Have you ever entered a writing contest? If you’ve considered it, or already said a silent prayer as your entry slid hesitantly into a mailbox (virtual or heavy metal), did you ask yourself why? Why did you spend hours and hours on a piece that a publisher may never see? Not only that, you sent money with it. Are you insane?
No. You’re smart. Authors new to the game need help to navigate the increasingly convoluted maze that is our writing industry. Writing contests challenge you in more ways than one and you should learn something from each. Think of your contest fee as a business expense—an expenditure for a mini-seminar that will help hone your craft. Like any artisan’s tool, if used properly, it is a valuable instrument in your writing toolkit.
When it comes to entering writing contests, they’re pretty much a love ‘em or hate ‘em venture. Me, I’m a middle child, so in my mind everything comes with good and bad qualities (like your siblings). Yes, some are just rip-offs, some are only marginally worth your time, and a very few actually do much for your public writing career.
However, contrary to the rumblings of naysayers and elite authors, it’s my belief that contests should be part of a writer’s life, especially in the beginning. Not a huge chunk—just a small, supporting role. As a neophyte, each contest you enter is another workshop, urging you to continue writing in-between the inevitable rejection slips. Think of the boost to your ego (and perhaps, wallet) if your entry actually stands tall over your competition, and wins!
Experienced writers may want to try something new and why not test your theory on a contest? It certainly won’t hurt and you may surprise yourself. If a winner, consider expanding your topic for book publication, or perhaps a series of articles.
The writing industry—like most creative careers—is competitive. Entering a writing contest may be your first opportunity to pit your skills against our turbulent sea of aspiring writers. Isn’t that what you’re doing when you send your book or article to an agent or editor? May the best man or woman win (publication).
Counting the ways …
v Writer’s block anyone? Loosen up with a contest submission. Take a troublesome chapter of your book, or a mind-numbing topical article and throw caution to the wind. Who knows, it could create a fresh, vital storyline that would double nicely as an excerpt from your book, or add pizzazz to that magazine article.
v Don’t know a deadline from a dateline? If you are still working on that first book or article acceptance, entering a contest lets you taste-test what it’s like to work under deadline pressure—an essential quality in a writer’s life. If you miss the deadline … you automatically lose!
v Contests come in varying lengths. Learn from them! Do you write short-short stories and think you don’t have enough storyline to develop a tale of 3,000 to 10,000 words, or more? What’s missing? Try a contest before you go book-length. Or perhaps you’re the novelist, who struggles to edit the unnecessary chatter—try writing a short-short story. Take one of your lengthy chapters and create a new technique by pulling key phrases out first—you’ll be amazed at how much text you can cut and still tell a great story—maybe even better, with more punch than your original.
v Contests build comfort with your genre and help you understand where weaknesses may be plodding sluggishly through your creativity.
v Test the waters of a new genre, without feeling the bite of an editorial shark. Stretch your imagination in a risk-free environment. You could discover a “new you.”
v If you think your entry is some of your best writing (and it should be, or what’s the point?), guess what? You own it—sell it! Of course as a professional, you should abide by whatever contest regulations pertain to publishing the entries, but once the notification deadline has passed … it could be dollar signs waiting to happen!
You won a contest—so what? Will it increase your book sales and add to your credibility?
Yes and no. How’s that for a straight answer?
Credibility … yes. Especially if you use it as a promotional tool. Don’t just frame the certificate, hang it on the wall behind your desk and forget about it. Published or not, here are some tips to take advantage of a win:
- Send a press release to your local newspaper announcing your triumph: “New Green Valley author beats out Upper City competition to win prominent writing contest.”
- Create a sticker to slap on your book, “Winner of the prestigious Gold Author Book Award,” or “1st Place, Int’l Classic Writing Contest.” (I made those up, so don’t go looking for their competitions; just to give you ideas.)
- Book not published yet? Every outgoing envelope (especially those containing query letters), should be sport a sticker. And announce your win on your website. Do you have an online “Press Room” yet, or “Latest News” menu button? If your ego likes it, add it to your email signature. Be proud!
So does winning equate to additional sales? Don’t count on it. Truth be told, m’dear authors, it’s your writing that stands alone in the winning sales circle. (Taking advantage of the tips above can improve the odds, however.) A contest win is not the Great Sales Guru, but it does add fuel to the trickle-down effect that begins with good writing and ends with prolific promotion.
Raise your odds of winning—choose the right contest for you
The key to entering writing contests with a higher probability for placing in the prize list, is knowing which contests are right for you. For instance, if you’re a new fish in our active ocean of writers and authors, I wouldn’t recommend the annual Writer’s Digest competition. They receive thousands of entries and the contest staff isn’t simply looking for good writers, they’re looking for the winners whose great entries, when published, will also make them look good.
Of course that isn’t to say you are not a “natural” and your first submission won’t wow the judges. It’s been known to happen. Just don’t count on it. Instead, concentrate at first on small contests that may have modest prizes, but less competition—you know, the old big fish in a small pond theory.
Many colleges, writers’ organizations and writing-dedicated websites offer legitimate contests. Regarding magazine and book publishers’ contests, you need to be at your most vigilant when reading the rules. As often happens, it’s unfortunate that a few taint the reputation for many, but publishing-prize contests lead the list of scams. Most publishers are sincere and simply would like you to notice them. See dos, don’ts and tips, below.
Slamming scams
So, what about scams? To ignore them is foolish. However, the definition of scams is at the least, a convoluted subject. The contest cynics seem to be constantly contradicting each other.
- Don’t enter a contest that charges a fee. They just want your money.
- Don’t enter a contest that doesn’t charge a fee. It’s unreasonable to disregard costs involved to subsidize prizes and contest expenses.
- Don’t enter contests with only publishing contracts for prizes. Excuse me … tell me again, why we write?
Who are you supposed to believe? One reputable writers’ association virtually lambasted every type of contest as a scam, from the book publishers offering contracts, to writers’ magazines, to writers’ organizations. What’s left? Schools? Where your competition knows all the latest tips? A little common sense goes a long way, here.
Dos, don’ts and top tips to avoid scams
v Investigate. How long has the promoter been producing contests? If it’s their first, research them for credibility.
v Is their website professionally constructed? Take a few minutes to review it. If it’s truly a business or organization that wants to help writers, there will be more than self-promotion and blatant advertising. Look for writing tips and company information.
v Does the contest have a contact avenue? (Who or what is behind the contest?) One of my pet peeves is a company website that “doesn’t want to be bothered.” Just send money. A “human” contact is best. If there is no phone number—not even for customer service—beware. (I really dislike online-only email forms. I know spam is a problem for businesses—for our sake, deal with it.)
v If a publisher-originated contest, do you have to buy anything (anthology, books, etc.)? Not recommended. If it sounds attractive anyway, read the fine print. It may not, by the time you’re through reading.
v Make sure you’re comfortable with the contest’s rights of publication. Most want first publication rights—after all, you want to be published, right? However, if you feel your piece is very saleable, at the very least, look for contests that accept simultaneous submissions. If they want “forever” rights—don’t submit what you’re not willing to “give away.” Preferable, are contests with print publication of winners, as well as online.
v Look for contests that don’t publish every entry, or have “everyone’s a winner” prizes. Like, what’s the point?
v Don’t pay more than you feel the prize is worth. (Again, think workshop fees.)
v Read what you’re signing, if a signature is required.
v Still not sure if it’s a legit contest? Ask others for comments … or ask me!
The real prize …
While undeniably satisfying, a winner’s check in your hot little hand is not the real prize. The more you write, the better you’ll become—but you know that. “Practice makes perfect” is an old adage that has not faded with time.
So, what IS the prize? Even as you mail your entry, whether you win or not, you have triumphed. For it takes the spirit of a winner, the heart of an artist, and the determination of a corporate magnate to create, manifest, and bare your soul with your writing, and submit it to a contest.
If you are satisfied you submitted your best work (it isn’t worth it if you don’t) … if you enjoyed the writing process … and if you learned something in your self-imposed workshop—you are a winner!
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