I thought this was some news worth sharing! The New York C.S. Lewis Society is hosting a Student Essay Contest this spring. The New York C.S. Lewis Society was founded in 1969, six years after Lewis passed away. Besides monthly meetings, they also produce CSL: The Bulletin of the New York C.S. Lewis Society–a society newsletter that never fails to provide enjoyment and profit for the reader. In each issue, you will find news, reviews, and book notes, but also an academic essay and some occasional features, like Dale Nelson–who has contributed from time to time on A Pilgrim in Narnia–and his “Jack and the Bookshelf” series (now numbering into the 50s in number). The essays are consistently smart and readable while retaining a folksy society feeling.

I was pleased to be one of the guest speakers in the past, and I’m excited to share this new initiative. The full details are in the PDF linked below. However, here are some of the key points of interest:

Eligibility:
High School Students: 1,500-3,000 words (Prize: $300, publication, one-year membership)
College Students: 2,000-5,000 words (Prize: $500, publication, one-year membership)

Deadline: June 29, 2024

Other Prizes: The top five finalists in each category will be publicized in the Society’s bulletin and given a one-year membership in the New York C.S. Lewis Society. Students enrolled in a college or high school (public, private, or home school) are eligible. Winning essays will be announced at the November meeting of the Society.