The Iris Chang & Peter Kolodziej Writing Awards

Iris Chang (1968-2004), who graduated from Uni High in 1985, was the author of three acclaimed works of nonfiction, including the best-selling “Rape of Nanking.” Peter Kolodziej (1963-2005), who graduated from Uni High in 1979, was a Harvard- and MIT-trained biochemist and biologist whose work as a Vanderbilt University scientist focused on the genetic factors involved in the development of neurons and the trachea. After the passing of Iris and Peter within months of each other, Peter’s brother Daniel Kolodziej offered to establish an award in their honor. Daniel had worked with Iris as an editor of the Unique literary magazine and knew of her passion for good writing. Peter was also devoted to the written word, both as an avid reader and an accomplished scientific author. Thanks to Daniel’s initiative, as well as the generosity of Iris’s classmates, the Iris Chang & Peter Kolodziej Writing Awards were established in 2006.

Categories

• Entries will be judged in two categories: fiction and nonfiction.
• “Fiction” includes, but is not limited to, short stories, one-act plays, scenes from longer dramatic works, and chapters from novels in progress.
• “Nonfiction” includes, but is not limited to, personal essays or memoirs, journalistic reportage (news stories, feature stories, investigative projects, etc.), and academic papers.

Prizes

• $100 will be awarded to the winner in each category.
• Winners will be announced at the Uni High Awards Ceremony in May.

Eligibility

• All current Uni High students, subfreshman through senior, are eligible to enter.
• Students may submit work in both categories.
• Students are limited to one entry per category.
• Each entry must be limited to no more than 2,500 words.
• Work that has been published elsewhere (such as in a Uni student publication or a local newspaper), written for a class, or submitted to other contests IS eligible.

Entry Preparation

• Each submission must be accompanied by a completed entry form (https://forms.gle/fvz26VnRTDGQMtJ7A).
• Entries, including those that have been published elsewhere, must be shared as a Google Doc with Mr. Mitchell at mtmitch704@gmail.com. Entries should be double-spaced, and the file name should be your last name and “fiction” or “nonfiction,” depending on the category you are entering.

Deadline

• Entries must be submitted as a Google Doc shared with mtmitch704@gmail.com by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2019.

Judging

• Entries will be judged (name-blind) by alumni of the University of Illinois Creative Writing program.