BRANTFORD, ONTARIO—The Word Guild is still looking for submissions of any work published in 2012 by Canadian writers who are Christian.  The Word Awards honour the best writing published in 34 categories, including blogs, novels, nonfiction books, news articles, devotionals, columns, poems, short stories, and song lyrics. Both writers and publishers may submit work for the contest.

Though the round-one submission deadline passed on October 31st, writers may still submit work published from January 1 through September, 2012, but at a slightly higher entry fee. Round two remains open for work published from October 1 through December 31, 2012—deadline January 15, 2013. Visit our website under the Resources tab for the Official 2013 Submission guidelines and online entry form.

This contest is not restricted to members of The Word Guild. It is open to any Canadian citizen or permanent resident who affirms The Apostles' Creed. Entrants range from journalists and academics to writers who have self-published their first book, or for those who publish exclusively on the Internet.

The Awards program, sponsored by The Word Guild, a national association of Canadian writers and editors who are Christian, is designed to raise the profile of Canadian writers who are Christian, and to encourage them in the pursuit of excellence in the art, craft, practice, and ministry of writing.

All entrants receive constructive critiques from the judges to help them improve their writing. Either the writer or the publisher may enter the work. In fact, publishers are encouraged to enter work on behalf of their writers to raise the profile of their publications and to encourage their staff or freelance writers to pursue excellence.

All shortlisted finalists in the book categories will be automatically entered to win the $5,000 Grace Irwin Prize.  In addition to a cash prize, winners will receive on-stage recognition at the annual Awards Gala in Toronto on June 12, 2013.

If questions remain after reading the information on the website, contestants may contact The Word Guild's contest coordinator, Mary Ann Benjamins, at:awards[at]thewordguild[dot]com.

For the complete release look under the media tab.