A literary prize is an award given to writers for a piece of writing on a specific topic. The prize may be awarded in a variety of ways including via a contest or by invitation. The prize is intended to encourage the writing of new works on a particular subject. Many literary prizes have long histories. The earliest were established as bequests at the beginning of the 20th century. Some of them are still in operation today.
Some of these prizes are awarded by universities, while others are sponsored by private businesses or nonprofit organizations. They are often presented during a special ceremony or event. They can also be a part of a larger program or series of events. Some of these events include book signings, lectures, and presentations by authors or other notable individuals.
These awards have become increasingly important as the world becomes more digitized and short-form journalism is the norm. Essays are shortened into op-eds and then further distilled into blog posts and tweets. The Sidney Awards stand athwart technology, yelling stop, and are given annually to some of the best examples of long-form thought and journalism.
The Philip Sidney Ardern Memorial Prize was established in 1967 by a bequest from Miss A.M. Ardern in memory of her brother, Philip Sidney Ardern (1891-1939), a lecturer and Associate-Professor in English at Auckland University College from 1912 to 1947. The Prize is principally designed to stimulate the study of Old and Middle English, but it is not restricted to these topics.
In this year’s competition, the judges were impressed by the quality of all the submissions. They selected a winner and two runners-up from the shortlist, and would like to thank all those who entered.
As a result of their research and dedication to telling the story, these winners and runners-up have contributed to a better understanding of how the American economy works and where it’s headed. Their work has a powerful impact and should be read by everyone, regardless of their political affiliations.
A Winner’s Story: The State Income Tax
Reporters Maya Srikrishnan and Ashley Clarke spent a year doggedly tracking down the information they needed to tell this story. They faced repeated obstacles from states that blocked data requests by stalling or quoting outrageously high fees. Ultimately, they were able to make the data public.
This year’s winner, “Lost in Translation,” is a stunning and timely account of how government bureaucracies can make us believe we understand one another—when we really don’t. The story of a frightened migrant mother who was ignored and abandoned by the government agencies charged with protecting her is at once an indictment of our system and a testament to the perseverance of one person. It’s an example of what the Sidney Award is all about: highlighting stories that reveal injustice and inspire action.