Entered any writing contests lately? Beth Revis, of Writing it Out has a great post about Entering Contests. Beth shares links, quotes, and her thoughts about the benefits of entering writing contests. Good stuff. I need to go back and check out those links.
My poetry writing friends might be interested in Terresa's poetry contest over at the Chocolate Chip Waffle. Poems must have a spring theme, and she has a sweet little prize for the winner. Hurry, deadline to submit is May 3rd at midnight.
I shared this link the other day, but since we are on the topic of contests, thought I'd toss it out there again. K.Dawn Byrd has an extensive listing of 2010's contests on her blog. Contests are organized by month, with links provided. Most are for romance writers, but there are other categories too, such as flash fiction and the Delacorte Press Contest for First Young Adult Novel.
Came across this Writing Contests site recently. Haven't had a chance to thoroughly check it out, so I can't endorse it nor tell you about the features, but it did look promising. A quick stop there indicated contest listings for children's, young adult, and adult fiction, non fiction, and poetry.
What do you think of writing contests? Have you entered any lately? What were the results?
Have a blessed weekend. Happy contest writing!
Thanks for the contest information, Karen. Very nice of you to share it.
ReplyDeletePreparing box. Hope to get it out soon! Sincerely, Susan
I've entered two contests. One contest gave me some great feedback on my opening ten pages. I haven't received anything back on the second. Thanks for the links.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen. Haven't entered any contests yet, but I can see the value in it.
ReplyDeleteSusan W.,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will find something you'd like to enter:)You'll have to try a photo contest too, sometime. Your photos on your blog are lovely.
Heather,
The feedback is a great perk, I agree. I think contests also help motivate us to keep polishing our writing, too.
Warren,
If you enter and win, please let us know! If nothing else, they are a great writing exercise.
Thanks and blessings to each of you,
Karen
I just entered one on Novel Matters and of course the Genesis one. I think they are fun and give you something to hope for:) I will check these out:)
ReplyDeleteI like contests. The last link you mentioned is good. I saw a few I will enter from that list. I only enter ones that have a low fee, unless it's a very prominent one. That way I can enter more. It's just good experience and gives me motivation to write some stories.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flower Karen... it made me smile!!!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo for awesome contests!
Thank you for all the links!!! I am going to enter the Christian Writers Guild contest in a few months. I am kind of nervous. (:
ReplyDeleteI love contests! If I had endless supplies of money I'd enter them all. *grin*
ReplyDeleteI don't though, but I did just enter Novel Matters because it was free. Hahaa!
Terri,
ReplyDeleteCongrats, please let us know how you make out!
Jan,
I agree, they are good motivators. Your strategy sounds like a good one.
Jen,
Glad I helped bring a smile to your face,
Have a lovely day, all!
Blessings,
Karen
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! Maybe we can set up a fund and take turns entering contests:)
Blessings,
Karen
I think writing contests are a somewhat "safe" way for you to send your writing out into the wide world of publishing.
ReplyDeleteAlisa,
ReplyDeleteGood for you with the CWG contest. That's exciting. I am sure you will do fine!
Elana,
Good point. I suppose you could look at that as having pros and cons.
Blessings,
Karen
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out these links. Like Terri, I've entered the Genesis Contest and Novel Matters. Before I enter any other contests, I want to get the feedback from these.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Thanks for the helpful post, Karen. Great links.
ReplyDeleteI've entered enough contests in the last year to have learned that I need to pick and choose which to enter. They cost so much money, for one thing. I also found that I prefer to enter Christian-based contests, or ones with inspirational categories. Contests can be an excellent way to get feedback, though, and learn what parts of my story are working and what parts aren't.
Susan R.,
ReplyDeleteHoping that you both make out well with the Genesis Contest. I think you are wise to wait for the feedback.
Susanne,
This is good advice, find the ones that fit your writing, budget, etc.
Thank you both for stopping, and have a great weekend,
Karen
One of these day I'm going to get serious about writing. I haven't really had a clear focus given my fulltime employment and competing priorities, but with the change in chapters in my life I'm thinking that day's coming.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know what? Yours will be the blog I mine for all these resources, links, tips, etc., when it does.
Blessings,
Kathleen
Hi Karen, always so nice to stop by. Great tips. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBe blessed. xxx
Kathleen,
ReplyDeleteI'd never know that you didn't write more regularly; your blog is wonderful. Thanks so much for the kind words about mine.
Raymonde,
Thank you. Always good to see you!
Happy weekend and blessings to you both,
Karen
Thanks for the heads-up about all the writing contests! I entered Cheerios' kid's story contest last year and although I didn't win, found that I really enjoy writing children's stories! Have a fantastic weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great updates! I've entered a few contests in the last few months, and haven't won anything, but they are fun to try, especially when I already have something cooking up that might work for them . . . like spring poetry that just needs a little extra spice.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Stop by my blog and pick up a blogging buddy award!
Have entered one contest for published writers, though I usually stay away from such things!!
ReplyDeleteIf you have a chance, would love to share a poignant poem that so expresses my angst over the oil spill in my beloved Louisiana Gulf. http://www.pattilacy.com/blog or http://www.inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com.
Blessings,
Patti
Maria,
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to make those kinds of discoveries, isn't it! Glad to pass this info along.
Tyrean,
I do think that they are fun, and such good practice. You never know when you might win. Thank you for the award; will hop over to your blog!
Patti,
Will hop over to your blog too. Am so sorry to hear about the oil spill.
Happy weekend and blessings to all,
Karen
People email often regarding writing contests and I put them on my ToDo List but have forgotten to follow through. But darn it, next time I'm going to do it.
ReplyDeleteSteohen Tremp
Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the contest info! I never thought about entering a writing contest before because I write mostly nonfiction. But you have given me something new to think about. Oh boy, just what I need - one more distraction!! haha
Susan
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteLet us know how things go when you get around to entering one.
Susan P.,
Sometimes a distraction can be good, right? :)
Thanks to you both for stopping by and commenting.
Have a great weekend,
Karen
*blushes* Thanks for linking to me! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the other links. Off to explore!
Beth,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! It was a great post and it fit perfectly with what I was wanting to share. So thanks a bunch:)
Have a great weekend,
Karen
Karen:
ReplyDeleteI have entered a few writing contests. I placed fourth in an area one. But then the literary magazine ceased publication.
I have bookmarked the blogs for further study. Thanks for the information.
Great links; thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I entered the Erma Bombeck humor writers contest, but didn't even final. Unfortunately, they don't give feedback, so I'm not sure how I messed up.
I'd like to enter some contests where I receive feedback.
Love
Jen
Audience of ONE
Cecelia,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome:) Keep entering!
Jeanette,
I agree, feedback would be nice for all of them.
Thanks and blessings for stopping by!
Karen