A new novel idea has me in a chokehold. And as I have a very good feeling about it, I’ve scrapped my original plan for a new short story collection. However, I’ve already written a bunch of stories for said collection and I’ve got more floating about in old folders. To make sure they don’t go to waste, I’ve decided to give writing competitions another bash.
Writing comps – then vs now
It’s been years since I entered writing competitions. If you’re interested, I have a whole blog post with tips on writing competitions. Back then, a lot of them still required you to print off and post your work. The entry fees were minimal, around £3 or £4, with the biggest (for the most prestigious prize) sitting at around £10. They were considered a good way to get proven success for your writing CV, plus your win might come with the attention of agents and publishers.
Today, the publishing landscape has changed. Ebooks and self-publishing are hugely popular. Social media including “Book Tok” has altered how many readers read, and how authors engage with their audience. Writing competitions have changed too, although I’m glad to see they’re still popular. Entries are almost exclusively done online, which saves paper and ink – but conversely, entry fees have gone up with £8-£10 being the norm.
There also appear to be many more competitions for full-length works as opposed to just short-form fiction or poetry. I’m not sure why. It may be a tactic to mould future writers to industry expectations, a way to expand diversity, or simply an easier process to filter submissions (and fund it too).
Writing competition plans
I’m doing a few things to give myself the best possible chances. First, I’m using reliable places to find comps in the first place. I was delighted to see Prize Magic still up and running. It has a regularly updated, vetted, and humorous list of writing competitions of all shapes and sizes.
Next, I’m doing my research. For each comp I’m interested in, I delve into the background as much as possible to see if my writing would be a good match. Some places are very clear about what they like/dislike which is very useful. But the best way to get a feel is by checking out previous winning entries. Although judges can change year on year, in general, most organisations have certain types and styles of writing they’re keener on. Whilst I’m not writing specifically to reach certain criteria, I am looking at what I’ve already got and seeing where it best fits.
I’m keeping track of entries using Milanote (which I’m using for my book planning as well), so I can get straight to the competition websites and track all the relevant details.
Lastly, I’m not going to be put off if a piece of my writing doesn’t place. Like publishing, judging is subjective, and if I think the work still has merit, I’ll scout around for another suitable competition for it.
Thoughts on writing competitions
Whilst there are many ways to get the attention of the publishing industry these days, I think having competition successes on your “writing CV” is still worth it. Issues around ownership and copyright are still on the agenda, with some comps having more restrictive or less favourable rules than others – so it’s always good to make sure you read the T&Cs thoroughly. And of course, there’s the cost. Like everything else, it’s gone up and that can mean they’re not accessible to underrepresented demographics. Some do offer help or free entry to those on low incomes, but this may not be enough to give all writers and equal chance.
What are your thoughts about writing competitions? Do you think they help writers? Have you entered them yourself? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments.
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