotlight | June 6, 2024