"Raising My Furry Children," Weaving Dreams Publishing (August, 2011). See www.raisingmyfurrychildren.weebly.com | 
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Follow my blog about raising my furry children at www.tailsinc.com
Winner of the 2011 Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest - Second Place, Humorous Columns.
Judge's comments: "Fun, personal looks at life with pets."
about me
Tracy Ahrens is a graduate of Eureka College, Eureka, Il. with a degree in English and many classes in art.
Since graduation, she has been a journalist and eventually became an editor. Most recently, she wrote for a chain of 10 weekly newspapers based in the south Chicago suburbs, owned by Russell Publications. There she was also a feature story editor.
Currently she is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune and Tails Pet Media Group based in Chicago (www.tailsinc.com).
She also is a freelance writer for magazines and other publications.
Her professional writing memberships include the Illinois Woman's Press Association and the National Federation of Press Women.
Some of her 49 writing awards locally, statewide and nationally include: Illinois Public Health Association (Media Award 1996 & 2000), Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (Media Award 2003), Illinois Press Association (Second place, 1997 Best Coverage of Medicine), Illinois Associated Press (First Place, feature writing, 2000), Northern Illinois Press Association, Illinois Woman's Press Association (First Place, news reporting, 2002; First Place, features, 2003; First Place, special articles in science/health, 2002), National Federation of Press Women (First Place, special articles in science/health, 2002), National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (Excellence in Print Journalism Award, 2001) and National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Illinois Chapter (Public Education Award, 2002); 2005 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Eureka College, Eureka, Il.; Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2006 (First Place, Features; non-daily newspaper; First Place, Personality Profile; First Place, Section Edited by Entrant, non-daily newspaper); National Federation of Press Women, Inc. Communications Contest, 2006 (First Place; Section Edited by Entrant, non-daily newspaper); Illinois Press Association, Illinois Better Newspaper Contest, 2006 (Third Place; personality profile); Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2007 (First Place and Third Place, Features; non-daily newspaper); Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2008 (First Place, Special Articles - Health & Fitness; First Place, Personality Profile; non-daily newspaper and Second Place, Section Edited by Entrant; Second Place, Features); Illinois Press Association, Excellence in News Contest, 2008 (Second Place; Lifestyle Section), Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2009 (First Place, Features; First Place, Special Articles - Arts & Entertainment; Second Place; Special Series; Third Place - Special Series), Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2009 (Second Place; Non-Fiction Book for "Giant Hero"); Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2010 (First Place, Special Articles - Health; Second Place, Special Articles - Sports; Second Place, Features); Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest, 2011 (First Place, Feature Story/Daily Newspaper; Second Place, Humorous Columns).
Tracy is also the author of children's books and non-fiction books, and her poetry has appeared in chapbooks and magazines across the country. See a sample of her poetry and view some of her artwork on this Web site.
contact me by e-mail at: mylittleforie@yahoo.com
all art and writings seen here are copyrighted
