What is EIC?
The TOWA Excellence in Craft Contest is an opportunity for members in the Active, Active Retired, Life and Student membership categories to receive special recognition for journalism excellence.
Submission must be outdoor-oriented and must have been published, broadcast or distributed in Texas.
For more detailed information continue reading below
How to do it Online: Quick Summary:
Step 1 - PAY
Every entry requires a $20.00 fee to cover costs. Use the selector to pick the quantity of entries you plan and checkout. You can checkout as many times as you need or do all at one time.
Step 2 - SUBMIT
Submission date January 31st, 2026 and winners will be announced at the TOWA Annual Conference during the EIC Awards Banquet.
Members must submit through the mail or via email. There is a $20.00 processing fee for each submission.
Mail submissions to Herman Brune, PO Box 39, Columbus Texas 78934 along with a check or money order for $20.00 per submission.
Email submissions to TOWA@towa.org
Please follow all instructions given to ensure nothing is lost and there is no delay as outlined in the detailed requirements below.
Category Details
Category 1) Outdoor Photography People
Photos with an outdoor-related theme. Include tear sheet or web printout and one print. A print of each photo is required for judging. No slides will be accepted.
Category 2) Outdoor Photography, Wildlife/Nature
Photos with an outdoor-related theme. Include tear sheet or web printout and one print. A print of each photo is required for judging. No slides will be accepted.
Category 3) Outdoor Radio
Presentations and programs with an outdoor theme. Date of broadcast should be verifiable by an online archive of the broadcast or a letter from the station manager included with the submission.
Category 4) Outdoor Television/Video
Presentations and programs with an outdoor theme. Entries can be instructional videos, commercial or non-commercial television programs, video news segments, for-profit productions, non-profit, agency, etc. Entering member’s participation must be provided on entry form i.e., producer, narrator, camera operator, etc. Also, proof of distribution bust be available on an online archive or airing must be certified by a letter of the station manager for TV and producer for video.
Category 5) Outdoor Illustration/Graphic
Original artwork with an outdoor-related theme. Artwork must have been published and be the sole work of the member. Include tear sheet showing publication or printout of web page showing art. You do not need to send original art. IF SENDING ORIGINAL ART, mount on stock of appropriate size.
Category 6) Outdoor Publication (Newspaper or Magazine)
Publications with an outdoor-related theme. The TOWA member submitting the entry must be responsible for overall production of the publication - editor, publisher, owner, etc. Role of the TOWA member must be included on the entry form.
Category 7) Outdoor Fiction/Humor
Fiction or Humor article with an outdoor-related theme. Can be from newspaper, magazine, Internet publication or newsletter. For individual articles/columns, submit only tear sheets. Do not send the entire publication. Mailed entries should include two copies (one original tear sheet and one photocopy is acceptable).
Category 8) Outdoor Column/Blog
Bylined column on an outdoor-related topic. Can be from newspaper, magazine, Internet publication or newsletter. For individual articles/columns, submit only tear sheets. Do not send the entire publication. Mailed entries should include two copies (one original tear sheet and one photocopy is acceptable).
Category 9) Outdoor Feature
Coverage of an outdoor-related topic or issue, including feature storytelling, explanatory journalism, or objective news reporting. Entries may address experiences, trends, conservation, policy, recreation, environmental concerns, or other outdoor-related subjects. Both narrative features and fact-driven news reporting are eligible. A series of articles on a single issue may be considered a single entry. Sidebars and graphics may be included. For individual articles or columns, submit one full-page tear sheet including byline, date, and publication. Do not send the entire publication. Mailed entries should include two copies (one original tear sheet and one photocopy is acceptable).
Category 10) Outdoor Book
Published book on an outdoor-related subject. Book can be fiction or non-fiction. Book must have been published during contest year. One copy of the book should be included in the entry packet, with entry forms attached to the books. Book will be returned at conference.
Category 11) Outdoor Web Page
Web site with an outdoor-related theme. Sites should be judged on their usefulness to the public and/or outdoor communicators. Entrants should include web address on entry form, and contest chairman will pass these addresses along to judges.
Category 12) Outdoor Podcast
Podcast with an outdoor-related theme. Podcasts should be judged on their usefulness to the public and/or outdoor communicators. Entrants should include streaming address on entry form, and contest chairman will pass these addresses along to judges.
Category 13) Texas Coverage (All Media)
Coverage focused on Texas, its people, places, culture, environment, history, public policy, or issues of statewide or regional significance. Texas must be the primary subject of the entry. This category is open to any media format, including print, digital, audio, video, photography, podcasts, websites, multimedia packages, or special projects. Entries may include news reporting, feature stories, investigations, opinion journalism, or visual storytelling. Submit representative materials that best demonstrate the work (tear sheets, links, screenshots, transcripts, recordings, or web addresses, as applicable). Do not submit entire publications or full episodes. Mailed entries should include two copies (one original and one photocopy, where applicable).
Detailed Requirements
Notes about submitting content
Submissions should include original artwork and a tear sheet where the piece was published. Except for books, please only provide a tear sheet, not the entire publication. If work appeared on an Internet site, a snip of the web page or a printout will suffice as a tear sheet.
Mail Submission of Content
We ask that members still fill out and pay through the online option provided even if they mail in their content. This helps with better tracking and management of contestant entries.
- Each Entry must be submitted in a separate manila envelope and include a printout of the online form email confirmation, or a completed printout of the PDF located here.
- Two copies not exceeding the 11x14" size of each entry should be sent for all print and written material. Only one copy of audio/video files is required for voice and video entries on tapes, flash drives or CDs.
- Photos & illustrations should not be mounted and must have a tear sheet attached showing the photo in print/publication. If work appeared on an Internet site, a printout of the web page will suffice as a tear sheet.
- If you don't pay online and want to mail your payment, send the $20 entry fee for each individual submission. Make all checks or money orders payable to TOWA. Do not send cash. You can include the fee for all entries on one check. If a check or copy of your on-line payment receipt is not included with your entry package, the package will be returned to you marked, “Not valid for judging”.