Writing for contests is an art. With the amount of competition, most writing contests may seem more like lotteries than not, but a wide range of hosts give great consideration to an equally wide range of options. Most contests are for short stories or poems, but there are also some for novels, chapbooks and graphic novels if you look for them. The options broaden every year, and it’s well worth searching if you’re an aspiring author looking to spread your name. Here are a few, practical things to do when looking for the right writing contest for you:
Find the right genre. Like publishing houses, contest hosts will post specific things they’re looking for in submissions. Daily Science Fiction and Writers of the Future are science fiction and fantasy-based, while Writer’s Digest has many contests ranging from six-word stories to best self-published fiction of the year. Always be sure your submission piece conforms to the host’s guidelines.
Search for the free ones. They’re out there. Most writing contests require an entry fee, but snoop around some writing websites and find the ones that don’t have one. Free contests can have great prizes, too, such as author feedback, publication on a website or local community recognition. Never pass up an opportunity to enter your work for free if you can. Just be on the alert for scams and educate yourself on spotting shady hosts or websites.
If you can, start a contest budget. My college adviser told me she saves money specifically for higher-end story contests which do require an entry fee. Budgeting your income for writing contests may take time, but in the end could reap higher reward. The entry money goes in part toward the grand prize, and these contests also come with higher prestige and wider recognition.
Write in advance, and write well. Contests have deadlines. No serious contest will offer an extension, so make sure you’re ready with time to spare. (You’ll need time to account for technical difficulties, too). In addition, try to keep ahead of the game. Write your story weeks or months in advance, and edit multiple times as the deadline approaches. Get feedback and constructive criticism to eliminate grammatical and consistency errors. There are few feelings worse than submitting a story you know wasn’t your best because you procrastinated. Be prepared.
Keep at it. As with any publishing gig, the competition is cutthroat. But just because you don’t win one, two, or ten contests in a row doesn’t mean you won’t get better. And placing third or fourth is still better than not placing at all. Giving up would demolish any chance of winning at all. Just showing up and writing does worlds of good for your technical skills, work ethic and ability to handle the life of a real writer. Let’s be realistic — winning is a miniscule part of life. Growing is the real task, and isn’t that what stories are about in the first place?
Competition is definitely a healthy way to move your writing career forward, as long as you handle it well. With persistence, and perhaps some luck, you can find your niche in the contest scene and gain valuable lessons from doing so. It will impact your life as a writer for the rest of your life.
