APSE contest rules?

[Wonderlic]

Anyone have a copy? ???

Just curious.

Can't seem to find them on the APSE site, and didn't see any previous threads about it...

 

[Wonderlic]

Bueller ... Bueller ...

 

[Ace]

The rule is ... we don't talk about APSE contest rules.

Try this:

http://apse.dallasnews.com/pdf/2007/2007_contest_flyer.pdf

 

[Wonderlic]

Thanks, Ace. The link didn't work, but copy and pasting it did.

* * *

The first rule of APSE contest rules is we don't talk about APSE contest rules.

The second rule of APSE contest rules is we don't talk about APSE contest rules.

 

[Ace]

You correct my quote and my link. That's the thanks I get?

Go wonderlic yourself.

 

[Wonderlic]

That's not very nice.

I wasn't busting your balls. I was just playing along.

 

[Ace]

(me too)

 

[Wonderlic]

All right ... here's my real question. (With some explanation building up to it).

I've got a feature story that I'd like to enter in the APSE features category this year.

According to the contest criteria from last year:

Feature story
The best single article. No series; no sidebars. Judging will be on human interest, reader interest, quality of writing and thoroughness of reporting.

The issue I have is that my paper decided to run the (rather long) story in two parts, strictly because of space concerns. It appeared over two editions, but it's not really a "series."

It was written as a single article and clearly reads like a single article. The story appears on our website in its entirety under a single link with only one byline at the top - as if it were a single article, because it is.

As far as the contest goes, is there anyone in the know who can tell me whether or not I'm screwed?

??? ??? ???

 

[fishwrapper]

Your entry should be fine.

 

[Wonderlic]

I sure hope so.

I'm not sure that it would win anything, but I'd be real upset if it were simply disqualified ... which with my luck, I can totally see happening.

 

[fishwrapper]

Your entry should be fine.

Story entries are submitted without byline and paper reference.
Include the whole story. If a question is asked -- which I doubt -- consult with your Regional Chair. You're not trying anything underhanded so I don't see a problem.

 

[Jim Jenks]

As a former contest chair, I can speak to this under the past rules. Feature category entries have to come from one day. If the story ran over two days, it is two stories and would not be eligible.

 

[Ace]

Maybe it would fit under explanatory or project reporting, though.

 

[WaylonJennings]

As a former contest chair, I can speak to this under the past rules. Feature category entries have to come from one day. If the story ran over two days, it is two stories and would not be eligible.

Which is b.s.

 

[Jim Jenks]

I believe that explanatory is one story and one day also, but can include sidebars that are not mandatory reading for the judges.

It would qualify under project.

 

[WaylonJennings]

Jim - Don't you think that's an antiquated way of defining things? What if, for example, the Pulitzer committee limited feature winners to one-day stories?

 

[Wonderlic]

As a former contest chair, I can speak to this under the past rules. Feature category entries have to come from one day. If the story ran over two days, it is two stories and would not be eligible.

That REALLY sucks. I wrote it as a single story and it was broken in half by the desk, strictly over space concerns.

The second half doesn't have a nut graph or anything that would lead anyone to believe it was actually a separate story. It's a Part 2 - and it was never intended to be.

So between the daily space crunch and a technicality in the judging rules, the story will get screwed out of a chance to compete!?! That's terrible. :'(

Maybe someone can look into changing these rules to allow stories that were broken up but are clearly single stories. We would compete in the sub-40,000 category, and I'm sure we're not the only paper our size that has to deal with space issues and the inability to run such a large story in only one edition.

 

[WaylonJennings]

Wonderlic - I am in the same exact situation. Narrative single-subject feature. Two days. Home run if I do say so. And ineligible for anything. Utterly antiquated.

 

[SixToe]

Lobby your Regional Chair for consideration to change the rule.

A legitimate reason such as yours should not be grounds for exclusion.

 

[Jim Jenks]

I think there are a few things that should be examined in the contest -- in the writing and section categories. I know that Lynn Hoppes, the contest chair this year, is looking at some changes, but I am not sure anything gets done for 2007 version.