Photo of Emily wearing a Maxwell Medallion by Mary Bloom
The DWAA Annual Writing Contest opened July 9 and closes Sept. 7, 2018. Finalists will be announced in early December on social media, with winners announced at the awards banquet the evening of Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at the iconic New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan. Keynote speakers include NBC correspondent Jill Rappaport, host of Animal Planet’s “Dog Bowl,” and renowned radio host and pet journalist Steve Dale of Steve Dale’s Pet World.
Entrants can also compete for a whopping $15,950 in special awards.
“DWAA’s annual writing contest is a terrific opportunity for writers and other professionals whose work involves dogs,” said Contest Chair Laurren Darr. “Winning can be a real ‘game changer’ for a career – not to mention lucrative!”
The DWAA special awards include:
– AKC Club Publication Excellence Award (sponsored by the AKC) – $500
– AKC Reunite Microchip Awareness Award (sponsored by AKC Reunite) – $1,500
– AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Public Service Award (sponsored by the AKC) – $500
– The AKC Family Dog Award (sponsored by the AKC) – $500
– The Canine Scribbles Award (sponsored by Canine Scribbles, LLC) – $350
– The Captain William Lewis Judy Award (sponsored by American Legion Post #348 and Lisa Begin-Kruysman) – $350
– The Ceva Heartworm Prevention Award (sponsored by Ceva Animal Health) – $1,500
– DWAA Junior Writer Award (sponsored by children’s book author Karen Petit) – $400
– DWAA Robert H. McKowen Memorial Friends of Rescue Award (sponsored by his family and friends) – $300
– The Fear Free Pets Award (sponsored by Fear Free, LLC) – $2,000
– Fear Free Dog Enrichment Award (sponsored by Fear Free, LLC) – $2,000
– The GNFP Digital Canine Companion Award (sponsored by GNFP Digital) – $1,000
– The Harrison Stephens Inspirational Feature Award (sponsored by Sally and Tom Reeder) – $300
– The Heroes for Healthy Pets Award (sponsored by Merck Animal Health) – $1,500
– James Colasanti, Jr. Poetry Award (sponsored by James Colasanti, Jr.) – $200
– The Pet Fashion Guild Pet Fashion Award (sponsored by Pet Fashion Guild) – $350
– The PSI Professional Pet Care Award (sponsored by Pet Sitters International) – $300
– The Rio Award (sponsored by Jen Reeder and Bryan Fryklund) – $300
– The Sleepypod Pet Safety Award (sponsored by Sleepypod) – $500
– The Take Your Dog Award (sponsored by Pet Sitters International) – $300
– The Walter R. Fletcher Memorial Award (sponsored by The Westminster Kennel Club) – $300
– Dogwise Best Book Award (sponsored by Dogwise Publishing; chosen by DWAA President from category winners) – $500
– DWAA Distinguished Service Award (sponsored by the American Kennel Club; chosen by DWAA leadership) – $1,000
“We are so grateful to all of our generous sponsors who support DWAA and the dog writing community,” said DWAA President Jen Reeder. “Writing is such a labor of love, and it’s wonderful to see the work of dog writers and artists honored in this competition.”
For more information or to enter the contest, visit: dogwriters.org.
About DWAA
The Dog Writers Association of America is the most recognized professional writing association devoted to dogs. Founded in 1935, the DWAA has grown from eight founders to over 500 members, including journalists, authors, bloggers, publicists, photographers, illustrators and media personalities. Under the umbrella of the human-canine bond, members cover dog competitions, health, training, rescue, pet fashion, veterinary research, working dog organizations, animal welfare legislation, fundraisers and many other topics. For more information, visit: dogwriters.org.