Are Writing Contests Worth It?

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Photo credit: Danny Howe-Unsplash

by Debbie Burke

@burke_writer

I’ll confess right up front. I like writing contests. A lot. 

They’re not for everyone but they’ve helped my career.

Why enter writing contests? Here are six reasons:

  1. Contests are incentives to finish your work and submit it to the outside world;
  2. Some offer valuable critique and feedback;
  3. Encouragement, recognition, and validation;
  4. Money and/or prizes;
  5. Awards help marketing;
  6. Intangible rewards.

Writers are often timid about sending their stories out into the world.

Contests however aren’t quite as scary as cold-submitting to agents and editors. You pay an entry fee and judges read your short story, novel excerpt, or screenplay. Some contests offer critiques to improve your craft and pinpoint what needs work.

If you don’t win, heck, neither did most other entrants so it’s not that humiliating.

Photo credit: Museums Victoria-Unsplash

If you do win, terrific! That recognition boosts confidence and increases credibility when you approach agents and publishers.

There are many reputable contests, but others are questionable or downright dodgy. 

Please note: contests mentioned in this post are not endorsements or recommendations.

Contests may be opportunities for the sponsor to expand their mailing list, offering their advertising and marketing services.

Some competitions require the author to give up all rights to their work. What happens if you create a character who later becomes a merchandising goldmine? Depending on contest terms, your earnings may be limited to a  one-time cash prize with no rights to future royalties. Victoria Strauss’s article cites a contest that solicits writers who want to become Manga scriptwriters. She writes:

Copyright surrender in a work-for-hire situation isn’t necessarily a “beware”, as long as the contract terms aren’t exploitative and you understand the implications of what you’re agreeing to.

In this case, however, the one-time money prize is the sole compensation you’ll receive for your copyright transfer, from which [the sponsor] can then profit indefinitely. Be aware also that if you win and your script does not get developed into a series, [sponsor] will still own your work. Winning, therefore, has potential benefits–but also potential costs.

Before entering, check out contests with reliable sources like Writer Beware, The Write Life, Poets & Writers, ProWritingAid (this list is a year old and may be out of date), Kindlepreneur, Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).

Run a Google search entering “[name of contest] scam” and look for red flags.

Before entering, always, always, always read the fine print.

What about entry fees? They typically range from free to $100+.

High entry fees raise questions:

  • Is the contest’s purpose to recognize excellence?
  • Or is this another scheme to take advantage of writers?

Valid reasons for higher fees are:

  • Pay honorariums to judges;
  • Fund prizes;
  • Support nonprofit organizations that help writers.

Research the contest, then use your own judgment whether or not the fee is worth it.

On the other end of the spectrum, “free” isn’t necessarily free.

You’ve seen the ads in magazines and online popups. Aspiring writers, especially poets, are seduced by dreams of publication and thousands of dollars in prizes.

Reality check: nobody, nowhere, nohow pays big bucks for poetry.

But it doesn’t cost anything so why not?

When you enter these contests, sponsors are thrilled to notify you that your outstanding poem was one of a select few that will be featured in their anthology. And…a beautiful gold-embossed hardcover with your published poem only costs $59.95. You can proudly pass this heirloom down to your grandchildren. In fact, buy a copy for each grandchild! And the rest of your family, and friends, and neighbors, and coworkers, and the mail carrier…

You get the idea. Such contests have endured for generations. Why? Because they make money from the dreams of writers who are hungry to be published.

Many legitimate contests are out there. Here’s the Urban Writer’s list of most prestigious awards.

Contests affiliated with writing organizations and conferences can be great career springboards because judges are often agents and editors. Examples:

Speaking of judges, here’s a little-known trick to give you insight into contests.

Volunteer to be a judge.

You don’t have to be Margaret Atwood or Dean Koontz to judge. Some writing organizations actively solicit their members to be volunteer judges. If you are a member of a group, you may qualify.

Reading and assessing entries takes a lot of time. Some contests pay small honorariums.

A few contests I’ve judged are Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Pikes Peak Writers, Authors of the Flathead Student contest, etc. Several TKZers have judged the Edgars, Agathas, and Nebulas. Please chime in with your experience.

As a judge, you’ll receive score sheets of criteria that show exactly what qualities and skills contests are looking for. Not coincidentally, those are the same qualities and skills editors and agents seek.

Scoring may be done numerically, by written critiques, or a combination of both.

As a judge, you gain a much broader perspective than the writer’s often-narrow point of view.

After reading a few entries, you notice a wide disparity among them, ranging from:

  • Downright awful, sloppy ones that weren’t even run through spellcheck;
  • Grammar? I don’t need no stinkin’ grammar;
  • Needs work but shows promise;
  • Professionally presented with competent writing skills but not compelling or imaginative;
  • A very few are OMG WOW!!!

Reading entries gives you a taste of what editors and agents go through every day when reviewing submissions. That added insight will help you pitch and submit more effectively.

Especially study the OMG WOWs. Figure out what the author did and how they did it. Learn from their strengths. Analyze how they handle pacing, point of view, and critical scenes. What makes their voice special and unique? How do they create a character you’re eager to spend time with and get to know better?

Then apply those lessons to your own writing.

My personal experience with contests began in the 1990s, when I entered the Colorado Gold contest, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. I won the mystery category. As a result, an agent at the conference offered representation. Although we later parted ways and that book was never published, winning the contest was a major boost for my career that led to freelance work, editing jobs, and great friendships (more about intangible rewards in a minute).

In 2016, I entered the contest sponsored by the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. My thriller, Instrument of the Devil, won the mystery/suspense category.

Momentum from that propelled me to enter the Kindle Scout contest, sponsored by Amazon. Book excerpts were posted online, and readers voted for ones they wanted to see published. IOTD was selected. I received an advance and Kindle Press published the book that became a bestseller in Women’s Adventure. I

I was on my way to fame and fortune, right?

Uh, no. A few months later, Amazon closed down the Scout contest and the Kindle Press imprint was shuttered, leaving me orphaned.

But I’ll always remember they gave me that opportunity and I’m grateful.

My other books have been finalists for the Eric Hoffer award (Flight to Forever) and Best.Thrillers.com (Until Proven Guilty).

Can you tell I like contests?

Most recently, I entered my latest thriller Deep Fake Double Down in the BookLife Prize contest sponsored by Publisher’s Weekly for indie books.

The contest receives hundreds of entries in five categories: general fiction, romance, YA, sci-fi/fantasy/horror, and mystery/thriller. Entry fee of $119 is high but includes a critique that authors are free to use for their own promotion.

The grand prize is $5000. Finalists in each category receive a $1000 marketing package.

Photo credit: Joyful-Unsplash

 

In November, Deep Fake Double Down advanced from quarterfinals to semifinals. Yaay!

Then in December I learned DFDD was the mystery/thriller finalist. BookLife magazine featured interviews with each of the genre finalists.

Although I don’t generally count my chickens until they’re fried, I started to fantasize about how I’d spend $5000. Hire a publicist for dreaded marketing. Go on book tours. Attend Thrillerfest in NYC.

 

Well…

Deep Fake Double Down didn’t win the grand prize. The winner was Downpour, a horror novel by Christopher Hawkins. I just read it and it’s beautifully written, compelling, and terrifying, Congratulations, Chris!

Bu I gotta confess a little envy. I really would’ve liked to attend Thrillerfest.

However, I’ll still receive the $1000 marketing package. In the long run, that might be more valuable since I need all the help I can get with marketing.

Now, about those intangible rewards I mentioned earlier. Through contests, I’ve met writers who became friends, made lasting contacts with editors and agents, received invitations to speak, etc. When you put your work out in the world, you never know where it may take you.

Back in the ’90s when my book was a finalist for Colorado Gold, I flew to Denver for my first Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference. At that time, it was biggest writing event I’d ever attended. I was intimidated, not knowing a soul among 400+ attendees. 

One of the anonymous judges had scored my book a perfect 10. At the conference, I learned her name was Julie Kaewert, author of the Alex Plumtree series and a novelization of The Avengers movie. She graciously introduced me to many fellow mystery authors and her critique buddies who made me feel welcome and right at home.

At the banquet dinner, winners were announced in various categories and all received applause.

Then my name was announced. Wild whoops, hollers, and whistles erupted from tables full of my new friends.

I turned redder than the tomatoes on the salad.

I still cherish the memory.

From that contest, close friendships were born that endure to this day. Several became trusted critique partners and beta readers.

Contests give me much-needed reassurance that writing is worthwhile in spite of disappointments and setbacks. 

Are contests good for you? Enter a couple and find out. Then come back to TKZ and share your news.

A big thank you to Elaine Viets who suggested this post!

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TKZers: What contests have you entered? Did they change your writing? Which contests do you recommend?

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Read the mystery/thriller finalist for the BookLife Prize at this link.

44 thoughts on “Are Writing Contests Worth It?”

  1. Not too long ago I entered my screenplay Family in the Save the Cat contest. I got great feedback (several pages worth). They analyze everything according to Blake Snyder’s beats. I didn’t win, but they thought it would make a good Hallmark movie. I’d never actually seen one, but I watched a few. I didn’t know if that was good advice or an insut. I have a friend who loves them and has long told me “You should be writing Hallmark movies.” He was delighted to hear they agreed and has been saying “I told you so!” ever since. I might try that next since it seems to be my natural home.

    My experience with Save the Cat was a good one. It let me know how my critique of myself lined up with theirs. It also let me know some of the things I take for granted they thought were my particular strengths (humor and dialogue). That was nice to know.

    • Cynthia, I checked out the site. From the judges’ bios, they appear to be knowledgeable (not just blowing smoke) when they say your screenplay would make a good Hallmark movie. That’s definitely not an insult!

      Objective feedback is incredibly valuable and sounds as if you got your money’s worth from the contest.

      Thanks for sharing your experience with Save the Cat.

  2. I love contests, but as you said, be sure it’s legit, and it’s reputation will help you. I won an RWA RITA award with my first book, and it was the highlight of my life! (but don’t tell my husband that – he thinks he is).

  3. Great post Debbie!
    I started entering short story contests as a way to train myself to meet deadlines and also to build a writing resume. As a bonus, these have really improved my writing as I quickly realised that in short stories every word counts. I also found a competition that provided individual feedback, which was incredibly helpful. It’s also been great to try a different form of writing.
    Congratulations on your competition successes! As you point out, there’s a lot of benefits to entering competitions other than the main prize.
    Linda

    • Linda, I also started out with short story contests. Excellent training.

      “Every word counts.” By learning that important lesson, you won the lasting prize of wisdom!

  4. Congrats on the BookLife I quit submitting when they started charging.
    Back in my RWA days, contests were fundraisers for local chapters. Fees were usually in the $25 range (but this was a couple of decades ago). I was a finalist in a fair number of them–surprising since I was a total newbie. Prizes usually included a read by an agent or editor. I received a lanyard for one, which I wore to a conference. An agent approached and said, “You won the Jasmine. I want to talk to you.”
    Those wins and finals made great openings when writing query letters, and maybe I got past a few slush piles with them, but I never parlayed one into representation. I still have plaques, certificates, medallions and other rewards in my office. Every now and then, when I think my wip sucks, I look at them.
    There are also some marketing opportunities with digital publishers where mentioning a book’s creds can help get selected.
    I also judged a bunch of those chapter contests with detailed score sheets to fill out. The Edgars were “easier” in that it was a “yes” or “no” decision, but man, there were a LOT of books to read.
    And yes, as Debbie said, I learned a lot about writing by judging.

    • Thanks for adding your experience, Terry. I remembered you’d judged the Edgars so you’ve been on both sides of the desk.

      Yes, looking at certificates and medallions is reassuring when we sometimes doubt ourselves and our ability.

  5. Second comment because the first was getting too long. While there are mystery contests that get recognition (and yes, I’ve even won one), I don’t have as much respect for those that are voted on only by attendees of the sponsoring contest. They’re definitely feathers in the caps of the authors, but limiting voters to those who pay to attend a conference dilutes their worth to me. It becomes more of a marketing effort than a judge of quality. And I’m sure the reason I won the Silver Falchion was because the other authors in my category (CJ Box, Jeffrey Deaver, Joyce Carol Oates, and Craig Johnson) weren’t at the conference. Let me tell you, it was a shock and a thrill to hear my name called. But in reality, can I say my book was better than those of the other finalists? No way.

    • Wow, Terry, that’s formidable competition. Congratulations! When you reach that level, the question isn’t quality (that’s already well established) but personal taste of the judges.

      “Reader’s Choice” awards can be popularity contests but they also show books are marketable among people who are likely buyers.

  6. I have judged contests before. It’s fun and a great learning experience. I enter contests once in a while. Nothing as prestigious as the BookLife Prize (maybe someday, if I reach that level). I look for contests that will challenge me, or look fun, or are quirky. Most recently I entered a 10-word story contest.

    • Priscilla, have you seen social media prompts with a photo that invites you to write a six-word story about it? I play with those from time to time and also enjoy reading what others post. Some are really clever.

      Thanks for adding to the discussion today.

  7. Good rundown, Debbie. Personally, I wouldn’t pay an entry fee, but that’s just me.

    For thriller writers, the ITW award is the Oscar. So it was cool to be the first indie author to final for an ITW, in short fiction. Several years later I submitted a title in their e-book original category and won. It didn’t change my writing, but it did help my marketing and brand.

    • Jim, ITW awards are not only prestigious but a wonderful boost to marketing and brand. Your win inspires the rest of us indies. Whatever leads to more sales is gold.

  8. Prepublished I won a Daphne du Maurer award, and then after I was published, I’ve finaled a time or two. I don’t know how much an award helps with readers, but on days I think my story is the worst thing I’ve ever written, I can look up on the wall and remember I felt the same way about each book that won an award.

    I’ve also judged quite a few always and always learned something each time. It’s so exciting to read an entry and it’s so good that I know the author is going to get published.

    • Patricia, we’re the worst judges of our own work, aren’t we? That’s why I appreciate outside feedback.

      “…it’s so good that I know the author is going to get published.” Discovering a gold nugget is a rush. At conferences, I’ve heard excitement in the voices of editors or agents when they find such a submission.

  9. I’ve only submitted to one contest, years ago, Writers of the Future, and that just once. Like Jim, I wouldn’t submit to a contest that requires an entry fee, but this is an excellent example of how your mileage may vary.

    I was nominated for the Push Cart Prize back in 2015 by the editor of Perihelion Science Fiction Magazine for my novella “Running Tangent,” co-written with my friend K.C. Ball. It didn’t make it to the committee stage but it was still awesome.

    Congratulations on getting as far as you did in the Booklife contest!

    This post is a keeper, one I’ll be ready to share with any writer curious about writing contests! Have a wonderful week and stay warm. Things have been frigid here since Saturday (temps in the teens, warming to a balmy 28F for a moment yesterday afternoon) and we have an ice storm forecast for this afternoon.

    • Thanks, Dale. A Push Cart nomination is a proud achievement.

      Ice storms are the worst.The weight snaps trees and tears down power lines, not to mention driving is treacherous. Stay safe, my friend.

      Meanwhile, in Montana, frozen pipes are finally beginning to thaw. That’s progress.

  10. Great information, Debbie. I like writing contests because it gives me a chance to see how my work stacks up against others. Contests that give feedback are the best, but as you say, the author needs to do his/her homework before submitting. There are lots of questionable ones out there.

    My first novel was an ACFW Genesis semi-finalist, and my editor almost went into orbit when I told her. (She had judged that contest previously and knew how many entries there are. I didn’t know anything.) I didn’t make the finals, but I took it as a validation that my writing was worthwhile. That same book won an Illumination Award and an Eric Hoffer Award. The next two novels were Killer Nashville Silver Falchion finalists. Every one of those was an honor and an incentive to keep learning and applying that knowledge to the next work.

    My favorite was last year when the Memphis Library system inaugurated their Richard Wright Literary Awards for authors in and around the Memphis area. There are a lot of good writers in this area, and it was a lovely experience to go the awards ceremony and meet fellow authors and catch up with folks I already knew. Time After Tyme won in the Best YA Fiction category, and I received a cash prize ($250) and the most beautiful award ever — it’s a glass book about 5X8 with my name and the book title etched on it. The library system also purchased copies of the winners’ books for their catalogs. And there wasn’t even an entry fee!

  11. Wonderful post, Debbie. Definitely an article worth saving and rereading.

    Congratulations on your many awards. That’s fantastic and very inspiring.

    I’ve only entered several contests sponsored by chapters of the ACFW. I was a finalist and have four short stories in three of their anthologies. I won first place in the San Francisco Bay group’s flash fiction contest. I guess I should frame that certificate and hang it on my wall.

    Thanks for your ideas, suggestions, and encouragement.

    Have a great week!

    • Thanks, Steve.

      I like contests sponsored by organizations like ACFW b/c the entry fee supports their work and isn’t a for-profit scheme like many contests.

      Wishing you a creative, productive week, my friend!

  12. I’ve never entered a contest, first because I tend long and have a hard time with short stories. Then, as your post says, it takes a lot of research and I hate research. I’ve just managed to research and understand the agent market.

    I’ve interned at agencies, and oh yes, there’s a huge range in that slush pile. The for agents, you request full for numbers 4 and 5 since the goal for full reads is to evaluate if the overall plot holds together. The number 3s hurt because I just wanted to send off a quick, work on character, or, scale back on settings. But with hundreds of submissions a day, that’s impractical.

    • Azali, interning at an agency is an incredible education. Thanks for adding your point that feedback isn’t possible b/c of volume.

      Writers often get discouraged by nonresponse. Feedback from contests can alleviate that feeling that no one reads your work.

  13. Merciless Mayhem won the International Impact Award in November/December 2023. I also entered the IPPY Awards, but won’t know till March, I think.

    I stopped entering contests many years ago, except for International Thriller Writers Award (chose the wrong category several times, too), but I had a change of heart last year and went for it.

  14. I’m glad you wrote this blog, Debbie. I’ve won a couple of contests, including an Agatha for a short story and an Anthony. I was expecting to win the Anthony, when when they called my name, I just sat in m seat until woman next to me said, “Get up! You won.”
    Good advice to volunteer as a judge. It’s like taking a writing course.

  15. Your post is insightful, generous, and inspiring. It brings back memories of those 1990s + conferences and your well-deserved wins. I’ve admired your writing from the beginning, cherish our friendship, and continue to enjoy seeing your writing receive the praise it deserves. Hooray Debbie!

  16. I’ve entered a small number of contests – but my favorite so far was the Indies Today one which offered the entry (IIRC) as a giveaway for paying for an editorial review – and I needed an editorial review.

    The review was priceless – one of my best ever – but the novel was awarded 2021 Best Contemporary novel, and I was stunned. The next year, the second novel in my mainstream trilogy was a 2022 Finalist; I also loved its review.

    It does something when you finally win something you approve of and would have chosen if it were up to you. It helps you drop Impostor Syndrome. It reinforces the good things you have going. And awards are supposed to be good for sales (not yet, but one can hope).

    • Congratulations on the recognition for your first two books, Alicia!

      The word “validation” is overused but it’s appropriate for writing awards. When judges recognize your writing is worthy of publication, the psychological boost means a lot in an often unrewarding business.

  18. I’ve only entered two contests that I can remember (not counting a high school essay contest), but I think they are worth it.

    My historical fiction entry won the 2010 ACFW Genesis Award. I keep the plaque from that on a nearby table so I can be reminded to keep working at this writing thing. 😎 That’s 13 years ago–I received some comments/feedback but not a lot, if memory serves. Someone did request the full manuscript as a result but didn’t pursue (it didn’t have romance and they were looking for romance).

    The only other contest I can remember entering is a friend and I entered a screenplay into a contest (don’t remember the name) and we made it to the quarterfinals. I think that was circa 2005.

    To me they were worth it for a few reasons:
    1) Push myself to complete and submit
    2) Even if it’s only a quarterfinal finish, it gives your confidence a boost
    3) They help you keep persisting in your writing.

    • Brenda, the recognitions you received show you’re on the right track, doing the right things. Even though the request for a full ms didn’t pan out, the agent thought your work was worth a closer look and that’s great!

  20. The only contests I’ve ever entered are the Your Story competitions with Writer’s Digest. I don’t enter to win. Of course, that would be great! But I find it fun to take a random prompt with a limited word count and deadline to see what comes out. Thanks to JSB for recently introducing me to a couple of other sites that provide similar prompts. (See his recent post on flash fiction.) In addition, I plan to publish some of my contest entries on my website to keep traffic coming my way. Thanks again for that idea, Jim!

    • Gene, posting short entries on your website is a great idea. Reminds me I need to add a flash story that was recently published in Killer Nashville magazine.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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