$58,500 available for Christian writers

WORLD readers who write often ask us for information on Christian writing contests they could enter that offer big financial rewards. We know of only two that have first prize awards of $1,000 or more and don’t have entry fees or other hidden costs, but please write to June McGraw if you know of others.

The Aikman Opportunity Award for Young Christian Writers is a new contest for those under age 35 who hope to write a 75,000- to 100,000-word nonfiction testimony book. The winning author will receive $20,000, and three runners-up will get $1,500 each. Contestants are to submit a 1,000- to 1,500-word book proposal by May 1. Finalists will be invited to write 2,000- to 4,000-word proposals explaining the vision and authenticity of their stories. The winner, to be announced on Oct. 1, will receive $10,000 then and the remaining $10,000 on Oct. 1, 2014, the deadline for the completed book. Visit the Aikman Award website for more information.

The long-standing Amy Writing Awards offer a first prize of $10,000 and 14 additional awards totaling $24,000. Those awards emphasize Bible-based journalistic writing through secular media outlets such as city or college newspapers, local or national magazines, or news websites. Columns and opinion pieces are eligible, but news or feature articles with original reporting receive preference. Articles published during the first six months of 2013 should be submitted by July 15. For more information visit the Amy Awards page found on this website. (This is the first year WORLD is administering the Amy Awards.)