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 UnaMarson 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 (UnaMarson Award, 1993). The last winning title of the UnaMarson 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.
UNA MARSON AWARD FOR ADULT LITERATURE
Named in honour of poet, playwright and broadcaster UnaMarson (Tropic Reveries, At What a Price, Pocomania) the 2015 UnaMarson Award for adult literature will accept fiction and creative non-fiction manuscripts. The award accepts novels and other full-length creative non-fiction works as well as short story and essay collections.
Entries should not be less than 50,000 words and should be of a non-technical, non-specialist nature, be likely to appeal to the general reader and demonstrate literary qualities and techniques. These can include memoirs, biographies and autobiographies as well as works of history and contemporary culture.
Entries should not be less than 50,000 words. Graphic novels are not eligible for entry.
WINNING ENTRY – J$500,000.00.
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
Please refer to: