What should writers know about contests?
The absolute most important advice I can give you is this: read and understand the fine print.
UPDATED 6/1/19
Understand what you’re entering
Know what you’re entering. Know what happens to your work in the event you win (or even/especially if you don’t win). Make sure you’re completely comfortable with it.
For instance, in the event you win a contest, are you comfortable with the prize and what is often a completely non-negotiable publishing contract? Do you want to try for a better deal by going through the traditional publishing route and finding an agent?
There’s no correct answer here: it’s up to you. But make sure a) you know what happens when you enter/win and b) you can live with it. And think very long and very hard about anything that could tie up the rights to your work. And when in doubt: don’t enter.
Will contests help you find a literary agent?
Now: do agents and other publishing types look favorably on successful contest wins/finalists?
Here’s the thing about that. Even the biggest writing competitions have… what, a few thousand entries? Agents get 10,000+ queries a year and take on maybe a handful of clients. Going strictly by the numbers, an agent’s inbox is far more competitive than any writing contest. Accordingly, many agents take contest wins with a grain of salt.
If you win or are a finalist in a large contest by all means, include in the query as a publishing credit. But I wouldn’t necessarily call it a difference-maker in a query. It can definitely help, and there are some genres where certain important contests are taken very seriously, but it’s not usually something that’s going to make or break you.
And if you’re a Semi-Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough: I wouldn’t mention it. Every time the Amazon contest rolls around agents are suddenly besieged with Amazon Breakthrough semi-finalists, and while yes, it’s a good achievement that you should absolutely be proud of, to us it seems like there are several bazillion semi-finalists.
Writing contests can help
All that cautionary stuff aside: I’m not down on writing contests! I know how hard and lonely it is for writers who are struggling with the Am I Crazies and are wondering about that big question: am I any good?
Writing contests can provide that crucial validation from people who don’t know you and hey, they like your work! It can be a real confidence booster, and that can make all the difference in the world.
So definitely consider entering writing contests, just make sure you do it with eyes wide open.
If you have questions about specific contests: don’t forget that discussion forums are a great place to sound out your fellow writers. Experienced smart people are standing by.
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Elaine 'still writing' Smith says
I fyou enter the competition it is the "bird in the hand…" situation.
Plus you get an indisputable credit to put in your next letter to an agent and a stronger arguing position for future deals.
Happy! Holly! Merry! Berry!
Teacher about to break up for the hols?
Susan Quinn says
I've been thinking about this as well, so thank you for the timely post!
I've been wondering if I should be trying to write/enter contests to build up some pub creds, or just spend that time on polishing my MS (and writing the next one)?
I'm unpublished, with no writing credits.
My inclination is to see the contests as a distraction from what I want to be doing (working on the MS), but I'm concerned that might be short sighted.
Kristi says
I wouldn't enter a contest where you were bound to a publishing contract for the reasons Nathan mentioned. The contests I would enter are agent driven contests because they have the potential to catch an agent's interest. Querytracker has had some good ones and Nathan's first paragraph contest is just pure fun.
Dara says
I agree with Kristi's comment–I wouldn't enter (probably) if I was bound to a non-negotiable publishing contract. I tend to like ones that are more agent driven–or ones that are nationally renown like RWA's Golden Heart.
Jille says
From the page on Amazon, it doesn't seem you are bound to accept the contract; you just can't negotiate it if you choose to accept it. But the wording indicates you have the option of declining. But Penguin owns first rights until June 30, 2010 so you wouldn't be able to sell it to any other house until after that date.
Anonymous says
I read the fine print, just out of curiosity. I think the thing that scares me most is not the fixed advance or even the non-negotiation clause, but rather those two things in combination with the part where your ROYALTIES are entirely TBA.
"Penguin will determine the royalty rates to be paid under the publishing contract"
So basically, they could decide you get some ridiculously small royalty amount and there's nothing you can do about it?
LynnRush says
Great post!
I think contests are important for a couple reasons. You get feedback from the judges. And it's often really helpful because those judging, even the first round, are often published or trained to judge. . . so the feedback is pretty good.
Another reason is getting your work in front of editors and agents. The Launching a Star contest had many requests (fulls/partials) from editors. Not many from agents from what I could tell, but still. . . .
Anyway, that's my opinion. Thanks for the post.
Mira says
I appreciate this post. I appreciate the warning about the fine print! I bet lots of people don't really look at that, in their excitement.
I also like your acknowledgement that getting some positive feedback in this business is rare, so contests can help keep someone's confidence up.
In terms of valuing the winner, I will add that if the winner is chosen by popular vote, that's something to look at – it may mean it's highly marketable. Assuming the winner doesn't have thousands of friends. Which can happen, I hear.
For me, I love contests. I love to enter them. I get all competitive and ambitious. Most important, for me, I write best to deadlines and external pressures – it helps me push past all my blocks.
On the other hand, when I lose the contest, I get suicidal.
So, it's a mixed bag for me.
That said, when's YOUR next contest, Nathan. Let's have another one. Those are fun. š
Nathan Bransford says
mira-
You're in luck – I'm planning a contest the first week of January.
Anonymous says
Nathan, there are a lot of blog contests (short shorts) not run by agents but by other writers on their personal blogs. Can I assume it would do more harm than good to mention that you won something so small? Is it possible that entering one is something you might want to hide?
I guess my question is where the cut off is–that line between oh, that's nice, and how pathetic. Same for small, nonpaying online journals. How do you know whether an agent/editor will think it's nice or pathetic?
I do like your last point about getting positive feedback. I think that may be the best way to look at both contests and online journals.
Great post. Thanks.
T. Anne says
It's really difficult to get an agent. Honest to God great works have been dissed by many an agent prior to their "over night success" so yes, I feel comfortable saying even good writers get overlooked. If a contest affords you a boost in the public arena I say go for it. The truth is most of us have more than one manuscript, or ten, milling around on our hard-drives. Yes, I would sacrifice one of my 'paper children' and risk a less than stellar publishing contract. At least then I'd have a publishing contract and maybe a foot in the door.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Good question, and tricky to answer. I think you could probably ask 10 agents and they'd all have different answers, so I think you'd just have to use your best judgment.
Although if in doubt I wouldn't mention it simply because it's probably not going to be the difference between a pass or a manuscript request and it's best to err on the side of brevity. But I wouldn't worry about seeming pathetic or anything like that. We know people are just including whatever they feel is relevant.
reader says
"…we're suddenly besieged with Amazon Breakthrough semi-finalists…"
I imagine that is annoying, but it's probably no more annoying than regular slush. Mostly, I'd think writers are looking to add anything worthy to the their credentials paragraph (in a query), because they think that's what agents want.
Kimberly Kincaid says
I will admit that some of the best drafting I've done (with results that stuck, even) came in the months before the RWA Golden Heart deadline. For some reason, I was just more driven to really get it done *and* get it done well. Granted, that's kind of the Grand Poobah of romance contests in that it's quite well known. Which is exactly why I entered my MS. Oh, that and no fine-print contract :)That kinda makes me want to cry, to be honest. And not in a good way. Even though the mere concept of a publishing contract makes me all "squeee" with giddiness, the idea of a "one size fits all" contract makes me nervous. My work isn't one size fits all. I don't want my contract to be, either.
I get that the "bones" of a lot of contracts are the same- don't get me wrong. The concept is just weird to me.
I've heard that some agents like to see credentials like this because they feel it "backs up" the fact that you can write, so to speak. Perhaps it's just me, but I'd rather let my query do that all by itself. Either that, or I'm just not ready with that I've got and need to hit that drawing board again.
Just my 2/c…thanks for an insightful post, Nathan š And for reminding people to read the fine print.
Mira says
Nathan, really? That's wonderful. I'll look forward to it. š
Fun start to the New Year. š
Nathan Bransford says
reader-
I agree and I don't look down on anyone for doing it, I'd just personally recommend against including it. It's the manuscript that's going to be the difference-maker anyway, and since we hear from so many people with the same qualification its impact is kind of lost.
Michael Goodell says
A year ago I would have said, who cares about fine print, if you get a chance to get published, take it. I've since learned that sometimes getting published is even a greater disaster than not getting published . . .
Steve & Sarah says
Great advice, thanks for detailing the warning signs to look out for.
Anonymous says
as above, good advice. great blogg, forum thingy you got going on here
Myrna Foster says
You're not going to tell us what kind of contest you're having?
I like entering contests, but, like you mentioned, there can be risks involved. If a writer needs validation and wouldn't mind a bit of extra money, writing shorter pieces for magazines is a good way to hone your craft and work with editors. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but it's been a positive experience for me.
And I checked out your forums–great addition!
Anonymous says
I prefer to enter The Big Contest, that is–submitting to agents and publishers. That's the real contest! Win that, and you're in the game for real.
JMCOOPER says
Sooooo….anyone know anything about the Delacorte First Novel contest? I didn't read the fine print…I just sent those babies out…
Thermocline says
But Paula said my writing was, "just fabulous!" What do you mean you're passing on my query?
Kristi says
I want to add that I think conference contests are good too as far as getting good feedback (and you're typically not bound to a contract).
I was selected as a judge for a large regional writing conference in 2010 and it'll be great experience to be on the other side of the table š
Kelly Bryson says
I submitted a short story to a small ezine, and, though they didn't publish it, the personalized response was very calming to my crazies, which are kind of tame for a short story, but wild and woolly about my novel. One sentence to say all of that:) I appreciate the fine-print advice. -Kelly
ryan field says
"And think very long and very hard about anything that could tie up the rights to your work."
So many times writers are so eager to get published they ignore this. I've been guilty of doing it myself. If you know what you're getting into and you're willing to live with it no matter how it turns out, it's fine. But there's nothing more frustrating than signing a contract that doesn't have a non-exclusive clause and ties up your work.
Terry says
Thank you for this. It's something I've been pondering. I worry about what rights I may be giving up.
You said there are "some genres where certain important contests are taken very seriously." Can you divulge which contests these are and for which genres, or would you rather not?
Southpaw says
Good advice about the tiny little print.
Anonymous says
Totally off subject here. But I'm having a hard time reading your new blog format featuring the light gray print. Maybe it's just me.
Lisa Desrochers says
I'm one of the bazillion YA paranormal writers out there and this summer, while waiting on several agents who had my mss, I entered a few RWA contests. (Most of them give feedback on the entered portion of you mss.) My mss did well and ended up garnering two editor requests for full mss from editors at major houses. By that time my new agent already had my mss on submission and we had editor interest, so I sent the requests along to her.
I think the feedback from smaller contest is worthwhile, and the likelihood of getting your work in front of a agent or editor is much better.
Amy Sue Nathan says
What I like about contests is, as a writer, it forces me to write something and polish it to shine. What I don't like is unknown judges. I entered a contest once and then found out the judges didn't have as much experience as me – they were simply members of the organization judging the contest.
I've read quite a few manuscripts as an editor and as an 'intern' for an agent and I'll say that 50% of the authors who say they've won a contest or had some kind of online recognition — it raises my expectation every time. I'm often disappointed. I also often read winning contest entries and can't figure out why an entry won.
It always boils down to how subjective this business is, and if we can keep that in mind, we're golden.
Mira says
Sheesh Gordon, lighten up abit. Why so grumpy? No one's murdering little children here. Nathan's just being pragmatic, like he usually is.
Also, I was really sorry to see that you dropped the GLBT from your vampire children's erotica. Reading GLBT vampire erotic for children made it onto my life goals list. I HAVE to read that. I hope you put the GLBT back, it's just not as good without it.
atsiko says
Most of the agents I've heard weigh in on this say that contest wins aren't that big of a factor. I mean, if the agent hates the book, then they aren't going to take you on because you got semi-finalist in some contest, Amazon or otherwise. And if they love it, then you didn't really need that credit anyway. So what's the point.
Now, as a confidence booster, okay, fine. If you really need that bolt of external motivation, go ahead.
But credits in general just don't seem to be something that makes or breaks a query, and I'd rather have a credit based on acceptance directly from an editor than one that the editor really didn't have a personal say in.
Gerome, the only bragging right among professional authors as far as I have seen is publication. If there are any real "bragging rights" at all. Why should published authors need anything but their publication? Everyone published with a legitimate company has won the only type of contest that counts.
Oh, and let's distinguish between contests and awards. I'm not suggesting that things like the Edgar and the Rita don't mean shit. Because they mean a lot. But a "contest" is something unpublished authors enter into for "bragging rights", because they don't have the most important bragging rights of all: a contract with a legitimate publisher.
Which is not to say contests mean nothing. But if you're looking at them in terms of "bragging rights", you're in this business for the wrong reason.
Anonymous says
But in a sea of slush in which you get, among other things, nano subs on Dec. 1, wouldn't winning a contest like say at the Indiana Review, or something judged by say Zadie Smith (if, you know, she actually felt like picking a winner next time) say SOMETHING? Wouldn't it at least suggest the author can write?
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Of course it means something – just not everything. The most important thing is still the manuscript.
Robin Constantine says
I recently won a contest run by an online chapter of the RWA. There are some awesome agents and editors who judge this contest and its various categories, which is one of the reasons I wanted to enter. While it doesnāt promise (or guarantee) publication, Iāve had requests for my manuscript due to the contest. Iāve been at this for a number of years with many different manuscripts (pb & YA), so to go to my inbox and read āHey, Iām intrigued, send it my wayā from an agent, is like a giant bottle of āam I craziesā repellant. The contest definitely got my foot in the door but I know Iāve got my work cut out for me to keep it there! So I think the right contests are a great way for unpublished writers to get their work out of the slushpile.
contests mean something anon says
Sorry Nathan, that was aimed at another post, not you.
Nathan Bransford says
Oh, whoops, sorry I misunderstood.
Emma Michaels says
Thank you for writing this post. I worked really hard with my father who is an editor to shorten my manuscript for a competition and only found out today some of the fine print. I had done my research but this information had not been available at the time. I was arguing with myself over it even though my father says to just not enter and not worry since either way we have a cleaner and clearer manuscript for submitting to agents. I was hitting myself over it until I read this blog so thank you so much!
Sincerely,
Emma
atsiko says
I think the point here is that winning a contest does say something. But the manuscript itself says more.
Scott says
I once paid upwards of $200 on contests in a single year and decided it would be cheaper to just believe in myself and query. So far, no change but the change in my pocket.
Yuk-yuk.
Richard Lewis says
I was one of the fortunate ones. About ten years ago, I entered my first fee-paying contest, the Writer's Digest Short Story contest, and placed third. Or was it second? I can't remember. I tend to move on and write new stuff. Anyway, "Menarche" was published in a special issue, which happened to be read by an agent, who got in touch out of the blue…and yes, it really does happen, sometimes.
If anyone is interested, the story can be read here:
https://www.novelistinparadise.com/?page_id=13
terryd says
Great advice as always, Nathan.
I pulled out of the Amazon contest last year after my agent started submitting my book. Good thing I withdrew, as the publishing luck fairy came a-knocking with a two-book deal.
Anonymous says
My experience with writing contests has been very rewarding. In 2007 I was shorlisted for the CWA(UK) Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger awarded to the best first 3000 words and synopsis of my novel "The Witch of Babylon" (an unpublished crime novel.) Just being shortlisted resulted in getting a top literary agent. Following this the book won the Canadian Crime Writers Arthur Ellis award for best unpublished crime novel. And now the M.S. is circulating, that has helped the book to be noticed by editors (its sold in seven countries to date. So writing contests really make a difference but it's important to choose which ones you decided to enter wisely.
Nathan, I finally have a chance to thank you for what I consider one of the best "writing" sites on the internet. Kudos to you!
Dorothy says
Guess I hit the wrong button there, didn't intend to be anonymous in my previous post!
D. J. McIntosh
AndrewDugas says
I've published several short stories, but I never got so much mileage from a credit when a short story was a finalist — not even the winner — in a contest connected to the San Francisco Writers Conference. I got more email about that, and the story wasn't even published.
Go figure.
Anonymous says
I'm not an agent, I'm an author, but if i were an agent I'd agree with Nathan and sort of roll my eyes at any Amazon semi-final mention. Doesn't mean I wouldn't consider the book–I would–but semi-finalist? C'mon. There's enough real books by unagented authors selling on the actual Amazon if I want to choose books based on Amazon.
The AMZN sales rank is the "contest" you want to win, not the "Breakthorugh" contest.
Ann M says
I was so happy to read this post! I've been contemplating writing a short story simply so I have something to submit to writing contests (since so many seem to request short stories instead of longer manuscripts). I really appreciate your post! As always, it's very informative – thanks!
D. G. Hudson says
Thanks, Nathan, for this great post laying the facts on the line about writing contests. I, for one, appreciate knowing an agent's perspective.
Most of these contests tell you that you should conform to what has won in the past if you want to even be a finalist.
I prefer to take my chances with an agent. I'm speaking from experience; I've entered a few just because it forced me to step outside my comfort zone. What you can get from entering contests is the experience of trying to write something different, or polishing your writing skills.
Matilda McCloud says
I like blog contests, but I don't enter writing contests anymore because a couple of them drove me crazy. For one RWA contest I got all the highest marks from one judge who said she couldn't wait to read my books when they were published etc. The other judge hated my ms. So go figure. I think you get more consistent feedback from agents. The Amazon contest drove me insane also–it has so many levels and I was biting my nails the whole time hoping to get to the next level etc. Very stressful (at least for me).