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
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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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