How to Submit Writings to Contests
Entering into a writing contest can be a good way to get published. When deciding whether or not to submit your work in competition, do the leg work necessary to find the right fit for your work and the right audience to accept you.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Choose the right contests. If you are a creative non-fiction writer, the pool of contests may be shallower than the pool for fiction and poetry. If you search through the right online and printed networks you can find plenty to choose from. Look at reputable magazines and writer's websites to find leads to contests that are good for you. Writers Market has a large list of contests and awards programs.
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Research their validity. No matter what the fee or guidelines, research the company holding the contest. Don't send money and work blindly. Check online for any feedback from previous contestants and seek out information about the company holding the contest.
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Revise, revise, revise. Once you have chosen a reputable contest to enter, make sure you have the best possible revision of your piece. Look out for careless misspellings and grammatical errors. And have someone else proofread for the words and phrases your spell check software won't catch.
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Keep trying. When trying to submit writings to contests, have a clear head about the outcome. Being published and possibly getting a prize for your work would be great. But realize that the competition is vast. Sylvia Plath had over 30 rejections before ever having a single piece of work published.
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Read the rules. Make sure you understand exactly what the rules are when you submit your work. Read the fine print and be aware of what kinds of rights to your work you would lose if it is accepted. Being knowledgeable and professional when trying to submit writings to contests is the best advice out there.
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