Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers & Photographers
sharing the outdoor experience through words and photos
Best of Show – Ron Belak
“Walk Softly and Carry a Small Stick” ~ 1st place Magazine Article category; published in Colorado Outdoors, Jan/Feb 2022 issue. To see and read the piece click here.
“This piece goes beyond the how to’s of recreating in the outdoors with a strong message of stewardship, written in an accessible style targeted perfectly to the audience. I was instantly engaged by the vivid opening scene.” – Mary Taylor Young, writing judge
Continue reading 2022 Writing & Video WinnersBest of Show: Ron Belak
“The Fishing Guide to 800 High Lakes in Colorado” © Ron Belak ~ 1st Place Books
“A hefty, information-loaded book that gives readers plenty of bang for their book-buying buck that goes beyond a serviceable-but-dull guide book. The author inserts engaging comments that make the text more interesting to read for example referencing Never Sweat Lake with the comment ‘a name many anglers would disagree with.’ ” ~ Judge Mary Taylor Young
“Am I Really Retired?” © Richard Holmes
1st Place Unpublished Written Works
“Though this is a very brief essay, it stands out for the authenticity of the writer’s voice as he reveals himself to the reader. Showing your vulnerabilities is frightening, causing many writers to avoid it, thus losing an opportunity for strong connection to the reader. When a writer opens up authentically, as this writer does, it is a strong tool to engage readers.” ~ Judge Mary Taylor Young
Click here to read Richard’s winning article.
Continue reading 2020 Writing & Video Contest ResultsEight members submitted entries in the writing and video categories of the contest. Best of Show went to Ron Belak for his book “Fly Fishing Colorado’s Backcountry”.
Judge Mary Taylor Young said of the book: “Highly readable how-to guide with great descriptions and loaded with photos, angling help, and tips. An excellent, comprehensive guide, nicely illustrated with color photos of sites, fish, anglers, fishing flies as well as explanatory illustrations. This thorough, well-researched book covers how-tos of fishing and backpacking plus fish biology and management, while also being enjoyable to read.”
Continue reading 2019 Writing & Video Contest ResultsNine members submitted 20 written works and seven videos to this year’s contest. The video judge stated that the videographers did a great job this year.
Best of Show in writing went to new member Cheryl Whetham for “Hiking the Centennial Trail” published by CreateSpace in 2018.
“A well-organized, practical hiking guide loaded with useful information and first-hand insight from the authors. Nicely illustrated with color photos and maps. This guide creates a sense of discovery by profiling a great trail in a state (South Dakota) not usually known for its hiking.“
Continue reading 2018 Writing & Video WinnersEleven members submitted 32 written entries this year, an increase of almost 15% over last year. The video entries doubled this year, with 18 submissions from six members. Winners were announced at the awards banquet the last night of the 2017 conference in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Continue reading 2017 Writing & Video AwardsTwelve video clips and 25 written works were submitted to this year’s contest. Winning entries were announced at the awards banquet at the culmination of the 2016 conference in Bryce Canyon, Utah. Continue reading 2016 Writing & Video Awards
This year 27 written works and 10 video clips were submitted to the contest. A third judge was recruited to more fairly assess videos. Continue reading 2015 Writing and Video Awards
A total of 33 written works were submitted in this year’s contest. Winners were announced at the Awards Banquet in West Glacier, Montana. A special thanks to Virginia Staat for sharing her art, “Tasunka.” Continue reading 2014 Writing Awards
by Frank Zurey
Winners in the writing portion of the 2013 Contest were announced at the conference in Fruita, Colorado. There were 12 written works submitted in this year’s contest.
Award-winning nature writer Mary Taylor Young has been writing professionally for over 20 years. She has published 13 books and hundreds of articles in periodicals such as Ladies Home Journal, Outside, and Wildlife Conservation. Mary writes from her home in Castle Rock, Colorado where she lives with her husband and daughter and many wild neighbors. Continue reading 2013 Writing Awards