Editor for contest enteries

billyf027 · Apr 25, 2010

I heard of a few writers using editors to work with them before entering prestigious short story contests. they claim to have won or placed in the top five with the editors help. Has anyone else considered using an editor for a short story?

Maryn · Apr 25, 2010

I haven't considered it. The cost of a qualified editor probably exceeds the winnings--and it seems kind of cheaty.

Maryn, who comes by her contest losses honestly

starrykitten · Apr 25, 2010

Never considered it, though it doesn't surprise me that it's done.

Dungeon Geek · Apr 25, 2010

Maryn said:
I haven't considered it. The cost of a qualified editor probably exceeds the winnings--and it seems kind of cheaty.

Maryn, who comes by her contest losses honestly

I don't think it's cheaty myself, since it's just another way of polishing up the story. It still has to be a great story to win, and all the stories in the contest should be polished up the best they can be. The editor's not writing the story after all, just helping with the revision.

Dawn Hebein · Apr 28, 2010

I don't know, I think a good crit group would be sufficient.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 28, 2010

Oh, good grief.

Maryn · Apr 28, 2010

Charlie Brown, is that you?

Maryn, who does not have red curly hair

stormie · Apr 28, 2010

Interesting. Never considered that people do this. Can you imagine, though, if someone won one of those contests, and an editor happened across the winning entry, and wanted to see more of their work for a possible novel?

"Oh, wait, um.... Give me about a month, okay?" Then uses the winning money to pay an editor to help her out. Vicious cycle.

Editor for contest enteries

billyf027

Maryn

Not Any More

starrykitten

practical experience, FTW

Dungeon Geek

Science, for the sake of...science!

Dawn Hebein

Hungry for Words

Jamesaritchie

Maryn

Not Any More

stormie

storm central