Writing Contests: Goldmine or Cash Grab?

It's difficult to get published (no big secret), but as writers, we still crave recognition. The thought of having an award-winning piece of writing is definitely intriguing, even if it doesn't come with a contract or Swiss bank account. There are a number of reputable competitions, but there are also quite a few organizations that aim to prey on writers looking to get their work read. Here are a few things to watch for when submitting work to contests.

1. Many contests have entry fees, and this shouldn't necessarily raise a red flag. You should, however, watch for contests that ask for excessive fees, or that necessitate that you purchase a copy of an anthology of winning work, or cough up money in order to travel to pick up your prize.

2. Many reputable publications promise a subscription to everyone who enters the contest (and consequently, make their entry fees match the usual cost). This doesn't necessarily mean that the contest isn't legitimate. It's just a way for publications to raise funds and awareness, while scouting for new talent.

3. Look for specifics. Seek out contests that that state when and where the winners will be announced, as well as the names and credentials of the judges. If possible, look for a paper trail. If a contest promises publication, see if you can track down copies of work by previous winners.

4. Be aware that some publishers don't accept work that's been entered in contests and competitions, just as they don't accept work that's been submitted to other publishers. If there's something you really want to see on the shelves, you might want to save it.

5. Entering (and winning) a contest should never entail signing over your rights to your own work. If your story or poem is good enough to win a prize, it might be good enough to publish later on, and you'll want to have the ability to send it elsewhere.

6. Money is a common prize, but there are other valuable things to be gained. Some contests send winning entries to actual publishers for consideration, some offer free copies of winning work, and some provide professional critique.

7. Always do a background check on the company or organization sponsoring the contest. Have they run the contest before? Do they do other publications? Do you know anyone else who has entered and/or won?

8. In general, if a contest seems too good to be true, it probably is. Getting published and recognized is a long, slow process, even in the best of situations. Anyone promising that you'll be instantly rich and famous is probably looking to sell you something. Your work is worth sending to someone who will really appreciate and respect it.