Looking for America's Next Great Pundit
A Washington Post Contest Could be the Door Opener to a New Career
Oct 14, 2009
How does $200 hundred dollars per article, a trip to Washington, D.C. and a weekly opinion column in one the U.S.'s leading national newspapers sound? Well if that traveling wave is music to your ears, you are in luck because the Washington Post is offering just such an opportunity. And according to the official website and Washington Post Editorial Page Editor Fred Hiatt, there is only one week left to submit an entry for the Post's 'America's Next Great Pundit' contest. So if you are interested, here is what you will have to do.
Send in an Entry Form
In order to officially enter the contest you have to send the Post "a short opinion essay (400 words or less) about a current topic in the news and submit an additional paragraph (100 words or less) about your self and why you should win." The writing will be judged on "style, intelligence and freshness of argument, but not on whether the editors of the paper agree with you or not."
How About a Debate?
On or about October 30th, ten perspective pundits will get the opportunity to face-off in a series of writing challenges that will test each pundit in the skills required for a winning contest. The particular process or method for trying or assessing the abilities, aptitudes, skills, and performance of each participant will include:
- Writing on a deadline
- Hold their own video and field questions from Post readers
- Eight hours a week for three weeks will be required
- After each round, a panel of Post personalities will offer kudos and catcalls
- Reader votes will help determine who gets another chance at a byline
The Prize
The final contestant left standing will get the wonderful "opportunity to write a weekly column that may appear in the print and/or online editions of The Washington Post, paid at a rate of $200 dollars per column for a total of 13 weeks and $2,600 dollars." The winner will have the opportunity to collaborate with a dozen or so Pulitzer Prize winners, regulars on America's national political talk shows and really some of the most influential people in nation's capital. However, the proverbial clock is ticking. There is only one week left in the contest as you have until October 21st, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time to get your entry in.
Questions
Any questions about the Washington Post's contest America's Next Great Pundit can be directed to pundit@washingtonpost.com or The Post official website. In addition, Editorial page editor Fred Hiatt will be online Wednesday, October 14th at II a.m. ET to discuss the contest. Good Luck!
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