The New Media Writing International Prize for Inventive Writers 2018

About the competition:

Bournemouth University is pleased to announce that the 2018 New Media Writing Prize is now open for entries. The New Media Writing Prize (NMWP) showcases exciting and inventive stories that integrate a variety of formats, platforms, and digital media. The prize encourages and promotes the best in new media writing and is leading the way toward the future of the written word and storytelling. The judges are not looking for a text-only story or poem which you can upload to a web page or place on a disc. The essence of new-media writing for the judges is great storytelling which uses anything and everything that digital media can offer, along with user interactivity. It’s got to be something that couldn’t work in old media.

Eligibility and Criteria:

This international competition is open to all, whether you’re a student, a professional, an artist, a writer, a developer, a designer or an enthusiast you can take part in it. The competition consists out of different categories, each has its own criteria:

[1] if:book Prize and Unicorn Student Prize Categories: The organizers are looking for good storytelling (fiction or nonfiction) written specifically for delivery and reading on a PC or Mac, the web, or a hand-held device such as an iPad or mobile phone. It could be a short story, novel, poem, documentary or transmedia work using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction. Interactivity is a key element of new media storytelling. 

[2] The Dot Award: The prize will be awarded for a project idea which shows promise and practicability. The organizers are looking for projects which aren’t necessarily technically complex but do create original and exciting literary work inspired by the affordances of the web, blogs, apps, social media etc. 

[3] The What's New in Publishing Journalism Award: The award honors innovative stories based on factual material and featuring digital media. Interactive documentaries, multimedia features and gamified journalism are all considered. Entries must incorporate new media technologies and platforms. 

Please note that all entries in all categories must be in English.

Prizes:

The competition awards 4 writers in as follows: 

[1] Unicorn Student Award: best writer receives a paid work-placement of 3 months at Unicorn Training, Bournemouth, UK, or £500 in cash if the winner is unable to take up the internship.

[2] if:book UK New Media Writing Prize: one winner receives £1000 donated by if:book UK, where the winner may also be a student.

[3] The What's New in Publishing Journalism Award: £750 in cash for the winner.

[4] The Dot Award: the winner receives £500 in cash and development support, offered by if:book UK.