Lorian Hemingway Short Story Contest

shadowwalker · Mar 13, 2010

Juniekat said:
Looking through that link I saw this:

Something else to think about: submitting to a contest takes your work off the market, at least temporarily, since most contests demand exclusive submission. It always amazes me that writers who grouse about agents who want three-month exclusives will happily consign their manuscripts to contest oblivion for much longer periods of time.

... which leads me back to the new thread I just started in the FAQ forum about understanding multiple submissions.

Although it doesn't seem to apply to this Hemingway contest, since they say:
We do accept simultaneous submissions; however, the writer must notify us if a story is accepted for publication or wins an award prior to our July announcements.

Quite a few contests (in fact, seems to be the majority from my own research) will accept simultaneous submissions, with the same caveat. And yes, you do have to sign over some rights temporarily. Most of the mentions of it I've seen are for 12 months, but it varies. But it's not as though your story is hidden away - it is out there for the public to see. And I think that's one of the good things about contests - it gets your name out there. Get a few well thought of contests under your belt, and it certainly adds interest when you go to an agent or publisher, even if you don't win first prize. Not to mention that many of the literary magazines that sponsor these contests also accept non-contest submissions.

EFCollins · Mar 15, 2010

I'd try, but I'm not even close to that good. Yet. Maybe some other year... like 2030. (I'd actually love to enter, but as I said... I'm not that good.)

As for contest fees... heck, GlimmerTrain charges fees for their contests. It's not a big thing. Contests like this usually have a small reading fee. It's not a big deal, so long as they're reputable.

bigb · Mar 15, 2010

EFCollins said:
I'd try, but I'm not even close to that good. Yet. Maybe some other year... like 2030. (I'd actually love to enter, but as I said... I'm not that good.)

As for contest fees... heck, GlimmerTrain charges fees for their contests. It's not a big thing. Contests like this usually have a small reading fee. It's not a big deal, so long as they're reputable.

I'm entering and your better than me!

Read it if you like http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174370

EFCollins · Mar 15, 2010

bigb said:
I'm entering and your better than me!

Read it if you like http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174370

Well, thank you for the compliment--but don't say I'm better than you. I'm not at all better than any other writer trying to improve their work. I'm still learning how to do something besides just write the stories. Learning to self edit has been really hard, to write publishable work has been hard and something I'm still working at. The story isn't enough. I can do stories all day long. But to compete in a contest this big? Nah. I wouldn't stand a chance. That's not humility or anything, but just plain honesty.

I will give your story a look though as I do believe I owe you a critique, unless I am much mistaken.

bigb · Mar 15, 2010

I think your good, and will leave it at that.

I'm entering as a way to push myself, I had to take a 4800 word story and trim it to 3000.

And it's only 12 bucks, a few people have said that the winner last year was nothing special, and there sure are writers on here that are way more than that.

Manuel Royal · Mar 23, 2010

Okay; sent in my entry. (Used snailmail; feels more official than just e-mailing a file.)

It's a story that's been rejected five times, but I added about 500 words and it's definitely a better story.

bigb · Mar 23, 2010

I am submiting electronic friday, my wife has to help me get the thing attached and then attach a seperate cover letter.

Good luck Manuel Royal.

The SYW link to my story, http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174370 i fixed some nits pointed out by critters but am not going to post the final revision, seems like it would be bad luck. Starting my own superstisions I guess.

Manuel Royal · Mar 24, 2010

Never mind superstition. Regard this:

Competition FAQ said:
Q. What if I (the author) have been previously published, self-published, or have had my work printed online?

A. We understand that there are some grey areas in publishing right now with the advent of self-publishing and online work. Also, many authors have been published in college magazines with differing readership. We try to be fair in terms of previously published authors. If you have a particular question regarding this issue, please email us prior to submitting your entry or note your publishing experience on your cover sheet, and we will assist you in determining your status. Remember, each story that you submit must be unpublished.

It's probably best if you don't have your story online anywhere.

Sitka · Mar 29, 2011

2011 Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition = May 1 deadline.

FYI / Update:

The deadline for the 2011 Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition is May 1, 2011.

Guidelines and details can be found at:

http://www.shortstorycompetition.com/

folkchick · May 1, 2011

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition

Just wondering how many will be submitting or already have submitted? As usual I'm procrastinating until the last second, trying to decide which story to send.

Smish · May 1, 2011

There's an ongoing thread about this, but I think it's a few pages back now. I'll go find it and merge the threads.

folkchick · May 1, 2011

Thanks for doing that. Good luck to all who enter!

Lorian Hemingway Short Story Contest

shadowwalker

empty-nester!

EFCollins

World Class Rambler

bigb

Gun in Mouth Blues

EFCollins

World Class Rambler

bigb

Gun in Mouth Blues

Manuel Royal

bigb

Gun in Mouth Blues

Manuel Royal

Sitka

folkchick

Not a new kid

Smish

Reads more than she writes.

folkchick

Not a new kid