North American Guild of Beer Writers announces competition

The fine folks at the North American Guild of Beer Writers recently announced its 2nd annual competition for writers, bloggers, broadcasters and authors. We’re big fans of this group, and (who knows?) maybe we’ll submit a few entries.

As many of you know, as of June 2014 there are more than 3,000 breweries in existence with many new breweries and brewpubs in planning across the United States. When Canada is included, that number climbs even higher. Yet many media outlets in cities and towns of all sizes still do not regularly cover craft beer or brewing in their local newspapers, magazines or radio stations.

With the formation of the North American Guild of Beer Writers (NAGBW) and an annual writing competition, the NAGBW aims to broaden the conversation about beer and brewing, raise the standards of writing, provide leadership and continuing education for practitioners of our profession, while also encouraging and supporting more participation throughout all media channels.

The 2014 NAGBW is now accepting award entries at submittable.com.

The NAGBW’s Awards honor the best beer and brewing industry coverage in eight categories. Journalism, feature writing, freelance authors, blogs and broadcast — published in print or online — are eligible.

Judges will evaluate entries based on the following criteria:

• Readability 25 percent
• Voice and style 25 percent
• Knowledge of subject/accuracy/factual content 20 percent
• Creativity/originality 15 percent
• Interest/newsworthiness 15 percent

Deadline to apply: August 25, 2014
Beer writing/broadcasts dated between July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014, are eligible.

Fees are prorated for members ($15 per entry)/non-members ($30 per entry). You must be a current paid member of the NAGBW to get the discount. To join the NAGBW, please allow 24 hours for your application to be processed at www.nagbw.org

Online submissions are being accepted here via submittable.com, including books in PDF format. Large files are accepted. If your book is only available in print, please fill out the entry form online, using a letter with shipping info to notify that the books are being shipped. Please send two copies of books with a copy of the completed submittable form to Erika Bolden, attn: NAGBW Awards, P.O. Box ___ Santa Monica, CA 90405.