Deadline: 31 October 2010
This year, we've decided to offer you more creative freedom and yes, we have 2 fun and exciting themes to work with – go wild and let your thoughts and imaginations run free.
This is YOUR chance to explore South Africa’s National Parks...with words.
Themes
* "Unforgettable moments in the Wild"
* "Animal Encounters to Remember"
We have decided on 7 different categories
* Short Stories (real account) (1 000 - 2 500 words)
* Essays
o Adults (4 000 words)
o Children (2 000 words)
* Photo Essays
Please keep images to 300kb and under and allow your powerful images tell a story of your experience (but making sure it is aligned to our two themes.) Please include captions for the images as well as a brief essay.
o Adults (10-20 images)
o Children (5-10)
* Poetry (50– 150 words)
* Trip Reports (accounts of real trips to the Parks)
Material submitted in this category should comprise of an engagingly written account/report of a trip to a SANParks park over the last 12 months. Reports in this category should convey a strong sense of place.
* Stories (real account) by Children (ages 8 - 12)
* Stories (real account) by Children (ages 13 - 17)
Prizes
* Prizes to the total value of R30 000 will be distributed to the winners and will include accommodation and branded merchandise.
Competition Rules
* Your entry/entries must make reference to the competition theme.
* Your entry/entries must be original, in English, unpublished and not accepted by any other publisher or producer at the time of submission.
* This is an online initiative and as such only electronic copy will be accepted.
* Entrants should submit their writing via e-mail as attached word documents to melanieg@sanparks.org with the subject line of the e-mail clearly stating:
o Writing Competition and Category (e.g. 2010 Writing Competition: Poetry).
* Each word document should also be prefaced by the following information.
o Name: Joe Blob
o Postal Address: P.O. Box xyz
o Physical Address
o Nationality: South African
o Cellphone/mobile (if a minor - please send through guardian's number): 6843754733
o Land Line: 7632654p48
o E-mail: xyz@email.com
o Category: Poetry
o Word Count: 157
* You can enter more than one piece of writing. If you do however; each piece must have a category clearly indicated in the upper left-hand corner. This information will be entered into our database and confirmation of receipt will be sent to you.
Judging and Notification
* Entries accepted for display are determined at the discretion of the Web Content Editor.
* Every entry will be read by the Web Content Editor. The Web Content Editor reserves the right to re-categorise entries.
* The entries in each category deemed suitable for publication will be made available on the SANParks website, where they will be publicly judged in an electronic poll (on the Forums), hosted on the SANParks site. Voters will be required to fill a simple electronic voting form.
* You will receive notification of the receipt of your manuscript via e-mail.
* Entries must be received by 12 noon 31 October 2010.
Privacy
* SANParks retains the right to use your entries in future publications, print and online. Your manuscripts will not be made available to third parties.
* For more information visit www.sanparks.org or e-mail the competition co-ordinator at melanieg@sanparks.org.