As part of our celebration of riding in the city with friends and to help others kick the car habit, Austin on Two Wheels is pleased to announce a new site contest with cash prizes for the spring: My Ride Writing Contest.
From March 2 through May 25, each Wednesday we will be selecting and publishing a winning article from an Austinite about a ride they took in the city on their bike that previously might have been done by car. It can be a simple as a ride to the grocery store or farmer’s market, to work, taking the kids to school, or to the neighborhood bar with friends. We want want hear about the sensual experience, how it was different (and hopefully better) than driving a car, and any social interactions you had. Let your writing flow and include pictures and video if you can.
Yes, you can actually get paid to write for a blog!
Now here’s the kicker! Most publications ask you to submit photos, video, and stories in return for recognition and maybe some swag. None of that here. We believe your labor is worth something.
We will be paying each week’s winner $50 cash for their submission plus a bonus $25 cash to established bloggers who cross post their story on their blog. At the end of the series, we’ll announce a grand prize winner who will be awarded a contract to be paid for writing five more stories.
Interested? Read the guidelines below and submit your story with at least one photo. We’ll let you know by noon the Tuesday before your story publishes if you’ve won and cut you a check that week for your submission. If you submit a story and it is not chosen the week you submit it, don’t worry. It may be chosen as a winner in one of the following weeks.
Contest Rules and Guidelines
Content of the Submission: We want an autobiographical story about your experience riding a bike in Austin where previously you might have done so by car. It can be current ride or ride from your past. The key here is riding to go someplace, not racing, training, or just for fitness. We want want hear about the sensual experience, how it was different (and hopefully better) than driving a car, and any social interactions you had. Please submit your entry to submissions@austinontwowheels.org
Submission length: Preferred length is at least 500 words. You can make it shorter, but it better be damn good.
Photos and videos: You must also submit at least one photo with your story. More is preferred but not required. If you didn’t have a chance to take pictures on your ride, you can submit a picture of you with your bicycle. Video? We love any video but it is not required.
Who can enter: You must be a resident of the Austin Metro area with an address zip code starting 787 or 786.
Selection: Austin on Two Wheels Editor Elliott McFadden will select each week’s winner from the pool of submissions based on quality of content and contest subject guidelines. You will be notified by e-mail by noon Tuesday the day before the article is to be published. The grand prize winner will be announced in June.
Payment and re-posting bonus: Checks for weekly winners will be issued and mailed by the Friday of the week the article is published. You will be asked to provide a mailing address and W-9 form before the check may be issued. Writers of established blogs may earn a re-posting bonus of $25 by posting a teaser selection of no more than 100 words of their article and a link to the full text on Austin on Two Wheels on their blog the week the article is published. To qualify as an established blog, you must have been publishing your blog for at least 6 months, have posted at least 20 distinct posts, and posted at least one post in the last 30 days.
Publication rights: Articles and photos selected as a weekly winner of the contest become the property of Austin on Two Wheels with all publication rights. Authors may not re-publish their story electronically or in print other than 100 word or less teaser selections without permission of Austin on Two Wheels.
Articles that may be great but not chosen: Here are examples of stories that might be well written but excluded from the contest for subject matter:
* Story about riding in another city. We want Austin.
* Story about that club ride you did or that race your were in. I love racing war stories, but these articles need to be about going places on bikes, not just riding in circles.
* You were visiting Austin on vacation and went for a ride. We’re happy you chose to see our city by bike, but this series is extended to and for the benefit of Austin area residents.
More information here.
