Entries Due: Gonzo Travel Writing Contest 2007
By Roadjunky, Posted Jan 24, 2007
In an age of timid, consumer travel, www.roadjunky.com was founded to promote intrepid journeys, on-the-edge experiences and genuine cultural awareness.
With most travel writing these days tending towards politically correct mediocrity, or else full of refried clichés in a doomed effort to be objective, we decided it’s about time that the spirit of subjective gonzo journalism be revived. Hunter, you’re sorely missed.
Theme of 2007 – Travelling Through Fear
We live in an age where we learn to fear before we learn to read. Al Qaeda attacks, environmental catastrophes or embarrassing body odour could occur at any moment, so the hypnosis box warns us.
Well, fuck that. We want to hear about individuals who defeat the prejudices, disarm the risks and walk out into the unknown anyway. Much like the Tarot card of the Fool who steps merrily off the cliff.
We want to hear about travel stories where you were confronted with your worst fears and how you dealt with them – maybe you were almost killed in a bus accident in India, maybe you were attacked by bandits on the Kenyan border or maybe you just came home to find a credit card bill in 5 figures. It’s up to you.
Submission Guidelines
Editors are busy people, really. Fail to meet the conditions below and we’ll trash your entry without even reading it.
- Submissions must be between 1000-1500 words long. – Submissions must be submitted as Microsoft Word attachments with the email subject ‘Entry’. – Proofread and redraft your work at least once before sending it in. – Submissions must have a travel focus. – All submissions must be in by June 31st 2007
Prizes
First prize – $100 plus a copy of the Roadjunky Survival Handbook
Second prize – $50 plus a copy of Hand to Mouth to India
Third prize – $30 plus Hand to Mouth to India
Winning entries will be featured in forthcoming Roadjunky publications in print and notable runners up will be published on the site.
Send your tales to editor@roadjunky.com