The Tolkien Society of Spain (STE), with the aim of promoting and encouraging the knowledge and study of J.R.R. Tolkien’s life and works, announces its 19th edition of the Ælfwine essay awards, which are subject to the following RULES: (Aelfwine Essay Awards 2023 – Rules English)
First.- Any person may participate, except the Jury members and the Liaison.
Second.- Two types of essay will be accepted for competition in two distinct categories: ACADEMIC ESSAY and LITERARY ESSAY.
Third.- Essays, written in Spanish and any other co-official language of Spain, or English, must be original (not published in any format before the award ceremony date) and be referred to the work or the person of JRR Tolkien. The Jury will eventually decide if they meet this requirement, according to the Thirteenth Rule.
In order to better evaluate works in co-official languages of Spain, a translation must accompany the original text. The translation can be in English or Spanish.
Fourth.- Essays on both categories will have a maximum length of ten thousand (10,000) words. Notes and bibliography will not be taken into account for the calculation of the maximum length of the essay.
Fifth. – The categories:
1.The ACADEMIC ESSAY is a research work where the author presents a reasoned issue in accordance with matter expressed in the 3rd point in the rules, through a proposal, exposition and conclusions. Bibliographic sources should be used. The use of citations and footnotes will be positively valued, as well as the inclusion of a bibliography at the end of the work.. The preferred citation styles will be APA and MLA styles. You will find examples of both in the Appendix.
2.The LITERARY ESSAY, the author must present an issue in accordance with matter expressed in the 3rd point in the rules but without the need to include the citations and formalities of academic style, being preponderant the literary merits of the essay.
Sixth.- Each participant may submit any number of essays under the same pseudonym, but he or she shall be eligible for one prize only on each category.
Seventh.- Texts must be submitted in electronic format under a non-recognizable pseudonym, and with a separate file enclosing the author’s contact data: name, address, phone number, email and the category which the work is presented to . Their receipt will be acknowledged as soon as possible. The name of the files will be as follows:
– “Pseudonym”-“essay title”.*
– “Pseudonym”-data. *
Example,
– Agricola-Dragons lair.*
– Agricola-data.*
We recommend using 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font.
Those files must be sent by email to: premiosaelfwine@sociedadtolkien.org
Eighth.- The deadline date for submission of essays will be November 5th, 2023 at 23:59:59h.
Ninth.- The result of the contest will be announced on the official website of the Association www.sociedadtolkien.org on December 10th, 2023. The winners will be directly notified the place and time of the award ceremony in due time.
Tenth.- The prizes are as follows. There will be two awards for each category.
1st prize: 150 Euros, a year’s free membership to the Spanish Tolkien Society (STE) and a diploma.
2nd prize: 100 Euros, a year’s free membership to the Spanish Tolkien Society (STE) and a diploma.
The Jury reserves the right to grant runner-up and honorary awards, with a diploma but without monetary prize. Organization of the contest also reserves the right to add other non-monetary prizes. STE will cover potential shipping costs to Spain. Should the winner live outside Spain, the shipping overcost will be assumed by the winner.
Twelfth.- The STE reserves the right (non-exclusive and without economic compensation) to publish the winning essays. It may also publish any un-awarded essays, but always asking for the author’s written permission first.
Thirdteenth.- The Jury reserves the right to resolve any issue not covered by these rules, and their decisions will be unappealable. The composition of the Jury is: Andrés Urbano, Magalí Peiró, Patricia Millán, y Pablo Folguiera.
Fourteenth.- For any question related to this contest, email to premiosaelfwine@sociedadtolkien.org.
Fifteenth.- Entering this contest implies full acceptance of these Rules.