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Judging
See “Instructions for Judges” below for more information on how the judging will be carried out. We are grateful to the following individuals for participating as judges in this year’s contest:
Fiction Panel:
Roger Farr is Convener of the Creative Writing Program at Capilano University, where he also edits CUE Books (Capilano University Editions). He is the author of SURPLUS, a book of poetry, IKMQ, a collection of micro-fiction that is forthcoming in 2009, and is co-author of N 49 19. 47—W 123 8. 11. His essays on culture, politics and communication have also been published widely. Currently he is editing a three-volume anthology of contemporary Canadian poetry and poetics: Open Text: Canadian Poetry in the 21st Century.
Dede Gaston
Dede Gaston, who writes as Dede Crane, is the author of several novels including the nationally acclaimed Sympathy, which was a finalist for the Victoria Butler Book Prize, and the teen novel The 25 pains of Kennedy Baines. Her most recent books are The Cult of Quick Repair, a collection of stories and (as co-editor) Great Expectations, a collection of essays about the experience of giving birth. Her first published story was short-listed for the CBC Literary Award, and she has since published stories in numerous literary journals, as well as reviewing books for The Globe and Mail, The Shambhala Sun, and The Times Colonist. Her latest teen novel will be out in the spring of 2009.
Dr. Wendy Strachan, author of “Writing-Intensive: Becoming Writing Faculty in a new Writing Curriculum”, is passionate about the importance of writing for the writer. She has been writing and working with K-12 teachers and with university professors on teaching writing for nearly thirty years. As Director of National Writing Project sites in Asia, Athens and more recently Europe, she offered workshops and graduate courses in 34 countries and approximately 50 schools.
Non-Fiction Panel:
Cale Cowan is the Managing editor of the Nanaimo Daily News, Alberni Valley Times and the Harbour City Star. He has worked as a reporter and editor in newsrooms across Canada, and is a past director of the BC Press Council.
Margaret Thompson (http://members.shaw.ca/magpye/index.html) was an English teacher in high schools in England and BC, as well as a sessional instructor at the College of New Caledonia. She is the author of five books and has had many essays, stories and poems published in literary magazines. She is a past president of the Federation of BC Writers, and still works on the editorial board of its quarterly journal, WordWorks. She occasionally does editing work, and continues to write, mostly creative non-fiction.
Frank Moher is Professor and Chair of the Department of Creative Writing and Journalism at Vancouver Island University. As a journalist, Frank has written for Saturday Night magazine (where he also worked as an editor), the National Post, The Globe and Mail, The Vancouver Sun, the Georgia Straight, and Salon. He is currently editor of the online magazine http://www.backofthebook.ca and also writes for theatre, radio, and film.
Instructions for Judges Printable version
Thank you for agreeing to participate in this community project. Your contribution is gratefully appreciated. Please review the enclosed contest rules (or see the web site at http://members.shaw.ca/sixtyeightwrites). If you require further information or clarification, please contact the contest coordinator as indicated below.
1) Commitment & obligations: By agreeing to participate as a judge in this contest you commit to participate as outlined below. There is no obligation to perform any other work, to participate in promotional activities or to enter into any contract. You are not required to provide specific feedback on any work submitted, although you may do so if you wish.
Because the credibility and prestige of the judges is key factor in determining the value of this contest, your agreement to participate includes agreeing to the use of your name and biographical information on the contest web site, in promotional materials and in any anthology of any format that may result. You are asked to supply a brief biographical sketch, and a photograph if possible. If you must withdraw due to circumstances beyond your control, please notify the contest coordinator at the earliest opportunity, and if possible suggest the name of a colleague who would be willing to be approached to participate.
This is a non-profit, community supported, educational enterprise. The organizers are committed volunteers, and will make all reasonable efforts to complete the contest as advertised. The contest coordinator will be responsible for arrangements as outlined below.
2) Entries: You will receive a package of entries as soon as possible after the contest deadline (March 23, 2009). Each judge will be responsible for one category only, i.e. either fiction or non-fiction.
3) Selection of short-list: Judges are asked to review entries with respect to the judging criteria described in the contest rules, and select the [e.g. 3 to 10; but will depend on number of entries] best to submit to the judges’ conference. Notify the contest coordinator of your selections via email by May 11, 2009 at the latest (earlier is fine, too!). The contest coordinator will combine the individual short-lists, and email to each judge a final short-list of entries.
4) Judging conference: A conference to discuss the short-listed entries and determine prize winners will be held via Skype (tentatively 12 or 13 May, 2009). During the discussions each judge will be asked to select what they consider to be the top 3 entries, which will create a list of finalists that may range from as few as 3 to as many as 9 entries depending on the degree of agreement among the judges. Short-listed entries that are eliminated at this point will be designated “Honourable Mention”. Judges will be asked to vote for First, Second and Third among the remaining entries, and points will be awarded as follows: First – 3 points, Second – 2 points and Third – 1 point. If necessary, a run-off vote will be conducted to break a tie. The top three entries will be the prize winners, and any remaining entries will be designated “Finalist”. Judges may also choose not to award prizes. Winners are to be announced by early June 2009.
5) Feedback: To assist in evaluation of the contest, your feedback would be appreciated at any time. Please address comments via email to the contest coordinator (contact information below).
6) Summary of timeline (2009):
23 March Entry deadline March – May Review & evaluate entries 11 May Provide short-list to coordinator 12 or 13 May Participate in judging conference
Contest Coordinator email: sixtyeightwrites@shaw.ca
Contest web site address: http://members.shaw.ca/sixtyeightwrites |
