Contest Tips compliments of:
Have you entered dozens of contests and not received even one nibble of an award? You’ve stayed up late, kicked the cat off the bed at dawn, and no matter what you do, the kudos go to someone else.
You know you have talent—but be honest—was it your best work? Seriously, did you put it off until you had to break the speed limit to make the post office on deadline day? (Or whipped up an email cover so fast you forgot to attach the entry file?!) Did you trust your computer to catch all the errors? Sometimes we sabotage ourselves even while we say we’re “trying.”
Not adhering to contest rules is many an entrant’s downfall. While breaking the rules is an everyday occurrence in business, sports, and cooking (that’s when it’s fun), it is NOT the way to enter a writing contest. I can’t tell you how painful it was for me to return a few of the essay entries for “New Beginnings” (2004). And we were lenient! The “big guys” take no prisoners… if you don’t follow the rules, your poem, essay, or short story will hit the “round file” faster than you can say, “I won!”
Even if you received your contest information from a well-meaning source other than the organization sponsoring the contest, always go to the source for details -- there are always more rules and guidelines.
More tips to help you break the mold, break the monotony, and break your contest losing streak…
~ The most common violation of contest rules is single-spacing. Nearly all contest organizers, regardless of the writing genre or format, require double-spacing. Although our judges may not mind giving an inch, the writer has to give us an extra mile, as the entry will be judged much more critically.
~ NEVER submit a handwritten entry. With computers available in libraries, computer cafés, and your mother-in-law’s -- and even for rent—find a way to type it!
~ And of course, word count. Although a maximum is generally required, it’s a difficult thing to monitor unless you are one of the big guys, who have “scanners” that are robotic counters. However, we all know that 1,000 words, for instance, in Arial or Times New Roman fonts in 10 pt., will require approximately three pages of typed text. And some contests even require a specific font.
~ While I love the various ways entries arrive… Fed/Ex, signature required, curlicue handwriting, colorful stickers on the envelope, in plastic report books, and in a dozen different typestyles, the person opening the envelope is rarely the judge and the judges never see the distinctive or cutesy presentation. Don’t waste your time or money.
~ Speaking of money… for cryin’ out loud, don’t forget the entry fee! Yes, it’s been done… many times. Also be mindful of “make payable to.” Small contests may run checks through its sponsorship account or other identity.
~ To get comfortable with sending your writing out, look for smaller contests at first. Your odds of winning are better than with a major magazine contest and it will help you hone your writing style without feeling intimidated.
~ This last tip is certainly not the least important… know how to write the format for the contest you’re entering. Many of the essays we receive are merely short stories. Certainly not the same thing. Although a personal essay shares elements of a short story, it is different than a short story and has its own style. (See Personal Essay Tips.)
Here’s to making your style work—within the rules.
LinDee Rochelle
Founder, Women Writers Worldwide
c. 2008 WWW, division of Penchant for Penning
