WOLFoundation (or “Web of Life” Foundation) — a non-profit “aimed at encouraging fresh thinking and clear, accessible, enjoyable writing on subjects related to our environment” — is currently running their annual contest that looks for the best essays on issues related to the environment. Not only is this a perfect opportunity to shed light on the fact that animal agriculture is a top contributor to climate change, but WOLFoundation awards up to $2,000 to the writer with the winning entry — and the top 20 entries will be published in a book.
Whenever I’ve alerted you to contests like this one in the past, I usually just send you to their guidelines page. But because I am so ga-ga over the WOLFoundation’s guidelines, I’m pasting them below — and I’m bolding the parts I love the most:
What we are looking for
Our judging process will reward two main attributes in the submissions received: fresh thinking and a clear, compelling writing style. We are looking for entries that everyone will want to read.
All viewpoints welcome
Any and all views are welcome and encouraged. We would like to see entries that address all perspectives – whether for or against any particular stance. Just avoid giving us tired ideas that have been hashed out many times before.
Fact or fiction?
Entries should be written in prose in the English language. You can submit essays or short stories, factual commentary or fiction – whichever way and whichever writing style you choose to communicate your ideas. Just make it compelling.
Who can enter?
Everyone is welcome
What to submit
Essays should be aimed at a general readership and should be non-technical. No footnotes or citations are allowed.
Submissions should be no longer than 3,000 words.
But English is not my first language!
Don’t worry. We are mainly after clearly presented ideas not language perfection. If your essay reaches the finalists, we will help with editing the language.
When to submit
Submissions for the 2011 competition should be submitted by email no later than December 15th 2011. Winners will be announced March 1st, 2012.
Entry to the competition is free of charge.
Copyright
Copyright for all submissions remain with the authors. In submitting their work, authors grant the Web of Life Foundation an irrevocable license to print, publish, distribute and publicize the submitted work.
For full details of the terms and conditions visit our Submit Your Entry page.