Previously published by Net
Author, Novel Advice, Gotta Write Network, and
Writing Parent
Copyright 2002
For distribution contact: richput@mywebemail.net
WRITING CONTESTS: ONE FOOT IN THE DOOR
As
a writer, do you lack discipline in completing and mailing out stories and
articles to publishers? When you finally
do submit, do you receive rejection after rejection, and become frustrated and
disappointed?
Discover
the wonderful world of writing contests, and your life just might miraculously
change. Mine did. Now, I am a published author in both print
and electronic publications. I conduct
writer workshops, teach creative writing at a local college, and I’m an editor
for Gotta Write Network.
Did
writing competitions accomplish all that?
No. My writing did. But contests opened a door that had
previously been locked, and got my manuscript into professional hands without a
writing résumé or publishing credentials.
Preparing
for contests has forced me into a strict writing schedule in order to complete
a project. I would’ve never written many of my short stories if I hadn’t been
writing for a specific contest. You
don’t have to win. Even an Honorable
Mention becomes an award to proudly include in your résumé.
There
are hundreds of writing competitions, but, as in everything, there are the
good, the bad, and the ugly. Be
wise. Choose contests carefully, and
enter based on the awards, reputation, how long a contest has been in
existence, and what rights they claim.
If your entry is to be published, they may claim CERTAIN rights, but
never relinquish ALL rights. As the
author, you should retain the rights to your hard earned work.
Here
are some tips on researching contests:
1. Read competition announcements in e-zines, magazines, books, and on websites. Save potentials in a "Competition
File." Choose competitions that are offered by well-known magazines,
publishers, or organizations. After
entering, jot down the story you entered, where you entered it, and file the
information in a "Contests Entered" file. Maintain a tracking sheet
for the individual manuscript, as well as a master-tracking sheet for all
pieces out for consideration. On your calendar, mark the date that results are
due in so you can follow up.
2. A few of my favorite websites regarding
contests are:
www.chopeclark.com
www.klockepresents.com
www.inscriptionsmagazine.com
www.wordweaving.com
www.bylinemag.com
www.coffeehouse4writers.com
www.scbeginnings.com
·
www.writingworld.com
You’ll be amazed at the
number of the reputable contests waiting for your submission.
2. Always compare entry fees to the prize. If a prize
is worth $50.00, but it costs $10.00 to enter, forget it. I usually don’t enter
contests that have a prize less than $100.00, or an
entry fee over $10.00, unless it includes a membership or subscription to a
popular literary magazine, organization, or is a well-known publication like
By-Line Magazine. Competitions should
offer a monetary prize, not just publication.
Of course, the bigger the prize, the stiffer the competition will
be. Contact past winners (there should
be a list of winners and honorable mentions) and feel free to ask questions
about the competition before you enter.
3. Many popular literary publications have
writing competitions that not only offer cash prizes, but publication in the
magazine as well, an awesome opportunity for new writers. Every entry is read and considered regardless
of past publishing credits. Visit some of these websites for information.
a. www.glimmertrain.com
(Glimmertrain)
b. www.all-story.com (Zoetrope)
c. http://www.interhop.net/~amethyst/
(The Amethyst Review)
d. www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/midamericanreview/ (Mid-American Review)
e. www.sa.ua.edu/osm/bwr (Black Warrior Review)
f. www.siu.edu/~crborchd
(Crab Orchard Review)
g. www.writersdigest.com
(Writer’s Digest)
There
are many more. Excellent books that list
contests and are updated yearly are Writer’s Market (www.writersmarket.com) published by
Writer’s Digest Books, Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market published by
Writer’s Digest Books, The Best of the Magazine Markets published by Longridge Writing Group, and, for those young adult and
children writers, The Ultimate Guide to Student Contests, Grades 7-12, by Scott
Pendleton.
4. Enter every free competition you can. You have nothing to lose.
5. Check "Writer’s Beware"
sections on the Internet for contest scams. A few good ones are:
6. Study guidelines. Many good stories
are tossed aside and disqualified because of failure to follow guidelines. Make a checklist and before mailing your
entry, check off each item.
6. Some guidelines read, "No work is
eligible for submission if AT THE TIME OF ENTRY, it has won an award or been
published or accepted for publication." Key phrase is "If at the time
of entry." However, some competitions, like the Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition, set out: "All entries must be
original, unpublished, and NOT SUBMITTED ELSEWHERE UNTIL THE WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED." Every competition is different. Again,
STUDY guidelines very carefully and don’t disqualify yourself.
7. Be bold.
Don’t be afraid that your writing isn’t good enough. How will you ever
discover your literary potential if you don’t release it to the world?
8. Request contest results. If winning entries are published on a
website, in a magazine, or anthology, read and analyze winning entries. Determine what stood out and why they might
have won. I have learned so much doing
this.
Okay, so
you didn’t win or place. Now what? Evaluate your piece. Was there something lacking? Were the characters memorable? Did the story flow? Was it original? Did you show instead of narrate? Judges look for good opening lines, active
verbs, strong believable characters, and flowing dialogue. But if spelling, grammar, and sentence
structure are poorly done, your manuscript will likely be rejected regardless
of how good it is. Be as professional as
you would in business. Revise your piece
and enter it into another competition. A
large percentage of contest entries are from fairly new writers and unpublished
writers—just like you.
I read an
article by a writer who refused to enter contests because winners were based on
“one judge’s” opinion. On the same note,
publication is often based on “one editor’s” opinion. Again, what have you got to lose?
All
writers start somewhere. Competitions are a great place to begin.
Richelle Putnam is a former writer for All Headline News. She has been published in Common Ties, E2K
Literary Journal, World Wide Writers, Orchard Press Mysteries, Southern Hum,
The Copperfield Review, Cayuse Press, Writer’s Journal, Obadiah Press’s Living
By Faith Anthology, A tribute to Mothers Anthology, A Cup of Comfort for
Mothers and Daughters, and more. Her
children’s literature has been published on the Institute of Children’s Literature’s
website, Writing Korner, and Wee Ones, Boy’s Quest, Appleseeds, and Hopscotch Magazine for Girls; Her work is soon to be released in Flashquake,
Fireflies in Fruit Jars Anthology, and GCWA “Mississippi” Anthology. Her novel,
Fallout, was released in 2000; She is the Founder and President of Mississippi
Writers Guild. www.richelleputnam.net