Changes for the ISFHWE Writing Competition in 2013

I took a few minutes today to review the details of the 2013 International Society of Family History Writers and Editors Excellence in Writing Competition.  Right off the bat I noticed a few changes that I think people will be interested in learning about.

• The word limit for Category I “Columns” has been increased to 2,000 (was previously 1,000).
  
• The “rules” for Category II “Articles” now specify that submissions from blogs are acceptable (this was previously “implied” as a website).
  
• Category III, which was previously “Genealogy Research Story,” has been replaced by “Genealogy Newsletters.”  This is for society or family association newsletters.
  
• Category IV has been renamed to “Unpublished Authors,” and the word limit has been changed to between 500 and 2,000 (1,000 was previously the max).

Submissions for the writing competition will be accepted starting January 1, 2013, with a deadline of June 15, 2013.  Both ISFHWE members and non-members are allowed to enter the competition.

Complete details, including rules, judging criteria, entry fees, and the entry form, can be found here (will open a PDF file).

New Kindle eBook On Family History

My good friend Carol sent me an email this morning to let me know about a new Kindle eBook on family history that is currently FREE on Amazon (regular price is $1.29).  The book is Putting Flesh on the Bones: Bringing Your Ancestors to Life, by Mark W. Swarthout.

I have not read the book yet, so I can’t offer a review, but hey, it’s free (for now, and inexpensive at it’s regular price of $1.29), so why not take a chance.  The Amazon description reads:

How do you make the hundreds of dates and places in your family tree come alive?

The purpose of this article is to spark your interest in finding out the things that will make your ancestors become real people in your mind. It will provide thought starters and ideas to help in tracking down the information that can convert those names and dates on the genealogy chart into a real flesh and blood person, someone you can picture in your mind.

Have you read it?  If so, leave a comment and let me know what you thought of it.

2012 Root Cellar Family History Writing Contest

Submissions are due October 1, 2012 for the Root Cellar Family History Writing Contest sponsored by the Sacramento Genealogical Society (SGS).  You do not need to be a member of the society and entries do not have to related to Sacramento or California.  According to the rules:

“The subject matter of the entries is to be family history or local-history stories, memoirs, or character sketches. Entries should be between 500 and 2,000 words in length. How-to articles or articles about the research process would not be acceptable for this contest.”

Winners will receive an assortment of prizes.  First place prizes include a six-month Ancestry.com membership, a copy of Family Tree Maker 2012, and a SGS membership.  Visit their website for complete rules and submission guidelines.

Need some convincing to write about your genealogy research?  See my post 4 Reasons to Convert Your Genealogy Research Into Writing.

Ontario Genealogical Society – Keffer Writing Contest

Entries for the Keffer Writing Contest, sponsored by the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS) are due November 1, 2012.  The contest, which is open to OGS members, awards four cash prizes ranging from $25 to $100.  Winning entries are also featured in the OGS journal Families.  Entries should be 1,500-2,000 words (including footnotes) and relate to Canada or Ontario genealogy. 

Additional information, including rules and submission instructions, can be found on the OGS website.

Need some convincing to write about your genealogy research?  See my post 4 Reasons to Convert Your Genealogy Research Into Writing.