BWI’s Annual Writing Contest celebrates its Silver Anniversary this year with 17 categories offering $17,000 in prize awards. All of the details are included on this website under “Writing Contest” and in a brochure posted at www.bwi.org/downloads/BWI-Contest-17.pdf. The electronic entry form (www.bwi.org/bwicontest) provides the process for slotting the entry and handling membership details. Entries can be made by individuals or in the name of the writer through a publisher. BWI members get two free entries; non-members can enter at $50 apiece (or join for $100 and get the two free entries).
This year’s categories include those recently added or updated including “Boating Videos,” “Boating Photography,” “Environmental Awareness & Education,” and “Gear, Electronics and Product Tests.” Entries in all categories are welcome from digital-only or print sources. Category definitions are included in the contest brochure. Deadline for entries is December 31, 2017.
2017 marks the 25th year of the contest which recognizes the best marine writing in the world and presents cash awards to first- ($500), second- ($300) and third-place ($200) scorers. Presentation of awards will be made at the Miami International Boat Show during the BWI Annual Meeting in February 2018.
Each winner also receives a handsome recognition plaque noting “Excellence in creating compelling stories about the boating lifestyle through entertaining, educational and inspiring journalism.” Certificates of Merit are presented to every writer who scores within 95 percent of third-place winners in each category.