Our contests have opened and we are currently looking for judges. Please review the qualifications for judges to see if you are being called to serve in this manner. Online training is provided for all accepted applicants. Please submit an application form even if you have judged in the past to update our information.
You are welcome to be a judge in a contest that you have entered BUT not in a category that you have entered.
- knowledge of the genre you are judging
- willing/able to fill out an online form
ALL JUDGES MUST BE IN AGREEMENT
If application is accepted, judges are committing their agreement to judge The Word Awards:
- ~As per Published Contest Guidelines (Review the The Word Awards, Guidelines and Categories Pages for more info about the contest)
- ~As per parameters set out by The Word Guild, their staff and approved volunteers during training
- ~Accordingly to any and all written communication regarding judging
- ~In fairness: speaking the truth in love without condescension or harshness. Understanding profanity and name-calling are not acceptable
- ~Without showing partiality to any entrant. Will remove yourself from judging if you cannot be objective (not just that you know the author as the likelihood of you knowing one of the authors is great).
- ~Understanding there is no financial compensation for related judging services
- ~You will be given a coupon for 50% off of your next year’s membership to The Word Guild
- ~You will be entitled to (1) Ticket to The Word Awards Gala(Ticket Non-Transferable)
Fresh Ink & In The Beginning Judges:
- supportive of novice writers
- able to encourage writers
- willing to give novice writers guidance and critiques
- able to read (shorter) pieces
- 2 month reading time
- able to be objective and recognize good writing
- willing to fill out an online form
- will remove yourself from judging if you cannot be objective or have read an entry before
- review the Fresh Ink University, Fresh Ink High school and In The Beginning for more about the contest
English Published Work Judges:
- For Books, Articles, Short Pieces, Song Lyrics & Scripts
- an eye for excellent writing
- able to read 5-6 books or up to 20 articles in two months time
- knowledge of the genre you are judging
- able to be objective
- willing/able to fill out an online form
- will remove yourself from judging if you cannot be objective (not just that you know the author as the likelihood of you knowing one of the authors is great)
- review the The Word Awards, Guidelines and Categories Pages for more info about what the contest is about
Best New Canadian Manuscript:
- an eye for book marketability over editing excellence
- an eye for excellent writing style
- ability to read 5-8 unpublished manuscripts (they will go through a first round of judging before they are handed to the final judges)
- able to be objective
- willing/able to fill out an online form
- will remove yourself from judging if you cannot be objective or have critiqued an entry before.
- review The Best New Canadian Manuscript for more info about what the contest is about.
Best Blog of The Year Judges:
- must have online professional involvement with running a website
- fast but thorough reader
- ability to consider multiple aspects of a website’s reach and impact
- review the Best Blog of The Year Award Details for more info about the contest
Best Book of The Year Grand Prize Judges:
- must have professional credentials
- fast but thorough reader
- able to deeply review and judge 10 books in one month from a variety of genres
- willing to discuss books with online meeting to discern final standings
- review the Grace Irwin Prize for more info about the contest
All members are welcome to nominate someone to be a Grace Irwin Judge. Nominate here. =>
If you have any questions please feel free to email awards@thewordguild.com or call 800-969-9010