A. WRITTEN ARTICLES
Written articles about cats can be through newspapers, blogs, websites, magazines, and newsletters, whether through traditional print mediums or online sites. Written articles should be supported by appropriate and credible quotations and sources, where necessary. For each of these general topics, three MUSE awards could potentially be issued for each of the three lengths per each category:
1. Best long-form piece (1501+ words)
2. Best-mid-length piece (801-1500 words)
3. Best short-form (“bite-sized”) piece (800 words or less)
A.1 WRITTEN ARTICLE: HEALTH
This category includes pieces written to educate and inform the reader about clear, up-to-date health and wellness information that will be useful to cat owners/cat caregivers. Includes but is not limited to: cat everyday wellness/preventive health care; diet; nutrition; exercise; and spay/neuter. May also include the understanding and specific compassionate care required for special-needs cats, kittens (kittens covering approximately birth through 12 weeks), and aging and senior cats. Pieces can range from lighthearted (even using fictionalized cats), to educational and informative, but in all instances, if the reader is to be educationally informed the information should be fact-checked and accurate. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.2 WRITTEN ARTICLE: GENERAL CARE
This category includes pieces written to educate and inform the reader about best practices in caring for cats that will be useful to cat owners/caregivers. Includes but is not limited to: grooming; feeding; handling; litter box tips; carrier tips; need for routine veterinary exams; etc. Pieces can range from lighthearted (even using fictionalized cats), to educational and informative, but in all instances if the reader is to be educationally informed, the information should be fact-checked and accurate. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.3 WRITTEN ARTICLE: BEHAVIOR/TRAINING
This category includes pieces written to educate and inform the reader on how to interpret and understand feline behavior. Includes but is not limited to: cat training and proactive behavior modification (training topics are also not limited and could include topics such as therapy cat training, cat training for emotional and physical enrichment, such as clicker training to learn tricks for treats, leash training for exercise, as well as behavior training to discourage challenging habits such as jumping on counters or litter box issues); understanding the basics of feline behavior, including evolutionary perspectives that help illuminate why cats do what they do; understanding and addressing “challenging” behaviors; etc. Pieces can range from lighthearted (even using fictionalized cats), to educational and informative, but in all instances, if the reader is to be educationally informed, the information should be fact-checked and accurate. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.4 WRITTEN ARTICLE: ENRICHMENT
This category includes pieces written to educate and inform the reader on how to provide cats with the best possible environmental enrichment to maximize their physical, psychological, and emotional health and well-being. Includes but is not limited to: how to meet the everyday (and unusual) challenges of living with cats; environmental enrichment and practical, how-to information on optimizing the environments we and our cats share, with an emphasis on enhancing cats’ physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Pieces can range from lighthearted (even using fictionalized cats), to educational and informative, but in all instances, if the reader is to be educationally informed, the information should be fact-checked and accurate If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.5 WRITTEN ARTICLE: LIFESTYLE
This category includes pieces written to educate readers about how people relate with cats they know or have known on a personal level, or about the lifestyle of another person and their cat. Includes but is not limited to: the everyday lives of cats in general; the lifestyle of a person and their cat; therapy cats; adventure cats; cat models; cats in society, culture, art, history, mythology, and religion; etc. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.6 WRITTEN ARTICLE: FELINE-HUMAN BOND
This category includes pieces that are written to examine and celebrate the joys and challenges of sharing our lives with cats, and pieces that will help cat owners better understand how cats relate to us and how we can share our lives with them in the most satisfying ways. Pieces should include an emotional tie between the human and the cat. Includes but is not limited to: personal-perspective pieces exploring the human-cat relationship, featuring individual cats and their people and how they enhance each other’s lives; profiles of individual cats and their owners and their lives together; memoirs of life with a particular cat or cat family; issues surrounding cat loss: preparing for loss; euthanasia decisions; grief; mourning; etc. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.7 WRITTEN ARTICLE: VETERINARY MEDICINE & RESEARCH
This category aims to inform and educate readers with up-to-date, accurate information about the current status of research in feline veterinary medicine, with a practical perspective on how cat owners and caregivers – from home care, to rescue shelters, veterinary practices and more can use the information to better care for cats and improve their overall quality of life. These pieces will often include direct input (as interview quotes or quotes from published research papers) from active researchers to support the information provided. Includes (but is not limited to): cat health issues from a veterinary medicine and research perspective; profiles of current research into a particular feline health issue or particular feline breed, revolutionary new improvements on medicines or practical techniques available to improve a cat’s health and well-being, and/or new cures or improvements to existing medicines and practices for cat-related illnesses, diseases, ailments, and the like. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.8 WRITTEN ARTICLE: ENTERTAINMENT
This category includes pieces that are written to entertain the reader. Entertainment diverts people’s attention from their demanding lives and engages, amuses, delights, or compels them in their leisure time. Includes but is not limited to: an amusing look at cats in our lives and our relationship with them; profiles of the lives and doings of a particular cat or cat family; enjoyable looks at cats in the larger society and culture; interesting perspectives on people who choose to share their lives with cats; cats, or cat characters fictional or nonfictional in nature. Pieces may be entertaining, enjoyable, lighthearted, humorous, or a combination. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.9 WRITTEN ARTICLE: RESCUE & ADVOCACY
This category focuses on educating, informing, and inspiring the audience on topics of cat rescue and advocacy, such as issues of homeless, stray, feral/community cats and kittens; wild cats; and big/jungle cats. Includes but is not limited to: hoarding and kitten mills; early spay/neuter; kitten season; adoption of senior, black, and special needs cats; getting cats into forever homes; advocating for adoption; the issues of feral/community cats; TNR; profiles of individual rescuers/shelters/shelter workers; successfully managed colonies; and community organizations. Advocacy also includes animal welfare and animal rights topics. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.10 WRITTEN ARTICLE: PRODUCT REVIEW
This category features pieces that assess and appraise products invented, created, and marketed for cats and cat owners, such as foods, treats, litter products, toys, beds, trees, scratching posts, products that enhance and enrich the human-feline environment, and more. The piece should draw attention to the product and give cat lovers an impartial insight that goes beyond commercial advertising as to its value for both the cat and the cat owner. The purpose of a review is to inform, evaluate, and share personal experiences about a product. Includes but is not limited to: reviews in newspapers, blogs, websites, magazines, and newsletters. Both sponsored and non-sponsored reviews are eligible to enter this category.
Sponsored reviews: if the writer received either free product, paid compensation, or both in exchange for the review, per FTC guidelines, the writer should clearly state at the time of publishing that the post was sponsored.
Unsponsored: If writer purchased the product themselves and received no compensation from a brand or brand representative, the writer should clearly state at the time of publishing that the post was not sponsored.
If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.11 WRITTEN ARTICLE: WILD FELINES
This category includes pieces about our domestic cats’ wild relatives which are defined as either wild cats (typically smaller in nature, for example, the Asian leopard cat) or big/jungle cats, such as lions and tigers. It includes (but is not limited to) species profiles; pieces on wild/big cats in art, history, culture and lore; information on conservation issues; pieces illuminating the relationship of wild/big cats to domestic cats (which can run the gamut of domestic house pet, to stray cat, to feral/outdoor community cat), including behavior, genetics and history; profiles of people whose lifestyles include wild/big cats, including the challenges of health issues, daily care, diet, safety and legal issues, surrounding community attitudes, and other lifestyle challenges and issues. If photos and graphics are used should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.12 WRITTEN ARTICLE: PEDIGREED CATS
This category focuses on pieces about pedigreed felines (breeding, show, or pet), and the world of cat breeding and cat showing. It includes (but is not limited to): breed profiles; cat shows and how they work (such as judging rules); breeder profiles and how to find a responsible breeder; characteristics of pedigreed felines; behavior and lifestyle issues/challenges in breeding cats; and living with intact cats. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
A.13 WRITTEN ARTICLE: GENERAL/ OTHER
This category is reserved for pieces that do not fit into a specific category (see Written Article Categories A.1 – A.12 for reference). They may be editorial in nature, serious, lighthearted, informative, educational, and more. In all instances, they must be at least two-thirds devoted in content to cats, whether fictional, nonfictional, or cat characters. If photos and graphics are used, they should enhance the piece and be specific to the topic at hand.
B.1 POETRY
This category attempts to stir a reader’s imagination or emotions about cats by carefully choosing and arranging language for its meaning, sound, and rhythm. Poetry is usually presented in one of three forms: narrative, dramatic, and lyrical. Types of poetry may include Haiku, Free Verse, Cinquains, Epic, Ballad, Acrostic, Sonnet, and more.
C.1 SHORT STORY
This category focuses on short stories that showcase the creativity, voice, and skill of a writer in a variety of topics and genres and conserves characters and scenes, typically by focusing on just one conflict, and drives towards a sudden, unexpected revelation. Short stories may be fiction or nonfiction. Short stories may be submitted as individual entries from an anthology, collection, or periodical. Short stories may also be featured online and be available in print or digital form (eBooks). Short stories typically range from 2,000 to 10,000 words
C.2 FLASH FICTION
Flash fiction, also called short shorts, nanotales, micro-stories, postcard fiction, or napkin fiction, is a short, written work under 1500 words. It may be fiction or nonfiction and be included in an anthology, collection, or periodical in print or online.
D.1 CALENDARS
This category includes calendars that combine narrative with photographs, illustrations, and/or graphic design. The calendar’s message should be focused and the text succinct. Layout and graphics should draw the reader to the topic.
Narrative may be informational, providing condensed material pertaining to cats, or it may be simple, as giving only the days of the month.
Topics may be humorous or lighthearted, entertaining, educational, advertising, a call to action, or other.
E.1 PERIODICAL/NATIONAL CIRCULATION PUBLICATIONS (print or online).
Periodicals/National Circulation Publications appeal to specific readers by matching their content with an intended target audience’s special interest. Publications may be in magazine, newsletter, or online format. An online publication functions like a typical print periodical, i.e., posts/articles from numerous authors, a few regular columns, feature segments, photos, feature stories, ads, etc.
The publication should be professionally designed and formatted; attractive in layout; have a compelling cover page; and depending on genre, be entertaining, engaging, informative, educational, or a combination thereof. There should be obvious evidence that the staff of the publication relates to the topic and shares their readers’ special interest(s). Special-interest cat publications are often subscription-based or found in retail outlets. These publications should give readers information they can’t find elsewhere. They should have a clear editorial purpose for their existence and not simply be a vehicle for advertising or listings.
Periodical/National Circulation Publications must have cat-related content of 80% or more. Special note: blogs and websites do not qualify for this category.
F. BOOKS
All books must be to a large extent about, or relevant to, cats (cats being defined as anything related to cats, which can include nonfictional cats and cat characters, domestic cats, pedigree cats, stray cats, rescue cats, feral/outdoor community cats, wild cats, and big/jungle cats). At least two-thirds of the content of nonfiction books should cover cats, and in fictional works, it’s not required that a cat be the main character, but a cat(s) must be integral to the plot and story, rather than incidental characters or walk–ons. Books that portray cats in a negative, inhumane, or irresponsible manner will not qualify.
F.1 BOOKS: FICTION – MYSTERY
The mystery category should have a realistic but suspenseful plot with a lot of twists, a shocking crime, foreshadowing evidence, false leads, a crime solver, aka the protagonist or detective, an unexpected villain, criminal, or culprit, and a last-minute resolution to the plot. Felines must be integral to the plot and story, rather than incidental characters or walk-ons. Works that portray cats in a negative, inhumane, or irresponsible manner will not be considered. As long as two-thirds of the book is cat-related, it could fit into this category.
F.2 BOOKS: FICTION – SCI-FI/FANTASY
The sci-fi/fantasy category should have imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, spaceflight, time travel, supernatural and/or paranormal, and extraterrestrial life. There may also be stories in which animals behave as human beings in that they experience emotions, talk, and have the ability to reason. Felines must be integral to the plot and story, rather than incidental characters or walk-ons. Works that portray cats in a negative, inhumane, or irresponsible manner will not be considered. As long as two-thirds of the book is cat-related, it could fit into this category.
F.3. BOOKS: FICTION – OTHER
This category includes fictional books about cats or cat characters that don’t fit into the specific categories of mystery and sci-fi/fantasy (see category descriptions F.1 BOOKS: FICTION – MYSTERY and F.2 BOOKS: FICTION -SCI-FI FANTASY for reference). They might be a romance novel, an adventure story, a fictionalized memoir, just to name a few possibilities. As long as two-thirds of the book is cat-related, it could fit into this category.
F.4 BOOKS: NONFICTION – HEALTH & BEHAVIOR
This category features books about cat health and behavior, including but not limited to such topics as cat everyday wellness/preventive health care; diet; nutrition; exercise; grooming; and spay/neuter. May also include the understanding and specific compassionate care required for special-needs cats, kittens (kittens covering approximately birth through 12 weeks), and aging and senior cats. How-to books, behavior modification, cat enrichment, cat training and proactive behavior modification, and understanding the basics of feline behavior would also qualify. At least two-thirds of the content of nonfiction books should cover cats.
F.5 BOOKS: NONFICTION – RESCUE & ADVOCACY
This category features books that discuss issues concerning rescue and/or advocacy of homeless cats (including stray, and or feral/outdoor community cats). This category may also focus on abuse, hoarding, and kitten mills. Topics may include TNR, sheltering, fostering, and adoption of rescue cats as well as personal rescue stories. This category may also feature books about wild cats and big/jungle cat rescue. At least two-thirds of the content of nonfiction books should cover cats.
F.6 BOOKS: NONFICTION – OTHER
This category features books that appeal to the general cat-owning/cat caregiving population and may offer a broad, comprehensive base of information on felines. These books may be reference books, how-to, or other nonfiction books that can’t be classified as solely health or training/behavior books. They may also be a breed-specific book or something else of a nonfiction nature. At least two-thirds of the content of nonfiction books should cover cats.
F.7 BOOKS: FOR CHILDREN – PICTURE
This category may be fiction or nonfiction and provides the reader with a visual experience through illustrations or photographs. A picture book for children includes images that are as important (or more important) than the words. The images are designed to tell the story. A picture book may or may not include words. Picture books include images on every page or on one page of every pair of facing pages. Picture books must be two-thirds about, or relevant to, cats. (Note: the submission should be by the author. The illustrator can enter in the Illustration category.)
F.8 BOOKS: FOR CHILDREN – CHAPTER
This category may be fiction or nonfiction and is intended for intermediate readers, generally 7-10 years of age. A chapter book tells the story primarily through prose, rather than pictures, although chapter books may contain illustrations, photos, or cartoons to support the narrative. Chapter books must be at least two-thirds in content related to cats, whether fictional, nonfictional, or cat characters. In any instance, the book must be age-appropriate in the subject matter.
F.9 BOOKS: FOR YOUNG ADULTS
This category may be fiction or nonfiction and is primarily intended for audiences 12-18 years of age. Young Adult books may include nonfiction or fiction books about cats. Fiction titles may include but are not limited to contemporary novels, mysteries, fantasies, sweet romances, and other genres for this age group. Protagonists in fiction should be in their teens. While Young Adult books do not shy away from difficult topics such as racism, sexuality, or gender identity, explicit violence and sexual acts are typically avoided. Cats should be a primary subject of the book.
F.10 BOOKS: POEMS/GIFTS/OTHER
This category includes books that entice a reader to “pick up” and flip through. These books may be for entertainment, amusement, information or education about felines. Books in this category could be coffee table in nature – a comprehensive, coherent package of possibly art, illustrations, drawings, paintings, and or photos, and text in some combination or a collection of poems or other stylized writing. Books must be at least two-thirds cat-related in content.
F.11 BOOKS: ANTHOLOGIES
An anthology is a collection of literary works by different authors, chosen by the compiler/editor and may be a collection of poems, short stories, and/or excerpts by different authors. Anthologies may be nonfiction or fiction and may include real cats or cat characters. Books must be at least two-thirds cat-related in content. Calendars do not qualify in this category.
F.12 BOOKS: NOVELLAS
A novella is a short novel, that is a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than that of most novels. It typically runs from 10,000 to 40,000 words and can appear in print or digital form. Books must be at least two-thirds cat-related in content.
G.1 VIDEO OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION: HEALTH/BEHAVIOR
Videos or television programs in this category should focus on educating or informing people about cat care, health, behavior issues, training techniques, and other issues in health and behavior of felines. The topics should be fact checked, accurate, and nonfictional, but may be presented in a scripted, creative, educational, documentary, or other style, as appropriate.
a. Short videos (under 5 minutes)
b. Long videos (5+ minutes)
c. Television production (half hour or longer)
G.2 VIDEO OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION: LIFESTYLE
Videos or television programs in this category should be focused on informing or entertaining the audience about topics such as cat related trends, cat shows and cat-related events, interviews with cats, sometimes famous cats, product and informational reviews, living with cats and how to enhance the feline-human bond, catification and feline environmental enrichment, DIY cat crafts/ how-to videos, among other things related to living with cats.
a. Short videos (under 5 minutes)
b. Long videos (5+ minutes)
c. Television production (half hour or longer)
G.3 VIDEO OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION: ENTERTAINMENT
Videos or television programs in this category include pieces that entertain the viewer. Entertainment diverts people’s attention from their demanding lives and engages, amuses, delights, or compels them in their leisure time. Includes but is not limited to: an amusing look at cats in our lives and our relationship with them; profiles of the lives and doings of a particular cat or cat family; enjoyable looks at cats in the larger society and culture; interesting perspectives on people who choose to share their lives with cats; cats, or cat characters fictional or nonfictional, in nature. Pieces may be entertaining, enjoyable, lighthearted, humorous, or a combination.
a. Short videos (under 5 minutes)
b. Long videos (5+ minutes)
c. Television production (half hour or longer)
G.4 VIDEO OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION: RESCUE & ADVOCACY
Videos or television programs in this category should focus on educating, informing, and inspiring the audience on topics of cat rescue and advocacy, such as issues of homeless, stray, feral/community cats and kittens; wild cats; and big/jungle cats. Includes but is not limited to: hoarding and kitten mills, early spay/neuter; kitten season; adoption of senior, black, and special needs cats; getting cats into forever homes; advocating for adoption; and the issues of feral/community cats, TNR, profiles of individual rescuers/shelters/shelter workers, successfully managed colonies, and community organizations. Advocacy also includes animal welfare and animal rights topics.
a. Short videos (under 5 minutes)
b. Long videos (5+ minutes)
c. Television production (half hour or longer)
H.1 AUDIO/BROADCAST: ANY FORMAT
Radio programs, podcasts, audiotapes/narrations and DVDs that are cat-related in scope. The content may be anything related to felines – fictional, nonfictional cats and characters, domestic cats, stray cats, rescue cats, feral/outdoor community cats, wild cats, big/jungle cats and the like.
I.1 WEBINARS
A webinar is a live workshop, lecture, or presentation held online and is sometimes recorded for later viewing. It usually features a single presenter or group of presenters who are experts in their field, and is educational and informative in content. Audience members are often given the opportunity to ask questions ahead of time or during the event. At least two-thirds of the subject matter for a webinar or webinar series entered in the contest should relate to cats.
J. BLOGS/WEBSITES
Blogs/websites should focus on felines*, be attractive and professional in visual content and design, and appeal to the general cat-owning, cat-caring population.
Blogs and websites can utilize a variety of mediums, such as articles/posts, photos, videos, cartoons, infographics and more. Focus can be lighthearted, humorous, creative/artistic, educational, and/or informative. In all instances, any information given should be fact-checked and accurate.
Blogs/websites are judged on their collective content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, engagement, and overall experience. There should be a minimum of 2 published mediums per month for at least one calendar year. The blog/website is judged collectively, but individuals should submit links to three (3) entities that exemplify their best work as supporting evidence of the quality of the overall site.
Sites may vary in nature, as long as two-thirds of the content is dedicated to cats and is focused on the category topic.
*Felines being defined as cats including domestic cats, pedigree cats, stray cats, rescue cats, feral/outdoor community cats, wild cats, and big/jungle cats. Felines may be fictional, nonfictional, or cat characters.
J.1 BLOGS/WEBSITE: LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle sites are dedicated to educating readers about how people relate with cats they know or have known, on a personal level, or about the lifestyle of another person and their cat. Includes but is not limited to: The everyday lives of cats in general; the lifestyle of a person and their cat; therapy cats; adventure cats; cat models; cats in society, culture, art, history, mythology, and religion; etc.
This category is judged on the collective content of the site in its entirety, including visual design, content, structure, navigation, functionality, engagement, and overall experience. Sites may vary in nature, as long as two-thirds of the site is dedicated to cat-related topics.
J.2 BLOGS/WEBSITE: ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment sites take an amusing and enjoyable look at cats and our lives and relationship with them. Entertainment diverts people’s attention from their demanding lives and engages, amuses, delights, or compels them in their leisure time. Includes but is not limited to: an amusing look at cats in our lives and our relationship with them; profiles of the lives and doings of a particular cat or cat family; enjoyable looks at cats in the larger society and culture; interesting perspectives on people who choose to share their lives with cats; cats, or cat characters fictional or nonfictional, in nature. Pieces may be entertaining, enjoyable, lighthearted, humorous, or a combination.
This category is judged on the collective content of the site in its entirety, including visual design, content, structure, navigation, functionality, engagement, and overall experience. Sites may vary in nature, as long as two-thirds of the site is focused on the category topic.
J.3 BLOGS/WEBSITES: RESCUE ADVOCACY
Rescue/advocacy sites are dedicated to educating, informing, and inspiring the audience on topics of cat rescue and advocacy, such as issues of homeless, stray, feral/community cats and kittens; wild cats; and big/jungle cats. Includes but is not limited to: hoarding and kitten mills, early spay/neuter; kitten season; adoption of senior, black, and special needs cats; getting cats into forever homes; advocating for adoption; and the issues of feral/community cats, TNR, profiles of individual rescuers/shelters/shelter workers, successfully managed colonies, and community organizations. Advocacy also includes animal welfare and animal rights topics.
This category is judged on the collective content of the site in its entirety, including visual design, content, structure, navigation, functionality, engagement, and overall experience. Sites may vary in nature, as long as two-thirds of the site is dedicated to the category topic.
J.4 BLOGS/WEBSITES: EDUCATIONAL/INFORMATIVE
Educational/Informative sites are dedicated to educating/ informing readers and cat caregivers about a variety of specific cat-related topics. Topics may include (but are not limited to): health and well-being (preventive health care; diet, nutrition, exercise, spay/neuter, grooming, feeding, handling, litter box tips, carrier tips, need for routine veterinary exams, etc.), behavioral issues, training, and more. All information presented should be clear, authenticated, and up to date.
This category is judged on the collective content of the site in its entirety, including visual design, content, structure, navigation, functionality, engagement, and overall experience. Sites may vary in nature, as long as two-thirds of the site is dedicated to the category topic.
J.5 BLOGS/WEBSITE: GENERAL/OTHER
This category is reserved for sites that do not fit into a specific category. (See Blogs/websites J.1 – J. 4.) General sites are dedicated to the cat-owning and cat caring population by offering a broad base of information on a variety of feline topics, including but not limited to: educational and informative topics on general cat care, and health; rescue and advocacy; behavior; humorous and entertaining posts about everyday life with a cat; etc. General sites may also include, but are not limited to product reviews, interviews, personal feline-lifestyle and living with cat stories, etc.
This category is judged on the collective content of the site in its entirety, including visual design, content, structure, navigation, functionality, engagement, and overall experience. Sites may vary in nature, as long as two-thirds of the site is dedicated to cat related topics.
K.1 COLUMN/SERIES
A column is a series of articles about the same subject featured in a publication. Columns via newspaper, blogs, websites, magazines, and newsletters, whether through traditional print mediums or online sites typically offer ongoing coverage of a narrow topic and are generally written by the same author each issue. Columnists often are responsible for the idea as well as the research and writing. A column/series should have a minimum of 3 published articles per year.
People submitting in this category are not allowed to submit an article in duplicate categories, meaning, if the article is part of the submission for in “Column/series” category, it may not be submitted individually in any of the “Articles” categories.
L. SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE
Social media excellence involves promoting cats via a multiplicity of channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube that quickly grab the reader/viewer’s attention and educate/inform/entertain/inspire about specific cat-related topics with photos, videos, graphics, and compelling copy. Social media excellence is judged in its entirety, but individuals should submit links to three (3) posts that exemplify their best work and as supporting evidence of the quality of the overall social media. Social media categories should focus on a particular theme and may be posted across varying social media channels.
L.1 SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE: LIFESTYLE
This category should be focused on looking at the everyday lives of cats, in general, using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Topics can include (but are not limited to) the lifestyle of a person and their cat; therapy cats; adventure cats; cat models; cats in society, culture, art, history, mythology, and religion; etc.
Excellence is determined by the overall social effort – the effectiveness of the tweets, photos, posts, graphics, narratives, etc., and the professional branding of the social page(s) – both in content and design.
L.2 SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE: ENTERTAINMENT
This category should be focused on taking an amusing and enjoyable look at cats and our lives and relationship with them using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Entertainment diverts people’s attention from their demanding lives and engages, amuses, delights, or compels them in their leisure time. Topics can include (but are not limited to) profiles of the lives and doings of a particular cat or cat family; enjoyable looks at cats in the larger society and culture; interesting perspectives on people who choose to share their lives with cats.
Excellence is determined by the overall social effort – the effectiveness of the tweets, photos, posts, graphics, narratives, etc., and the professional branding of the social page(s) – both in content and design.
L.3 SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE: RESCUE/ADVOCACY
This category should focus on educating and informing the audience about topics of cat rescue and advocacy such as issues of homeless, stray, feral/community cats and kittens; wild cats; and big/jungle cats using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Topics can include (but are not limited to) hoarding and kitten mills, early spay/neuter; kitten season; adoption of senior, black, and special needs cats; getting cats into forever homes; advocating for adoption; and the issues of feral/community cats, TNR, profiles of individual rescuers/shelters/shelter workers, successfully managed colonies, and community organizations. Advocacy also includes animal welfare and animal rights topics.
Excellence is determined by the overall social effort – the effectiveness of the tweets, photos, posts, graphics, narratives, etc., and the professional branding of the social page(s) – both in content and design.
L.4 SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE: EDUCATIONAL/INFORMATIVE
This category should focus on educating and informing the audience about a variety of specific cat-related topics using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Topics can include (but are not limited to) health and well-being (preventive health care; diet, nutrition, exercise, spay/neuter, grooming, feeding, handling, litter box tips, carrier tips, need for routine veterinary exams, etc.), behavioral issues, training, and more.
Excellence is determined by the overall social effort – the effectiveness of the tweets, photos, posts, graphics, narratives, etc., and the professional branding of the social page(s) – both in content and design.
M. VISUAL ARTS
M.1 PHOTOGRAPHY: SINGLE IMAGE
A photograph, without need of words, tells a story that should delight, move, amaze, and/or stir the viewer. A single image, black & white or color, may illustrate a point in a text, or it may stand alone as with greeting cards, book cover, poster. On its own, it may enhance a blog/website/social media.
A photograph is a work of art, should embody the principles of good artwork while conveying an artistic vision and should include cats. The photographic artist has special challenges using shadow, light, tone, and composition to influence the story and mood in the direction they seek to express.
M.2 PHOTOGRAPHY: SERIES
A series of photographs, without need of words, tell a story that should delight, move, amaze, and/or stir the viewer. A series, black & white or color, may illustrate a point in articles or books, blogs, websites, magazines, or as a series of photos in an annual publication, such as a calendar.
Photographs are works of art, should embody the principles of good artwork while conveying an artistic vision and should include cats. The photographic artist has special challenges using shadow, light, tone, and composition to influence the story and mood in the direction they seek to express.
M.3 PHOTOGRAPHIC ART
Photographic art pieces should start out on film or digital media and may be altered using various techniques, including photo editing software, apps or mixed media. This can include (but is not limited to) a combination of images, montage, collage, adding or changing background, adding or changing colors, adding overlays or special effects, colorization of black and white images. Photographic Art creates a moment in time and freezes it there. A single image, without need of words, tells a story. It should convey an artistic vision and embody the principles of good artwork. Photographic art may illustrate a point in a text or stand alone, as in greeting cards, a book cover/back, posters, or a photograph on a blog/website or social media.
Photographic art should adhere to the principles of good design and should include cats.
M.4 CARTOON
A cartoon is a drawing that may portray a real-life situation, fictional or nonfictional character or place, and is often executed in an exaggerated, satirical or humorous light.
Cartoons have many styles ranging from stylized shapes using simple line drawings to more detailed and illustrative work, with or without the use of color. The end result is always the same: capturing an idea, trending topic or telling a story.
Cartoons often stand alone as a little story in miniature or an illustration of text. A cartoon is a work of art and should convey an artistic vision and embody the principles of good artwork and artistic skill.
Cartoons should adhere to the principles of good design and should include cats.
M.5 ILLUSTRATION (SINGLE)
An illustration is an image that is created with traditional or digital art media, and that does not fall into the category of photographic art.
An illustration may exaggerate one or more elements as a way to tell a story or direct attention to a particular point. It may portray things that do or do not exist in the real world. It may be used to illustrate text or to stand alone. Some uses for illustration are books, book covers, blogs, online publications, newsletters, social media posts.
An illustration should convey an artistic vision, embody the principles of good artwork, and include cats.
M.6 ILLUSTRATIONS (SERIES)
Illustrations are images that are created with traditional or digital art media, and that do not fall into the category of photographic art. A series of illustrations all relate in some way to the same subject.
Illustrations may exaggerate one or more elements as a way to tell a story or direct attention to a particular point. They may portray things that do or do not exist in the real world. They may be used to illustrate text or to stand alone. Some uses for a series of illustrations are books, blogs, online publications, newsletters, social media posts, and annual publications, such as a calendar.
An illustration should convey an artistic vision, embody the principles of good artwork, and include cats.
M.7 GRAPHIC DESIGN
Graphic design is the art and practice of visual communication to captivate, inspire, and inform a target audience. The designer skillfully merges visual elements such as typography, line and color, photography, and/or illustration to create layouts for a wide variety of applications. These include (but are not limited to) magazine layouts, newsletters, book covers, calendars, infographics, posters, brochures, logos, web design, marketing, and promotional materials and more. Graphic designs should adhere to the principles of good design and should include cats.
N.1 FINE ART
Fine Art is defined as work, either in 2 or 3 dimensions that is produced/created primarily as a form of personal artistic self-expression, rather than as a supplement or accompaniment to another published work, such as a book or magazine article. Fine Art pieces stand alone as self-contained works. Fine Art works might be original paintings, sculptures, fiber art pieces, handmade jewelry, fine-art clothing, and similar works. Fine art should adhere to the principles of good design and should include cats.