LOWELL THOMAS TRAVEL JOURNALISM COMPETITION
26 Years of Rewarding Journalists for Outstanding Work in the Field
2010 Entry Guide
Eligibility, Rules & Preparation of Entries
Who’s eligible: The competition is open to all North American journalists. Work by foreign journalists is not eligible. Multiple bylines are acceptable.
What’s eligible: Work must have been published/broadcast in English April 1, 2009 – March 31, 2010, except as noted in specific categories. Category 2 Newspaper Travel Sections, Category 3 Magazines and Category 22 Online Travel Journalism Sites are for North American publishers. Work by journalists may be in either North American or foreign publications and is not restricted to travel publications only — travel topics may have appeared/aired in media covering other topics, also. Advertorials, work produced under contract for commercial promotion and newsletter issues/articles are not eligible. Series are not eligible unless noted specifically in a category.
The rules: An entry normally is a single submission, unless otherwise specified. You may submit as many entries as desired; however, a single work cannot be submitted in more than two categories, though you also may include it as part of a multiple-submission category, such as Grand Award. A separate copy of the work is required for each entry. An entry can win only one award, although it also may be part of a winning package, such as the Grand Award. No entries will be returned. Further rules are noted within categories.
The fees: Fees are noted with each category. Payment must be in U.S. funds.
Preparing entries: Use a separate entry form for each entry BUT SEND ONLY ONE CHECK FOR ALL ENTRIES. You may submit original clippings/tearsheets, photocopies or printouts from Web sites. Prepare entries so judges can read them easily. For instance: Staple together magazine pages or 8.5 x 11 printouts. For odd-sized newspaper clippings/tearsheets, you may attach them to 8.5 x 11 paper, fold the tearsheets as necessary and then staple the pages together. Entries should show the name and date of publication, headline and byline(s). Put category number, category name and journalist’s name on top of first sheet of each entry – or if there’s no room, attach a sheet with the information. Note: Staple the entry form to the entry when possible.
Summary note: If desired, particularly for the Grand Award, Newspaper Travel Sections, Magazines, Special Packages/Projects, Books and Online Travel Journalism Sites categories, you may include a succinct note explaining the focus/goal of the work and/or what distinguishes it, and/or pertinent background/philosophy, and how it serves your audience. This is not mandatory and does not factor into the judging.
For article categories: Exclude graphics and pictures if possible, unless otherwise noted in category or if too difficult to separate from text. There should be only one article; but short consumer information boxes and short sidebars with it may be included. An article that tells the story in several short takes may be entered. However, entries with multiple, longer stories and series must go into the Special Packages/Projects category.
For Grand Award: For entries, prepare as noted above; at top of first sheet of each entry, write Grand Award and name of applicable category (i.e. Grand Award – Marine Travel). Prepare one entry form and attach a sheet listing the specific submissions. If the Grand Award entry includes work online or in audio and/or video, follow those guidelines for preparation. If you want a submission in both Grand Award and a specific category, you must submit these separately.
For photography categories: Follow guidelines in “Preparing entries” (above) with text and photography included. Photos that alter reality in the frame are ineligible; corrections of color, contrast, etc., and cropping are OK but “contrived” or “untrue” photos are not. Note: Work by foreign photographers is not eligible.
For Online/Internet entries: Submit completed entry form and provide the following on the form or separate sheet attached: (1) Web address (URL) or other information to access material; (2) name and brief description of Web site/entry; (3) name of editor or producer for the site or name of the author/producer of the work. Entrants for the Online Travel Journalism Sites category should include a brief guide that notes the goal/purpose or major features/strengths.
Note: Online work may be entered in categories 1, 10-19 and 22 and 25.
For audio and video entries: Each entry must be submitted separately with a completed entry form. For audio, submit each entry on a CD. For video, submit each on a DVD. Label the CDs and DVDs with category number, category name, journalist’s name and subject/title of entry. URL links are permissible if CDs/DVDs cannot be provided. See categories for more rules.
Entry forms (click here for Word document Entry Form): A completed entry form must be submitted with each entry. All contact information must be supplied. When publications submit work done by free-lance journalists, full contact information must be given for the free-lance journalists as well as for the publications. Remember: Work by foreign journalists is not eligible.
The judging: Judging will be done by faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Judges may switch entries to another category and disqualify those that do not meet guidelines.
The awards: We give more than $20,000 in prize money to Gold, Silver and Bronze winners. For the Grand Award, monetary prizes are: Gold $1,500, Silver $750, and Bronze $500. For Categories 2, 3, 10 and 22, there are no monetary awards. For the remaining categories, the prizes are: Gold $500, Silver $250, Bronze $150. Money is split when there is more than one byline; however, if there are numerous contributors, as in a Guidebook sometimes, the honor and the awards go to the coordinating editor.
Announcing winners: Awards will be announced at the Society of American Travel Writers convention in October 2010 in Leipzig, Germany, and posted afterward at www.satwf.com. Winners will be notified individually.
For questions: Contact Mary Lu Abbott, Foundation administrator, via email at awards@satwf.com or via the Foundation Web site, www.satwf.com, or call 713-973-9985.
Mailing procedures: Send an entry form with each entry. You may pay two ways: 1) Use a credit card to make payment through PayPal on our Web site, www.satwf.com, for the total amount for all entries, print a receipt and enclose it when you mail entries. 2) Or when you mail entries, enclose one check or money order for the total amount of all entries, payable to SATW Foundation in U.S. funds. If a company check is delayed and sent separately, attach copies of all entry forms or a list of entries with it so we can make the appropriate credit. If you need confirmation that your entry has been delivered, mail or ship it in a manner that provides such confirmation. We cannot provide confirmation your entry has arrived.
Mailing address: Send your packet with entries and a check made out to SATW Foundation, or a receipt for credit-card payment through PayPal on our Web site under the "2010 Entry Form," to:
SATW Foundation Competition
C/O Winston Cavin, Coordinator
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
UNC-Chapel Hill
284 Carroll Hall
CB# 3365
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3365
For shipping form only: Phone (888) 562-6276
(Sign release to allow delivery w/o signature.)
The deadline: ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1, 2010.