Glynis mentioned in the comments on Monday's post that some contests are closed - only open certain country's writers. That might have to do with local and international laws, especially for those offering the prize of a publishing contract.
Some contests are 100% gimmicks and solely had to raise income. But don't discount a contest just because there is a fee. Advertising the contest is a huge expense in some cases. Sometimes judges are compensated for their time. There are expenses beyond the prize money, so I don't mind a reasonable fee.
The judges for my short story contest have nothing to gain for donating their time, it is just one of those relationship things that develops. I'm blessed with many good industry contacts.
Some contests are prestigious to win. Certainly those that provide judges' feedback are useful - often for an additional fee. They give a snapshot of what industry pros think of the submission at that moment in time.
However, keep in mind that some people have submitted the same [rejected] ms to an agent at a later date with no significant changes and it was "loved" the second time around. This industry is subjective. It is also a lot of educated guessing.
I think there are several reasons to enter writing contests. The free contests, of which there aren't very many, are budget friendly - a no brainer. It is important to set a budget on what will be spent for contests. There are contests with prestigious names that are a real boost to a writing career, if won. Usually those cost more than some of the others. I like those that give out the judges' comments - good, bad, and ugly. If you don't win, at least you have feedback from the process. Also, you know your work was read.
I'm suspect of contests with anthologies, publishing contracts, and a bunch of services that I wouldn't buy, so don't really want to win.
Take the time to research who can enter. Some contests have geographic boundaries, some the publisher has to submit the work while others the author has to enter.
At any rate, thank you to everyone who entered this contest. I am delighted with the response since this is the first time to host a contest and it certainly isn't a prestigious one. But I hope that the ease made it a little less stressful for those who were entering their first contest.
Keep in mind that the world doesn't end if you don't win. Regardless of what anyone thinks of your writing, you have to keep the faith, continue to hone your skills, and follow your dream.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
When Paul Fenton stops for breakfast in a small town, he gets more than he bargained for in the process.
When two-hundred-year-old human remains are discovered on one of Neptune's moons, Earth's history falls into question.
Emily's husband persuades her to try thalidomide to ease her symptoms as she is unaware of the devastating effects.
Who is the women's shelter bomber? Melissa Ryan suspects that her husband knows.
Further developments with the Wilder family.
A hidden past shakes the O'Donovan family to its core
A swirl of emotion and choice, set in Cape Town, South Africa
Love is a constant, but it comes at a price.
When the road ahead is unclear, sometimes you have to rely on trust.
The struggle between good and evil is ages old. It gets all the more complicated when the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys have redeeming qualities.
Story of a land mothering two races of people – the light-skinned and the dark-skinned.
A gifted Ukrainian ballerina comes into possession of a mysteriously coded address book.
Six passengers' lives change for better or worse after they arrive in Honiton.
Resilience and love in a harsh and unforgiving age
Kathryn's Beach
High Tide
Storm Surge
Thanks for your very encouraging comments. Everyone needs to hear that they should follow their dream.
ReplyDeleteLoree,
ReplyDeleteIf you believe in something, then don't let it go. That's not to say to ignore all the input. Consider each, but at the end of the day, you are still a writer and must be true to that.
Thanks for reading the post.
For me this was the most important contest I have come across. This opened up a door of courage for me. I also had to format a submission for the first time. I have entered poetry contests, and am proud to say I have won three. Entering a writing contest was a whole new ball game. I had to think far more, poems come to me far quicker.
ReplyDeleteThe contest also made me feel part of the writing world. Not an aspiring writer living her dream in Cyprus, but someone who was being judged as a writer.
You wrote these words,Nadine...'it certainly isn't a prestigious one'. Maybe that is how you see it. For me it was a valuable one, thank you.
Glynis, thank you. I had hoped it would be worthwhile for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet, I might have to hop a plane and come give you a hug.
Yes, you are a writer. I never got the aspiring part that people say. To me, aspiring means thinking about doing it. If you write, you're a writer.