Writing Tips
Contests, Contests, Contests…
By Jordan Summers
Mar 24, 2004, 20:25

For the beginning writer, entering contests can be an overwhelmingly scary
thought. Should I enter my work? What if they laugh at me? Is this the right
contest to enter? Am I good enough? All very good questions, but you should
really be asking yourself more. For example, what do I expect to get out of
this contest? Are there two judges or three? Who is the final judge? These
are just a few of the things to consider before entering any contest.

I’ll use myself as an example (of what NOT to do). A couple of years ago I’d
written my first real book—make that a partial. I didn’t have a critique
partner at the time, but I wanted to get feedback on my writing. So I picked
a contest geared for the type of story I’d written. (This is also something
to consider before entering your work in a contest. You don’t want to enter
your sweet historical in a paranormal contest.) Trust me when I say I’ve
learned this one the hard way.

I received a phone call several months later announcing the fact that I’d
finaled. Suddenly my incomplete manuscript was being sent to a Warner editor
for final consideration and placement. My reaction to all this was…I
panicked. How could my little manuscript have made it this far? I only
wanted feedback. Over the next couple of months, I scrambled to finish the
book. Lucky for me, the Warner editor didn’t want to see the whole
manuscript. Whew, dodged a bullet there.

But what if she had?

This is something else to consider before entering a contest. You may very
well be asked to present the entire manuscript at some point. Believe me
when I say that writing from a point of panic isn’t the most creative way to
finish a novel. So do yourself a favor, take the time needed to finish that
book.

Once you’ve done that, consider the following before entering a contest.

*It’s always best to have three judges for the initial round. Why? Because
there’s always going to be one judge, who’ll give you an average or low
score. The other two judges will bring up your totals.

*Don’t go into a contest expecting to final. All you’re looking for in any
contest is great feedback.

*Enter contests that have the people you want to read your work listed as
final judges. If I want Avon to buy my work, then it stands to reason I’m
going to look for contests that have an Avon editor as the final round
judge.

*Take feedback with a grain of salt, unless all the judges are saying the
same thing. If that’s the case, pay attention to what they’re saying.
They’re trying to help you become a better writer.

*Do not turn into a contest queen/king. This is a fine goal, if you’ve
finished all the manuscripts. It’s not, if you’re writing partials so that
you can enter the contests. Partials will not get you published, only
completed manuscripts will. I say this because it’s easy to get caught up in
entering contests, especially if you are finalling a lot. Who doesn’t like
to have their work appreciated? 

Well I hope that you’ve been able to gather a bit of wisdom from my
scattered thoughts. If you choose to enter a contest, and I hope you do, at
least you’re armed with information. Good luck and good writing.



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