October 29th - 31st 2010The Past, Present and Future of the Written Word
New Media Writing Prize
Poole Literary Festival is delighted to announce their partnership with The Media School at Bournemouth University to establish a prize for new media writing. The prize will allow writers working with new media to showcase their skills, provoke discussion and raise awareness of new media writing and the future of the written word.
The competition is now closed. For more information on the Entry Rules please read here (PDF) and make sure you check out the Judging Panel (PDF). For the latest news and discussions from the judges on the future of the written word be sure to read the New Media Writing Prize blog.
'This award is breaking genuinely new ground in looking at how digital technology is transforming written communication. As the first award of its kind globally it will be a landmark in the increasingly exciting arena of new media writing and I am thrilled to be involved.' Michael Bhaskar, a member of the judging panel.
The shortlisted entries for 2010 are as follows:
Professional PrizeNaomi Alderman: The Winter House
Katharine Norman: Yes Really
Christine Wilks: Underbelly
Alan Bigelow: My Summer Vacation
Jim Andrews: On Lionel Kearns
Anna Pitt: The 02 tales
Student Prize
Lorenza Samuels: Evidence
Emily Hollingsworth: Anonymous
Shortlisted entries will be displayed in the interactive gallery, Lighthouse, throughout the festival. The winners for each category will be announced at the New Media Writing Prize Award Ceremony on Sunday 31st October.
About the Competition
What does the competition involve?
We are asking all entrants to create an engaging and interactive narrative, through the use of digital technologies. Typically ‘new media writing’ exploits the potential of the web, which offers readers/viewers a range of narrative ‘activity’ beyond reading a piece of text online or watching a film. For example, a viewer might need to click the mouse on a word or image on screen to activate the next sequence of text, or to link them to the next chapter.
In some cases, interactivity might involve the reader/viewer in making choices about how the story progresses (remember those ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books?). There might be game-like elements, e.g. answer a question before the next episode or chapter is activated. There might be a choice of themes for the reader/viewer to explore, rather than follow the conventional chapter 1,2,3,4 pattern. Some new media narratives allow readers/viewers to follow characters, again rather than the usual chapter structure. It’s up to you to use new media inventively to build your narrative; and it’s up to you to include interactivity engagingly for the reader/viewer.
Is there a prize?
For each of the two categories, student and professional, there will be a chance to win an Apple iPad and £250. Plus, prize winners will be advised on how to get their winning idea published by Creative Content who specialise in digital audio books. Winning entries will be published on the Poole Literary Festival & Bournemouth University websites and may also be published on relevant new media writing partners’ websites and in media/press releases.
When is the deadline?
Midday on September 15th 2010. The competition is now closed. If you missed out this year please try again in 2011. To keep updated on 2011's competition make sure you sign up to our newsletter.
What are you looking for?
We are looking for good storytelling (fiction or non-fiction) written specifically for delivery and reading/viewing on a PC or Mac, the web or a hand-held device such as a mobile phone. It could be a short story, novel, documentary or poem using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction.
We are looking for creativity, so try to be imaginative to create an engaging story i.e. combining any number of media elements, such as words on a screen combined with images and video clips. New media writing can be created using a variety of tools i.e. a word processor, DV camera, social networking tools (i.e. Twitter), mobile phone/s, a scanner – anything goes!
What are you NOT looking for?
We are not looking for a story/poem which you can upload to a web page or place on a disc.
We are not looking for screens of words uploaded to your blog and we are not looking for a slideshow of photos uploaded to Flickr or a video uploaded to YouTube.
What are the judging criteria?
The judges will be looking for the following:
- Innovative use of new media to create an engaging, satisfying narrative or poem
- Ease of accessibility for the reader/viewer
- Effective use of interactive elements
- An example of how new media can do things traditional media can’t
Can you recommend examples of new media writing?
Consensus Trance no.1: by Andy Campbell (PLF Judge) from Dreaming methods
Stories for the web: by Alan Bigelow
Applying for the Competition
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply! Whether you’re a student, a professional, an artist, a writer, a Flash designer or an enthusiast, the competition is open to all. It’s also an international competition, open to all outside the UK. For Entry Rules click here.
I’m a writer but my technical knowledge is limited - how can I get involved?
If you have a new media story in mind and would like to collaborate with digital artists, look for volunteers to help you. There are many artists on Mandy, Arts Job Finder or try local volunteer centres such as Volunteering Dorset
How do I submit my work?
Each entry should be submitted by email to prize@poolelitfest.com by midday on September 15th 2010.
Each emailed entry should contain an active URL for the judges to access your work. However if your entry is for viewing on a mobile phone or other electronic device, please provide clear instructions on how to view your piece. It’s important you read the Entry Rules before submitting, otherwise you could be disqualified.
About New Media
What is new media?
New media is a broad term for communicating information dynamically and interactively. It is the amalgamation of traditional media such as films, images, music and the written word but with interactive features. Interactivity is enabled through digital means such as computer programmes, games consoles, computer hand-held devices, communication technologies and the internet. Interaction such as online multi-player gaming and social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and Wikis) for example, allow users to behave actively instead of passively through creative participation, feedback and community formation.
Why are you having a new media writing competition at Poole Literary Festival?
With the popular demand of eBooks, which can be read on devices such as Amazon’s Kindle, new opportunities have arisen for writers. Publishers are beginning to realise the potential of the new art form in creating interactive eBooks and we hope the prize will raise awareness, reward those working in new media and add to the debate. Read what Michael Bhaskar, Digital Publishing Manager at Profile Books, has to say on his view from the publishing office. This new digital platform offers writers the chance to explore a playground of limitless creations and new opportunities to collaborate with other artists. Are you a writer and put off by all this technology? Don’t be, read what one of our judges Tim Wright has to say about digital writing.
More Info
The copyright of each New Media writing entry remains with the author. The authors of the winning entries grant Poole Literary Festival Company the right to use the entries in publicity material.
