Every year, outdoor journalists, photographers, filmmakers, authors and content creators produce work that informs, inspires and connects people to the outdoors.
Now it’s time to put that work in the spotlight.
The Outdoor Writers Association of America’s 2027 Excellence in Craft (EIC) Contest is officially open for entries, recognizing outstanding work produced by OWAA members across a wide range of outdoor media.
Whether you spent the year reporting on conservation issues, photographing wildlife, sharing outdoor adventures or producing compelling stories for print, digital or broadcast audiences, we encourage you to enter your best work.
And don’t stop at one entry! With 11 media categories and numerous topics to choose from, there are plenty of opportunities to showcase the work you’ve produced throughout the year.
Winners receive cash prizes and certificates, with prize amounts supported by entry fees and generous contest sponsors.
Winners will be celebrated at OWAA’s 2027 annual conference, taking place August 23–25 in the Roanoke Region of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Need a little inspiration? Explore the 2026 Excellence in Craft Award winners to see examples of outstanding work recognized by OWAA.
Check out the 2026 EIC winning photography here.
Ready to enter? Visit OWAA’s Submittable page to get started.
Why enter the Excellence in Craft Contest?
The EIC Contest is an opportunity to have your work recognized by fellow outdoor media professionals, celebrate the craft of outdoor storytelling and compete for cash prizes and awards.
It’s also a chance to look back at what you’ve accomplished over the past year. That feature you spent weeks reporting? The photograph you waited hours to capture? The podcast episode that sparked an important conversation? Your work deserves consideration.
Participation also helps sustain one of OWAA’s longstanding programs celebrating excellence in outdoor media. Entry fees, along with generous sponsorship support, help fund contest awards and keep the program going year after year.
Find the right category for your work
The 2027 contest includes 11 media categories:
- Blog
- Book
- Column
- Graphic/Illustration
- Magazine/Magazine Website
- Newspaper/Newspaper Website
- Open
- Photography
- Photo Essay
- Radio/Podcast
- TV/Video/Webcast
Many categories include additional topics, such as conservation, fishing, hunting, outdoor adventure, gear and technical reporting, and family participation.
OWAA members can submit multiple entries, subject to the limits for each category and topic. In certain cases, the same work may qualify for more than one topic, giving members additional opportunities for recognition.
Not sure where your work fits? Review the complete category descriptions and submission guidelines or contact eic@owaa.org for guidance.
Important Dates for the 2027 Contest
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss an opportunity to enter.
- November 1, 2026: Contest opens for submissions.
- December 1, 2026: Final deadline for Book Contest entries.
- January 15, 2027: Deadline to enter all other categories at the regular $15 entry fee.
- January 31, 2027: Final deadline for all other categories. A $10 late fee applies to entries submitted after January 15.
All deadlines are midnight Eastern Standard Time.
We encourage members to submit early to avoid additional fees and give themselves plenty of time to review the requirements.
Who can enter?
The EIC Contest is open to OWAA individual Active, Associate, Senior, Student and Life members whose dues are current.
Eligible work must be outdoor-related and produced as a professional effort, meaning the member received direct payment or derived income or benefit through advertising or sponsorship associated with the entry.
For most categories, work must have been published, broadcast or sold between January 1 and December 31, 2026.
The Book Contest has a separate eligibility period covering works published between December 1, 2024, and November 30, 2026.
Please note that the 2027 contest explicitly prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence tools to generate, create or revise submitted work. Review the full contest rules before entering.
How to Submit Your Work
All entries are managed through Submittable, OWAA’s online contest submission platform.
Getting started is easy:
- Visit OWAA’s Submittable page.
- Sign in or create a free Submittable account.
- Select the media category that best fits your work.
- Follow the instructions to upload your entry or provide an eligible link.
- Complete the entry form and pay the $15 submission fee.
Each media category has its own submission form and requirements.
Entering a book? Book entrants must complete the Submittable form and mail the required copies to OWAA by the December 1, 2026, deadline. See the complete Book Contest rules for mailing instructions.
For articles behind paywalls, submit a PDF or TXT file rather than a restricted link. Additional requirements apply to photography, video, audio and other formats, so be sure to review the guidelines for your category.
Awards and recognition
Cash prizes and certificates are awarded to the top entries in eligible categories and topics, with judges also having the option to recognize outstanding work through honorable mentions.
Prize money is supported by contest entry fees and sponsorship donations. The more members who participate, the stronger the competition and the greater the opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work being produced throughout the outdoor media industry.
Make your work count! Enter today!
Think back over the stories you told, the images you captured and the projects you completed in 2026. Which pieces represent your best work?
Whether you’re entering for the first time or have participated for years, we encourage you to submit your work and be part of this annual celebration of outdoor media excellence.
Enter the 2027 Excellence in Craft Contest through Submittable.
Questions about eligibility, categories or submissions? Contact the EIC Contest coordinator at eic@owaa.org. For technical assistance with Submittable, email support@submittable.com.