Reasons To Enter A Free Monthly Writing Contest

By Paulette Mason


There are many reasons why entering writing contests is a good idea. Other people judge your work and you can gain recognition and critical acclaim. You can also win prizes. It is not difficult to find contests to enter as there are so many available online. Entering a free monthly writing contest will give you this opportunity. The best thing is that you do not have to pay any entry fees and all that is required from you is the time to write and submit your entry.

The vast range of contests does mean that one has to sift through them to make a selection. Your particular genre and style will help you to narrow down your selection. It may also help to read previous winning entries to find out what sponsors are looking for. It may be better to start with contests offering smaller prizes if you are just starting out as a writer.

Entrants are bound by the rules and conditions of a particular contest and so it is important to read these carefully before submitting your entry. You have to know what is expected of you as an entrant. Your work must be original and some contests do not accept submissions that have ever been published elsewhere. You should also be fully aware of what rights the sponsors have over your work once submitted.

When submitting your manuscript, you usually have certain guidelines to follow. One of these is the required length. It is important to follow these guidelines as closely as possible or your entry may be rejected. If your word count is a maximum of 1 500 and you submit an entry of 3 000 words, it is highly likely to be rejected.

Checking your manuscript thoroughly for errors in spelling and grammar is also essential. The first impression received by the judges is important. If they receive a manuscript littered with errors that could have been easily avoided by using shell check, their opinion may be colored before even considering your content.

Submissions are usually judged on factors such as originality, creativity and use of language. Sticking to the required theme is also vital. You may have written the most inspiring story but if it does not cover the theme, it simply will not win. Try to make your entry stand out from others by taking an unconventional approach to a particular theme.

There are many smaller contests with prizes like an annual subscription to a magazine if your submission is published. It is often best for new writers to start with something like this to gain some confidence. Some of these contests have really good prizes, including large amounts of money and there are many experienced writers who enter these. Remember that everyone has to start somewhere and even a T-shirt as a prize means that someone else appreciates your work.

Many contests do not require any entry fees at all. They offer a great opportunity for writers to develop their skills, receive some recognition and even to win prizes. It is a simple matter to submit your manuscript to the sponsors as this can usually be done via email. You can build up your confidence by allowing others to see your writing and move to the next level on your path to success as a writer.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment