Aside from actually sign a book contract, there are plenty of other ways of getting your writing out and about. If you write short stories, obviously one way is to submit to magazines, which is another side of the industry altogether and deserves quite a few blogging posts to cover thoroughly. Short stories can build up a few “Yes, I am actually a writer” credentials you can then put on your writing resume (in a manner of speaking). I’ve gotten a couple pieces picked up this way, and it is nice to have something to show and experiment with different forms of prose.
Another way of getting noticed is by entering writing contests. My Bards manuscript took first in the fantasy/science fiction category at the 2006 Pike’s Peak Writers conference contest. That certainly hasn’t hurt its chances any. But contests, like anything, have their pros and cons.
Pros:
Placing or winning contests can directly connect you to agents and editors who will hopefully be interested in your work.
Credentials for your writing resume.
The ability to call yourself an award-winning author.
Some contests will give you feedback on what you entered, though this can be an extra service.
There is always some contest going on somewhere, and submitting to a contest doesn’t keep you submitting the work to other markets.
Cons:
Depending on how big the contest is, the chance of winning can be slimmer than actually getting the piece published in the first place through normal channels.
Some contests have entry fees. Be careful with these and make sure the fees are not disproportionate to the actual rewards. (Think scams! Check out my blog and website links for sites and advice on how to spot scams!)
Winning a contest certainly doesn’t guarantee getting published, or even getting an agent. The agent who I talked to at the conference and sent my materials too passed on it (though she gave some great feedback).
So, if you are considering entering contests, check out the following link for more thoughts on preparing your work and deciding what contests might work best for you. And lastly, research! Compare contests so you get an idea what is worth pursuing and what isn’t. Doing a little research on any place you are submitting any piece of writing (whether it’s too a contest, a literary agency, a magazine, a publisher, whatever) will help. Trust me.
Before You Enter that Fiction Contest
Last thoughts: I’ve heard tell from people who actually judge contests (editors, agents, etc.) who say that a lot of submissions that win contests aren’t actually publishable. They’re just the cream of the crap that got submitted. So, if you put just as much effort into a contest submission as the manuscript you have been shopping around, then you might have a better chance of rising above the crowd and deserving that first place prize.
I see that smile.
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