tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post4582267103115762059..comments2023-08-15T05:06:03.233-06:00Comments on The Writing Sisterhood: To Enter or Not to Enter: The Pros and Cons of Literary ContestsThe Sisterhoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889577041903181315noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-53955608925208481892010-10-29T14:38:09.918-06:002010-10-29T14:38:09.918-06:00I see what your saying, LadyJai, but to be honest,...I see what your saying, LadyJai, but to be honest, contests that don't charge are few and far between. And, this might sound odd, but from my experience, those that don't charge are far more shady sounding than those who do. If you ever do decide to venture into the world of contests, do so with a trusted list of contests like the ones you'd find in Writer's Market. These ones won't rip you off.Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-61052176930125880152010-10-29T09:27:55.450-06:002010-10-29T09:27:55.450-06:00I have been wondering about those contests! I alwa...I have been wondering about those contests! I always see send your MS right on next to an amount of $$ to enter. What??! It's like analogizing it with all these martial arts studios...if you pay your $$ you are guaranteed advancement. I shouldn't have to pay to enter into a contest, honestly! So, I have shied away from them. Thank you for your take on this. I did so enjoy reading it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05428537878590963832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-39878687956615702522010-09-29T17:22:46.779-06:002010-09-29T17:22:46.779-06:00Roni,
I believe that with picture books you can s...Roni,<br /><br />I believe that with picture books you can submit the entire story with your query letter. I'm not sure how publishers react to unagented writer submissions, but I know that with novels, you need an agent for almost all publishers (except small or university presses.) In addition to Mary's suggestions, I would recommend you to join a critique group. Other writers may help you pinpoint whatever it is that didn't work in your rewrite. Also, joining an organization such as SCBWI might help (http://www.scbwi.org). The cheap way to find agents is to look for online listings such as querytracker.net or agentquery.com<br /><br />They also have the books Mary suggested in the library.Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-15806984289380583682010-09-29T15:05:20.135-06:002010-09-29T15:05:20.135-06:00I think the best place to start is where I started...I think the best place to start is where I started, with a copy of Writer's Market or Jeff Herman's Guide to Literary Agents. There is a ton of info in these books that deal with all aspects of the publishing world (even children's books). Writer's Market also has books geared towards more specialized markets, like I have one for short stories as well as for novels. Dig around a bit at Amazon and see what they have. Another place to look is at specific publishers websites devoted to publishing children's books. They might have some tips. Also, do an Internet search on children's writing groups or websites. If there's a writing group in your area that you can get plugged into that's also a great place to meet others who write what you do. I hope I helped!Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-51595209001983123782010-09-29T12:14:33.780-06:002010-09-29T12:14:33.780-06:00Lorena,
I've been thinking about that and I d...Lorena,<br /><br />I've been thinking about that and I do believe you're right. My problem is perhaps lack of knowledge regarding submissions. Do I send with a cover letter? Do I submit the entire manuscript only? Do I present in picture book format? Which publisher is the best publisher? It's been such a long time for that musty little piece. Maybe it's time to dig it out and start asking appropriate questions in appropriate places.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06924976850492146624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-84111767332813233282010-09-29T11:27:37.320-06:002010-09-29T11:27:37.320-06:00Roni,
It doesn't always have to stay in your ...Roni,<br /><br />It doesn't always have to stay in your drawer. Maybe with time and distance, you'll know what to do with it.<br /><br />Best of luck!Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-8429278213940534462010-09-28T19:49:53.731-06:002010-09-28T19:49:53.731-06:00Thanks so much for your comments, Roni! It's a...Thanks so much for your comments, Roni! It's always interesting to hear other peoples writing experiences. I always wonder what happens to all those manuscripts in these contests. I'm sorry yours was resigned to your file drawer. I'm sure there's a lot of beautiful work out there that no one has cared enough to help along and give it a good published home!The Sisterhoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09889577041903181315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-49312403240326466192010-09-28T18:12:56.567-06:002010-09-28T18:12:56.567-06:00Nice article, Mary Mary. Thought I'd toss my f...Nice article, Mary Mary. Thought I'd toss my first two bits in just to get my feet wet here. I have a contest experience to share. I entered a "local" contest, but manuscripts were accepted from all over the United States. Because I was a member of the writers group sponsoring the contest, the entry fee was less (I think it was about $25 back then). More than an interest in winning the competition, all entries were assured a "professional critique." And that's where my sites were set. So, I entered the contest and promptly forgot about it. I received a large envelope in the mail one day and literally had to read the letter attached to my manuscript three times before I understood the relevance. I had placed as a winner in the Children's Book category and the promised critique was attached. In addition, I was given a free pass to the conference, a free dinner at the awards banquet immediately following the conference, and a check. Needless to say, I was thrilled. I attended the conference, which was interesting, but very long. The dinner was good and as the winners of each category were called forward (amid many a blinding flash from the photographers cameras), we learned our placement and received our checks. I placed 3rd and received $50 (so I earned about $25). The piece I wrote was a fun little thing about the day in a life of my favorite mailman (my brother). The critique said that my story would be better if the mailman had faced a life altering challenge that changed him in some way. I would have appreciated a little more adivce, but that was that. I attempted many a rewrite, but I just couldn't find a way to adapt to the critique. My story still sits in my file drawer. So, once the glitz and glory has died, there should still be someone somewhere who is just dying to get their publishing hands on this little story crying out to become a picture book. I learned that being a "winner" doesn't guarantee you publication. Darn!Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06924976850492146624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-28228513350738720452010-09-27T20:47:32.685-06:002010-09-27T20:47:32.685-06:00Easier said than done. There aren't many cheap...Easier said than done. There aren't many cheap contests (or free for that matter) out there, especially in novel excerpt categories (short story contests are the exception, because there are oodles of them). Plus, you have to be a bit choosy if your hoping to have your work read by the right individuals. That's why I said beware of sketchy contests, like ones that charge but really give you nothing in return except a pat on the back.Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-25002228363528112802010-09-27T18:01:56.006-06:002010-09-27T18:01:56.006-06:00The funny thing is that the blog contest (which di...The funny thing is that the blog contest (which didn't cost any money) has been the most helpful to me because I got insightful feedback from the editor that, I believe, improved my novel. (BTW, I see that blog contests at writers or agent websites are becoming quite popular. The prize is usually a critique or an agent agreeing to read your work.)<br /><br />The good thing about winning (in your case) is that you can mention this in your query letters and it gives you something to say about yourself in the bio part :) The bad thing is like Violante says, it can really hurt your own perception of your work, and of course, the money you spent for nothing.<br /><br />Conclusion: Participate in cheap or free contests, ha ha ha!Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-20866304523695743502010-09-27T16:10:55.556-06:002010-09-27T16:10:55.556-06:00I think they can either be a blessing or a curse. ...I think they can either be a blessing or a curse. It's like Lorena said with the Mexican TV station contest -- You just never know what exactly is going to happen, and sometimes it's definitely not for the better. Like most things in the literary world, all writing is subjective, especially when it comes to contests). It never hurts to give one or two a shot.<br /><br />I don't think they're pointless, because if you happen to win one of the granddaddies of them all, then your shot at getting that agent or publishing contract does increase exponentially, if not become a sure thing. But then, I guess nothing is a sure thing ☺.<br /><br />BTW Wynn, I'm glad you found my post helpful!Mary Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09429769115085903305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-44440568007953487922010-09-27T13:28:06.975-06:002010-09-27T13:28:06.975-06:00Actually, I've won one contest. But it was a b...Actually, I've won one contest. But it was a blog contest organized by an editor (the sweetest man ever!) Does that count? :) The winning prize was a manuscript review.Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-893799272774760562010-09-27T13:20:57.234-06:002010-09-27T13:20:57.234-06:00Interesting post, Sister Mary. ;)
My experience wi...Interesting post, Sister Mary. ;)<br />My experience with contests is also bittersweet (more bitter than sweet because I came close in a few of them, but didn't win.) My worst experience by far was a TV script contest organized by a Mexican TV station that demanded a lot of work from the participants (you had to present 10 complete episodes for a proposed soap opera plus synopsis of 120 episodes, character profiles and copyright registration.) After weeks of work and a few months of waiting for the results, the station announced that there was no winner!! (I guess none of us were good enough to win :((((( )Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17848249911635132594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-8707586196769523832010-09-27T13:18:59.716-06:002010-09-27T13:18:59.716-06:00A very helpful and thorough report. I am glad to k...A very helpful and thorough report. I am glad to know, agents (despite what they might say) do not care about contests. I still think it´s wonderful to enter and win, but if you don't it might work against you in the sense that you feel you wasted your time or that you are not good enough.<br />In my country there's a rumor that most literary contests are rigged, but that it´s not the case in USA.Violantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02800111423488923625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-50247163429482265192010-09-27T08:52:35.273-06:002010-09-27T08:52:35.273-06:00I love that you enter (and win) literary contests,...I love that you enter (and win) literary contests, Mary Mary. And I didn't know that you regarded your first novel as a healing exercise. <br /><br />Really enjoyed this post.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266371808927804670.post-58480977273342695172010-09-27T08:41:44.688-06:002010-09-27T08:41:44.688-06:00nice info,thanks for sharing with othersnice info,thanks for sharing with othersWynnhttp://wynnfavoritevideos.blogspot.com/2010/09/justin-bieber-is-p0rn-star-wynn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com