Writing competitions are not only a great way to earn money from your writing but also an excellent way of building credibility as a professional writer. Not all writing competitions are created equally so it’s important to investigate a contest thoroughly before you submit. This article covers some of the things you can do to prevent making common mistakes.
First things first: “What's the prize?”
There is no point in continuing if the reward isn't sufficient. If the prize is being published on some obscure site or as part of a book for which you are offered royalties, watch out. These writing competitions may be more money-making schemes and less legitimate platforms to help launch your career.
How much, if anything, does it cost to enter the contest?
Free is still a no-brainer as long as you retain your rights. There is no cost to you and, if nothing else, the competition will give a writing deadline. If the entry fee is under $20 for works up to 10,000 words, it's probably reasonable. The only instances where it's advisable to pay more to enter the competition is if there is a large cash prize or if the contest is being judged by someone of notoriety. For example if you’re entering a fantasy writing contest that's being judged by George R.R. Martin, it's probably a safe bet that the contest is legitimate. This brings us to the next major question:
Who is doing the judging?
A judge should be an established writer or publisher, someone you can Google easily for more information. This element is important because you don't want to enter a contest that's set up just to make a quick buck. A reputable judge usually means a reputable contest.
Are you giving up any of your rights?
This question is very important. You never want to lose your right to the material just because you submit it to a contest. Even if you win the competition, you should still retain your rights. It is possible to allow the organization to license it for publication on their website or in a published collection as part of the conditions for entering a work.
If you're asked to forfeit your rights for any reason, this is a red flag.
How long has this contest been running and who won it in the past?
Unless this is the first year of the contest, you should have access to information about the competition and its past winners. This will give you a good idea of the competitions reputation and potential. Just like checking up on the judges, check on the winning authors. Ideally, you will be joining them.