2020 sees new paradigms of operation for both the young writer program Panellists and the Senior Writers.
Both these changes have come after serious consultation over many months and in a few weeks they will be implemented.
Panellists
The Panellists are moving to the ARPA model (Australasian Religious Press Association) of only marking the young writers’ selected ‘BEST ARTICLE’.
The proviso conditions have been discussed
- Week editor selects the BEST ARTICLE of a young writer who cannot decide
- Should 2 or more Panellists feel the young writer has short changed themselves with their Selection – those 2 Panellists will decide
- Panellists will receive their articles in any case - there was a strong sentiment as many Panellists enjoy reading the articles
- The marking will be out of 25 points - to ensure no multiple winners
- Giving this as a 1 year trial.
2020 - ‘Week 1’ commences on Monday 20 January.
Each Cycle
Weeks 1-3 - Australians / Kiwis
Week 4 - Internationals
Week 5 - Over 31s (Aust, NZ, Internationals)
The marking period is Cycles 1-5 -
by mid July the BEST ARTICLE selections get sent in.
Senior Writers
Senior writers has already been established in a fresh schedule from Cycle 10, the final of 2019. This means that as 2020 commences, the new system is already in place.
That is, every senior writer has their article due as if it was designated the 1st week of each Cycle.
There are 10 Cycles in 2020
Week 1
Cycle 1 Frid 10 Jan - publishing week Mon 20 Jan
Cycle 2 Frid 14 Feb - publishing week Mon 24 Feb
Cycle 3 Frid 20 Mar - publishing week Mon 30 Mar
Cycle 4 Frid 24 Apr - publishing week Mon 4 May
Cycle 5 Frid 29 May - publishing week Mon 8 June
Cycle 6 Frid 3 Jul - publishing week Mon 13 July
Cycle 7 Frid 7 Aug - publishing week Mon 17 Aug
Cycle 8 Frid 11 Sept - publishing week Mon 21 Sept
Cycle 9 Frid 16 Oct - publishing week Mon 26 Oct
Cycle 10 Frid 20 Nov - publishing week Mon 30 Nov
This then follows the same model as both the Kiwis and the International young writers – their articles too are all due on the due date for each and every Cycle.
Gavin Lawrie coordinates the senior writers. In 2020 Gavin will send the reminders for their Cycle due dates, the entire 20 senior writers.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Dr Mark Tronson’s Press Service International in 2019 was awarded the Australasian Religious Press Association’s premier award, The Gutenberg.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html