Posted by As editors we are often asked by published and unpublished authors whether participating, placing in and winning writing contests makes an impact with us or not. My personal point of view is that they do.
While you can submit to Harlequin series at any time, of course, coming to an editor’s attention through this particular channel does make the editor realize that the person’s peers (and fellow romance readers) have seen the merit in this work and so passed it on through preliminary stages.
I’ve recently completed judging the finalists’ entries for an RWA chapter’s writing contest. It was a diverse mix of five very different voices and stories, especially for the series romance category. Some fine writing, and unique twists on tried and true themes were present. And much appreciated by this editor!
I imagine authors see contests from both sides, in terms of entering (costs, registration, etc.) and any rewards…?
All best,
Kathryn
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I owe my first sale to Harlequin from placing first in a RWA chapter contest, (the Golden Rose–Rose City chapter) so I’m a big believer in the benefits of entering your work in contests. If nothing else, it’s a good way to get feedback from a published author.
Hi Kathryn
I often look at the list of contests in the RWR and plan to enter, but then forget. It’s never been high on my radar, and I tend to attribute this to the fact that I never entered contests as an unpub, so I never really think about them much. The books I have placed in contests in the past have done pretty well (including my Rita final, of course
but in general, I don’t enter many. It can also get pricey, if they are charging $25-$50 an entry.
I can see the wisdom of it for unpubs, especially if you get your work in front of an editor faster, but for pubs, it’s more of a promo thing, I think, which is not bad, but at the price of entering 4-5 contests and maybe winning or placing, you could also buy an ad in RT or RWR, and guarantee your promotion dollars are well-spent, so it’s hard to say.
I do try to judge when I can, to give back to the community, and offer any feedback I can, volunteer for chapters, etc.
Sam
I judge a lot of contests (two of them, just last week)…and have found at least 6 authors through them. I think it’s a great opportunity for authors to get something in front of the editor they’re targeting. On the other hand, there are so many contests out there that an author has to choose carefully. She’ll want to get the best odds for her money.
While I wouldn’t call myself a contest junkie, I do target certain contests to enter. I think it’s a great way to get my work in front of a certain editor or agent. And, if you don’t final you still get valuable feedback from other writers which often provides a different perspective than your critique partners.
Hi Kathryn! As a aspiring writer I have to say I have never entered a contest with my writing. Truthfully and hadn’t even thought of it. I don’t know why, lol! Maybe this is something I will have to look into. I think my biggest fear would be maybe finding something that’s a scam. Maybe it’s just the chicken in me talking, lol!
Have a great day! (*)
Ooooh I miss my contest days
I spent a lot of time with contests before I sold. It was a great way to get feedback, but mostly it was a fab way to get my work in front of editors. Like Brenda mentioned, it’s important to research them, though, to make sure the contest offers what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a final judge who edits the line you’re targeting, or a contest that offers the kind of feedback you need. (Y)
I haven’t entered any contests (yet!) but I did coordinate a category for my RWA chapter’s contest. It was great to see how seriously most of the judges took their assignments, really giving feedback to the entrants.
Sorry I’m late – I got busy yesterday and forgot to stop by! One of my critique partners sold her first novella after it won an RWA contest. My other critique partner sold her first book to Carina Press after placing first in another RWA contest.
I’ve finaled in a lot of contests – the finals haven’t led to a sale, but the judge’s comments helped me improve my stories, so the contest fees were money well spent.
Ack, I’m horribly late for this one. I think contests can be a valuable learning tool, especially when you get feedback. I’m not a huge contest enterer as I tend to like ones that involve agents, editors or publishers I’m specifically interested in working with for the category line I’m targeting (Blaze). I did, however, enter the Golden Heart a few years back and finaled, which I do believe helped in terms of interest from the publisher. As part of that contest, I was able to do a sit down with one of their editors (Brenda Chin, actually). LOL. While Blaze passed on the book ultimately, the experience was gold. I learned a ton and the networking has been amazing. I definitely wouldn’t have had that experience if it wasn’t for that contest.
I’ve recently joined 3 more contests — one because the prize was an awesome sounded class taught by a romance writer who is amazing, one because it just sounded fun and social and would definitely give me reader feedback on a project a little outside my normal genre comfort zone (paranormal), and one because it would not only give me mentorship for a year, but also win me a read by editor and agent. I’ve always been a sucker for those “practical” things… makes me quite annoying to shop for at Christmas.
Lost the class one, still waiting to see how the other two turn out, but the feedback has already been immensely helpful.
Julie
i’m quite good in witing but i have not yet signed up on a writing contest _