Weekly newspaper editorial contest deadline Mon.

Entries for the annual Golden Quill editorial writing competition of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors must be postmarked by Monday, Feb. 2. Any paper published fewer than five days per week can enter editorials published in 2008. There is no entry fee, and non-members may enter. The group is offering free memberships to rural newspapers (see below).

Contest entries should reflect ISWNE's purpose, encouraging the publication of editorials that identify issues that are or should be of concern to the community, offer an opinion, and support a course of action, with an emphasis on local topics. Up to four editorials or signed opinion pieces may be entered, but no more than two from any individual. Send an original and one copy of each entry. The copy must be on white letter-size paper and should eliminate identifying information, such as a byline or mug shot. On the back of both the original and the copy, put the newspaper's name, full mailing address, date of publication, full name and title of the writer, and the writer's e-mail address and phone number. Mail to Chad Stebbins, Missouri Southern State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin MO 64801-1595.

ISWNE is offering free one-year memberships to rural publishers and editors. Members receive the group's monthly newsletter and its quarterly journal, Grassroots Editor. ISWNE has more than 250 members in seven countries, mostly owners of papers in the U.S. and Canada (its annual meeting will be on Prince Edward Island this summer). It offers a hotline for members to get advice from others on editorial policy, journalism ethics and other topics. "It is not uncommon for a question to bring as many as 50 responses within 24 hours," says Stebbins, the group's executive director. To learn more about the free membership, contact him at stebbins-c@mssu.edu.