Ask an Expert
November '21 TOPIC: Writing Contest Submissions: Put Your Best Words Forward
B. Lynn Goodwin
Award-Winning Author & Owner of Writer Advice Photo Credit: Marsha Gibson |
OUR EXPERT:
Writer and editor B. Lynn Goodwin owns Writer Advice, a resource for writers through which she hosts annual writing contests and coaches writers on their craft. She also coaches writers through Story Circle Network. Lynn is the author of the award-winning, YA novel Talent, which was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award, won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, and was chosen as a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award and National Indie Excellence and International Book Awards. Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, received a 2018 National Indie Excellence Award and was a Human Relations Indie Book Awards Winner. The memoir also received recognition from Dragonfly Book Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards and was a Best Book Awards Finalist and NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner. Her new YA novel, Disrupted, is forthcoming from Indignor House. She’s written a collection of journaling prompts, flash pieces and short articles. Her flash fiction is published in Flashquake, Nebo, Cabinet of Heed, Murmur of Words, 100-Word Stories, Ariel’s Dream, and Writing in a Woman’s Voice, among others. Lynn lives near Mt. Diablo with her energizer-bunny husband and their exceptional terrier. |
What should I look for in a contest? How do I know it’s credible? Is there somewhere I can look for reviews about writing contests? ~ Kristin (NY)
Hi Kristin,
Look for contests in your genre that offer something you’d consider a good prize — like feedback or a cash prize. Unless this is the first time the contest has been offered, look at the work of previous winners (if they’re posted on the website). Or, if the winners are listed, do a Google search to see what you can find out about their skill level.
What publication or organization sponsors the contest? Again, do a Google search to see what their website is like. Consider how long they’ve been offering contests, what they’re looking for, and what they offer contestants and winners. (Note: Writer Advice offers cash prizes and publication.)
To find contests, do an online search for writing contests in your genre. You’ll find lots of places to look at lists of contests. Click on the links. Trust your instincts and your gut reaction. Let us know who you decide to submit to and why.
Some contests are free, and some charge a range of submission fees. What is a typical fee, and does this usually include feedback for those who submitted work, even if they don’t win? ~ A.T. (RI)
Hi A.T.,
Depending on who runs the contest, how the organization earns its money, whether they give cash prizes, and whether contestants get feedback, fees range from $0 to $30 or more.
Contests with no fees may not be as particular as those who give feedback, or they might have more than one person reading every submission. Find out if the judges are volunteers. Also, find out the list of qualifications to be a judge. Contact the administrators of the contest and ask.
Writer Advice’s flash contests charge a $5 entry fee. This covers the cost of reading and ranking. For an extra $9, we send detailed feedback about what’s working, what trips us up, and recommendations, which often include pointing out mechanical errors. It’s a comprehensive response. In our other contest, Scintillating Starts, everyone gets feedback. The fee is $14 for a submission up to 1250 words and the feedback includes what an agent with a stack of manuscripts on her desk might think. For an extra $6, we’ll also send feedback on the query.
If you’d like my opinion about a specific contest, send the contest URL after clicking on the contact box at Writer Advice. I’ll share my opinion. No charge for asking about 1-3 contests.
I haven’t been published yet. Should I submit to a contest, or should I wait until I’m a more experienced/published writer? ~ Beth (VA)
Hi Beth,
You should submit to contests if you’re reasonably sure that your piece is ready. You may not want to submit to the top tier contests, but many smaller publications, including Writer Advice, offer feedback for a fee. Why not submit with the idea of seeing what you can learn? It’s wise, for example, to submit the opening of a novel or memoir to Writer Advice’s Scintillating Starts Contest and get feedback before you start submitting to agents.
Before you submit to any contest, be sure its legitimate. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So, do your research, then trust your instincts. If you’d like to, let us know what contests you picked and why.
You’ve been hosting writing contests for quite some time. What are some common mistakes writers make during the submission process? ~ Sanctuary Team
MISTAKE: The most common mistake is ignoring directions. Some organizations won’t read your work if you don’t follow their rules. Read them carefully.
Many people skim directions. I’ve had writers send 2500-word stories to a flash contest with a limit of 750 words. I’ve had writers send elaborate bios in their query when it's clearly stated to include contact information only. Some have included their name on a piece when we’ve asked them not to.
SOLUTION: If you’re in doubt about any directions, ask the contest administrator for clarification.
MISTAKE: Another common mistake is sending a submission before it’s ready.
SOLUTION: Proofread carefully. Put it in a different font and color, go into another room and read it out loud, or have a trusted writing partner read it to you and listen for glitches in the phrasing. See where she has trouble reading it smoothly. Ask her what trips her up. Use her feedback at your discretion.
Hi Kristin,
Look for contests in your genre that offer something you’d consider a good prize — like feedback or a cash prize. Unless this is the first time the contest has been offered, look at the work of previous winners (if they’re posted on the website). Or, if the winners are listed, do a Google search to see what you can find out about their skill level.
What publication or organization sponsors the contest? Again, do a Google search to see what their website is like. Consider how long they’ve been offering contests, what they’re looking for, and what they offer contestants and winners. (Note: Writer Advice offers cash prizes and publication.)
To find contests, do an online search for writing contests in your genre. You’ll find lots of places to look at lists of contests. Click on the links. Trust your instincts and your gut reaction. Let us know who you decide to submit to and why.
Some contests are free, and some charge a range of submission fees. What is a typical fee, and does this usually include feedback for those who submitted work, even if they don’t win? ~ A.T. (RI)
Hi A.T.,
Depending on who runs the contest, how the organization earns its money, whether they give cash prizes, and whether contestants get feedback, fees range from $0 to $30 or more.
Contests with no fees may not be as particular as those who give feedback, or they might have more than one person reading every submission. Find out if the judges are volunteers. Also, find out the list of qualifications to be a judge. Contact the administrators of the contest and ask.
Writer Advice’s flash contests charge a $5 entry fee. This covers the cost of reading and ranking. For an extra $9, we send detailed feedback about what’s working, what trips us up, and recommendations, which often include pointing out mechanical errors. It’s a comprehensive response. In our other contest, Scintillating Starts, everyone gets feedback. The fee is $14 for a submission up to 1250 words and the feedback includes what an agent with a stack of manuscripts on her desk might think. For an extra $6, we’ll also send feedback on the query.
If you’d like my opinion about a specific contest, send the contest URL after clicking on the contact box at Writer Advice. I’ll share my opinion. No charge for asking about 1-3 contests.
I haven’t been published yet. Should I submit to a contest, or should I wait until I’m a more experienced/published writer? ~ Beth (VA)
Hi Beth,
You should submit to contests if you’re reasonably sure that your piece is ready. You may not want to submit to the top tier contests, but many smaller publications, including Writer Advice, offer feedback for a fee. Why not submit with the idea of seeing what you can learn? It’s wise, for example, to submit the opening of a novel or memoir to Writer Advice’s Scintillating Starts Contest and get feedback before you start submitting to agents.
Before you submit to any contest, be sure its legitimate. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So, do your research, then trust your instincts. If you’d like to, let us know what contests you picked and why.
You’ve been hosting writing contests for quite some time. What are some common mistakes writers make during the submission process? ~ Sanctuary Team
MISTAKE: The most common mistake is ignoring directions. Some organizations won’t read your work if you don’t follow their rules. Read them carefully.
Many people skim directions. I’ve had writers send 2500-word stories to a flash contest with a limit of 750 words. I’ve had writers send elaborate bios in their query when it's clearly stated to include contact information only. Some have included their name on a piece when we’ve asked them not to.
SOLUTION: If you’re in doubt about any directions, ask the contest administrator for clarification.
MISTAKE: Another common mistake is sending a submission before it’s ready.
SOLUTION: Proofread carefully. Put it in a different font and color, go into another room and read it out loud, or have a trusted writing partner read it to you and listen for glitches in the phrasing. See where she has trouble reading it smoothly. Ask her what trips her up. Use her feedback at your discretion.
