Entries open for Alan Lodge spirits writer award

Promising young journalists, bloggers and columnists are being called upon to enter the third annual Alan Lodge International Young Spirits Writer of the Year Award.

Laura Foster (centre) accepts the 2014 Alan Lodge Award from the late SB writer’s parents, Margaret and Colin.

The award was launched in 2012 in memory of Alan Lodge, the late deputy editor of The Spirits Business, who suddenly passed away in April 2012, and aims to recognise the work of up and coming spirits writers aged under 35 all across the world.

Past recipients of the award include Hamish Smith, now deputy editor of Drinks International, and Laura Foster, assistant editor of Imbibe.

“Winning the Alan Lodge Young Spirits Writer of the Year Award meant – and still means – an awful lot to me,” said Foster. “To be chosen out of a field of immensely talented writers gave me a huge boost in confidence, and my career has come on leaps and bounds since the announcement in December.

“For anyone considering entering, just do it. You’ll never be in with a chance if you don’t try.”

Although run by The Spirits Business, the award is handed out by an independent panel of judges making the process entirely impartial.

Entrants may submit up to three pieces of work, all of which much have been published in print or online between September 2013 and September 2014, written in the English language in Microsoft Word format.

Work should be submitted to info@thespiritsbusiness.com with the subject headed “Alan Lodge International Young Spirits Writer of the Year Award 2014” for the attention of Daisy Jones.

The deadline for entries is 30 September, and all entrants must be aged 35 or under by this date.