Call for Entries:
Small and Simple Things

The 2001 New Era Writing, Art, Photography, and Music Contest Rules and Entry Form

God uses “small and simple things … to bring about his great and eternal purposes” (Alma 37:6–7). Beauty can also be found in small and simple things—a picture, a poem, an uplifting story, a melody.

Our own talents may seem small and simple. But if we use them properly, we can please the eye and gladden the heart. We can give voice to our testimonies and show gratitude for our gifts.

Develop and share your talents by participating in the 2001 New Era Writing, Art, Photography, and Music Contest.

Competition Rules

The purpose of this contest is to encourage youth of the Church to develop and express their talents in ways that are uplifting and edifying, to seek after that which is “of good report or praiseworthy,” to express testimony of the Father and Son and appreciation for their creations, and to portray the living of gospel principles and Latter-day Saint ideals. Entries should serve as examples of craftsmanship and must be appropriate for publication in the New Era.

A. Writing Category

Original, unpublished articles, short stories, and poetry should be typewritten on 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper, double spaced, using one side of the paper only. Enter as many categories as you like, but please send all your entries in one package.

Articles are true experiences or nonfiction essays directed at the New Era readership. Short stories are fiction pieces containing original characterization and plot. Poetry entries should consist of 6–10 different poems, none of which should exceed 50 lines. A special purchase award will be given for the best rhyming poem following a traditional form.

B. Art Category

Original designs, illustrations, paintings, drawing, prints, sculpture, or crafts appropriate for the New Era will be accepted. Send 35-mm slides of your entries (6–10 different works of art) instead of actual art. If you are a finalist, the New Era may request the actual art. Print your name and address on each slide.

C. Photography Contest

Each photography entry must contain 10–20 different photographs in any combination of the following: 5-by-7-inch, or larger, color or black-and-white prints, or 35-mm color slides. Print your name and address on each print and each slide.

D. Hymn and Song Writing Categories

You may submit one hymn and/or one song to the contest. Each entry should include (1) a clear copy of text and music together, in neat hand or computer manuscript form, on 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper, one side only; (2) a copy of the text only, typewritten, double spaced, on 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper. Please do not send tapes. Entries should be no more than one or two pages in length. You must have composed and transcribed the music yourself. Texts must be free from copyright restrictions.

Hymns are generally written in four parts. They should be suitable for home, congregational, or choir use. Songs are generally written for solo voices with piano accompaniment—melody lines with chording indications are not acceptable. Be sensitive when putting sacred words to music. Music entries will be reviewed by the General Music Committee and judged on (1) effective gospel message, (2) suitability for use in the New Era, (3) general appeal, (4) artistic merit, (5) ease of performance, (6) compatibility of text and music, and (7) originality.

E. Special Category

If you enjoy participating in the arts in a way that does not fit into one of our existing contest categories, send a sample of your work to us and mark the entry blank “special category.” Past awards have been given to plays, computer games, videos, and instrumental music.

Eligibility, Originality, and Awards

All Latter-day Saints in good standing between and including the ages of 12 to 23 are eligible for the contest. All work must be written in English and must be your own. It must not have been published previously. Entrants must specify which awards they will accept. Scholarships (for partial tuition) will be awarded only if entrants (1) are currently enrolled or have completed the requirements for admission to the school and (2) have been accepted and are able to accept a scholarship for fall 2001. Scholarships cannot be postponed or transferred. No scholarships will be awarded to graduate students. Scholarships cannot be changed after they have been awarded and cannot be converted to cash prizes. Only residents of the Pacific Basin will be eligible for BYU—Hawaii Campus scholarships.

Receipt and Return of Entries

If you want to verify receipt of your entry, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard. Entries will be returned only if accompanied by sufficient return postage and adequate packaging material. Reasonable care will be exercised, but the New Era is not responsible for entries lost or damaged. Entrants in categories such as poetry, articles, fiction, hymn, and song writing are advised to keep copies of their entries.

Deadline

All entries must be postmarked no later than January 5, 2001. Send entries to New Era Contest, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-3225.

Judging

The editors of the New Era will be the judges of the contest, and their decisions will be final. Entries will be judged on originality, perceptivity, overall excellence, and appropriateness for publication in the New Era. All entries should reflect LDS values. Winners must sign a copyright agreement. Nonwinning entries suitable for publication will be paid for at our usual rates. The New Era reserves the right to edit entries as necessary.

Only Winners Will Be Notified

If you have not been notified by April 16, 2001, you are not a finalist. Photography and artwork will be held for approximately 60 days after winners are chosen.

Be Sure to Make a Copy

Make sure you keep a copy of your entry. If you would like to have your entry returned to you, please make sure it is accompanied by sufficient postage and adequate packaging material. With your entry, include an envelope that is addressed to yourself and that has postage for us to mail it back to you. If you do not include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, we will assume you do not want your entry returned.

The New Era Contest Entry Form

Electronic composition by Patric Gerber