I sometimes wonder if entering a writing contest is worth the money. The entry fees can add up quickly and often I have nothing to show for it at the end. Over the years, I’ve learned to be more selective about the ones I enter because, at the end of the day, I like contests. They give me a goal – I really like having a deadline – and they help motivate me to write something new.
So how do I decide which contests to enter? As a Canadian, I like to look for contests that are run by reputable Canadian entities. One of my favourites is the CBC Short Story Prize because the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) has a lot of great resources for writers and readers and they are big promoters of Canadian books and authors which I really appreciate. Likewise, another competition that I think is very good is the Writers’ Union of Canada Short Prose Competition. And as an English writer living in Quebec, I like to look at what’s on offer in my own home province. In the past, the Quebec Writers’ Federation used to run a short story competition but unfortunately they don’t anymore. Another competition I always try to submit to is the Commonwealth Foundation Short Story Prize because it’s one of the few that is completely free (although you must be a citizen of a commonwealth country to submit).
In addition to having a deadline and the additional motivation to work on something new, I like contests for the potential exposure they can offer; getting your name out there to the world so that more readers can learn about your work is a major plus if your story does well. And let’s be real, the validation that comes with making it onto the longlist or the shortlist is also a big bonus. Writers work in isolation most of the time, so it’s nice now and then to have another established writer appreciate your work. While getting praise from family and friends is nice (I wouldn’t knock it!) there is something very rewarding about the recognition that comes from succeeding in a writing contest.
At the end of the day though, it also comes down to budget and the amount of time you have to create new work (or edit old work). Whatever you do, do your homework before submitting because not all contests are alike. Check the details and be sure there is a jury of reputable and established writers. Some contests offer big prizes and others don’t. Some offer publication and some don’t. If you can read the stories of past winners and finalists, do that and see if you think your work is a good fit.
And if money is the main deterrent, consider submitting your work to online and print publications directly through their submissions portal. Many of them are free to submit to, or have windows when reading fees are waived. Submitting to journals is a whole other post for another day.
Have fun and keep writing!