Academic

• Includes topics such as theology, ethics, philosophy, history, doctrine, academic or theoretical content and entries have more complex content, references and terminology than contained in books aimed at lay readers.
• Entries have a target market of, professors, scholars, church leaders, clergy, or seminary/post-secondary students

Apologetics/Evangelism

• Entries aim to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defending the faith against objections or relay information about the Christian faith to others with the object of conversion

Biblical Studies

• Entries promote a deeper understanding of biblical topics

Children

• Non-fiction, including children’s picture books whose primary audience are children

Christian Living – Personal Growth, or Inspirational

• Primary focus is reader’s personal growth; developing a relationship with God; helps readers to deepen their faith, become more mature as Christians, live a life that is pleasing to God
• May include accounts of overcoming adversity; reaching new levels of understanding; inspiring readers that similar changes are possible in their own lives
• Content that encourages, strengthens, moves, uplifts readers
• Content motivates readers to put their faith in God, or to deepen their trust in God

Culture / Contemporary Issues

• Content about spiritual formation; spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, study of Scripture, worship, and more
• Topics addressing contemporary issues

Devotional

• Daily or weekly devotionals

Life Stories – Biography & Memoir

• Biography, autobiography, or family history
• Memoir

Middle-Grade

• Middle-grade non-fiction is written for readers aged 8-13 and shares information, true stories, or real-world topics in ways that engage and inform pre-teen readers. They use an accessible voice and age-appropriate language, including clear explanations, examples, or visuals to make ideas easy to grasp. Topics may cover history, science, biography, faith, culture, or other subjects of interest to this age group.

Young Adult

• Young adult non-fiction is written for readers approximately aged 13-18. These works may be stand-alone titles or part of a series and may encompass a range of sub-genres, including but not limited to contemporary, faith, historical, biographical, personal development, and current issues relevant to teens.

Children

• Non-Fiction, including children’s picture books whose primary audience are children

Culture / Contemporary Issues

• Commentary or insights into culture and / or addressing contemporary issues.

Middle-Grade

• Middle-grade non-fiction is written for readers aged 8-13 and shares information, true stories, or real-world topics in ways that engage and inform pre-teen readers. They use an accessible voice and age-appropriate language, including clear explanations, examples, or visuals to make ideas easy to grasp. Topics may cover history, science, biography, faith, culture, or other subjects of interest to this age group.

Young Adult

• Young adult non-fiction is written for readers approximately aged 13-18. These works may be stand-alone titles or part of a series and may encompass a range of sub-genres, including but not limited to contemporary, faith, historical, biographical, personal development, and current issues relevant to teens.

Life Stories

• Biography, autobiography, memoir, or family history.

Blog – Personal

• An online article published by the author and judged on originality, readability and interest. It is similar to a column in that it may comment on a range of issues, including current events, faith and personal / spiritual growth, however the authorial voice may be stronger, more casual or intimate. The focus of a Personal Blog is on the individual writer’s experiences.

Blog – Topical

• An online article published by the author and judged on originality, readability and interest of topic. It is similar to a column in that it may comment on a range of issues, including current events, faith and personal / spiritual growth, however the authorial voice may be stronger, more casual or intimate. The focus of a Topical Blog is on the topic and is less personal.

Column – single

• One column from a series that appeared in a publication or a one-time “guest” column. Pieces are editorial, first person essay, opinion or persuasive writing; commentary on a timely subject

Inspirational/Devotional

• Content that encourages, strengthens, moves, uplifts readers or
• Content motivates readers to put their faith in God, or to deepen their trust in God
• Daily or weekly devotionals are part of this category

Long Feature (1,000 words or more)

• In-depth treatment of a trend, situation
• Explicitly aims to do more than inform (e.g. analyze, contextualize, equip, etc.)
• Research provides a variety of sources, quotations and references
• Writer does not include his/her own thoughts or opinion on issue
• Writer evidences neutrality, balance, evenness of tone and usually writes in third-person

News

• This may be coverage of a spot news event, such as an accident, or a more general event. It covers the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the issue. The writer shows neutrality, balance and evenness of tone. It is written in 3rd Person voice and is a sharing of facts. Weight is given for the accuracy of information found from reputable and multiple sources.

Personal Experience

• First-person or as-told-to narrative in which the author writes about an incident or experience that provided significant personal meaning or a lesson learned

Personal Opinion

• A personal opinion piece about some topic or issue that is important to the writer

Poetry

• Rhymed or free verse; maximum of 40 lines

Profile/Human Interest

• Stories about people; aims to inform and usually also to inspire

Short Feature (under 1,000 words)

• Informs reader about a trend, situation or group of ideas
• Writer should provide some variety of sources and references
• Entry usually written in third-person

An original song released to the public in year related to awards via either

1. CD recording available for sale to the public
2. Public performance, including broadcast, concert, online concert, church or worship settings.
   • Proof of performance is required for this choice
     • List venue, date, approximate number in audience, name and phone number of contact person. Include a scanned copy of printed program/church bulletin if available, highlighting your performance.

In the online form each entrant must upload: a digital copy of typed lyrics with complete credits for lyrics and music and a digital copy of their song being performed. Ensure that the lyrics are clearly audible for judging. You may enter more than one song, but each song must be submitted separately. Song lyrics may be faith-related but are not required to be.

Short Scripts

• SHORT scripts for stage, film, TV or webisodes up to 45 pages in total (collected sketches allowed in aggregate up to the max. ) **Published for scripts means available in paper manuscript form with the intention of distribution to a larger audience it is NOT a requirement that it be performed.**

Full-length stage OR screen play

• A Script of 100 pages or less in standard format. The author has had a script professionally produced. **Published for scripts means available in paper manuscript form with the intention of distribution to a larger audience it is NOT a requirement that it be performed.**

Blog

• An online article published by the author and judged on originality, readability and interest. It is similar to a column in that it may comment on a range of issues, including current events, faith and personal / spiritual growth, however the authorial voice may be stronger, more casual or intimate.
• The focus of a Personal Blog is on the individual writer’s experiences.
• The focus of a Topical Blog is on the topic and is less personal.

Column – single / Standalone Article

• One column from a series that appeared in a publication or a one-time “guest” column. Pieces are editorial, first person essay, opinion or persuasive writing; commentary on a timely subject…. or
• An article that appeared in a publication targeted to the general public.

Long Feature (1,000 words or more)

• In-depth treatment of a trend, situation
• Explicitly aims to do more than inform (e.g. analyze, contextualize, equip, etc.)
• Research provides a variety of sources, quotations and references
• Writer does not include his/her own thoughts or opinion on issue
• Writer evidences neutrality, balance, evenness of tone and usually writes in third-person

News

• This may be coverage of a spot news event, such as an accident, or a more general event. It covers the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the issue. The writer shows neutrality, balance and evenness of tone. It is written in 3rd Person voice and is a sharing of facts. Weight is given for the accuracy of information found from reputable and multiple sources.

Personal Experience

• First-person or as-told-to narrative in which the author writes about an incident or experience that provided significant personal meaning or a lesson learned, or it is a personal opinion about some topic or issue that is important to the writer

Short Script

• SHORT scripts for stage, film, TV or webisodes up to 45 pages in total (collected sketches allowed in aggregate up to the max. ) **Published for scripts means available in paper manuscript form with the intention of distribution to a larger audience it is NOT a requirement that it be performed.**

Full-length Stage or Screen Play

• A Script of 100 pages or less in standard format. The author has had a script professionally produced. **Published for scripts means available in paper manuscript form with the intention of distribution to a larger audience it is NOT a requirement that it be performed.**