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Writing Contest Tips

Pam McCutcheon © 1995

CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING A CONTEST:

First, determine what you want from a contest which may include:

  • Winning (naturally!) to use as credentials
  • Ego gratification
  • Increase self-confidence
  • Self-improvement
  • Feedback/critique/different perspective
  • Reading by a published author/agent/editor
  • Hope you'll be discovered
  • Opportunity to sell your book
  • Satisfaction of having met a deadline
  • Networking
  • Motivation
  • Prove to the IRS you're a serious writer
  • Use the lousy scores to gloat over later when you sell

Next, look at what the contest has to offer:

  • Who are the judges?
  • What is the prize for winning?
  • Reading by editor/agent
  • Money
  • Reimbursement of conference fee
  • Publication
  • Certificate/plaque/jewelry
  • Recognition at banquet
  • How well known is the contest?
  • What is its reputation?
  • What is its track record for publication of winners?
  • How many entrants are in the contest?
  • Large number of competitors = more prestige if you win
  • Small number of competitors = better chance of winning
  • What kind of feedback do you get (score sheet, written critique, comments on the ms.)?
  • How much does it cost?
  • Can you afford to attend the awards banquet?
  • How many pages does it require you to submit?
  • Is there a clear cut category that fits your entry?
  • Do they let you know where you ranked?

Finally, ask yourself this: Is the potential payback worth the time, money, and energy you're putting into it?

 

CONTEST SUBMISSION ADVICE:

Manuscript/Synopsis Submission

  • Ensure you enter the appropriate category
  • Send chapter one (including the prologue if there is one), not chapter five
  • Ensure the synopsis covers the entire story, hitting only the high points (characters' goals, motivation, conflict, and resolution)
  • Write the synopsis in third person, present tense and don't include dialogue
  • Make your beginning a grabber
  • Try to end the manuscript text at a natural stopping point
  • Leave the judge wanting to read more of your story--"A novel is a story about a likeable or interesting character who overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles in search of a worthwhile goal."
  • Use proper manuscript format

Submission package--FOLLOW THE RULES

  • Enclose entry form, filled out fully and legibly
  • Sign the entry form if requested
  • Enclose the proper fee
  • Enclose the proper number of copies--no more, no less
  • Enclose a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope)
  • Enclose a SAS postcard if you want to know your package was received
  • Use the proper postage on the package and the SASE
  • Don't type your name on the manuscript (unless the rules indicate otherwise)
  • Do not exceed the maximum number of pages allowed by the contest
  • Keep a copy of what you send

Mental Health

  • Relax--it's not a life or death matter
  • Keep writing!
  • Consider it a competition with yourself, not your friends/critique partners
  • Remember, winning contests is not the point--selling is
  • Be professional--send thank you notes, no matter how dumb your judges are

 

INTERPRETING RESULTS:

  • Read the score sheet and comments, then set them aside for a few days and cool off
  • Consider each comment objectively or ask a critique partner to help you evaluate them
  • If two comments are totally opposite, decide which you agree with or ask someone else
  • If you think a comment is totally off-base, ignore it, it probably is--but try to determine why the judge made the comment
  • If two or more judges say the same thing, listen
  • Read the positive as well as the negative comments
  • This is YOUR manuscript--change only what YOU think is appropriate--not all comments will be on target
  • Don't let one high score go to your head--some judges score everyone high
  • Don't let one low score bother you--some judges score everyone low
  • The important thing is not what score you received, but what you learned from the experience

GOOD LUCK!!!

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