Guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin What To Consider Before Submitting to Writing ContestsYou polish your writing, imagining your audience. You read it over. Out loud. Does it say exactly what you want it to say? You have a friend read it to you. Impressed, she says, “You should submit this to contests. Get some recognition for your work.” Maybe you leap at the idea. Maybe you hesitate. Contests make you feel vulnerable. Besides, there’s almost always a fee and nothing’s guaranteed. Perks of Entering a ContestPlacing in a writing contest is a huge boost to your work, though. Acceptances matter. Here are some other perks you might get:
What Do Judges Look For?Without a rubric, judges look for writing that works, ideas that seem original, and something that touches their hearts. They look for carefully edited pieces free of mechanical glitches and work that either says something new or says something traditional in a new way. Instead of writing a traditional rubric as a contest administrator, I’ve sent the questions below for judges to consider. Put on your editor’s hat and answer them before you send your work.
Looking for a starting place? Take a look at the current contest on Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. Research other contests and opportunities by Googling contests + (your genre). Questions? It’s easy to reach me through the contact box at www.writeradvice.com.
24 Comments
5/20/2022 05:38:30 pm
Thanks for sharing this with your readers. I'm posting the link on Facebook and Twitter.
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5/23/2022 05:31:53 am
Great list! This one should be printed out and posted on every writer's desk!
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5/23/2022 09:23:17 pm
Print away. I'd love to have it posted anywhere and everywhere.
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5/23/2022 05:31:55 am
When I'm judging, I appreciate a rubric. But when there's none, your questions are an excellent guide. Wish more submitters would use them to improve their submissions!
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5/23/2022 09:25:24 pm
Rubrics are definitely useful. There are so many things to consider before submitting work. Thanks for your wise observations.
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5/23/2022 06:08:20 am
Lynn,
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5/23/2022 09:27:16 pm
Thanks, Shawn. I'm working with someone right now who's asked to know what's memorable in her writing. It's an interesting way to approach the novel.
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5/23/2022 06:36:40 am
Very helpful post. These are great questions to ask before submitting to a contest - or to an editor, a reviewer, etc.
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5/23/2022 09:28:59 pm
Or even to a critique group if you're sensitive (or defensive). Thanks, Teresa.
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5/23/2022 06:41:52 am
Your questions aren't just for judging. As I dive into a new project, I'm going to consult them as "thinking points."
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5/23/2022 09:30:27 pm
Judy, I LOVE the phrase "thinking points." What a great way to look at this. Thanks!
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Susan Schoch
5/23/2022 11:35:05 am
Helpful thoughts on contests. And definitely a list of questions that should be asked throughout the process of writing. Thanks for helping us organize our efforts!
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5/23/2022 09:32:06 pm
Organization is not always my greatest strength, so thanks for the ego booster, Susan.
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Christina M. Wells
5/23/2022 05:42:54 pm
I appreciate your perspective a great deal. You raise excellent questions for our consideration!
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5/23/2022 09:34:08 pm
Christina, thanks so much for your kind words. No two people have the same perspective, which is a good thing to be aware of when you submit to editors for publication. Of course I realize I'm preaching to the choir.
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5/23/2022 06:14:06 pm
Good, concrete advice, especially the questions. I'll save them to evaluate my work. Thanks.
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5/23/2022 09:35:46 pm
Sandra, I love it when people save my blog posts. I'm glad this helps.
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5/23/2022 07:03:25 pm
Great list of questions that are applicable to honing any form of writing.
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5/23/2022 09:37:51 pm
Thanks, Jill. I am not sure how comprehensive they are for poetry, and of course there's nothing about sources or research for journalism, but outside of that I agree completely. Thanks for your supportive response.
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5/23/2022 08:35:19 pm
This list is a keeper. Incredibly useful as I write my next blog, article, or book! Thanks. Great advice.
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5/23/2022 09:39:24 pm
Jeanne, thanks for your enthusiastic response. Use and reuse.
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5/24/2022 08:35:50 am
My words echo those who have commented before me. Thank you for sharing this with those of us who seek to write well!
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5/24/2022 04:07:41 pm
The quality of these comments shows me you are all good writers.
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AuthorArielle Haughee is the owner and founder of Orange Blossom Publishing. Categories
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