Guidelines for Submission
Please go here if you would like a PDF of these guidelines.
There are no major changes to the Awards this year.
Please note, however, that the online entry form has been updated. When entering your data please review the data entry instructions and carefully review the entry fees below before entering your payment. After you read through all the instructions then go to The Word Guild's 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards Online Entry Form. Remember to have your credit card/PayPal information ready.
Please scroll down to find out how you can enter your published work in the 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards.
A. The Word Guild Contest Administrator Contact Information
J. Award Categories and Definitions
K. Definition of what constitutes "published" work
A. Communication with The Word Guild Contest Administrator
If you have entered any writing contest sponsored by The Word Guild, please do not unsubscribe from electronic newsletter mailings sent to your email address. If you do, your email address will be PERMANENTLY unsubscribed. The Word Guild needs to be able to reach you with information and instructions during the time period leading up to the Awards Gala. If you unsubscribe, you will not find out if you are a shortlisted finalist or winner.
If you have any questions or if you have not received an email confirmation of receipt of your books within four weeks of sending your books then please email Mary Ann Benjamins.
Once you have completed the online entry form, send the appropriate copies of books to:
The Word Guild Writing Awards 113 Tutela Heights Rd., Brantford, ON N3T1A5B. 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, practice and ministry of writing. The awards are sponsored by The Word Guild, a national organization 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. The program has been revamped, renamed and expanded from six to 35 awards, encompassing 19 book categories and 16 article/short piece categories, including song lyrics, poetry, scripts or screenplays and blog posts.
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 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 Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards has a system of two rounds of entries, i.e. TWO entry deadlines. Round One deadline is extended to November 15, 2011. Entries for work that was published during the first nine months of the year (from January 01, 2011 to September 30, 2011) must be postmarked no later than November 15, 2011. The Round Two deadline is January 15, 2012. Entries for work published during the last three months of the year (from October 01, 2011 to December 31, 2011) must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2012.
Late Fee: Work that was published during the first nine months of the year, but not submitted on time for the first entry deadline (postmarked no later than November 15, 2011) and instead is submitted in time for the second entry deadline (postmarked no later than January 15, 2012) will not be disqualified from the contest. However, the entrant must pay a higher entry fee before the entry will be processed. .
The judges’ shortlist of the top entries in each category will be released in April 2012. The awards will be presented on June 13, 2012 at The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards Gala. Media releases announcing the winners will be sent after the awards presentation.
C. Prizes
Winners receive:
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a cash prize of $200 for books or $100 for other categories;
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certificates suitable for framing for the writer, the publisher and the award sponsor;
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on-stage recognition during the Gala awards presentation;
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publicity through media releases.
Additional promotional feature for winning books:
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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.)
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Award of Merit recipients receive certificates suitable for framing for the writer and the publisher.
All entrants receive a copy of the judge's marks that will help them improve their work. Judge’s marks will be sent to the entrant after the awards have been presented.
D. Eligibility
1. The contest is open to original material published between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Copyright date printed in book or article must be 2011.
2. The contest is open to writing by all Christians who affirm The Apostles' Creed.
3. 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.
4. The contest is open to material published anywhere in the world, in secular or Christian media, including Internet-only publication.
5. The contest is open to material in the English language.
6. Co-authorship:
A. Writers who collaborated and jointly authored a book or article (i.e., states authored by X and Y) may enter the contest. The work may be entered by one author; or jointly by both authors, if both authors meet the eligibility requirements.
B. If the book or article states it was authored by X with Y, then the lead author X must meet the eligibility requirements and must enter the work, either solely or jointly with the secondary author Y, if Y also meets the eligibility requirements. The secondary author Y may not enter the work as the sole entrant.
7. Anthology Editors: Anthologies or collections of the work of more than one author may be entered by the editor in the Special book category, or in another appropriate book category, if
A. the editor's name is listed on the front cover, and
B. the entrant developed the book's concept and directed and determined the book's content (i.e., played a more influential role than simply compiling the work of others). Preferably, the editor is a contributing writer to the anthology and wrote at least one chapter him/herself.
Anthology Contributing Writers: If the entrant authored one section of a collection or anthology, the contributing writer should not enter the work in a book category. Enter that chapter in the appropriate article/short piece category. Upload digital copy of the relevant chapter, or submit the book and clearly indicate which chapter the judge should read.
8. Reprints or new editions of previously published work are allowed under specific conditions:
A. If the work previously was not entered in the contest at the time it originally was published, it may be entered in the contest for the year in which it was reprinted and re-released.
B. If the work has been significantly revised, expanded or updated before it is reprinted (i.e., minimum one-third new material), it may be re-entered in the contest for the year in which it was reprinted.
9. Members of the administrative committee of The Word Guild's Canadian Christian Writing Awards, or their immediate family members, are not eligible to enter.
10. The Word Guild reserves the right to decline entries.
E. Submission Requirements
1. How to submit pieces according to category:
Articles and short pieces: Using the updated online entry form you will be asked:
Books: Send the actual printed book for all book entries. The Word Guild will accept books that have been published through a variety of methods, including POD (print-on-demand) services. To be accepted in this contest, the submitted hard copy of the book must meet standards of cover design, interior design and binding. The Word Guild reserves the right to decline entries that do not meet adequate standards of professionalism.
2. You may enter the same item in more than one category. However, for books, you must send one additional copy for each category entered. There is a limit of EIGHT total entries per writer and a limit of FOUR items per writer entered in any one category.
3. If you enter the same work in more than one category, be sure to enter the appropriate fees in PayPal. For example, if you enter your book in three categories then enter three book payments in PayPal. If you enter your book in ONE category send THREE copies of the entered book. If you enter your book in MORE THAN ONE category send THREE copies of the entered book PLUS ONE for each additional category (i.e. if you enter the same book in two categories, send four books).
4. It is the entrant’s responsibility to choose the correct category(s).Choose your category carefully. Ensure your work meets the criteria for the category it is being entered in, if it does not meet the criteria the book will still be marked, however, it will be ineligible for an award in that category.
5. 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. You will receive a notice on receipt of books.
F. Entry Fees
Entry fees will be paid online via credit card or PayPal. The last part of the online entry form has credit card and PayPal payment instructions. Note: You do NOT need a PayPal account. PayPal will automatically generate and email you a receipt.
1. Entries submitted which meet the Round One and Round Two entry deadline requirements:
A. If author is a current member of The Word Guild:
B. If author is NOT a member of The Word Guild:
2. LATE Entry for Round One deadline submitted by January 15th:
A. If author is a current member of The Word Guild:
B. If author is NOT a member of The Word Guild:
Exceptions: If the book was published so late in the months of September (for Round One) or December (for Round Two) that the entrant did not receive a hard copy in time to postmark it by the deadline, please submit the online entry form in time for the deadline(Round One: November 15, 2011 or Round Two: January 15, 2012). Email the Contest Administrator, Mary Ann Benjamins, and explain that the books will arrive at a later date. Forward the hard copy books no later than fourteen days after the deadline.
G. Judging
1. 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. Suitability to target audience
D. Originality/freshness of style
E. Professionalism of material
2. Entries will be evaluated by one expert judge.
3. 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 nonfiction, amongst other qualities).
4. 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.
5. 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. If you enter more than one category please note that the judges may vary in their opinions of your work and the marks and comments may reflect this discrepancy. The Word Guild is not responsible for any comments or decisions made by any judge.
6. Comments made by the judges about the entered work are private, and are meant to help the entrant improve his or her writing. The judges' comments are not reviews and may not be used as endorsements of the work. As a condition of entering this contest, ENTRANTS MUST AGREE THAT THEY WILL NOT CONTACT THE JUDGES AND WILL NOT MAKE THE JUDGES' COMMENTS PUBLIC OR QUOTE FROM THE JUDGES' COMMENTS, INCLUDING ON WEBSITES OR BOOK JACKETS.
H. Information for Finalists on Judges’ Shortlist
For publicity and promotional purposes, all shortlisted candidates should be prepared to send a good-quality (preferably professional) head and shoulders digital photograph, if requested.
For publicity and media release purposes, finalists should be prepared to send the news release announcing the shortlist of finalists to local or denominational publications and media outlets that would potentially publish news about the finalist's inclusion in the awards. Instructions will be sent to all finalists about how to adapt the news release and add personal information to create local news interest.
Finalists are invited to attend the Gala awards presentation. Winners who are present will be asked to accept their award on stage from the award sponsor; winners who are unable to attend should designate someone to accept on their behalf.
I. The Apostles’ Creed
Contest eligibility requires that the writer affirms The Apostles' Creed.
* the whole or universal church – not any one denomination
J. Definitions and Award Categories:
If the book qualifies, the author may choose to enter the same item in more than one category.
ARTICLES, SHORT PIECES, AND OTHER
Articles (Nonfiction):
1. 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. Writer evidences neutrality, balance, evenness of tone.
2. Long Feature (1,000 words or more): in-depth treatment of a trend, situation; explicitly aims to do more than inform (e.g. analyze, contextualize, equip, etc.). Research provides a variety of sources, quotations and references; writer does not include his/her own thoughts or opinion on issue. Writer evidences neutrality, balance, evenness of tone. Usually written in third-person.
3. Short Feature (under 1,000 words): informs reader about a trend, situation or group of ideas. Less rigorous judging criteria than for long feature, but writer should provide some variety of sources and references. Usually written in third-person.
4. Personal Experience: first-person or as-told-to
5. Inspirational/Devotional
6. Profile/Human Interest: stories about people; includes obituaries; aims to inform and usually also to inspire.
7. Review: review of book, movie, CD, concert, etc.
8. Column – series (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; pay one entry fee. Pieces are 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.
9. Column – single (submit one): author appeared occasionally in a publication or one-time in a “guest” column; submit one piece; pieces are 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.
Short Pieces and Other:
1. General Readership: any genre of 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.
2. Blog Post – series (any genre; submit two consecutive): submit two blog posts of any genre of writing on any topic that were posted consecutively online in the past calendar year; maximum combined word count for the series of two entries is 2,000 words. A blog (short for weblog) is a personal online journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs typically are a series of entries posted to a single page on a website in reverse-chronological order. The two sequential posts may be about different topics. The blog entries may have been posted on the writer’s own blog, or on a blog site operated by another person or organization. Just as publishers and editors may enter work on behalf of their writers, blog posts may be entered by a third party as long as the writer’s written permission is obtained. Please include the blog URL.
3. Short Story: fiction
4. Children and Young Adult: articles or short stories
5. Poetry: rhymed or free verse; maximum of 40 lines
6. Song Lyrics: Author of the song lyrics enters an original song released to the public in the current calendar year through either A or B below.
A. Public performance, including broadcast, concert, church or worship settings. Upload a digital copy of the following information:
- Proof of performance: list venue, date, approximate number in audience, name and phone number of contact person. Include a scanned copy of printed program/church bulletin if available, highlighting your performance.
- A copy of typed lyrics with complete credits for lyrics and music.
Submit by mail two copies of a demo quality CD or audio cassette of the song being performed. Include only one song per demo CD or audio cassette, with no other material on the recording. Ensure that the lyrics are clearly audible for judging. You may enter more than one song, but each song must be submitted separately. Entry materials will not be returned.
B. Recording available for sale to the public. Upload a digital copy of typed lyric sheet with complete credits for lyrics and music.
Submit by mail two copies of the recording. Clearly identify the song title and track number. Ensure that the lyrics are clearly audible for judging. You may enter more than one song, but each song must be submitted separately.
7. Scripts and Screenplays: Minimum of 10 minutes production time; an original play, musical with dialogue or screenplay, released to the public in the current calendar year through being produced or published.
A. Play must have had public performance, either live or taped/filmed for broadcast, or been published. Upload a digital copy of the following: If live theatre performance, provide proof of performance: list venue, date, approximate number in audience, name and phone number of contact person. Include a scanned copy of printed program/church bulletin, if available, highlighting the performance. If broadcast, upload a digital copy of details of when and where. Then submit by mail two copies of script. If published, supply two copies in final published format.
B. Screenplay must have been produced and available for viewing by the public through either public showing, broadcast or sales. Upload a digital copy of screenplay. Then submit by mail two copies of production on DVD or video cassette, with no other material on the recording. Entry materials will not be returned.
BOOKS:
Nonfiction Books:
1. Life Stories: biography, autobiography, memoir, family history, etc.
2. Inspirational/Devotional: content that encourages, strengthens, moves, uplifts readers; motivates readers to put their faith in God, or to deepen their trust in God. Daily or weekly devotionals are part of this category.
3. Christian Living: primary focus is reader's personal growth; developing a relationship with God; helps readers to deepen their faith, become more mature as Christians, live a life that is pleasing to God. More emphasis on "how to steps" to achieve personal growth than Inspirational category. May include accounts of overcoming adversity; reaching new levels of understanding; inspiring readers that similar changes are possible in their own lives. May include content about spiritual formation; spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, study of Scripture, worship, etc.
4. Biblical Studies (Discipleship, etc.): books entered in this category generally have a target market of lay readers; more complex expounding of theology, doctrine, etc. aimed at clergy or scholars may be entered in the Academic category.
5. Apologetics/Evangelism: books entered in this category have a target reader market of either Christian believers or non-believers.
6. Relationships: friendship, marriage, family, congregation, etc.
7. Culture: contemporary social issues, missions, global affairs; writing about social issues including justice, poverty, the environment, human rights, etc.; Christianity's role in contemporary culture, etc.
8. Academic: primarily targeted to church leaders, professors, scholars, clergy, seminary students, etc. It includes topics such as theology, ethics, philosophy, history, doctrine, academic or theoretical content, etc. Books entered in this category have more complex content, references and terminology than contained in books aimed at lay readers.
9. Christian Leadership: primarily targeted to mature Christians who wish to develop their leadership skills as laity within the Christian community and/or who wish to increase their understanding of deeper topics such as theology, ethics, philosophy, history, doctrine, etc. Books entered in this category feature content, references and terminology that are generally accessible to laity.
10. Instructional: how-to, training, reference, etc.
11. Special: book of poetry, anthology, gift book, etc. Does not include calendars or printed material other than book format.
Novels:
1. Contemporary
2. Historical: includes Westerns
3. Romance
4. Mystery/Suspense
5. Futuristic/Fantasy
Other Book Categories:
1. General readership: any genre of novels or nonfiction books written primarily for a general, mainstream or unchurched readership that explain or encourage faith for unchurched readers; written from a Christian worldview; may attempt to move non-believers toward faith; not necessary to be overtly evangelistic.
2. Children: fiction and nonfiction, including children's picture books
3. Young Adult: fiction and nonfiction books, target market ages 12 to 18.
NOTE:
1. 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.
2. Entries must meet pre-determined standards of quality in order to be shortlisted. 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.
K. Definition of what constitutes "published" work
The Word Guild acknowledges that the definition of what constitutes "published" is in flux. The following information clarifies what we consider to be "published" for purposes of the 2011/2012 Awards.
Articles, poems, and short pieces: The Word Guild will accept articles that have been published or produced in a variety of secular or Christian media, including Internet-only publications, in cases where a third party (i.e., an editor, publisher or producer) made the decision to publish the writing.
We are referring to an editor in the traditional sense of the editor's role in print publications, where a third-party editor has the authority to make a decision about the publication value of the piece. The editor in that case has the power to direct and shape the publication, to assign articles, to reject articles, to require the writer to rewrite the article, etc.
An online magazine that operates under those conditions would be eligible for the contest. A blog or website does not meet the criteria, except for the rules specific to the blog post category.
We will accept the printed script of radio essays or audio commentaries, and chapters in compilation books or anthologies. In cases where a third party (i.e., a producer) made the decision to produce the writing; this does not include commentaries that were broadcast on the writer's own Podcast.
Choose the appropriate genre regardless of where the item was published (for example, a personal experience story may have appeared in a newspaper, a magazine, an anthology book or an online publication).
Books: The Word Guild will accept books with an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) that have been self-published through a variety of methods, including traditional bound volumes and print-on-demand services. To be accepted in this contest, the submitted hard copy of the book must meet standards of cover design, interior design and binding. The Word Guild reserves the right to decline entries that do not meet adequate standards of professionalism.
Blogs and websites: Self-published article-length work that has been posted on a blog or website, where no third party editor or publisher made the decision to publish the writing, should be entered in the Blog Post—Series category.
Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Christian Writing Contest.
