OVERVIEW
The Amy Writing Awards are presented as part of an annual writing contest that carries a
$10,000 FIRST PRIZE and the following subsequent awards:
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second prize of $5,000
third prize of $4,000
fourth prize of $3,000
fifth prize of $2,000
Up to ten additional merit
awards of $1,000 each
All entries must contain a Bible verse and must have been published in a secular
publication prior to January 1. Contestants may be professional or amateur writers.
PURPOSE
Founded in 1976 by Jim and Phyllis Russell and named after their daughter, the Amy Awards
are designed to incentivize Christian writers to present biblical truth in secular publications,
with the goal of reaching non-Christian readers. Recognizing creative, skillful journalism that
applies biblical principles, the Amy Awards have been given to professionals as well as many
gifted amateurs over the years.
ELIGIBILITY
Submitted articles must first have been published in newspapers, local or national magazines,
or news websites. Articles from personal blogs, newsletters, or explicitly religious publications
are ineligible; however, articles from all college newspapers are eligible. Books, manuscripts,
and works of poetry or fiction are ineligible. Columns and opinion pieces are eligible, but news
or feature articles that include original reporting receive preference. All articles must reflect
a biblical understanding. For an online submission form and more detailed submission
requirements, go to wng.org/amyawards. WORLD News Group, publisher of WORLD
Magazine, is the final determiner of eligibility.
P.O. BOX 20002 | ASHEVILLE, NC 28802 | (800) 951-4974
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JUDGING
The Amy Awards are judged blindly at every step in the process. Judges do not know the
name of the writer or the publication. WORLD News Group reporters assess submissions and
choose the finalists. Finalists’ submissions are then sent to a panel of judges, which includes:
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Joel Belz, founder, WORLD
Marvin Olasky, editor in chief, WORLD
Edward Lee Pitts, associate dean, WORLD Journalism Institute
Russell Pulliam, Board of Trustees, Patrick Henry College
Les Sillars, journalism professor, Patrick Henry College & MailBag editor, World
Jim Russell, Amy Foundation
• Writing excellence—does the story capture the imagination?
• Reporting—does the story show strong evidence of on-the-ground
reporting, where the author is not relying on organizational
spokesmen, publicity releases, or information recycled from others?
• Specific detail—does the story provide sensory detail, so readers feel
they can see, hear, smell, or touch scenes, subjects, and objects?
P.O. BOX 20002 | ASHEVILLE, NC 28802 | (800) 951-4974
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