Contest Requirements

SELC's annual Phillip D. Reed Memorial Award for Outstanding Writing on the Southern Environment seeks to enhance public awareness of the value and vulnerability of the region’s natural heritage by giving special recognition to writers who most effectively tell the stories about the South’s environment.

There are two categories for entries: Book, for works of non-fiction (not self-published),and Journalism, for newspaper and magazine writing, and online writing that is published by a recognized institution such as a newspaper, university or non-profit organization, and is journalistic in nature. The primary judging criteria is the quality of writing. Prizes of $1,000 are awarded to the winner in each category. Winners will be invited to read from their winning entry a special SELC event during the Virginia Festival of the Book, held every March in Charlottesville, VA.

For Reed Award 2012

  • Entries must be published during 2011.
  • Minimum length of 3,000 words per entry. Awards go to an individual writer, or are split among two co-writers per entry; each writer must meet the minimum word requirement. Submissions with more than two authors must indicate which two are being nominated.
  • Nominations can be made by anyone, including the author or publisher. 
  • Entries must relate to the natural resources in at least one of SELC’s states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia.
  • Entries must be received by January 13, 2012.
  • Send 16 copies, at least one of which must be an original format to verify publication. Send to: Reed Award, SELC, 201 W. Main Street, Ste 14, Charlottesville, VA  22902. Submissions cannot be returned.
  • For Journalism entries, articles may be a series on one topic or a collection on unrelated topics, as long as each article pertains to the environment in one of the six states listed above. The entry as a whole must meet the minimum word length. Entries must be accompanied by a digital version (email or CD) to verify word length.


Printable PDF of the release (please spread the news!)

Click here for a 4-page pamphlet about the award (pdf)

 

For more information contact:
Cathryn McCue cmccue -at- selcva -dot- org
Reed Writing Award Administrator
Southern Environmental Law Center
201 West Main Street, Suite 14 Charlottesville, VA
22902-5065 (434) 977-4090

 

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