The Sidney Prize and the Edelstein Prize
The Sidney Prize is a monthly journalism award that recognizes and encourages excellence in investigative journalism and social justice. It is administered by the Sidney Award Foundation and is given out in the United States for work published in an American newspaper, magazine or blog.
This prize is named after the late Neilma Gantner. She was a prolific writer and poet. Her short stories have been included in numerous anthologies.
Since 1950, the Sidney Hillman Foundation has honored journalists and public figures. They have sponsored awards for writers, journalists and filmmakers. In 2007, they launched the Overland Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize. This competition seeks original short fiction of at least three thousand words. Interested writers can apply through the foundation. All applicants are eligible.
Nikky Finney is a poet, a renowned scholar, a professor at the University of Kentucky, a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets and a visiting lecturer at Smith College. She is also the recipient of the Thomas Robinson Prize for Southern Literature.
George Haddad is an award winning writer and artist. His work is featured in Overland, Seizure, Runway and ReadingRoom. He has also won the Viva La Novella prize for his debut novel. Currently he is pursuing a doctorate at Western Sydney University.
Greg Palast is a New York Times bestselling author who has been exposing voter suppression tactics for fifteen years. His books include The People’s History of the United States and the best-selling The Power Broker. Previously he was a fellow at the Center for Southern Studies.
The Edelstein Prize is presented in memory of the late Sidney Edelstein. This is a $3,500 award. It was previously known as the Dexter Prize. Before his death in 2004, Sidney Edelstein was a noted expert on the history of dyes.
The award is open to writers at all stages of their careers. Previous winners include Elisbeth Passmore and Alan Sincic. To apply, you can visit the foundation’s website for a full program and application guidelines.
The Sidney Foundation awards several Hillman Prizes every spring. They sponsor a $500 honorarium, a certificate and a bottle of union made wine. Each year, the Sidney Award Foundation has a selection committee that selects the prize winners. If you are interested in applying, you can follow the foundation’s online application process.
In addition, the Center for Southern Studies will be announcing a winner of the Thomas Robinson Prize for Southern Literature. The award is named after the legendary Southern writer. Prior to its renaming in 2012, the award was known as the Sidney Lanier Prize.
Other winners of the Overland Neilma Sidney Prize have been: Katharsis by George Haddad, Postcard from Nowheresville by Elisbeth Passmore and Westernport Crossing by Alan Sincic. This year’s winners were chosen from a shortlist of eight.
The Sidney Award Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes economic and social justice through its various awards. The organization is active in its efforts to honor journalists and public figures who are engaged in investigative journalism in service to the common good.