Jamaican Writers Society is a professional organization consisting of Jamaican Writers of all genres of writing. This includes: Poets, Bloggers, Fiction Writers, Non-fiction Writers, Playwrights, Children Story Writers, Song Writers, etc.
The JaWS/JAMCOPY
Lignum Vitae Writing Awards
Background:
The Jamaican Writers Society (JaWS) and the Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY) are collaborating to resuscitate the Una Marson and Vic Reid Awards for adult and children’s literature respectively. These nationally instituted awards, by the now dormant National Book Development Council (NBDC) are being re-vitalized and re-imagined in order to stimulate the emergence of a new crop writers and writing in Jamaica.
The Awards were previously staged biennially from 1993 through to 2006 during which time they significantly impacted the careers of many writers. Under the auspices of the Book Development Council, at least two of the winning entries were published: Pam Mordecai’s Ezra’s Goldfish (Vic Reid Award, 1993) and Garfield Ellis’ Flaming Hearts and Other Stories (Una Marson Award, 1993). The last winning title of the Una Marson Award, Kei Miller’s novel The Last Warner Woman has also been published.
JaWS and JAMCOPY are seeking to build on the solid foundation laid down by the Book Development Council of Jamaica. The resuscitated awards will now come under the general nomenclature of the Lignum Vitae Writing Awards, a name which artfully emanates the national stature of the awards as well as symbolizes the elements of strength and beauty of the writing we wish to uncover and showcase.
JEAN D’COSTA AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (under 13 years)
This award is named in honour of novelist Jean D’Costa (Escape to Last Man’s Peak and Sprat Morrison). The 2015 Jean D’Costa Award for children’s literature will accept fiction manuscripts written for children age 13 years and younger.
Novels as well as collections of short stories are accepted.
Entries should be no less than 15,000 words. No accompanying illustrations are required and graphic novels are not currently eligible for entry.
WINNING ENTRY – J$250,000.00
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
A copy of the lodgement slip can be submitted electronically to jamaicanwriters@cwjamaica.com
JUDGING
RESULTS AND PUBLICATION
For more information write to jamaicanwriters@cwjamaica.com or contact:
Jamaican Writers Society
JaWS Literary Competition
c/o Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency
17 Ruthven Road Building 1 Kingston 10
or visit: http://www.jamaicanwriterssociety.wordpress .com or http://www.facebook.com/lignumvitaeawards
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