Writing Contest Tips:

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!!!

(Copyright Ó 1995 by Pam McCutcheon)

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