W I L L R O G E R S M E D A L L I O N A W A R D
®
W I L L R O G E R S
M E D A L L I O N A W A R D C O N T E S T I N F O
Categories
Cowboy Poetry-Written (books only; we do not have a category for individual poems); reflects the tradition of work poetry/performance poetry that grew out of the 19th century improvisational entertainment practices of isolated crews of cattle drovers and ranch hands.
Cowboy Poetry-Recorded (MP3 file and CD); reflects the tradition of work poetry/performance poetry that grew out of the 19th century improvisational entertainment practices of isolated crews of cattle drovers and ranch hands.
Western Poetry - Recorded (MP3 file and CD); reflects the values and beliefs of the Western frontier
Western Poetry - Written (books only; we do not have a category for individual poems); reflects the values and beliefs of the Western frontier
Western Fiction - Traditional (Pre-1900)
Western Fiction - Modern (Post-1900)
Western Historical Fiction
Western Nonfiction
Western Biography & Memoir
Western Romance
Western Mystery
Western Fiction - Young Readers
Western Fiction-Young Readers/Illustrated
Western Nonfiction - Young Readers
Western Nonfiction-Young Readers/ Illustrated
Inspirational Western Fiction
Western Photographic Essays
Western Cookbooks
Western Fiction Short Stories (an individual fiction short story published in a magazine or as a single short story included in a collection of short stories)
Western Humor (books, short stories, or newspaper/magazine articles)
Western Songwriting (submit MP3 file or link to song and copy of music/lyrics); draws heavily from the folk music traditions of the American West, including songs brought over by settlers and those developed in the region.
Cowboy Songwriting (submit MP3 file or link to song and copy of music/lyrics); focuses on themes and stories related to the American West, particularly the life of cowboys, cattle drives, and the frontier.
Western Film - Drama Feature (The drama and documentary film categories require the submission of copies of both the script/screenplay AND an accessible link to the film.)
Western Film - Drama Short (The drama and documentary film categories require the submission of copies of both the script/screenplay AND an accessible link to the film.) Shorts are films of 30-minute running time or less.
Western Film - Documentary Long Form (see requirements above)
Western Film - Documentary Short Form (see requirements above); shorts are films of 30-minute running time or less.
Western Short Non-Fiction (an article or essay
on the American West, appearing in a printed publication and with a word count between
1,000-5,000 words. If the article was only published by an online digital magazine, we will accept a printed copy of the article; all other articles from a printed magazine must have submitted in the original format - not a xeroxed copy.) If the article is adapted from a book, both the book and the article must have been published during the required previous year.
Judging Criteria
The Will Rogers Medallion Award recognizes excellence in Western literature and media. The quality of each entry is judged based on content and artistic presentation. The top three winners in each category will be announced in June, with the final rankings revealed at the banquet/ceremony in October.
*All works must represent an accurate reflection of Western Americana, or cowboy and ranch life, historical or contemporary. Historical accuracy is crucial where applicable.
*The work must remain consistent with the values and the language embodied in the works of award namesake, Will Rogers, one of America's most beloved humorists and writers; in other words, innuendo is fine, but neither graphic sex scenes nor graphic language is in our code.
*Books (and films) must have been published (released) during the year prior to that of the award ceremony (must have a copyright/release date of 2025 for the 2026 awards). We can not accept later editions or reprints of a book published prior to the previous year.
*Books and films are judged on their literary quality as well as cover, visual, and interior art.
*Proper editing and formatting are paramount. Before submitting your book, please ensure that spelling, formatting (alignments, spacing, readable fonts, indentions, chapter headings, etc.), and grammar are correct and visually pleasing.
*All books must have an ISBN. Self-published works are accepted. Advanced Readers' Copies (ARCs) and e-books will not be accepted. Articles published online require printed copies of the digital article for the judges.
*Individual titles may only be entered in ONE category.
The Will Rogers Medallion Award recognizes excellence in Western literature and media. The quality of each entry is judged based on content and artistic presentation.
All works must represent an accurate reflection of Western Americana, or cowboy and ranch life, historical or contemporary. Historical accuracy is crucial where applicable. Books are judged on their literary quality as well as cover art. All visual arts will be judged based on their visual quality of the same criteria.
All books must have an ISBN. Self published works are accepted.
Books that are eBook originals or exclusive must be submitted in a printed copy. No electronic copies will be accepted in any format.
Submission Guidelines
Submissions for the 2025 contest are now CLOSED.
Submit four (4) copies of the published work (for films: please include copies of both the script and DVDs; for songwriting: 4 copies of music/lyrics and a link to or MP3 file of the song), a completed entry form, along with the $50 entry fee (fee increases to $75 after January 1) - checks payable to Will Rogers Medallion Award - to either Laurie or Chris (see categories below):
Laurie Cockerell
5313 Santa Marie Ave.
Fort Worth, Tx 76114
Categories:
Traditional Fiction
Modern Fiction
Historical Fiction
Western Nonfiction
Western Cookbooks
Fiction - Young Readers
Fiction/Young Readers/Illustrated
Non-Fiction/Young Readers
Non-Fiction/Young Readers/Illustrated
Western Poetry/Written
Western Poetry/Recorded
Cowboy Poetry/Written
Cowboy Poetry/Recorded
Chris Enss
14583 Silver Pick Court
Grass Valley, California 95945
Categories:
Western Mystery
Western Biography/Memoir
Western Photographic Essays
Western Songwriting
Cowboy Songwriting
Western Short Non-Fiction
Western Film - Drama
(feature and short)
Western Film - Documentary
(long and short forms)
Western Humor
Western Inspirational
Western Romance
Western Fiction Short Stories
Book Entry Form can be found here.
Film Entry Form can be found here.
Songwriting Entry Form found here.
*Please note: once your submission is received, entry fees are non-refundable and books/scripts/music will not be returned. Please ensure that your entry meets our publication date and other guidelines, and that you have submitted your entry to the proper category before mailing your submissions and entry form.
If you have trouble printing or viewing the contest entry form from this site (see separate Book, Film, and Songwriting Entry Form tabs under Contest Information tab) or have any questions about the contest, please contact us: