SATW FOUNDATION
LOWELL THOMAS TRAVEL JOURNALISM COMPETITION
23 Years of Rewarding Journalists for Outstanding Work in the Field
2008 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, 2007 – March 31, 2008, 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. You may submit original clippings/tearsheets, photocopies or printouts from Web sites. Prepare entries so they can be read easily by judges. 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 tearsheets as necessary and then staple the sheets 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.
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, and 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 articles, 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 you want a submission in both Grand Award and a specific category, you must submit these separately. If the Grand Award entry includes work online or in audio and/or video, follow those guidelines for preparation.
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.
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.
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: 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.
The judging: Judging will be done by the Missouri School of Journalism faculty. Judges may switch entries to another category and disqualify those that do not meet guidelines.
The awards: We give nearly $20,000 in prize money to Gold, Silver and Bronze winners. For the Grand Award, monetary prizes are: Gold $1,500, Silver $750, 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 among multiple bylines. An individual or publication winning the Gold Award in a category three years in a row is retired from that category competition for two years.
Announcing winners: Awards will be announced at the Society of American Travel Writers convention in October 2008 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. Send a packet with all entries and one check or money order payable to SATW Foundation in U.S. funds for the total amount for all entries. 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 to:
SATW Foundation Competition
C/O Katherine Reed, Coordinator
Missouri School of Journalism
306 Lee Hills Hall
Columbia, MO 65211-0001
For shipping only: Phone (573) 882-1792
(Sign release to allow delivery w/o signature.)
The deadline: ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 4, 2008.
Go to: Entry Form - Categories - Introduction
|