Friday, February 14, 2014

Are writing contests necessary?

Of late, I have been reading about quite a few writers who snagged an agent’s attention through a writing contest. Lucky for them I say. A few writers say that joining an online contest helped them in getting publishing deals or they signed up with an agent after their competition entry (query letter, sample pages) won a prize.

Even in India, a few writers have bagged book deals after winning short story contests. But most have remained just that: prize winners who have never written anything further. Sometimes I wonder whether the prize winning story was a flash in the pan (apologies for saying that, but that thought does cross my mind). Because many of the writers just disappear from the scene after their win.

But, not everyone can have the same writing journey or journey towards publishing.  So far I have taken part in just one short story writing competition and won the critique’s prize for it. But, as I was already a published author, the win didnt help me in any way.


What is your take on writing contests? Do you think they help writers get noticed by editors, publishers and agents? Have you ever taken part in any contests? I would love to hear your views on this topic.

19 comments:

  1. Winning a contest and writing books that sell are two different things as best writers are not really ones who won the prizes in contests! It may be true just once in a while:)

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  2. Many literary contests I come across seem to be tailored only for the benefit of the publishers. For example, take the case of anthologies. Many authors combine to produce the content/short stories and the publisher publishes it under their own name. The authors are then required to publicise it on their blogs and FB accounts. All the sales/profits go to the publisher, and the writer gets nothing. Sometimes, authors are even required to commit a minimum no. of copies from their side!

    RIP OFF.

    DestinationInfinity.Org

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  3. A few people do snag publishers or agents that way. I've heard those stories in the interviews I do and that's how Stina Lindenblatt got her agent.

    For me, a little longer query feels like the better way to go.

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  4. Years ago, I regularly entered contests (I still do, but less frequently), and I noticed the same names popping up, improving all the time until they started winning a lot. One, at least, is now a novelist who's published 3 or 4 books. I guess, with those writers who won and disappeared, they didn't want it enough. Even after winning something, you still have to work very hard!

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  5. Agree with Annalisa. Maybe some of those winners thought it would be smooth sailing after their win and were beat down when it wasn't.

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  6. I think it can help but a lot of it comes down to luck. Winning is more to do with appealing to a small select group of people than it is to a large audience and the transition isn't always going to work. Even in mainstream publishing, just because an agent, editor and publisher all think a book is great doesn't mean the public will.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  7. It is very freeing, especially when stuck! :0)

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  8. Much like Annalisa, I used to enter quite a few short story comps but only one or two a year now as I just don't have time to keep writing new material. And it can get quite costly on the entry fees. It's nice to mention any wins on query letters though.

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  9. I got a few behind the scenes requests from agents in contests, but nothing ultimately came of them. It all comes down to luck and how well one's writing fits in with market trends. I decided to give up on contests, since my writing style and subjects aren't very trendy or commercial compared to the vast majority of other contestants.

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  10. I did enter a few flash fiction contests through WOW. For one thing it takes little time to write something so short. Supposedly an agent was the determining factor with the winner. They did give a critique and helped me somewhat.

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  11. I think contests are useful if the judges give feedback on the good points and bad points of the writing, whether the writer wins or loses.

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  12. I've entered a couple of contests and while I didn't get any requests, I did get some helpful feedback. So my experience has been positive in that way :-)

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  13. I applaud all writers who dare to put a story out there to be judged by others. It takes a lot of courage to risk rejection. I am a firm believer in "if at first you don't succeed..."

    Also, contests are a good way to try a new genre--test the waters--etc...

    Happy writing!!

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  14. Hi Rachna,

    There certainly can be some advantages to writing contests if it gets you the recognition and the contacts.

    The only thing close to a writing contest I've been involved with was a collaboration story. I personally don't bother with them. Wouldn't be fair to the other competitors :)

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

    Gary :)

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  15. Hi Rachna,
    Taking part in writing contests, is a great way to spit and polish your stories, so that's a good reason to take part in them.

    I used to enter them before I started on my novel and will continue again once I'm through with this draft.

    Damyanti
    Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2014

    Twitter: @damyantig

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  16. I have yet to enter a writer's contest. Maybe now that my trilogy is complete I can try my hand at some short stories.

    I had written a few in the past, but they always end up in one of my books.

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  17. Hi friends, thanks for dropping by and sharing your views on writing contests with all of us. I think entering one or two writing contests in a year is a good thing. But, one should participate with an open mind and not worry about whether an agent or editor will approach us through the contest.

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  18. I know a lot of writers who've entered contests, everything from first page to ABNA. Very, very few get anything out of it even if they're lucky enough to win or do well. But a few DO get agents and book deals. I'd say about 5%. For me, even though I won a few, my agent and book deal came through good old querying.

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  19. When I have time to submit something, I love writing contests. So far, I've only "placed" three times, but the last time included a nice check. And I learn a lot from the process. I never enter expensive contests, though. Just the affordable ones.

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