Blogger: Mary Keeley
Following last week’s blog about editing, I was reminded that entering writing contests is another low-cost way to receive professional feedback on your manuscript. The season for this year’s writing contests is upon us, and an update of a blog I posted a while back could be helpful as you consider the pros and cons.
Many new writers find it hard to put themselves and their work “out there” for professional scrutiny, but it gets easier after you do it the first time. Look at your entry as practice for submitting your proposal to an agent and as birth of the thick skin you need to grow in order to survive and thrive in this industry.
You might have heard writer friends complain about a poor score they received from one of the judges. It’s true that entering a contest can have a risky downside. Occasionally, there’s a shortage of judges in a particular genre. The organizers may have to ask another volunteer, who didn’t originally choose to judge this genre, to step in. Maybe this genre doesn’t interest that volunteer, or maybe he or she doesn’t have vast experience with this genre. You can see where this is going. This judge’s score of your submission could be far different from the other judges’ scores, and your total score will be affected accordingly. It’s also possible that a judge will allow personal preference to affect scores he or she gives. We’re human; this happens. Agents see this, too, in editors’ varied reactions to proposals we send them. It’s a reality that requires all of us to grow that thick skin I mentioned.
And yet, the pluses outnumber the negatives by far. Helpful feedback from professionals on craft issues, the practice of following specific guidelines, the experience of meeting a deadline, and the personal motivation to sharpen your craft as you prepare your entry are just a few. Published authors have different motivations for entering contests. They are putting their book in competition with those of other accomplished authors. Becoming a finalist or better yet the winner lets them know where they stand among their peers, if only in the view of judges in one contest. But more importantly, it could provide them leverage toward getting the next book contract.
A word to the wise:
Before you return your entry form and pay your fee, make a commitment to yourself that you will do what it takes to make your submission an accurate representation of your finest writing.
The following is a sampling of upcoming 2016 writing contests and their entry deadlines. Click on the links for more details and guidelines.
FICTION ONLY
Carol Awards Contest – published authors; entries due by March 15
Genesis Awards Contest – unpublished authors; entries due by March 15.
First Impressions Contest – unpublished authors, first 5 pp.; entries open September 2
MULTIPLE GENRES
Oregon Christian Writers (OCW)
Cascade Contest – published and unpublished authors; opens for entries February 14, and due by March 31
Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers (BRMCWC)
Selah Awards Contest – published authors; entries due by April 1
Director’s Choice Awards Contest – previous or current conferees; entries due by April 1
Foundation Awards Contest – unpublished authors; entries due by April 10
Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition
Unpublished book entry; articles may be previously published; entries due May 6
The Romance Writers of America (RWA) RITA Awards Contest for published authors and Golden Heart Contest for unpublished authors are already closed for 2016. Check their website in the fall for details about the 2017 contests.
You don’t have to commit to attend these conferences in order to enter their contests. But if you become a finalist, try to make it to the awards banquet because finalists and then the winner are introduced on the stage. Your face and name recognition will be duly remembered by agents and editors who are present. It’s always nice to meet them on a high note when your confidence is boosted. I’ve known winners to get offers of representation before they leave the conference.
Are you motivated to enter a contest or two this year? What was your experience entering a writing contest in the past? What would you do differently this time?
TWEETABLE:
Authors, are you considering a writing contest this year? Insights and information are here. Click to Tweet.
Should Published Authors Attend Conferences?
I’ve had great experiences entering contests. I’ve learned a lot from the feedback received. I’ve had judges who “didn’t get” the story, which happens. But I always try to look for a nugget I can take from their feedback and implement in my writing.
*I’ve found going into a contest with the mindset that I want to learn from the feedback helps me receive even the criticisms of my entry. Often, the people judging are further along on this journey than I am. It helps me remember not to take the less-than-positive feedback with the right mindset. And the positive feedback always is nice to read.
*I may enter the Genesis, but I also hope to enter the TARA, which I think opens in a couple months.
*If anyone is interested, Seekerville lists an in-depth contest update around the first of every month.
Entering a contest with a deliberate mindset to take negative feedback constructively is excellent advice, Jeanne.
Maybe. Depends on finances.Thanks for the list!
Andrew, your comment is uncharacteristically short. I hope you’re feeling alright.
Mary, this reply (and his first comment) come from the hand of one of his readers. He has been quite ill, and yesterday sustained a bad concussion in a freak accident. He was hit in the head by a piece of wood carried on a strong wind, and knocked out. He wanted to participate today, but his concentration and ability to legibly type are really messed up.
Goodness, Andrew. Praying for you.
Hope you are feeling better, Andrew. I shall add you to my prayers for a speedy recovery. Your written suggestions are always wise and so well written. I expect your novels must be terrific. Best wishes.
Praying for you, Andrew!
Oh! Praying for you, Andrew.
Also (still) praying for you, Andrew. Looking forward to the return of your insightful and entertaining comments.
Sometimes it was obvious that a judge’s negative feedback came about simply because they didn’t personally care for my story or the genre. It’s hard not to feel “cheated” when this happens, but I accepted every comment as a learning experience and another way to grow my writing. Wearing a suit of armor also helps. Ha! On a brighter note, I’ve won first place awards despite a negative judge.
Lara, your resilient attitude will serve you well throughout your career. Congratulations on those first place awards despite a negative judge. That sweetens the win.
If nothing else, having a judge who judges in a genre they don’t like helps remind us that “the world” is not our target audience, even though we might think it is.
I’m working hard on a new manuscript. If I can finish it and get it polished by March 15, I’ll try to enter the Genesis. And like you said, entering and the feedback will serve to help me make it the best possible. If I can’t make the deadline, feeling good about it, I’ll wait till First Impressions.
Shelli, that sounds like a wise plan, and I know you will enjoy the process.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for this list. I’ve learned a lot from contest feedback. One of the first things I do is pray when I receive feedback. Comments from the first contest I ever entered hurt my feelings so bad I almost gave up. I set aside the comments for a few months before reviewing them again. I gave myself time to develop thicker skin before going through the results again. I’ve learned a lot from contest feedback, and I’ll continue to enter contests to become a better writer.
Wise advice, Jackie. Sometimes we need a little distance before we can benefit from judges’ feedback! 🙂
Jackie, setting negative comments aside for a time is a great idea. Emotions can soar as writers anticipate reading the judges’ comments. I so agree that allowing a space of time before re-reading them in a more objective frame of mind can save a lot of hurt.
Thank you for the encouragement, Mary. I have completed my first ms and considered entering the Genesis, hoping that would be a good “next step.” Thank you for confirming this for me!
You’re most welcome, Karen.
I recommend writing contests. Along with good feedback and encouragement on various pieces of writing, a contest is what finally opened the door for me to the agent I’d hoped for, which led to publication. This after twenty years of submission and rejection.
Lori, your testimonial is providing hope and encouragement to everyone reading it here today. Thanks. And how many published books do you have now?
Mary, thanks for the list. There were several I didn’t know existed, and I may enter.
*I’ve found the feedback from the two ACFW contests I’ve entered invaluable. I learned from last year’s Genesis that I had an archaic writing style. The judges provided suggestions of books on craft that I bought and devoured. I rewrote my entries in the contemporary style and entered First Impressions.
* I got confirmation that I’ve got the hang of the new style, and there were lots of useful detailed comments. There was also extreme divergence in the scores. One got a very high score with lots of very specific comments about what the judge liked and why. That judge even said it was the best entry she/he had read in the contest this year. Another judge gave it a score 22 points lower than the high score with many comments exactly opposite of those from the judge who gave it the very high score. You can guess which one I want to believe. Another entry had a high score in the mid 80s and a low score that was 40 points lower. Both were useful, even though the comments on emotional impact, dialogue, and hook were contradictory. You just have to laugh at the irony rather than get upset at the average assuring an entry goes no farther.
* I’m getting ready to enter Genesis again, and I expect to learn so much that will help me. When I become a published author, I plan to volunteer to judge. I’d love to help newbies coming up behind me as much at the judges I’ve had have helped me.
“You just have to laugh at the irony rather than get upset…” That’s a productive way to respond to this experience, Carol. Apply feedback that makes sense and is constructive and let go of the rest. I hope you have a better experience with your entry in the Genesis this year.
Actually, last year’s experience couldn’t have been much better. Other than making the finals, I can’t imagine anything more beneficial than learning I needed to change my writing style to have a chance at penetrating today’s market. I could have been querying unsuccessfully for a very long time with no idea why if it weren’t for the Genesis judges. Knowing the problem is the first step in overcoming it.
It’s nice to have multiple opportunities. It is fun to think about the possibilities. I’ve not done much in this venue but I do have a few works that could be tweaked and then entered. Thanks for the list.
You’re welcome, Norma. As Jeanne mentioned, Seekerville lists contest updates each month.
I have a writing friend who had such terrible feedback with her first contest entry that she never entered another contest again. Now, she’s completing her third contracted book. In my experience, I’ve had mixed reviews, but I appreciate the opportunity work with a deadline and the various contest requirements. You’re quite right about developing the thick skin as well. I’m not exactly a rhinoceros, but the skin is a bit more thick than it was.
It’s good that your writing friend was determined not to allow the one bad experience to deter her.
I was thinking of an armadillo, but your rhinoceros is a better likeness, Meghan. Its skin looks more flexible or pliable, characteristics writers also need along with thick skin.
I’m entering contests for short stories. I’ve done the manuscript contests before and did receive good feedback. I think they’re great for the writing work involved–sticking to a topic, sticking to the word count–all of it. I like the challenge!
Mary, thanks for this. I have entered a few contests and find the feedback so interesting. Most often the feedback is constructive and helpful and gives me reason for pause and reflection. However, I’ve been amazed at the wide arc of that pendulum. Something one judge may praise, another has reason to suggest an edit. So, in addition to the constructive comments, contests have also taught me the time-honored lesson that “you can’t please every person all the time”. Something priceless to keep in mind considering we’re in the business of being subjected to many individuals’ opinions. It’s OK if someone doesn’t care for your writing. I pay most attention to recurring comments from multiple persons. With all this said, one goal for 2016 is to enter a few more contests. So, I appreciate the list you provide for us here. Blessings to you!
Exactly!!
Because one judge may ding you for “OK” because it’s spelled “okay”.
And the next one will say “Thank goodness for ‘OK’, I’m so sick of people spelling it ‘okay’!”
Right?! Oh, the humanity of it all. (snicker)
“I pay most attention to recurring comments from multiple persons.” That’s good advice for writers, Teresa. You’ve struck a good balance.
And Teresa, if our goal is just to improve … we can’t lose. 🙂 We’ll be winners on the path of progress. xo
I haven’t had the awesomest time with contests.
In one contests, the good and constructive comments and marks from judges were negated by one who simply could not accept that non-English words were not spelling errors. Dude, if it’s in italics, chances are it ain’t English.
I may enter Genesis this year, I may not. I shall wrestle that alligator with my agent. Or, maybe we’ll just wrestle an alligator and get us some fancy new shoes.
Get a matching belt while you’re at it. It’ll be useful for hanging your Bowie knife on to keep it handy for the next wrestling match. It will also keep your accessories coordinated at the next ACFW gala banquet where you get your finalist award for Genesis.
The one judge who didn’t understand non-English words from a non-English character’s POV should not negate the constructive comments from the other judges. Jennifer, yours is a good example of why and how writers should filter judges’ feedback.
“Lessened” ?
I knew math was involved!
What’s the word for…thinks…got it…*lowered*…that judges marks lowered my overall score. And annoyed me. You may have picked up on that. 😉
But, umm, the shoes?? Think of the money we could save if we catch our own alligator.
There’s also the value of the meat, which I’m told tastes something like chicken. Of course, that might all be offset by the medical expenses if the gator nails you before you nail him.
I try not to let negative comments by judges upset me. I’m sure they are offered with the best intentions of helping me improve. We all bring to a story our different perspectives. You truly can’t please everyone, and that’s OK (or okay, if you prefer).
*Even comments that are a bit off target can be very helpful in making us think of better changes. One particularly Machiavellian character was on deck, tired of the smell of the slaves rowing in the hold. The question was raised about making him more sympathetic by having him feel a twinge of guilt that he was on deck while the poor saves were chained below. It reminded me that all villains do need some humanizing, and I found a different way to do that. My husband’s suggestion was to have him rescue an injured bunny in the first chapter and add the twist of him making rabbit stew a few pages later. That was more in character, but I didn’t take that suggestion either.
Carol, that’s a gracious attitude toward judges’ negative comments.
Yes, the bunny idea…not so good.
Funny you should mention….am checking out/entering contests today, as a matter of fact. Best of luck and blessings to all who take this step.
I’m a BIG fan of writing contests. I entered over forty in my pre-pubbed days. I craved the feedback from the judges. They taught me a great deal. Using that newfound knowledge, I revised the strongest of my stories and entered it. I finaled in some contests and received requests from editors and agents serving as final round judges. One of them was my dream agent, Rachelle Gardner. I sent her my full, she offered me representation and I accepted. After a massive revision/rewrite, she sold that story.
Contests aren’t for everyone, but they can be a way to get your work in front of publishing pros.