I’m not actually sure there is a “season” to contests, but every once in a while I like to post something about contests for writers, in particular contests that are open to unpublished authors. Having entered contests first as an unpublished writer, then as a published one, also having judged and then coordinated, I’ve had pretty wide experience. I can honestly say one thing: the results might be unpredictable, but if you have a realistic attitude about them going into it, they can be worthwhile.
That’s why whenever I meet or chat online with someone who is unpublished but writing consistently and actively pursuing publication, I usually recommend writing contests. There are plenty of contests out there, many sponsored by various RWA chapters, and my own personal favorite sponsored by ACFW. (The deadline is past for this year, so if you haven’t entered, start writing and polishing for next year!) I recommend contests to writers not because I believe they’ll win (no matter how good I might believe their writing to be) but because I believe in the value of unbiased feedback—even if that feedback can be hard to receive sometimes. Contest feedback can be both the best and the worst part of joining a contest.
Not long ago there was a chat on one of my writer’s loops about the kind of feedback unpublished authors were receiving from various contests. Many contestants said the comments received from fellow unpublished writers (who also often serve as judges if they are experienced in critiquing) were harsher than the comments received from published authors.
I found that surprising at first. After all, isn’t there a shared camaraderie in being in the same boat, going after the same goal? But while that might be true, it might also be true that the competition can be the harshest critic, simply because they know first hand just how challenging this industry is, and in this case how difficult it is to get something published. Fellow aspiring authors may also be more familiar with the basic rules that are so much a part of learning the craft—knowing rejections can sometimes come for not adhering to details rather than the overall story idea.
It’s also true some people are just less tactful than others. And even though it might not feel like it when those blunt comments are received, it probably wasn’t said because the judge enjoys hurting others. More likely, it’s because their method of communicating is either ingrained from the way others have communicated to them or they don’t know how to change—or aren’t even aware they might need to.
There are other conundrums in contests, too. An odd number of judges are assigned to each entry; some of them love it and score it high, but others thinks it’s ho-hum, just a notch above drivel. Why the stark variance? I haven’t met anyone who can really explain that to me beyond what we all know—taste is a matter of perspective, personal choice, and the emotions that were evoked (or not) in reading any given entry. Sometimes emotions are easier to conjure in one person than another, depending on all kinds of variables that are impossible to predict or count on.
Which is why there is definitely a mystery involved in contest results. Sometimes the best entry doesn’t win; sometimes the winner is the entry that went to the best judges for that entry.
But even with all of these negatives, I maintain my belief that contests are worthwhile, especially for writers who aren’t well connected elsewhere (which is the majority of new writers). We can certainly make connections through places like ACFW and RWA, and that’s great. We can join critique groups for personalized feedback. But contests are still a good way to gain completely unbiased feedback, and an important way to connect with editors and agents since they’re usually the final judges. And if a writer does end up a finalist, those names are often noticed by editors. It’s not even necessary to win; these days with the competition so broad and fierce, being a finalist is a sign of success.
As a judge this year in several contests, I must say I think the quality, over all, is wonderful. Every year the quality seems to improve, and I’m convinced it’s because there are so many resources—mainly online, but there is also a plethora of writer’s handbooks out there. Despite some of those harsher judges out there, for the most part writers are very encouraging and generous with each other, especially when sharing knowledge about the craft. That generosity seems to be showing, because the quality of work from writers who are serious really is shining.
So if you’ve entered a contest, are considering entering one, remember to enter with the best possible attitude. You can privately hope to become a finalist or to win, but mainly remind yourself to plan on the absolute certainty of receiving feedback. More than likely it’ll be constructive—and then use that feedback to improve your skills. As evidenced by the quality of contest entries I’ve seen out there, the competition is fiercer than ever. But that only means the satisfaction of success, when it comes, is higher, too. Sometimes success is defined by publication, and sometimes it’s defined in touching others with the power of our words in other opportunities God sets up along the way. Either way, contest feedback can be a great way to hone writing skills.
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