Will Rogers Medallion Award
Submission Information
Judging
Criteria
Submission Information:
Cowboy Poetry
Books must be published originally in the year preceding the award. Poetry
books must be at least 50% poetry. Anthologies and collections of classic
poetry are permitted in the poetry division.
All other Books that are new award categories must be published or released
between Jan 1, 2006 and Dec 31, 2007
Authors must submit five copies of the book along with the entry form and a $25
entry fee. The form, which gives basic information on book, the author and the
publisher, will be published on the Medallion site. The books will go to
Charles Williams, and the form includes the author's name, address, phone, and
email address. As the Medallion Award also honors publishers, the publisher's
name, address, phone and email address are important. Publishers, Film
Companies may also submit books & films to be considered. The form also has
a place for price, ISBN number and web site
address for the books, that are available for purchase that way.
Judging:
Judging is by a qualified blind panel convened by the Chairman of the Will
Rogers Medallion Award Committee. The panel is chosen from a pool of potential
judges, which may include, but is not limited to, experienced booksellers,
English and/or Literature Professors and teachers, Western writers, actors,
producers and screenwriters. No current author or publisher under consideration
will participate, but past winners may be a part of the panel.
Criteria:
The Will Rogers Medallion Award is presented annually to books and films that
meet demanding criteria for artistic merit, quality presentation and universal
appeal. It is designed to recognize and honor those publications that advance
the Medallion Awards mission to preserve and perpetuate the traditions, values,
and heritage of the American Cowboy and honor the memory of Will Rogers.
Books are judged on both content (70%) and production quality (30%)
I. CONTENT (70%)
A. Poetry Books
1. Is the poetry well crafted?
a. Does rhyming poetry exhibit strong rhyme and consistent meter and avoid awkward constructions and near rhymes?
b. Does blank verse have consistent meter? Is free verse well composed?
2. Does the poetry reflect Cowboy, Western, and ranching life?
a. Does the author exhibit knowledge of or experience with the subject matter?
b. Are poems uniquely Western; do any religious, patriotic, or similar poems reflect Western life?
c. Is historical material accurate?
d. Is terminology used properly?
3. Does the poetry have enduring artistic merit?
a. Does it elicit an emotional reaction, whether serious or humorous?
b. Does it exhibit strong storytelling?
c. Are themes original?
d. Are the images well drawn?
e. Is the poetry memorable?
B. Western Fiction
1. Does the story reflect Cowboy, Western, and ranching life?
a. Does the author exhibit knowledge of or experience with the subject matter?
b. Is the story uniquely Western or merely set in the West?
c. Is historical material accurate?
d. Is terminology used properly?
e. Does the period written about encompass the time from the introduction of horses to the present day?
2. Does the story have enduring artistic merit?
a. Does it elicit an emotional reaction, whether serious or humorous?
b. Does it exhibit strong storytelling?
c. Are themes original?
d. Are the images well drawn?
e. Is the story memorable?
1.. Does the story reflect Cowboy, Western, and ranching life?
a. Does the author exhibit knowledge of or experience with the subject matter?
b. Are poems uniquely Western or merely set in the West?
c. Is historical material accurate?
d. Is terminology used properly?
e. Is the story appropriate for children?
2. Does the story have enduring artistic merit?
a. Does it elicit an emotional reaction, whether serious or humorous?
b. Does it exhibit strong storytelling?
c. Are themes original?
d. Are the images well drawn?
e. Does the story have a moral or lesson? (not necessary, but allowed)
1. Does the book reflect Cowboy, Western, and/or ranching life?
a. Does the author exhibit knowledge of or experience with the subject matter?
b. Is historical material accurate?
c. Is terminology used properly?
2.Does the book cover its subject completely?
3.Does the book contain references and a bibliography?
1. Does the story reflect Cowboy, Western, and/or ranching life?
a. Does the author exhibit knowledge of or experience with the subject matter?
b. Is historical material accurate?
c. Is terminology used properly?
d. Is the story appropriate for children ?
2.Does the book cover its subject completely?
3.Does the book contain references and a bibliography?
1. Does the book reflect Cowboy, Western, and/or ranching life?
2. Is the written material (either poetry or prose) appropriate?
3. Is technical and reference data presented?
G. Cookbooks
1. Does the book reflect the various types of cooking done in the Western Tradition (ie, chuckwagon, Dutch Oven, ranch, camp, Tex-Mex, game, etc.)?
2. Are the recipes suitable for non-professional cooks?
3. Are all terms, temperatures and measurements defined?
4. If hard-to-obtain ingredients are used, are sources for them given?
5. Specialty information (calories, fat content, etc.) is not required nor expected.
6. Is the cookbook interesting and informative even to casual readers?
II. PRESENTATION (30%)
1. Is the binding sturdy and of high quality?
2. Are any graphics and/or photos well reproduced and professionally done?
3. Is the paper good quality?
4. Is the printing crisp and clear, with an easily read font?
5. Is it spelled and punctuated correctly (within poetic use for poetry)?
6. Does it have copyright information, an ISBN number, and Library of Congress data?
7. Is there a table of contents?
8. Is there an alphabetical index?