2014 Bluebird Banter FanPost Writing Contest

Put your writing caps on: it's time for the 2014 Bluebird Banter FanPost Writing Contest! There isn't much Blue Jays news or happenings right now so this is a good time to reflect on the season that just ended and think about the good times and the sad times. If you would like to give writing FanPosts a try, this is a good time to start! The winner of the contest will receive a copy of Jesse Goldberg-Strassler's The Baseball Thesaurus (generously donated by Jesse--thanks!).

The Baseball Thesaurus is not simply listings of synonyms for various baseball terms; a good number of entries actually have quotes or stories giving a bit of a backgrounder on a particular term, so you can actually read it like a book. It is a great place to pick up a baseball fact or two before your next dinner party.

To enter this contest, you simply have to write a 750-to-1250-word original piece (it must not have been published anywhere else before) about any aspect of the 2014 Toronto Blue Jays season. It can be a personal story, an analytical piece, a sabermetric piece, an interview, a poem--anything goes. Then, post it as a "FanPost" here on Bluebird Banter some time on Monday, October 20, 2014 (Eastern time) and send a copy to us at bluebirdbanter@shaw.ca. If you post a FanPost before or after October 20, it will not be eligible for the contest. There is a limit of one contest entry per person / user name / email address. This contest is open to all 18+ residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the United States.

After the 20th, a judging panel consisting of Bluebird Banter staff and Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, will read through all the submissions and select three finalists for fan voting. The judging criteria include: originality and creativity, use of language, writing style, and choice of topic. When the three finalists have been chosen, their FanPosts will be posted on the front page of Bluebird Banter from October 27 to October 28, and that's when everyone can go and vote for the FanPosts they like by clicking on the "Rec" button. The final winner of the contest will be decided based on a combination of fan votes and votes from the judging panel.

No purchase is necessary. Official Rules - 2014 Bluebird Banter FanPost Contest for the 2014 Bluebird Banter FanPost Contest as prepared by SB Nation's fantastic lawyers.