The Sidney Award is a monthly award for investigative journalism. It is presented to a journalist, writer or photographer for work published in an American newspaper or magazine. These prizes are sponsored by the Sidney Hillman Foundation. They are awarded to individuals who have worked for public interest, in the service of the common good, and for pursuing truth in an environment of inequality and deceit.
Since 1950, the Sidney Hillman Foundation has rewarded excellence in journalism. Their annual awards include the Hillman Prize, which honors journalists who have done outstanding work. Other awards, such as the Heather Dawn Reynolds Equity Award and the Milton and Anne Sidney Prize, recognize a commitment to diversity and clinical scholarship. There are many other honors and awards that the foundation has been able to provide for journalists and writers. You can learn more about the Hillman Prizes and other awards from the foundation’s website.
Stories selected for the Sidney Prize are eligible for publication in Overland, a literary journal, and Storyville, a literary blog. Until February 15th, writers can enter their stories for the competition. One story will win the prize and the winner will be announced on March 15. Those who are not already subscribers of the online literary journal can apply for the Sidney Prize by paying $1.49 a month on Kindle.
In addition to publishing in Overland, the winner of the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize will receive $4000. This prize was established in honor of the late Neilma Gantner. As part of the prize, the Malcolm Robertson Foundation will also provide support.
Another award to recognize excellence in writing is the Thomas Robinson Prize, which was first given in 2012. This prize is now renamed the Sidney Lanier Prize. Formerly known as the Sidney Lanier Prize, this award is given to writers who write about the South.
Nikky Finney is a poet, professor and visiting scholar at Smith College. She has won national awards in short story competitions. She has taught at Berea College and the University of Kentucky. Her work has been featured in anthologies. She is a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets.
Other winners of the Sidney Prize include Mary Bottari, Greg Palast, and Alan Sincic. Each of these award recipients has written New York Times bestsellers and has contributed to many media outlets.
Storyville, an online literary magazine, has also started an award to promote outstanding unpublished short stories. Their Sidney Prize will be awarded to a story that is no longer than 6,000 words. Richard Nash, former publisher of Soft Skull Press, is the judge of the contest. He will select a winner, and the winning story will be published in April.
To apply for the Sidney Award, visit the Sidney Hillman Foundation’s website. They offer complete instructions on how to submit your work. Additionally, you can also find information on previous winners and program guidelines. Applicants must meet all of the criteria set forth in the foundation’s guidelines.