Writing Contests. BOAT WRITING CONTEST OPENS FOR ENTRIES Features 17 Categories and first round prize purse of $17,000 November 4, 2009 - Boating Writers International is accepting entries to its 17th Annual Writing Contest that recognizes excellence in boating, fishing and travel journalism. There are 17 categories that each will award $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third place winners. A new category, "Original Online Content,” will recognize the best blogs, articles, videos, photos, podcasts, and social media streams. The Contest is applicable to the broadest spectrum of boating, outdoor and travel writers, and offers $17,000 in cash awards during the first round of judging that will be paid to 51 winners in 2010. Deadline for receipt of entries is December 15, 2009. The complete 2009 list of categories and sponsors: 1. Boating Columns – sponsored by KVH Industries, Inc. 2. Boating Lifestyles – sponsored by Boats.com/Yachtworld.com 3. Boating Profiles - sponsored by ZF Marine 4. Boating Travel or Destinations – sponsored by Island Global Yachting 5. Boating Adventures – sponsored by Discover Boating 6. Boat/Engine Care and Maintenance – sponsored by Interlux Yacht Finishes 7. Electronics – sponsored by Jeppesen Marine 8. Ethics and Environment – sponsored by Marlink AS 9. Fishing – sponsored by Suzuki Motor Corporation 10. Boating Issues, News and Analysis – sponsored by Mercury Marine 11. The Business of Boating - sponsored by Home Port Marine Marketing 12. Seamanship, Rescue & Safety – sponsored by Sea Tow Services International 13. Technical Writing – sponsored by Dometic Corp. - Environmental 14. Boat Tests – sponsored by Volvo Penta 15. Gear, Electronics and Product Tests – sponsored by Xantrex Technology Inc. 16. Megayachts - sponsored by Awlgrip North America 17. Original Online Content – sponsored by National Marine Electronics Assn. BWI members are allowed two submissions to the contest without charge; non-members can enter the contest at $35 for each submission ($35 is the same cost as an annual Active membership in BWI). Each category will be judged by four active journalists in the first few weeks of the new year. Cash awards and presentation plaques are presented to the winners at the Miami International Boat Show in February, 2010. To download the contest brochure with additional details and the entry form, click here (PDF). SASS WINS SY/LEGACY WRITER'S AWARD FOR TOP BOATING ARTICLE Freelancer and author earns $5,000; 3 others cited November 2, 2009 - George Sass, Sr., a freelance writer, author and former advertising creative director, has won the top award Boating Writers International gives to a journalist -- The SY/Legacy Writer's Award. Sass, of Annapolis, MD, received the award, consisting of a $5,000 check and a crystal trophy, at a formal presentation during the BWI membership meeting at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show on Friday (October 30). BWI President Kim Kavin (left) presents George Sass, Sr. with BWI Grand Prize Writer's Award. Sass’ story, “Big-Water Boats – How to Choose the Right Vessel for Offshore Cruising,” was published in the 2008 Ocean Explorer Handbook. It’s a reflection of the writer’s extensive knowledge of cruising sail and power boats made engaging by personal reflections from seasons of blue water experience, including an 8,000-mile voyage with his family completing the Great Loop. Copy explains in illustrative and human terms why such factors as stability, weight, efficiency, engine choice and outfitting will determine both the seaworthiness of the boat and preparedness and comfort of the crew. The article was first recognized in the Technical Writing category earlier this year, one of 48 award winners in the 2008 BWI Annual Writing Contest. The top three entries in each of 16 writing categories were considered for this grand prize. Judges said of Sass’ entry, “After a gut-griping lead, this article turns into a beautifully structured and nicely written example of explanatory journalism. It is interspersed with anecdotes, narrative description and lively quotes – so as to not get bogged down in textbook prose. Throughout, the writing is crisp. This is good, clear, informative writing at its best. Educational? Yes! Engaging? You bet! A winner all the way!” (A link to the complete story is posted on the homepage at www.bwi.org). Judges for the Grand Prize Award are associated with Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and have had careers in newspapers, magazines, broadcasting and on-line enterprises. They include: David Nelson, Professor of Media Management and Ethics; Michele Bitoun, Senior Director of Undergraduate Education and Teaching Excellence; and Professor Marcel Pacatte, Managing Editor of the Medill Reports website. Several additional entries were cited by the judging team for excellence in writing: -- “Limulus Lately” by Wendy Mitman Clarke in Chesapeake Bay: “This piece is a fine example of the best elements of journalism … reporting, interviewing sources, gathering information … then comes the architecture structured to compel the reader to move on. The topic is interesting and all in all this makes the article a riveting read.” -- ”You Can Go Home Again” by Tania Aebi in Cruising World: “This is a magical story of personal transformation. When finished with it, the reader is likely to say: ‘Wow.’ Sharing the story with her readers broadens the impact way beyond family.” -- “Fishing for the Future” by Dick Russell in Northeast Boating: “A comprehensive picture of the challenges and benefits of ocean fish farming, or ‘aquaculture.’ The author clearly knows his stuff, yet without technical jargon veering him off course. His well written account is akin to those in any science magazine.” BWI is a non-profit professional organization consisting of writers, broadcasters, editors, publishers, photographers, public relations specialists and others in the communications profession associated with the boating industry. Members include active marine journalists across the U.S., in Canada and around the world, supporting marine manufacturers and service entities, and associates in communication roles. Journalists interested in entering the BWI Annual Writing Contest, open until December 15, 2009, can find details by visiting www.bwi.org. -0- NMMA Writing Awards The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) presents the Directors’ Discover Boating Awards at the Miami Boat Show media breakfast each February. The awards include five categories with recipients selected by the executive committee of the NMMA Board of Directors. Awards are designed to encourage journalists to communicate the joys of the boating lifestyle to the uninitiated, and winners receive $1,000 and a crystal trophy. Judges select winners based on the following criteria: 1) a welcoming, positive or intriguing portrayal of boating reaching a non-boating audience; 2) the ability to encourage the audience to try boating; 3) originality; and 4) creativity. Stories published or broadcast during the calendar year will be eligible for Directors’ Discover Boating Awards. Applications for the awards are posted at www.nmma.org/press. Sail America Writing Awards The Southam Awards are named in honor of John Southam, former publisher of Cruising World and Sailing World magazines, who played a significant role in the growth of Sail America, the U.S. industry trade association. In addition to the $5000 grand prize, judges select four additional $1000 category winners, and recognize and reward outstanding coverage of sailing by newspaper or magazine columnists. For more information visit www.southamaward.com. Travel Writers Contest The annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation awards nearly $20,000 annually in prize money for outstanding work in print and on the Internet. There is category for Marine Travel, open to articles on water-oriented travel. Yacht travel, sailing and other boat travel could be eligible. Winning stories have been chosen about a houseboat trip, a story on a race in a 1790s coastal trading vessel by a mother with her son (the sailor), and a story about Burma's sea gypsies. Subject matter should be of interest/applicable to the vacationing consumer. The competition is open to all North American journalists, all work must be published in English, and most entry fees are $15 per article. Deadline for entries is April 20 in 2004. A Grand Award, for the best portfolio of work by an individual journalist, is $1,500 Gold, $750 Silver, $500 Bronze. A plaque is given for each of these awards. The 17 categories for individual articles and photography carry awards of $500 Gold, $250 Silver, $150 Bronze. The Gold award winner in each of these 17 categories also receives a plaque, and the Silver and Bronze categories are given framed certificates. The categories for Best Newspaper Travel Sections, Best Magazines and Best Internet Publication/Website do not carry monetary prizes. More information is on the www.satw.org website, or contact the SATW Foundation president, Mary Lu Abbott at maryluabbott@aol.com, 713/532-6461.