jeudi 24 juillet 2014

Reasons To Enter A Free Monthly Writing Contest

By Paulette Mason


Entering contests offers writers an opportunity to gain experience and recognition. Winning prizes is another advantage. There are many such contests available and a quick internet search provides numerous options. Many of them require no entry fees. Entering a free monthly writing contest will cost a writer nothing but time.

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.

Once you have decided to enter a particular one, it is very important to read the rules and conditions. You need to understand exactly what is required of you and what kind of permission you are giving to the sponsors. You may be giving the sponsor permission to use your work and to be able to edit, promote and publish it at any time.

Certain guidelines are given as to what your manuscript should look like. There is a deadline for submission and you are given the maximum number of words required. If you ignore the maximum word count or other stipulations like double spacing, your submission could be rejected even if your actual content is superb.

You may not regard producing an error free manuscript as being important. However, this does make an impression on the judges. A manuscript full of spelling and grammatical errors that could easily have been corrected does not create a good first impression. Edit, edit and edit again before submission to make sure that any avoidable errors do not detract from your excellent 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.

The prizes for such contests vary greatly. Some are as small as a T-shirt or a subscription to a magazine. However, others offer considerably larger prizes, including fairly large sums of cash. Submissions are often published too, giving exposure and recognition. Even if you only receive a T-shirt you can still legitimately claim to be a prize-winning author!

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.




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