Step 1 — Acquire the Association Code from the WVPA. The code
was included on the WVPA contest email you received, or contact Dalton Walker
at 304-342-1011. Register on the contest website — www.newspapercontest.com/Contests/WestVirginiaPressAssociation.aspx — using your
email address. You will receive a confirmation email, which you will need
to complete registration. Use the link above to register.
Step 2 — Login to the site. You will see a page showing any
entries you have already submitted. Complete rules for both advertising and
editorial contests are available above. Some browsers, such as Safari, will
open the rules in a new window; others will require you to download the PDF
file to your computer.
Step 3 — Click on the “Add New Entry” link.
Step 4 — On this page, select your newspaper name. A lot of
your newspaper’s information will autofill. If that information is incorrect,
please call Dalton Walker at (304) 342-1011. Your division will be
selected for you based on your circulation. Fill in the preparer’s name.
Step 5 — Select the
contest class. There are drop-down menus for your convenience. This field will
clear each time you save an entry, so you must select a class for each new
entry. When you select the class, special instructions will appear below
it.
Step 6 — If necessary,
provide an explanation of your entry. The explanation/cutline box is limited to
3,000 characters. It’s a good idea to write your explanation in another
program, such as Word, and copy/paste into the explanation box. If a URL is
required, fill in the URL box; there is no need to type “http://.” However, if your
website has a paywall or requires a login and password, you will need to
have your IT person create a contest login and password and provide it in
the explanation box for each URL entry.
Step 7 — Include the name of the entry. If uploading full-page
PDF files, it will be helpful if the entry name matches the editorial or
advertising submission on the page so the judges can find it easily. If
the judges cannot tell what is to be judged, the entry will be discarded
without refund.
Step 8 — Include the name of the person or people who should be
credited for any award. This is generally the ad staffer, writer, reporter,
photographer, graphic artist, cartoonist, etc. It is not necessarily the
name of the person submitting the entry nor the person picking up the award at
the convention.
Step 9 — Add your file or files. You can drag and drop files or
use the “Add files” button to navigate your files. Generally, files should be
in PDF format except photos, which should be in high-resolution JPG
format. Other files and URLs may be acceptable as noted in the special
instructions. Upload as many files as are necessary to complete your entry
but refer to the special instructions for any limitations. Again, if
your website has a paywall or requires a login and password, you will need
to have your IT person create a contest login and password and provide it in
the explanation box for each URL entry.
Step 10 — When you have
completed your submission, click the “Save” button. If you click the “Back to
list” button, you will lose the entry you just completed. After clicking
“Save,” you will be directed back to the list of your entries.
Step 11 — To submit another entry, click “Add New Entry.” As
long as you have not logged out of the system, your newspaper name will still
be in place and you can simply start at Step 6 again. You may log out and
log back in later to continue adding entries. You will need to select your
newspaper name each time you log in.
Step 12 — If you are done submitting entries, please review the
list. You may not change an entry, but you may delete an entry and resubmit
it.
Step 13 — Complete the billing information. You may pay by check
to the WVPA, 3422 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston, W.Va. 25302, or by credit card
by calling Dalton Walker at 304-342-1011.