If you've been writing for any time at all, you've probably heard about writing competitions. These are events created by all sorts of publications, universities, publishers, writer groups, and other miscellaneous associations.
The idea behind the competitions is to give writers the opportunity to have their work critiqued and compared to their peers while they hope to win a prize. In addition, the submissions can be used to create popular online content for the organizers who, in turn, may publish an anthology of all the best submissions.
For these reasons, competitions are quite popular.
How do they work?
Find a contest, write your entry, edit, edit, edit, then sign up, pay the fee, and submit the completed work. Then, wait. Remember to be patient, because, as with anything worth while, it takes time for the judges to read hundreds of entries. In due time, the winners will be announced and the prizes awarded.
Most contests focuses on a specific genre. Seek out one with which you feel a strong connection, as well as one that doesn’t require a lot of research. You’re going to have a deadline that can't be missed.
Once you find a competition that suits your abilities, you need to consider a few things.
Do you have to pay to submit to the competition?
If you do, make sure that it's not some ridiculous amount. Under $20 is normal for a competition that is limited to fewer than 10,000 words. Only be willing to pay more if the event is prestigious and the cash prize is large.
Who's judging the competition?
Find out who the organizers have chosen as judges. Hopefully, they're big name celebrities or publishing big shots, which will increase the legitimacy of the contest.
What kind of prizes are you competing for?
Sometimes just being in the competition and having your work recognized is enough. But it’s always nice to be compensated, especially if you’ve paid an entry fee or if the project is going to be part of a published collection.
Lastly, here are five quick tips: