You’re a Winner: The Benefits of Entering Contests
As a self-publisher, there are plenty of contests you can enter before, during, and after publication. The benefits of these contests range from getting feedback from people in the industry (authors, agents, and editors) to prize money and/or the possibility of landing an agent or a publishing or promotional package.
Before I decided to self-publish, I entered my book in a few manuscript contests (meaning pre-publication) that provided feedback from judges. Usually contests like this are hosted by writers associations and organizations that are statewide or regional, or based on genre. Do a Google search for novel writing contests, and you’re sure to come up with a few. Two examples are Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Both host contests that accept submissions from nonmembers and provide detailed feedback from judges.
These contests are not inexpensive. Because they come with critiques, they charge an entry often of $60 or more, but if you’re looking for feedback from unbiased parties, it’s worth the price. In some cases, you’ll submit up to fifty pages and a synopsis, and in others, you’ll provide the entire manuscript. You can expect to wait several months for results and feedback.
The judges (usually two or three) rate and comment on things like hook, characters, conflict, dialogue, and more. Some provide a number rating for each of these things (4 out of 5, for instance), and others simply provide commentary and suggestions. Submissions that reach the finals are often sent to an agent or editor at a publishing house for the final determination of a winner.
I like these contests for writers in the revision stage of their novels because the judges are blatantly honest, and most of them are qualified for the job. I will say, however, that it’s not impossible to get a grumpy or negative judge. I’ve heard stories, and it can be quite upsetting for the contestant when it happens. If you do get a judge who’s overly harsh, you can report it to the contest organizers. They may be able to tell you if other people have complained. With all of this in mind, respond to whatever feedback you receive with an open mind. Take to heart what makes sense to you, and let the rest fall by the wayside. No matter who the judge is, only you know what’s best for your book!
My novel, They Will Be Coming for Us, was a finalist in an early competition. I was excited that an agent would see my submission, but I didn’t win the contest and the agent didn’t provide any feedback. I said, “Oh, well” and moved on. There’s not much else you can do! In other contests, I fared better, receiving high scores and notes like “I wanted to keep reading!” “A near-perfect entry …” “Refreshing, breezy, and colorful writing style.” This feedback boosted my confidence when I grappled with the decision of whether to self-publish or not.
Indie Author Contests
Here’s a list of the contests I’m considering now that I’m on the verge of publishing. Some require the book to be available for sale and others accept books that are in the process of publication. Each has very specific guidelines for entering, so be sure to read the rules carefully before you decide to enter. Will I enter them all? Definitely not. Maybe two or three at the most. When you enter one of these contests, it's less about feedback and more about getting your work "out there." If you win (or even if you're a finalist), your book will receive a lot of attention from librarians and booksellers.
1) BiBA: Best Indie Book Award, $65, https://bestindiebookaward.com/submit/product/best-indie-book-award-entry/
2) Readers’ Favorite, $99, https://readersfavorite.com/annual-book-award-contest.htm
3) IPPY Awards, $95, https://secure.independentpublisher.com/cart/?program_id=4
4) Foreword Indies Awards, $79-$99 (depending on when you enter), https://publishers.forewordreviews.com/awards/
5) The Next Generation Indies Book Award, $75, (note: deadline: Feb. 19), https://indiebookawards.com/enter/guidelines
6) National Indie Excellence Award, $75, (book must be available for sale by March 31), https://www.indieexcellence.com/rules-guidelines
The contest experience can be enormously beneficial. You never know what kind of helpful and/or encouraging feedback and attention you’ll get as a result.
Next week, I’ll discuss common copyediting errors and how to fix them.
Kim Catanzarite is a writer, editor, and instructor for Writer’s Digest University. She has worked as a freelance developmental and copy editor since 1994. Her book They Will Be Coming for Us will be published June 2021.
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