Photo - Josh Hinds and David Goodwin -2017 young writer conference
The Press Service International (PSI) young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today released the long awaited 'Awards Commission' report developed by Major Christina Tyson of Wellington NZ. Christina had headed up the New Zealand Salvation Army Media Unit and had been a foundation New Zealand Young Writer Panellist and for some years a PSI senior writer.
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 this year (2018) for the annual awards of the young writer program.
Stake holders made submissions to Christina Tyson and this was the outcome - published to the PSI network last September.
The 2018 Panellists only have a couple of weeks remaining for their marking deliberations so this is now relevant to the young writer program.
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.
Photo - Bonnie Dowie – Chairman's Award - 2017 young writer conference
Proposal 1:
Establish two Press Service International awards per program (Australia, New Zealand, International, Sport) that serve the following purposes:
- to identify the bestof our Young Writers; and
- to identify and encourage emergingwriting talent from these Young Writers.
- Best Young Writer: To identify and celebrate the best young writers.
Criteria:
- Aged 18 to 30 years in the award year.
- The over 30's (31-35) are in a separate category - Over 30's - with a separate 'first' only award.
- Has submitted writing for eachof 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 legitmate late time -
Exceptions:
- 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.
- 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.
- Has achieved the highest total marks for the entire marking cycle.
- Where there is a tie, Statisticians will reviewmarks to identify one winner.
- 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.
Photo - Bridget Brenton - 2017 young writer conference
- 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:
- Aged 18 to 30 years in the award year.
- Writing for the 'first time', or a regular writer who has made 'notable improvements' (as evidenced by Panellists’ marks or recommendations).
- Has not previously won either the Best Emerging Writer or Best Writer Awards.
- Has achieved the highest total mark across the entire voting cycle.
- Where there is a tie, Statisticians will review marks to identify one winner.
- A runner-up award may also be awardedas 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 30's - and now called our 'emerging young writers' as distinguished from our 'young writers'.
Photo - Caitlyn Furler 'Best Article' Award - 2017 young writer conference
2018 f - Awards. 18-30's
1st
Runner up
Emerging writer
(there may be a runner up award, this is optional)
Over 30's
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
Photo - 2017 young writer conference
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