Open for Submissions
March 12 – April 30, 2026
Cash Awards Paid to Winners
8 Categories to Enter
The Excellence in Craft Awards (EIC) presented by the Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) is a program designed to recognize excellence in the field of outdoor journalism and media communications by media professionals on topics related to the Outdoors. Given annually by OWAC, these awards represent the best achievements in a variety of categories as established by the OWAC Board of Directors.
In keeping with OWAC’s mission, “to expand public information on outdoor recreation and conservation,” these awards are a recognition of excellence as adjudicated by peers in the field of outdoor media communications.
Contest Rules
- The purpose of this contest is to reward exceptional “outdoor” journalism (writing, reporting, opinion/editorial, broadcasting, photography, videography/cinematography, and digital communications) produced by OWAC members. Works must have been released during the 2025 calendar year, except for books, which were published within two years between 1-1-2024 and 12-31-2025. Entries should have a clear connection to the outdoors, outdoor recreation, nature, wildlife, public lands, or craft improvement related to one of the disciplines related to our profession. The book category also includes works with a connection to our profession (photography, writing, broadcasting, multimedia, etc.) All works must have been on a remunerated basis.
- Judges have the right to disqualify an entry should they determine it does not sufficiently represent one of the subjects described in Rule #1. Judges may elect not to award in any category, regardless of the number of entries, and may award more than one prize in any category up to two places. Ties are disallowed. Judges will not be members of OWAC and non-OWAC judges will certify they do not know the name of the author of the work they are judging.
- Entries must be received between March 12 and April 30, 2025. Entrants must have paid their OWAC membership dues at the time of submission. There is no limit to the number of entries that may be submitted per entrant in any given category. An entry in one category cannot be submitted in another category with the exception of a conference-related work, which can also be entered in Category 7. All entries except books are to be submitted as jpgs, pdfs, links (URLs), or other digital format. The name of the author need NOT be obscured.
- For books, a revised edition of a previously published book is acceptable, but it must be the first time the book in any edition has been entered in the OWAC EIC.
- For websites or apps, submit links to the pages to be judged.
- Contest is open to all current OWAC members. The fee to submit entries in all categories is $25 for the first entry and $10 for each subsequent entry.
- Article and Photo submission format: All entries, except books, must be submitted via the Zealous software link (button below)
- Book entry submission format –
(1) Two copies of the physical book or a link to an online entry,
(2) Author’s Name, Email, Telephone, Postal Address, Category Number, Book Title, Where and When published.
(3) Check to cover the entry fees.
Mail to:
Bob Semerau
3240 N Oxnard Blvd.
Oxnard, CA. 93036
Award Payments will be made to
1st Place $100 and 2nd Place $50.
How to apply
Submission process
- Only submit 1 category at a time
- Applicants can only upload 1 item at a time – .pdf, .jpg, etc.
- If uploading a link to a website please use the add text – and put the link here
If you need any support with your application or have any queries please contact – webadmin@owac.org
If you require any technical assistance from Zealous please email – info@zealous.co
Entry Categories
- News Article – under 750 words on any outdoor subject; All mediums (print, online, or broadcast) accepted.
- Feature Article – more than 750 words on any outdoor subject; All mediums (print, online, or broadcast) accepted.
- Book – Non -fiction, fiction, and guidebooks related to the outdoors or craft improvement related to our profession. Two copies of each physical book must be submitted.
- Photography/Artwork – People – Main focus should be people in an outdoor setting or engaged in outdoor recreation. Photo/artwork must have been published.
- Photography/Artwork – Nature – Includes fauna, flora, seascapes, or landscapes. Photo/artwork must have been published.
- Audio – A podcast, webcast, or radio program. Video – A TV show, YouTube, Vimeo, web, or another video format or Blog
- California Conservation Article – Recognizes conservation projects/efforts that benefit California’s fish and wildlife through improving the state’s natural resources, waters, lands, mountains, or oceans on which they may depend. Entry may be in any format (written, image, audio, video, digital, or multimedia).
- OWAC Conference-related work – Any work (print, web, photographic, video, audio, digital, or broadcast), which has not been a previous winner, based on any OWAC conference, past or present.
A Writer and Photographer of the Year – Will be selected by the OWAC board of directors based upon a weighted average of winners in the other categories.
