Stone Canoe, Syracuse University’s annual arts, literature and social commentary journal, will have a new addition to the list of awards it gives for works of short fiction, creative nonfiction, technology writing, visual arts, arts leadership and poetry writing.

Starting with its 2013 issue, Stone Canoe will begin awarding the Institute for Veterans of Military Families Prize for Written Work by a Veteran, said Editor Bob Colley.

‘We welcome the idea since it will hopefully encourage more veterans to send us their work. We have published a few pieces by vets in the past, but not many have been submitted,’ Colley said.

He said the award, which will be given in January at the launch celebration for the journal’s seventh edition, was the idea of James Schmeling, the managing director of SU’s Institute for Veterans of Military Families.

The prize will be awarded to a U.S. veteran for a previously unpublished written work of fiction, nonfiction or series of three poems, said Assistant Editor Allison Vincent in an email. The piece may be about life as a veteran or about military family issues, but it is not required.

‘Since it is the first time for this award, we don’t really know how many submissions we will get, but the decision was made to not restrict submissions to those writers with ties to upstate New York, so that will be unique among Stone Canoe awards,’ Colley said.

Colley said the three jurors choosing the winner of the award are all veterans and highly esteemed writers with major literary reputations.

‘They are doing this on a volunteer basis and are very happy to do so,’ he said.

Vincent said the winner will receive an award certificate, a check for $500 and an original carving by noted Native American artist Tom Huff. Two runners-up will also be featured in the journal.

Though the IVMF award is only available to veterans, Vincent said other writers and artists may also have their work featured.

‘We consider unpublished submissions from anyone of any age and level of experience who has lived in Upstate New York at some time, be it for work, school, an artist’s residency, etc.,’ she said.

Submissions for the award are open through July 15, according to the Stone Canoe’s website. Though there are other submission categories, such as music writing, drama and the moving image, no awards are given in these areas at the moment.

nxsmith@syr.edu 

Published on April 18, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Nick: nxsmith@syr.edu