Entries must have been originally published, produced, or presented between January 1 and December 31, 2007. You MUST indicate all co-producers or co-publishers, if any, involved in the development of your entry. Non-English-language entries accompanied by an English translation or transcript are eligible.

Entries cannot have been previously submitted for the Silver Gavel Awards-unless they are substantially revised and represent new releases or editions.

For all entries, submit 5 entry sets, collated, with both forms (including one signed original) and 5 entry products or products (e.g., books, articles, DVDs and CDs). The entry form must be securely attached, as a cover page, to the front of each entry set and must be clearly visible upon immediate inspection. All supporting materials included in the five collated entry sets (see 3H on Entry Form) must be in a reproducible, 8½" x 11" size. The ABA may disqualify any submission not meeting these entry requirements.

For all newspaper or magazine content entries, one "original" entry (e.g., newspaper or magazine tearsheets) is preferred. The other 4 copies may be reproduced (e.g., newspapers as 8-1/2 x 11" pages). Legibility is essential. To facilitate entry, special published reprints of original articles may be submitted.

For entries in the documentaries, television news and video-based drama and literature categories, submit the 5 entries on either DVD (strongly preferred) or ½" VHS videocassette (acceptable) formats. Clearly mark title, airing information, and running time and delete all commercials, long lead-ins and breaks.

For any entries with online content, all content must be clearly indicated and remain publicly accessible via a single URL throughout the judging period (January 9 - May 30). We also encourage submission of selected online content in either hard copy or DVD/CD formats, as appropriate (5 copies).

There is no restriction on the number of entries publishers and producers may submit. Particular entries, however, may be submitted in only one category.

Recognizing that certain entries might be eligible under more than one category, the American Bar Association reserves the right to consider entries under another category than that submitted. This would be done in order to provide submissions with the best opportunity for awards consideration.

Entries should be on a single subject or issue or otherwise address a cohesive theme. They cannot be treated as representative of work not submitted. Accordingly, a series of related parts (e.g., programs, columns, articles) is eligible, but "body of work" entries are not.

Please note that all entry materials become the property of the American Bar Association and will not be returned. Programs or products funded or developed by or in association with the American Bar Association are ineligible for Gavel Awards.

Entry Fees
A fee is required for each entry submitted. The fee for Television News entries (category # 7) is $125; for all other categories, the fee is $75. If you would like to request a hardship waiver for entry fees in any category (limited to one entry), please e-mail your request to the American Bar Association, attention Howard Kaplan, at kaplanh@staff.abanet.org. Briefly state the reason for your request. If you are submitting more than one entry, a single check, payable to the American Bar Association, is preferred (ABA Federal Tax ID #36-0723150). To pay by credit card, call Adrienne Barney at 312.988.5733.

Download the 2008 entry form and guidelines or (Microsoft Word version)