2011 Narrative Travel Writing Contest

Deadline: 5 January 2011
Open to: Professionals, freelancers, and aspiring travel writers from any location around the globe
Prize: 1 – $500(USD), 2 – $150(USD), and 3 –  $100(USD)

Professionals, freelancers, and aspiring travel writers are invited to write articles which describe how traveling in a slower manner and adapting to the space and time of natives has deepened your experience of both the people and the destination. One of the results of a slower form of travel is the experience of “epiphanies” which change one’s perceptions of the world, of others, and of oneself. We urge you to translate one of those moments or series of moments into a narrative, which will convey this view to many who still tend to see travel as a way to “do” as many countries, cities, and continents in the world as possible—as if travel was some form of competition or consumption.

Rather, Transitions Abroad has always believed that more experienced travelers and travel writers seek to engage more deeply in a destination by staying for a longer period of time and thereby immerse themselves in the culture and homes they are fortunate enough to visit. Learning to ask questions, share stories sad and humorous, cook, trek, learn a craft, work, volunteer, and participate in other daily activities or rituals is one way to deepen the travel experience and transform it into a two-way street in the process. The Slow Food movement born in Italy and its offshoots are one such manifestation of the urge now felt by many more travelers to participate in the daily lives of the host community and not as consumers of their culture and land.

We are not looking for destination pieces which describe in flowery “amazing” terms your experience, nor are we looking for travelogues or blog-like posts which are too overly personal and self-involved to necessarily resonate with others on their own paths of discovery. We are looking for inspirational pieces which will lead others to experience the sense of engagement as a global citizen.

Eligibility

*   Submit an original and previously unpublished essay from 1,000 to 5,000 words. Supporting photos in .jpg or .gif format are welcome to illustrate the experience and are considered part of the essay submission.
* To enter the Contest, attach your essay in Word format or copy and paste it into an e-mail. Please include your the essay title, full name, complete postal address and phone number in both the email and Word document and add a brief bio if you so choose. Please type “Narrative Travel Writing Essay Entry” in the subject description of the e-mail and send the e-mail to narrativewritingcontest@transitionsabroad.com.
* Accompanying photos which enhance the narrative are highly preferred. Photojournalistic essays or accompanying videos will also be considered, and humor is appreciated where appropriate
* Editors of TransitionsAbroad.com will judge entries based upon the following criteria:
o Sensitivity to the people and culture being described
o Ability to engage the reader
o Literary quality
* Winners will be notified by phone, mail, or e-mail by January 15, 2011 for publication by February 28, 2011 due to the time required for all writers spanning the globe to send in Agreements and payment to be cashed.

Prizes

1st place – $500(USD)
2nd place – $150(USD)
3rd place – $100(USD)

Any other articles selected as runner-ups will receive a $50 payment.

The deadline for submissions of essays is 5th January 2011.

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