Anniversary Prize for Point of Decision
(The $200 potentially annual Anniversary Prize for Point of Decision)
Point of Decision is a place for practitioners, researchers, and observers to reflect upon their experiences with conflict and to use their knowledge to assess new or evolving challenges in foreign affairs. Today, the blog has now been in existence for two years and we are celebrating that accomplishment with two prizes. Each prize will be $200 (delivered by Venmo, Paypal, or an old fashioned, hand-written check). Submissions are welcome from anyone who finds this notice until the due dates listed below. Two judges will review each submission and select the five best to be posted on Point of Decision. An online poll will then be used to determine the winning entry. Should your submission be chosen for the contest, you will maintain exclusive copyright to your post, but it must appear for the first time on Point of Decision as part of this contest.
Topics:
1.) Reflect upon your experience with conflict (direct or indirect) and how it impacts your perspective on a related topic in foreign affairs and/or how that experience influences your writing? Due October 15th — 500–750 words.
2.) Evaluate the current state of western (particularly US) policies in the Greater Middle East. Identify what has been successful, what problems remain, and potential solutions. Due November 28th — 1000–1500 words.
Update: Topic Two extended to 04JAN16 due to busy holiday schedules. Stories submitted by then will be eligible for posting and the prize round starting 11JAN16.
Submission Guidelines (Important):
Two judges (@PrivateSnuffy [Chris Zeitz] and @pptsapper [Angry Staff Officer]) will review all submissions. Five submissions from each topic will be posted on Point of Decision during the first full week of the month following the deadline (Monday through Friday; i.e., Topic 1 posts from November 2nd to 6th). Authors of those submissions will be notified prior to posting in order to provide brief biographies and any links to websites or social media accounts that they wish to be included in the posts. After all nominated submissions have been posted, a highlight post will summarize the submissions / biographies and conduct a poll open to the public to determine the winning entry.
Please submit your entries using Microsoft Word (attached) or directly within the body of an email. Please do not include your name and try to exclude any other identifying information in the submission (so that submissions can be reviewed blindly). In your email text, please include the full title of the submission (as it appears in your attached submission) so that nominated submissions can be searched and identified within our email archives.
Please only submit one entry per topic, but feel free to submit entries for both topics.
Submit your entry by emailing: christopher.f.zeitz@gmail.com
