The Press Service International young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today has released the long awaited 'Awards Commission' report developed by Major Christina Tyson of Wellington NZ, who heads up the New Zealand Salvation Army Media Unit and a New Zealand Young Writer Panellist.
Christina Tyson was assigned the chair of the 'Awards Commission' role to collate submissions from young writers, panellists and senior writers to establish a protocol as from 2018 for the annual awards of the young writer program.
Stake holders made submissions to Christina Tyson and now we can release the report.
Press Service International Young Writers Awards Programme
The aim of the Young Writers programme is to inspire Christian young people aged 18-35 to exercise their voice in the marketplace of ideas. Annual recognition is provided for those aged 18-30 years through an awards programme that covers writers contributing from Australia, New Zealand, Internationals and Sports.
2017 young writer conference – Sport Writers - Josh Hinds (Agnes Waters, Bundaberg) and David Goodwin (Melbourne) and editor of the Sallies' WarCry.
Proposal 1:
Establish two Press Service International awards per program (Australia, New Zealand, International, Sport) that serve the following purposes:
- to identify the best of our Young Writers; and
- to identify and encourage emerging writing talent from these Young Writers.
1. Best Young Writer: To identify and celebrate the best young writers.
Criteria:
a. Aged 18 to 30 years in the award year.
b. The over 30s (31–35) are in a separate category—Over 30s—with a separate 'first' only award.
c. Has submitted writing for each of the year’s voting cycles. Repeated articles are marked for each young writer's “Best Article” of the year—but not counted for the major awards (see exemptions below). There is a Friday deadline and providing original content is part of the discipline of writing—with the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) as legitimate late time
Exceptions:
c.i. In extraordinary circumstances (such as a bereavement) and with permission, a writer may miss one voting cycle. At the end of the year’s voting cycle, this writer receives the average mark of the total of their other articles for that missed cycle.
c.ii. Again with permission, someone who commenced in cycle two could also be allowed to have their marks averaged across the year to give them a mark for cycle one and thereby compete in that year’s awards.
d. Has achieved the highest total marks for the entire marking cycle.
e. Where there is a tie, Statisticians will review marks to identify one winner.
f. A runner-up award may also be awarded. (Following the above process in terms of marks and discussion if there is a tied result.) This will provide an additional measure of recognition and motivation for ongoing improvement.
2. Best Emerging Young Writer: To identify and encourage writing talent from among new writers, and to motivate improvement among regular writers.
Note: Theoretically, it would be possible for the same person to win Best Writer and Best Emerging Writer.
Criteria:
a. Aged 18 to 30 years in the award year.
b. Writing for the 'first time', or a regular writer who has made 'notable improvements' (as evidenced by Panellists’ marks or recommendations).
c. Has not previously won either the Best Emerging Writer or Best Writer Awards.
d. Has achieved the highest total mark across the entire voting cycle.
e. Where there is a tie, statisticians will review marks to identify one winner.
f. A runner-up award may also be awarded as an additional measure of recognition and motivation for ongoing improvement.
Notes
Financial awards are not discussed as that depends entirely on a sponsor.
The young writer is required to be in attendance at the awards presentation - especially when air fare scholarships are provided to Australian and New Zealand young writers winners.
The same young writer may win the major award for more than one year.
We require every young writer to inform us when they turn 31 and are then slotted into the Over 30s.
2018 f—Awards. 18–30's
1st
Runner-up
Emerging writer
Over 30s
1st
Outside this remit
Theology Award
Chairman's Award
Press Service International welcomes enquiries from young people to become part of the young writer program—timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713
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.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html