Cruising World Authors Win Big at the Annual BWI Writers’ Awards
On the opening morning of the Miami International Boat Show, Boating Writers International announced the winners of the 2017 annual writers’ contest. According to BWI, The awards recognize “excellence in creating compelling stories about the boating lifestyle through entertaining, educational and inspiring journalism.”
Congratulations to Cruising World authors who took home 7 awards, including a sweep of the Boating Travel or Destinations category, and 13 Merit Awards.
Boating Adventures – sponsored by Yamaha Marine Group
3rd, “Si Se Puede” by Herb McCormick (Cruising World, Sept.)
Merit Certificates: “The Devil Unknown” by Ben Zartman (Cruising World, Oct.); and “Southern Ocean, Family Style” by Somira Sao (Cruising World, Feb.)
Boating Photography – sponsored by Freedom Boat Club
Merit Certificates: “Alone at the Ice Edge” by Ellen Leonard (Cruising World, June); “The Gaffer Hannah” by Tom Zydler (Cruising World, Feb.)
Environmental Awareness & Education – sponsored by American Boat & Yacht Council
Merit Certificate: “On the Horizon” by Tyson Bottenus (Cruising World, Dec.)
Boat Projects, Renovations & Retrofits – sponsored by Awlgrip North America
1st, “Closing the Loophole” by Ronnie Simpson (Cruising World, May); 3rd, “Arm Yourself for High Latitudes” by Tom Zydler (Cruising World, April).
Merit Awards to: “A Warrior Returns” by Marilyn Mower (ShowBoats International, July); “Splice it Up” by Heather Francis (Cruising World, June)
Boating Columns – sponsored by KVH Industries, Inc.
Merit Certificate: “On Watch” by Fatty Goodlander (Cruising World)
Boating Travel or Destinations – sponsored by Martin Flory Group
1st, “Beckoned by a Clearing” by Thies Matzen (Cruising World, March); 2nd, “Lingering Through Languedoc” by Tim Murphy (Cruising World, Nov.); 3rd, “Sailing Into Paradise” by Michael Robertson (Cruising World, Feb.).
Judges said the first place selection, “Recounts the unravelling of a WWII mystery set within a family story, delivered by an epic voyage to an extraordinary part of the Earth … a captivating read with a compelling balance of historical and present-day information.”
Merit Awards: “Charmed By St. Helena” by Diane Selkirk (Sailing World, Dec.); “The Wildest Coast” by Ben Zartman (Cruising World, Feb.); “Sand and Sea” by Gary Jobson (Cruising World, June); “Saving the Best for Last” by Mike Litzow (Cruising World, Jan.); “Finding Home at the Bottom of the World” by Somira Sao (Cruising World, April); “Norwegians Would” by Terry Ward (Cruising World, April).
Technical Writing – sponsored by Dometic Marine
3rd, “Security by Design” by Alvah Simon (Cruising World, Dec.) Merit Certificate: “Going Totally Solar” by Bruce Bingham (Cruising World, Jan.)
