Entering contests offers writers an opportunity to gain experience and recognition. Winning prizes is another advantage. There are many such contests available and a quick internet search provides numerous options. Many of them require no entry fees. Entering a free monthly writing contest will cost a writer nothing but time.
As there are so many contests, one has to be selective when choosing which one to apply for. The genres covered vary from mystery, science fiction and romance to non-fiction, travel writing, stories for children and memoirs. You need to find the best fit for you. If you are a newbie, it may be preferable to start small and progress on to larger contests as you acquire more confidence. Reading past winning submissions can be helpful in making a decision.
Many writers tend to skim over the rules and conditions when applying and this is not a good idea. You need to fully understand what is required from you as the writer to stand the best chance. You also need to understand what will happen to your work once it has been submitted and what kind of rights the sponsors have over it.
Certain guidelines are given as to what your manuscript should look like. There is a deadline for submission and you are given the maximum number of words required. If you ignore the maximum word count or other stipulations like double spacing, your submission could be rejected even if your actual content is superb.
Checking your manuscript thoroughly for errors in spelling and grammar is also essential. The first impression received by the judges is important. If they receive a manuscript littered with errors that could have been easily avoided by using shell check, their opinion may be colored before even considering your content.
Submissions are usually judged on factors such as originality, creativity and use of language. Sticking to the required theme is also vital. You may have written the most inspiring story but if it does not cover the theme, it simply will not win. Try to make your entry stand out from others by taking an unconventional approach to a particular theme.
The prizes for such contests vary greatly. Some are as small as a T-shirt or a subscription to a magazine. However, others offer considerably larger prizes, including fairly large sums of cash. Submissions are often published too, giving exposure and recognition. Even if you only receive a T-shirt you can still legitimately claim to be a prize-winning author!
You have nothing to lose from entering such contests where no entry fees are required. What you will gain is the opportunity for others to evaluate your work and sometimes you may receive helpful feedback, even if you do not win a prize. You may also get a chance to be published and start to build up recognition for your work.
As there are so many contests, one has to be selective when choosing which one to apply for. The genres covered vary from mystery, science fiction and romance to non-fiction, travel writing, stories for children and memoirs. You need to find the best fit for you. If you are a newbie, it may be preferable to start small and progress on to larger contests as you acquire more confidence. Reading past winning submissions can be helpful in making a decision.
Many writers tend to skim over the rules and conditions when applying and this is not a good idea. You need to fully understand what is required from you as the writer to stand the best chance. You also need to understand what will happen to your work once it has been submitted and what kind of rights the sponsors have over it.
Certain guidelines are given as to what your manuscript should look like. There is a deadline for submission and you are given the maximum number of words required. If you ignore the maximum word count or other stipulations like double spacing, your submission could be rejected even if your actual content is superb.
Checking your manuscript thoroughly for errors in spelling and grammar is also essential. The first impression received by the judges is important. If they receive a manuscript littered with errors that could have been easily avoided by using shell check, their opinion may be colored before even considering your content.
Submissions are usually judged on factors such as originality, creativity and use of language. Sticking to the required theme is also vital. You may have written the most inspiring story but if it does not cover the theme, it simply will not win. Try to make your entry stand out from others by taking an unconventional approach to a particular theme.
The prizes for such contests vary greatly. Some are as small as a T-shirt or a subscription to a magazine. However, others offer considerably larger prizes, including fairly large sums of cash. Submissions are often published too, giving exposure and recognition. Even if you only receive a T-shirt you can still legitimately claim to be a prize-winning author!
You have nothing to lose from entering such contests where no entry fees are required. What you will gain is the opportunity for others to evaluate your work and sometimes you may receive helpful feedback, even if you do not win a prize. You may also get a chance to be published and start to build up recognition for your work.
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