tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post6290530220733940907..comments2024-03-11T16:14:49.158-07:00Comments on Don't pet me, I'm writing: 3 writing contest landmines to avoidTAWNA FENSKEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-92173531163929031592011-04-27T21:02:14.503-07:002011-04-27T21:02:14.503-07:00Never been a big fan, although I won one once. It ...Never been a big fan, although I won one once. It was on a "famous" author's website and it made my day. Also, I got some type of honorable mention on one of Janet Reid's contests which, of course, I framed and put on the wall above my bed next to the (very) large mirror.Debra Lynn Sheltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238268767406623274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-60734887142418161652011-04-27T19:19:22.700-07:002011-04-27T19:19:22.700-07:00Let me know which contest you're judging next,...Let me know which contest you're judging next, Ms. Soft Hands. I'll be sure to send in an entry.<br /><br />(That wasn't a pickup line, fyi. I've got better ones than that anyway.)<br /><br />:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-12157232478056902952011-04-27T19:00:10.865-07:002011-04-27T19:00:10.865-07:00Very helpful post. I've actually never entere...Very helpful post. I've actually never entered a contest but I am interested in doing a few for experience and feedback. I think it is sometimes a good thing to go through some hard knocks but the author who told you that about her beta reader = genius :)Mary Kate Leahyhttp://houseoflaoch.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-58641520957717365042011-04-27T14:15:59.270-07:002011-04-27T14:15:59.270-07:00The only contest I've entered was an obligator...The only contest I've entered was an obligatory essay contest when I was in fifth or sixth grade. The topic was brotherhood, and though I didn't win, afterwards, two of the judges said they'd liked my essay the best, but couldn't vote for it because my outside-the-box approach wasn't what the contest sponsors were looking for or expected.Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-64584861443160225162011-04-27T13:06:26.976-07:002011-04-27T13:06:26.976-07:00I have entered writing contests. Not every single ...I have entered writing contests. Not every single one, but enough. Like you say, it's hard to resist just one. In some ways, they feel more accessible to me than general submissions. I wouldn't say I'm completely guilty of your number one landmine...but I have spent more time rewriting and editing contest submissions than I have my novel. <br /><br />Woopsy. <br /><br />Who am I kidding. I'm guilty of falling into all three of those landmines.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-3201953168101626592011-04-27T12:32:54.663-07:002011-04-27T12:32:54.663-07:00This is all great advice, and it helps me since I ...This is all great advice, and it helps me since I just started sending my stuff out to literary magazines and writing contests last year. I haven't entered as many writing contests as I would have liked, though, partly because like you said, they're a lot of work. Another reason is that a lot of them require an entry fee that I can't always afford. Sometimes you get something in return for that fee, like a subscription to a lit mag if the lit mag itself is hosting the contest. But other times you could pay money and not get anything except for the opportunity to enter the contest. That would be okay if it wasn't for the fact that I have to watch my money carefully, which is why I'm very choosy about which contests I enter.Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-37766625125042482892011-04-27T12:21:45.278-07:002011-04-27T12:21:45.278-07:00I've entered four different contests with thre...I've entered four different contests with three different manuscripts. I was a finalist three times, and won once. The judging editor (from a house that won't take queries from unagented authors) requested my manuscript. I emailed it right away. Then I heard nothing. I contacted her after eight months, and she asked me to resend because she'd lost the manuscript. Another eight months later I emailed her again. That was back on March 2 of this year and she hasn't responded. So what did I win, exactly?tfwolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09182518707887624031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-67163322817659213862011-04-27T11:08:27.473-07:002011-04-27T11:08:27.473-07:00Like Elizabeth, I just got my Golden Heart scores ...Like Elizabeth, I just got my Golden Heart scores for SEND and the results were the same - highs and lows. I conclude judging a book is just like reading it. Some people will love it and others won't. All in all, some contests just aren't worth the effort.Patty Blounthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11928111057602279792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-46167281321646684862011-04-27T10:32:51.475-07:002011-04-27T10:32:51.475-07:00Sorry but I have to say that I do indeed hate cont...Sorry but I have to say that I do indeed hate contests!I entered a few early on in my writing career but was so unimpressed by the feedback (and after reading the entries that won, unimpressed by the winners themselves!)Maybe I just entered the wrong contests or my writing just didn't fit but wasting hard earned cash on dubious feedback felt wrong. Or perhaps I'm just an old stick in the mud!Writer Pat Newcombehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12678017709861817691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-2486186463877553742011-04-27T08:40:43.963-07:002011-04-27T08:40:43.963-07:00I'm just about to submit my entry for my first...I'm just about to submit my entry for my first contest, and from the amount of time it took away from my WiP it will probably be my last.<br /><br />Unless, of course, I win :)Sarah Tokeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13273148070092101085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-30388232835058615302011-04-27T08:37:16.204-07:002011-04-27T08:37:16.204-07:00Thank you for this. It's exactly what I needed...Thank you for this. It's exactly what I needed this morning. I just got back results from a contest and, as usual, I got two spectacular scores and one abysmal one. That *always* happens, and it's so frustrating: two people loved my book, and one hated it (or just didn't get it). <br /><br />I enter contests for the feedback and the chance to final (so my entry gets before an agent/editor, and I can mention my final in my query letter), but scores like the ones I get don't earn you a final, and the feedback is usually pretty spotty (many judges don't comment at all). Like you, I've also had several comments that were outright incorrect or wildly different from what every single other person has said, that it's hard to take anything that judge says seriously.<br /><br />No more contests. Really. Seriously. I've spent enough time, money, and emotion on the few I've entered.Carynhttp://www.caryncaldwell.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-8414456678418369792011-04-27T07:59:36.981-07:002011-04-27T07:59:36.981-07:00I enjoy entering contests but recognize that they ...I enjoy entering contests but recognize that they are imperfect. <br /><br />Overall, though, I couldn't be happier with where contests have gotten me. By winning a collection contest last year, I will see my first book published this fall. And to think I almost didn't enter!Laura Maylenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18058744860709615256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-23176706035870532022011-04-27T06:27:30.985-07:002011-04-27T06:27:30.985-07:00Technically it wasn't a contest, but when I &q...Technically it wasn't a contest, but when I "won" that tandem crit from you and Cynthia in Candace's "contest" it was one of the best things to ever happen to me and my writing.<br /><br />Other than that I don't get involved. I just don't have time.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-48836831134212704762011-04-27T06:05:06.411-07:002011-04-27T06:05:06.411-07:00Having only judged writing contests and never ente...Having only judged writing contests and never entered, I agree with everything Tawna said about ignoring whatever the judges said since we're clearly idiots, unless of course we loved your work, in which case we're geniuses.<br /><br />You probably think I don't mean this, but I swear I do.<br /><br />Also, I pay very little attention to most contests (except perhaps a Golden Heart but keep in mind I'll never know if they scored you low) in your query.Michelle Wolfsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-40148914829737610422011-04-27T05:58:53.552-07:002011-04-27T05:58:53.552-07:00It's all so subjective, isn't it? Yet anot...It's all so subjective, isn't it? Yet another reason to make sure you have crit partners who are in tune with you and your process. <br /><br />The only writing contest I ever entered was one for the "worst poem ever." I, um, won. ;)Linda G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04576828490765434497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-34957115893957521922011-04-27T05:24:26.536-07:002011-04-27T05:24:26.536-07:00Oh Tawna. You are as wise as you are bawdy, yet an...Oh Tawna. You are as wise as you are bawdy, yet another reason to love you.<br /><br />Thank you for this post which soothed my wounded soul. Like Elizabeth, I just received my Golden Heart scores, which if they're to be believed, I suck. Not that I'm disputing that possibility, but like you, I've had some early round success with the very same manuscript. So, I gave myself a day to brood, then got over it and got back to work--rewriting, editing and trying to be a better wordsmith.<br /><br />Thanks again. Cheers to you!Pamala Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823051545160002135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-50155407697964206172011-04-27T05:23:25.702-07:002011-04-27T05:23:25.702-07:00Isn't that funny how the judges ripped your en...Isn't that funny how the judges ripped your entry that you'd just sold? That just cracks me up. <br /><br />IN the beginning, I loved contests. Entered them frequently. Got a few finals and a win here and there. I thrived on the feedback and grew a bunch during that time. <br /><br />They serve their purpose for sure, but you're right when you mention the contest whore portion. It's hard to stop at one and maybe that money might be better served attending a writing conference??LynnRushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07019358342291623619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-31591930376893038732011-04-27T04:22:05.403-07:002011-04-27T04:22:05.403-07:00This is such a great time to read this post! Just...This is such a great time to read this post! Just got back my Golden Heart scores; on my YA I had a full range...from a 9 (highest) to a 3! I know they drop the lowest, but it just made me shake my head that some judges saw my work as perfect or almost so and some saw it as in grave need of attention. A lot of points are for things like mechanics and rule following, which I knew I did well, so how did I get a 3?! Since it's Golden Heart, there isn't feedback other than numbers, but it was very good to remember that some people will fall in love with your stuff and some will pretty much hate it!Liz Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15431422051251925133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-84986504816091084992011-04-27T04:20:44.194-07:002011-04-27T04:20:44.194-07:00I enter the writing contests that don't take a...I enter the writing contests that don't take a lot of word-count (100-word stories, first lines, first pages, etc.), where the prizes are usually free advance copies, a critique, or boasting rights.<br /><br />These are just for fun, obviously, and I can quit whenever I want. No, really. <br /><br />Submitting work for publication is exciting enough for me, thanks . . .Sarah Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13265589529909793312noreply@blogger.com