2010 NEOWA Excellence in Craft Writing Contest Guidelines
I. Categories:
1. Best Column, Newspaper
2. Best Column, Magazine
3. Best Article, Newspaper
4. Best Article, Magazine
5. Best Opinion, Newspaper
6. Best Opinion, Magazine
7. Best Humor, Newspaper
8. Best Humor, Magazine
9. Best Outdoor Coverage by a Newspaper*
10. Best Book*
Newspapers are defined as a broadsheet or tabloid publication published on a daily or weekly basis.
Magazines are published on a frequency of less than once a week, with the exception of weekly magazines such as Sports Illustrated. Electronically published entries will be accepted. There must be at least four entries in a category for it to be judged.
II Prizes:
First, second and third place awards will be chosen, except there will be a single winner in the Outdoor Coverage by a Newspaper category. First-place winners will receive an engraved plaque; second and third, a certificate. In the case of a tie, all winners for that place will receive awards.
III Entries:
The contest is open to all Active and Associate members. Writing must have been published between Jan. 1, 2010-Dec. 31, 2010 inclusive.
A $5 entry fee covers all writing contest submissions (an additional fee is required for the photo contest).
Magazine and newspaper entries for column, article, opinion and humor categories must include:
1. An original tear sheet or a copy that shows the author's name, date of publication, and name of publication (write the contest category on the tear sheet). Originals will not be returned.
2. Three anonymous copies of each entry. For ease of entering, you may submit three anonymous copies of the hard copy of the story with the title and category marked at the top of the first page. Simply print out your hard copy (3), and write the title and category at the top. Or you may send three photocopies of the published story, with all credit references to the author and publication completely removed (if your name or publication is still legible after being covered with felt-tip pen, it will be disqualified).
3. Each hard copy, photocopied entry or clip must be clearly marked with the category in which it is being entered.
4. Entries must be easily readable (for the sake of the judges). Do not submit light or darkened copies.
5. Entries must be submitted at 100 percent size. Do not reduce articles. This may require some cut-and-paste work for photocopied entries. Loose clippings smaller than standard 8 ½ x 11 inches must be taped or pasted onto backing paper. Please be neat. Cut away all other material that appears around your piece.
6. A story may be entered only once. For example, a story being entered as a column can't be entered again as an article.
*Each Best Outdoor Coverage by a Newspaper entry must include four (4) sets of three best tear sheets or copies from the year so that the entries may be judged on how well a newspaper covers the outdoors, year-round. A story appearing on a tear sheet for this category will not disqualify that story from being entered in another category.
*Each Book entry must include four original books. Because of increased handling, books will be considered as donations and will not be returned.
There is a limit of two entries per category, for a possible total of 20 entries.
Co-written entries may be entered, but each contributing writer must be an Active or Associate Member. If the entry is judged a winner, a plaque or certificate will be awarded to each contributor.
Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 1, 2011.
Failure to follow all rules will result in disqualification.
Winners are requested to send electronic copies of their winning stories to be posted on the NEOWA Web site.
IV Submissions:
Mail writing entries to: Marc Folco, 1697 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA 02746. He will be in touch with any good news prior to the annual conference. Contact Marc with any questions at openseason1988@aol.com or call (508) 993-6430 or (C) (508) 971-5131.
NE0WA will not be responsible for lost or damaged material.
