THE RULES

ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open to anyone who is eligible for active membership in the Association of Opinion Journalists. For membership requirements, please visit www.opinionjournalists.org. Membership in AOJ is not required to enter this contest.

DEADLINES: The contest opens at 8 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2013 and will close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2013. All entries must be uploaded to the contest website, www.opinionjournalists.org/contest, and payment accepted by 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2013 to be eligible for judging.

FEES: The entry fee for current AOJ members is $20 per entry. The entry fee for non-members is $35 per entry. Entry fees are non-refundable.

DIVISIONS AND AWARDS: This contest has two circulation/audience divisions: Under 100,000 and 100,000 or more. One Opinion Journalist of the Year will be named in each division. Up to five awards will be given for Top Opinion Pages, regardless of circulation/audience division. Online journalists and sydicated columnists should enter under the Opinion Journalist of the Year/100,000+ category.

ENTRIES:

All entries must consist of the following:
� One sample from Jan. 1 - March 31, 2012
� One sample from April 1 - June 30, 2012
� One sample from July 1 - Sept. 30, 2012
� One sample from Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 2012
� Up to three wild-card samples from any time during the 2012 calendar year.
� A cover letter which includes a statement of eligibility, the specific impacts of the samples, and any additional information that may be helpful for the judges.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Judging for each submission will be based equally on clarity, strength of writing, creativity and impact.

WINNERS: Winners will be publicly announced at the AOJ Annual Convention, in Newport, R.I., Oct. 13-15, 2013. Each winner will be notified individually and invited to attend the convention and awards ceremony. Judges reserve the right to modify the awards presented, based on the number of entries received.