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Writing Contests
There are a number of excellent writing contests to help writers get discovered, published, and ultimately, paid. This is by no means an exhaustive list of every contest out there -- I've just highlighted a few of the reputable ones.
L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest
Website: http://www.writersofthefuture.com
One of the most respected science fiction fantasy contests out there. There is also a separate contest for illustrators.
- Entry fee: None
- Frequency: Quarterly
- Max length: 17,000 words
- Rights: Author retains all rights
- Grand Prize: $1,000 quarterly, additional $5,000 for the annual grand prize
- Total prizes: 3 per quarter ($1,000, $750, $500) + $5,000 annual grand prize
24-hour Short Story Contest
Website: http://writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php
Run by the reputable Angela Hoy of Writers Weekly (Whispers and Warnings, anyone?)
- Entry fee: $5
- Frequency: Quarterly
- Max length: Depends on topic, but typically less than 5,000 words (Winter 2008's contest was 1,000 words or less)
- Rights: Non-exclusive first-use rights for the top three entries; other entrants are free to publish their work elsewhere
- Grand prize: $300, publication on the Writers Weekly website, and a Freelance Income kit.
- Total prizes: 85+ per quarter
Tips
- If you're thinking of entering this contest, do yourself a favor and sign up immediately. Space really does run out! This will also give you time to develop a strategy and polish your writing skills.
- Read all of the rules beforehand and highlight the important points. Refresh your memory an hour or so before the contest begins. Also have the rules accessible when submitting your story.
- Place your full name, e-mail address, mailing address, home telephone number and word count AFTER your story, NOT BEFORE. This is grounds for disqualification!
- Be careful when cutting and pasting between a word processing program and the body of your e-mail. Some characters may not come across correctly. One suggestion is to avoid using word processors entirely (such as Microsoft Word, Open Office) and use only a straight text editor (Notepad, Wordpad). Ultimately you must feel comfortable using your program of choice and keenly aware of the pitfalls when cutting and pasting between programs.
- If submitting early, confirmation of your submission may occur as late as an hour or less of the deadline
- Avoid using the very first idea that comes to mind
- Avoid making your main character a writer
- Clarify and develop your main concept. Resist the urge to jump ahead before you have something really catchy.
- Readers love genuine surprises
- Give your story a solid ending!
100 Words or Fewer Writing Contest
Website: http://www.100wordsorfewerwritingcontest.com/
Providing a unique twist to flash fiction contests, all entries can only be a maximum of 100 words.
- Entry Fee: $15.00; Entry and checkmark evaluation: $18.00; Entry, checkmark, and critique: $38.00.
- Max Length: 100 words
- Rights: Not specified, but winning entries and honorable mentions are published on their website.
- Prizes: $500 (1st place), $100 (2nd place)
Here is an excellent page that describes what they are looking for: http://100wordsorfewerwritingcontest.com/index.php?id=3
Writer's Digest
Website: http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/
Writer's Digest has a variety of contests ranging from short stories to poetry. Prizes and guidelines vary depending on the contest. First-use rights are also tied up by Writer's Digest.
Some of the competitions include:
- Writer's Digest Annual Short Short Story Writing Competition
- Writer's Digest Poetry Awards Competition
- Writer's Digest Annual Writing Competition
- The Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards
- Your Story (monthly)
And so on...
Electric Dragon Cafe
Website: http://www.electricdragoncafe.com
An upbeat and quirky upstart with plenty of free fiction and writing resources.
Update: Although Electric Dragon Cafe has removed most of its content, a writing competition is apparently underway.
- Entry fee: None
- Frequency: ???
- Max Length: Not specified
- Rights: Winning authors are published on Electric Dragon Cafe's website with written permission. If the author refuses, they will not receive their prize
- Grand Prize: $25 gift card for use in Borders or Barnes & Noble (due to changes to their website, this may no longer be accurate)
- Total prizes: $25 gift card (1st prize), $10 gift card (2nd prize), Electric Dragon Writing Journal (3rd prize) (due to changes to their website, this may no longer be accurate)
