Entering contests

folkchick · Jan 20, 2010

Just wondering how many of you actively enter contests? I've started to think about this more as of late, but for some reason, am scared to death. TIA.

gothicangel · Jan 20, 2010

I have entered novel writing competitons in the past. I'm more dubious now beacause the majority are run by iffy small publishers.

I'm entering the CWA's Debut Dagger competition next year, but they are one of the most prestigious crime writing competitions. Even getting shortlisted would be a huge boost.

James D. Macdonald · Jan 20, 2010

There are three answers to your question. Pick the one you like best:

ANSWER ONE:
Entering contests is generally a waste of time and money.

The only worthwhile contests are ones that get listed on the front cover of the paperback edition of your novel. National Book Award. Pulitzer. Those are given to already-published works, and your publisher is the one who enters them into the contest.

ANSWER TWO:
Every publisher on the planet holds a contest every day. The rules are called "guidelines," the submission fee is postage, and the prize is publication.

ANSWER THREE:
What are your goals? How will you know when you've achieved those goals? Is entering contests the best way to achieve those goals? If so, then enter contests. If not, then don't.

Vomaxx · Jan 20, 2010

What about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the prize for which is publication by Penguin? Entries start next Monday.

Cathy C · Jan 20, 2010

There's a thread on it, here

James D. Macdonald · Jan 20, 2010

Vomaxx said:
What about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the prize for which is publication by Penguin? Entries start next Monday.

How's that different from "submitting your book to Penguin"?

Cathy C · Jan 20, 2010

James D. Macdonald said:
How's that different from "submitting your book to Penguin"?

Less contract rights, longer review period, and I still haven't figured out what a "waiver of moral rights to the work" means, other than a lack of attribution to you during advertising. But it might mean more than that. :Shrug:

SJ Gordon · Jan 20, 2010

I have heard agents say (and read similar in their blogs) that if you have no real writing experience or background, some awards are helpful in showing that you are a skilled writer. Obviously, the best thing would be publication but everyone has to have a first. However, contests can really take a lot of writing time from other projects (like, from your actual novel/screenplay/etc) so I think you have to choose carefully. Another thing that is much encouraged is trying to get a short story or twelve published. This can really boost your resume.

folkchick · Jan 20, 2010

Thank you again guys and gals. James, I completely understand your viewpoint as I too hate to give time and money to something that is quite subjective. But you always read how a writer should have won this contest or that contest, to put in their query letter, etc. I think I will try the cheap local ones and see how that goes, and also the Amazon one because I haven't gambled in a long time and need to roll some dice.

folkchick · Jan 20, 2010

SJ- good point. It doesn't have to be a contest, I didn't think of that. TY.

KTC · Jan 20, 2010

if you win, though, it's not so much a waste of time and money. subjective or not. i enjoy cashing my contest win cheques. every one of them.

Andrhia · Jan 20, 2010

SJ Gordon said:
I have heard agents say (and read similar in their blogs) that if you have no real writing experience or background, some awards are helpful in showing that you are a skilled writer. Obviously, the best thing would be publication but everyone has to have a first. However, contests can really take a lot of writing time from other projects (like, from your actual novel/screenplay/etc) so I think you have to choose carefully. Another thing that is much encouraged is trying to get a short story or twelve published. This can really boost your resume.

You know what else shows you're a skilled writer? Writing a great book.

Here's the thing: Nobody cares about your resume except you. (Unless you're writing nonfiction, which is a whole different ballgame.) The agent and/or acquiring editor aren't going to take a crummy book because you've written a dozen shorts and won three contests and have paid your dues. And they aren't going to pass over an amazing one because it's the first time you've ever set words to paper.

folkchick · Jan 20, 2010

Andrhia said:
You know what else shows you're a skilled writer? Writing a great book.

True that.

And I guess it goes to show that all the stuff we read is, again, subjective. We should just write, and write well.

Thank you again guys--I appreciate the comments.

SJ Gordon · Jan 20, 2010

Andrhia, I was just passing along what the agents were saying in a panel discussion I attended at a writing conference a year or so ago and what I've read in various agent blogs. Certainly, the number one consideration is the quality of the book. Unfortunately, as we all know, it's a tough industry and if it doesn't interfere with writing your great book, doing an occasional contest or trying to publish a short to help boost your reputation doesn't seem like a really terrible idea to me.

J C Coy · Jan 22, 2010

I don't bother with contests. I've heard way too much about them to bother. I'd rather go the short story route if I must have something published to put on a resume.

kaitie · Jan 22, 2010

I did one ages ago as a requirement for a class I was in (actually, I won it). I wouldn't really bother now as I think contests tend to be more difficult to win and not mean as much as getting a short story published in a magazine, for instance. I've considered a few novel contests just because if it's relatively small I might have a better shot, but I still don't think I'd win. I don't think my writing is good enough to even necessarily make the top five. I don't think I've got a bad book by any means, either. I just don't think it'd be good enough to be best, and if it's not best it's basically meaningless as a credential.

If you want to enter just for kicks to see how you stack up go for it, though. It could be fun.

job · Jan 23, 2010

Cathy C said:
and I still haven't figured out what a "waiver of moral rights to the work" means

It does sound intriguing though, doesn't it? It leaves them all those immoral rights to your work . . .

Dave Willhoite · Jan 23, 2010

James D. Macdonald said:
How's that different from "submitting your book to Penguin"?

There is something very Heinleinesque in this answer.

I can't put my finger on it, but it's there.

Dave

job · Jan 23, 2010

Cathy, is it possible we have the same cover model?

Cathy C · Jan 23, 2010

LOL! Sure looks like it, huh? :ROFL:

Enzo · Jan 23, 2010

I'm doing the CWA Debut Daggers for the 3rd year running, but I've never been anywhere near the finalists.
Its advantage is that you only need the first chapter (3,000 words) and a synopsis, not the full novel.

Entering contests

folkchick

Not a new kid

gothicangel

Toughen up.

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Vomaxx

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

SJ Gordon

folkchick

Not a new kid

folkchick

Not a new kid

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Andrhia

folkchick

Not a new kid

SJ Gordon

J C Coy

kaitie

With great power comes

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

Dave Willhoite

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Enzo