Writing Contests
Nikoda asks: How does the writing world feel about writing contests? The one that I get suggested to me most is L. Ron Hubbard's Writers/Illustrators of the Future but it has a gimmicky feel to me.
Everyone loves a winner, Nikoda. That goes double for agents and editors.
I would recommend you enter any major writing contest that doesn’t have a fee. Some of the more prestigious contests, however, have modest entrance fees, so do your homework. Make sure it's legit and not a scam.
Any exposure you can get--especially as an unpublished writer--is priceless. It sets you apart and makes you special. In many respects, winning a contest is even more useful on your resume than getting your short story published in a magazine.
With regards to the Writers/Illustrators of the Future contest, many people hesitate with this one because of its connections with the Hubbard’s Church of Scientology. My wife entered and placed many years ago. The prize money was great. The exposure was fantastic as they publish the winners in a paperback that goes into all the big retail stores every year. They treated the contestants like royalty. The judges were all well-respected science fiction and fantasy giants. Not once was Scientology mentioned. I’d say go for this one!
Good luck.
Everyone loves a winner, Nikoda. That goes double for agents and editors.
I would recommend you enter any major writing contest that doesn’t have a fee. Some of the more prestigious contests, however, have modest entrance fees, so do your homework. Make sure it's legit and not a scam.
Any exposure you can get--especially as an unpublished writer--is priceless. It sets you apart and makes you special. In many respects, winning a contest is even more useful on your resume than getting your short story published in a magazine.
With regards to the Writers/Illustrators of the Future contest, many people hesitate with this one because of its connections with the Hubbard’s Church of Scientology. My wife entered and placed many years ago. The prize money was great. The exposure was fantastic as they publish the winners in a paperback that goes into all the big retail stores every year. They treated the contestants like royalty. The judges were all well-respected science fiction and fantasy giants. Not once was Scientology mentioned. I’d say go for this one!
Good luck.
posted by Eric Nylund at 8:48 PM
2 Comments:
Actually, my reservations had nothing to do with the Scientology aspect so much as the everything Hubbard touched seems to have an aura of slime to it. Mainly, I was curious as to how far removed it was from that and whether or not the publishing world was reluctant to accept winners from it because of the Scientology aspect. That's all very good to know. Mayhaps I will give it a try. Thank you!
Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to participate in that contest ?? Because i'm nowhere near american, and i want to be a writer as well. But there are no good publishing agencies in the Dominican Republic (let alone sci fi publishing agencies). I read all the rules and stuff but it doesn't say anything about being a citizen, so i was wondering if you or anyone here knew and could give me a hand.
Thanks, Mars XD
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