How to Organize a Writing Contest
You've been asked to organize a writing contest. Sounds easy at first, but organizing a writing contest takes some time and creativity. You'll need guidelines, judges and prizes. It can get a bit overwhelming; but if you're determined organized you'll soon find that you've organized a writing contest that most any writer would be eager to enter. Read on to learn more.
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Instructions
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Establish guidelines for the writing contest. Determine a theme, if you have one, as well as length and type of writing, such as prose, nonfiction or poetry.
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Ask for help. Delegate certain duties to others, if possible. Assistance with mailings, keeping track of entry fees and organizing a judge's panel can be very beneficial.
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Assemble a judge's panel. If you know any established writers, approach them about being a judge. Your writing contest will draw more entries if entrants are told several well-known authors are going to be reviewing their work.
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Determine prizes. If you're looking for a large turn-out, you'll have to offer worthy prizes. You can offer money, publication of the winning story in a magazine or online publication or a trophy.
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Advertise the writing contest. Place ads in trade magazines and online publications. Target genre publications that reflect the type of stories you are looking for.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask writers to send 2 copies of their entries to the contest, one that has their name, postal and email addresses, and another copy without that information. Send the anonymous copies to the judges.
Instruct writers to send disposable copies of their stories. This will save you the money and hassle of having to send stories back to the writers once the contest is over.
As an added incentive, and if your judges agree, offer a critique of all stories entered into the contest. Writers are always grateful for any feedback.
Approach past winners, if you're organizing an annual contest, about being judges for the present contest.
Tell writers to include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) if they wish to receive contest results.
