The Missouri Review's
4th Annual Audio Contest

[View the 2007 and 2008 winners here.]-->

Now accepting entries in four categories.

$1,000 first prize in each category!

 

Winners and select runners up will be featured on our website. All entrants receive a 1-year subscription to The Missouri Review’s Print or Digital Edition.

Check out last year's winners here.

 

Audio Contest
Guidelines

Postmark Deadline: March 15, 2011

Download your entry form here.

Category Guidelines:

Voice-Only Poetry

Poets are encouraged to enter an original poem or collection of poems for this category. Entries should not exceed 10 minutes total and may be solely author-read or contain other voices, tracks of sound, or music.

Judging will be based on the following criteria: literary merit, technical proficiency and, most importantly, how the author uses audio media to further the literary strength of his or her piece. We encourage writers and producers to make innovative use of recording technology as a means of furthering their literary craft. 

Time: 10 minutes or less.
First Prize: $1,000

Voice-Only Prose

Writers may enter a short story, narrative essay, or other form of literary prose. For this category we are not interested in academic essays or purely journalistic writing/reportage. Entries—not to exceed 10 minutes when read aloud—may be solely author-read or contain other voices, tracks of sound, or music.

Judging will be based on the following criteria: literary merit, technical proficiency and, most importantly, how the author uses audio media to further the literary strength of his or her piece. We encourage writers and producers to make innovative use of recording technology as a means of furthering their literary craft.

Time: 10 minutes or less.
First Prize: $1,000

Professional or Studio-Recorded Audio Documentary

This category is open to entrants with professional audio production experience who have access to professional-quality recording equipment and/or a recording studio—or to entrants who are collaborating with production professionals and have access to professional equipment.

Entries should be audio only. We are interested in short documentaries on any subject. Documentaries can be presented in a variety of forms, including narrative, interview, or documentary play. Entries will be judged on strength of the script and subject, ability to meet their objective (stated or unstated, i.e. a comedic short that’s funny, or an artist interview that is informative, fresh and insightful), and technical facility (including sound, reporting, presenting and/or acting).

Time: 10 minutes or less.
First Prize: $1,000

Self-Recorded Audio Documentary

This category is reserved for the self-taught audiophile, especially those recording from home (or using home-recording equipment in the field).

Entries should be audio only. We are interested in short documentaries on any subject. Documentaries can be presented in a variety of forms, including narrative, interview, or documentary play. Entries will be judged on strength of the script and subject, ability to meet their objective (stated or unstated, i.e. a comedic short that’s funny, or an artist interview that is informative, fresh and insightful), and technical facility (including sound, reporting, presenting and/or acting).

Time: 10 minutes or less.
First Prize: $1,000

 

Entry Fee: $20 per entry

Multiple entries are welcome, accompanied by separate payment for each title you wish to have considered.

Technical Requirements:

Entries are accepted on CD only. CDs should not contain any audio other than entry material. Include a brief program synopsis and bio of the writer/producer.

Submissions Must Include

• a completed entry form for each entry (download the entry form)
• a copy of the entry on a CD or video DVD, labeled with writer/ producer, title and length
• a brief program synopsis and short writer/producer bio
• the $20 entry fee payment (make checks out to The Missouri Review)

Send Entries To

The Missouri Review Audio & Video Competition
357 McReynolds Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

For More Information

E-mail us at: contest_question@missourireview.com