Connecting, developing and promoting Canadian writers and editors who are Christian
Entries are now being accepted for writing awards that encourage excellence in writing by Canadians who are Christian. Writers of all ages and all experience levels are invited to submit their work.
Contents:
A. Introduction
This awards program is designed to raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian, and to encourage them in the pursuit of excellence in the art, craft, business and ministry of print communication.
The awards are sponsored by The Word Guild, a national association of Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Formerly known as The God Uses Ink Awards, these writing prizes have been awarded annually since 1988. In 2003, the awards were revamped and renamed, and the number of prize categories increased. Currently, there are 28 categories for books, articles, short pieces and other.
This year's floating category is "How-to, instructional, training and reference books" published in 2002, 2003 or 2004. (The floating category changes each year to recognize particular genres that might not otherwise be honoured.)
This contest is not restricted to members of The Word Guild. Either the writer or publisher may enter the work. Publishers are encouraged to enter work on the behalf of their writers, thereby also raising the profile of their publications, and encouraging their regular writers to pursue excellence in their work.
Entrants may enter the same item in more than one category. Although contest rules do not require an explicit statement of Christian belief in the work, judges will look for an underlying expression of the writer's Christian worldview informing and influencing the writing.
The judges' short list of the top entries in each category will be released in April 2005. The awards will be presented on June 17, 2005 in conjunction with the Write! Canada (formerly known as the God Uses Ink) Christian writers' conference in Guelph Ont. Media releases announcing the winners will be sent after the awards presentation.
B. Prizes
Winners receive:
* a cash prize of $200 for books or $100 for other categories;
* a specially-designed gold lapel pin;
* certificates suitable for framing for the writer, the publisher
and the award sponsor;
* on-stage recognition during the gala awards presentation
on June 17, 2005;
* publicity through media releases.
Additional features for winning books:
* A colour bookmark listing the author, title and publisher of all
winning books will be produced by The Word Guild and distributed
to Canadian Christian bookstores, church libraries, etc.
* Book jacket stickers for Winner, Award of Merit and Finalist categories
are available for purchase from The Word Guild. (These colourful
stickers are undated, and feature ultra removable adhesive.)
Award of Merit recipients also receive certificates suitable for framing for the writer and the publisher.
All entrants receive detailed judges' comments that will help them improve their work. Judge's comments are mailed directly to the entrant after the awards have been presented.
C. Eligibility
- The contest is open to original material published between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004.
- The contest is open to writing by all Christians who affirm The Apostles' Creed (see Creed at end of document).
- The contest is open to Canadian citizens (including Canadian citizens living abroad) and to non-Canadians living in Canada who have legal permanent resident status.
- The contest is open to material published anywhere in the world, in secular or Christian media, including Internet-only publication.
- Members of the administrative committee of The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards, or their immediate family members, are not eligible to enter.
D. Submission Requirements
- Send the actual published book for all book entries. For short pieces, the tear sheets (i.e., original published pages) or a good-quality photocopy is acceptable. Work published exclusively on the Internet must be downloaded or printed from the publisher's site in a readable hardcopy format.
- Entries may be evaluated by up to three judges. Therefore, a complete entry consists of THREE copies of the entered work, FOUR copies of a completed entry form (one for each judge, plus one for filing) and the appropriate fees.
- Entries must be received no later than January 21, 2005.
- Entries submitted by Canadian residents: For books, entries must be accompanied by an entry fee of $42.80 Cdn ($40 Cdn plus $2.80 GST). For all other categories, the entry fee is $21.40 Cdn ($20 Cdn plus $1.40 GST). Make cheque payable to The Word Guild.
- Entries submitted by non-residents of Canada: For books, entries must be accompanied by an entry fee of $30 US. For all other categories, the entry fee is $15 US. Make cheque payable to The Word Guild.
- You may enter the same item in more than one category. However, you must send all material including additional copies of the item, entry forms and fees for each category entered. There is a limit of six total entries per writer.
- Choose your category carefully; entering your work in an inappropriate category can affect judges' marks. If unsure, refer to the definitions in this document. Please note that it is not feasible for this contest to offer categories that are appropriate for all published work. Please do not choose "special" simply because your book does not fit other categories.
- Entered material will not be returned. The Word Guild is not responsible for the loss, damage, or return of any item submitted to the competition.
- Entrants who want notification that their contest entry has been received and is complete may fill in an e-mail address on the appropriate line on the entry form, or else they may submit a stamped, self-addressed envelope or postcard with the entry.
- Send the entry package, including the cheque, by mail or courier to:
The Word Guild Writing Awards
c/o Jane Twohey
572 Fralicks Beach Road
Port Perry, ON L9L 1B6 Canada
For delivery inquiries, call Jane Twohey at 905-985-1212
E. Awards Categories - Books
(For more detailed descriptions of categories, see definitions below)
Non-Fiction Books
- Life stories (biography, autobiography, memoir, family history, etc.)
- Personal growth (devotional, inspirational, Christian living, Bible study, discipleship, etc.)
- Relationships (friendship, marriage, family, congregation, etc.)
- Culture (contemporary social issues, missions, evangelism, etc.)
- Leadership and theoretical (theology, philosophy, academic, history, etc.)
- Special (book of poetry, anthology, gift book, etc.)
Novels
- Contemporary
- Historical (includes Westerns)
- Romance
- Mystery/suspense
- Futuristic
Other Book Categories
- General readership (novels or non-fiction books that explain or encourage faith for unchurched readers)
- Self-published (novels or non-fiction books for which the authors have paid the full cost of publication)
- Children & young adult (novels and non-fiction books)
- Floating category for work published in 2002, 2003 or 2004: How-to, instructional, training and reference books
F. Awards Categories - Articles, short pieces and other
(For more detailed descriptions of categories, see definitions below)
Articles (Non-fiction):
- News
- Feature
- Personal experience - first-person or as-told-to
- Inspirational/devotional
- Profile/human interest story
- Review - book, movie, CD, concert, etc.
- Column/editorial/first person essay - regular or series
(submit two consecutive) - Column/editorial/first person essay - guest/occasional
(submit one)
Short pieces and other:
- General readership (articles or short stories that explain or encourage faith for unchurched readers)
- Short story (fiction)
- Children and young adult (articles or short stories)
- Letter to the editor
- Poetry (rhymed or free verse; maximum of 40 lines)
Notes:
Organizers reserve the right to re-categorize entries. For example, if any one category receives a large number of entries, it may be subdivided and a prize may be offered in each division. Conversely, if any category does not receive what organizers deem to be a sufficient number of entries, it may be combined with another category.
Entries must meet pre-determined standards of quality in order to be short-listed. If the judges deem none of the entries in a particular category meet the criteria, no award will be given and no entry fees will be refunded.
G. Definitions of Some Categories
Books - Culture (social issues, missions, evangelism, etc.): writing about evangelism, missions, social issues in contemporary culture for a primarily Christian audience.
Books - General readership (explains or encourages faith for unchurched readers): novels or non-fiction books written primarily for a general, mainstream or unchurched readership; written from a Christian worldview; may attempt to move non-believers toward faith; not necessary to be overtly evangelistic.
Books - Self-published: authors have paid the full cost of publication. Note that entrants may enter the same item in more than one category. Authors of self-published books have the option of entering their work in the self-published category, in the appropriate other book category or in both.
Books - Floating Category (for work published in 2002, 2003 or 2004):
How-to, instructional, training and reference books - includes teaching & educational books, manuals, guides, etc.
Articles, Short Pieces & Other
News: informs about something significant, interesting, new; covers who, what, when, where, why, how of an event or reaction to an event, issue or trend.
Feature: in-depth treatment of a trend, situation or group of ideas in 700 words or more; explicitly aims to do more than inform (e.g. analyze, contextualize, equip, etc.); research provides a variety of references or quotations; usually written in third-person.
Profiles/human interest: stories about people; includes obituaries; aims to inform and usually also to inspire.
Column/editorial/first person essay: opinion or persuasive writing; commentary on a timely subject; writer explains, interprets and appraises an event or issue; editorials, usually unsigned, outline policies and beliefs of a publication; columns represent writer's personal viewpoint.
Column - regular (submit two consecutive): author appeared on a regular schedule in a publication in a series of a minimum of five pieces; submit two pieces that were published in a row.
Column - guest/occasional (submit one): author appeared occasionally in a publication or one-time in a "guest" column; submit one piece.
General readership (articles or short stories that explain or encourage faith for unchurched readers): published in the mainstream press, not in the church press; written primarily for a general, mainstream or unchurched readership; written from a Christian worldview; may attempt to move non-believers toward faith; not necessary to be overtly evangelistic.
Floating category: How-to, instructional, training and reference books published in 2002, 2003 or 2004. Because this is not an annual category, the 2005 awards are open to entries that were published or in the last three years.
H. Judging
- All qualified entries will be judged according to the following considerations:
a. excellence of writing
b. impact (the inspirational / informational value making it worthwhile)
c. fulfilment of stated purpose
d. suitability to target audience
e. originality/freshness of style - Each category will also be judged on technical and style qualities specific to that genre (e.g., characterization in fiction or outline and structure in non-fiction, amongst other qualities).
- Although contest rules do not require an explicit statement of Christian belief, judges will look for an underlying expression of the writer's Christian worldview informing and influencing the writing.
- How carefully you complete the entry form can impact your marks. The judges will assess how well your work met its stated purpose. Explain briefly but carefully your purpose/objective; target audience; how your underlying Christian worldview informs and influences the work. Be specific; for example, do not describe your target audience as "all Christians."
- Judges' decisions are final. Although The Word Guild requests that judges approach their task with an objective attitude, there is an inevitable degree of subjectivity involved in judging writing. The Word Guild is not responsible for any comments or decisions made by any judge.
I. Information for Finalists on Judges' Short List
- For publicity and promotional purposes, all short-listed candidates should be prepared to send a good-quality (preferably professional) head and shoulders photograph if requested.
- For publicity and media release purposes, finalists should be prepared to send contest organizers a list of local or denominational publications and media outlets (including name of contact person, complete mailing address and email) that would potentially publish news about your inclusion in the awards.
- Finalists are invited to attend the awards presentation, to take place on Friday evening June 17, 2005 at the Guelph Bible Conference Centre in Guelph, Ont. Winners who are present will be asked to accept their award on stage from the award sponsor; winners who are unable to attend may designate someone to accept on their behalf.
J. The Apostles' Creed
Contest eligibility requires that the writer affirms The Apostles' Creed.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
* the whole or universal church - not any one denomination