A member of Write with Harte shared on the weekly call that she’d placed in a writing contest that had a prize of a consultation with a literary agent.
Back in 2012, I entered Deadly Valentine into Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award. I didn’t win, but my quarter-final placement earned me a review from Publisher’s Weekly.
If you haven’t entered a writing contest yet, now is the time to consider it. In this piece I’ll share why contests are helpful, how to find them, how to submit, and how to make the most of your experience.
The Benefits of Entering Writing Contests
It’s always fun to win, but writing contests offer so much more than just judging your work.
Credibility: Awards and finalist placements add authority to your author bio. I added my Publisher’s Weekly review to Deadly Valentine‘s blurb and mention it in my author bio.
Exposure: Contests can put your work in front of agents, publishers, or new readers.
Motivation: Deadlines give you a reason to finish and polish your projects.
Prizes: From cash and publication to mentorships or conference access, many contests offer valuable rewards.
Feedback: Authors usually get judge’s feedback on their submission whether they win or not.
Where to Find Writing Contests
You don’t have to dig too hard to find contests. They’re everywhere once you know where to look. (Write with Harte Members have a spreadsheet of contests in the member’s area. Thank you to Jackie for sharing her list to jumpstart WWH’s list).
Writer’s Organizations: Groups like Romance Writers of America often run annual contests.
Magazines & Literary Journals: Many host seasonal or themed competitions that can lead to publication. Writer’s Digest has several contests it runs, including short stories, self-publishing, and more.
Online Databases: Sites like Poets & Writers and Submittable maintain updated contest lists.
Writing Communities: Facebook groups, Discord servers, and author forums often share contest opportunities.
Local Resources: Libraries, bookstores, and arts councils sometimes sponsor contests for emerging writers.
How to Evaluate a Contest Before Entering
Not every contest is worth your time or entry fee. In fact, some end up being scams. Before you hit submit, take a closer look at what you’re signing up for, especially since most require an entry fee.
Legitimacy: Who’s running the contest? Reputable organizations, publishers, or magazines are usually safe bets. If you can’t find information about the organizer, be cautious.
Entry Fees: Some fees are normal, but they should be reasonable (often between $5 and $30). Look for contests that explain how entry fees are used, such as funding prizes or covering judging costs.
Eligibility: Read the fine print. Some contests are for unpublished authors only, others focus on specific genres, word counts, or even residency in a certain state or country.
Prizes & Benefits: What’s in it for you? Cash prizes are great, but sometimes publication, mentorship, or exposure to agents/editors can be even more valuable.
Past Winners: Take a peek at who’s won before. Do they write in your genre? Do you respect the quality of their work? This can give you insight into whether the contest is a good fit.
Rights Issues: Always check the terms. A legitimate contest won’t claim ownership of your work beyond the right to publish winners. If they want “all rights” just for entering, walk away.
Preparing Your Submission
Once you’ve chosen a contest, the real work begins. Not only do you need to submit something well-written, but you need to make sure you meet the criteria and follow the guidelines.
Read the Guidelines (Twice): Every contest has specific requirements such as word count, genre, formatting, file type, even how to label your document. Skimming can cost you a placement. Make sure you understand exactly what’s expected.
Polish Your Work: Don’t send in a rough draft. Revise, edit, and proofread carefully. Consider running it past a critique partner, beta reader, or even a freelance editor if the prize is significant. Judges see hundreds of entries, and typos and clunky sentences stand out.
Follow Formatting Rules: Double-spaced? Times New Roman 12pt font? No identifying information on the manuscript? These details may feel tedious, but failing to follow them can lead to disqualification before anyone even reads your piece. (This is for submitting to agents and publishers as well!)
Write a Professional Cover Letter (If Required): Keep it brief and focused. Introduce yourself, mention any relevant experience or publications, and thank the judges for their time. This isn’t the place for your life story. Give a snapshot that shows you’re serious.
Submit Early: Tech glitches happen, especially on platforms like Submittable or if email attachments get fussy. Submitting early reduces stress and gives you room to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.
Stay Organized: Keep a spreadsheet or document that tracks where and when you’ve submitted, deadlines, and results. It saves you from accidentally sending the wrong draft or forgetting a deadline.
Tips for Standing Out
Every contest has more entries than winners, so the key is making your submission memorable, in a good way, of course.
Start Strong: Judges read a lot of entries. Hook them in the first paragraph with tension, voice, or emotion. Don’t warm up for three pages before something happens.
Focus on Voice and Emotion: Beautiful sentences are nice, but what lingers with a judge is feeling. Make them laugh, ache, or hold their breath. Emotion is what separates good entries from forgettable ones.
Originality Matters: Contests often see the same tropes or themes over and over. If you’re using a familiar idea, put a fresh spin on it. Surprise the reader with a twist, a unique perspective, or an unexpected character choice.
Stay Within the Guidelines: Nothing gets you cut faster than ignoring rules. If the contest calls for 3,000 words, don’t send 3,500. If they ask for no identifying info, don’t put your name in the header. Respect the process.
Don’t Rush: It’s tempting to dash off an entry right before the deadline, but rushed writing shows. Give yourself time to revise, step away, and return with fresh eyes.
Persistence Pays Off: Even if you don’t place, submitting is practice. Every polished entry improves your craft and gets your work into the world. Many successful writers have stories of losing contests before finally winning one.
After the Contest: Making the Most of the Experience
Whether you win, place, or don’t even get an honorable mention, contests can still work for you.
If You Win or Place: Celebrate and share it! Add the award to your author bio, website, and social media. Mention it in query letters or book descriptions. Even a finalist badge adds credibility.
Leverage the Visibility: If your work is published as part of the prize, promote it just as you would any other publication. Link to it on your site, in your newsletter, and on social media. It’s proof of your skill.
If You Don’t Win: Don’t assume it’s wasted effort. You now have a polished piece that’s ready to submit elsewhere such as magazines, anthologies, or even self-publishing. Many writers find success with losing entries later.
Seek Feedback (If Offered): Some contests provide judge notes or scoring. Use this feedback to strengthen your writing. It’s essentially a free critique from someone in the industry.
Build Connections: Pay attention to who’s running the contest, who the judges are, and who the winners are. Follow them on social media, engage professionally, and stay on their radar. Contests can be a networking tool as much as a competition. Note, don’t hassle them about your submission though.
Keep Submitting: One contest won’t make or break your writing career. The more you enter, the more chances you have to grow, learn, and get noticed.
Writing contests aren’t just about winning a prize, they’re about growth, visibility, and opportunity. Each submission helps you refine your craft, build confidence, and expand your reach as an author. Whether you walk away with a ribbon, a publication credit, or simply a polished piece ready for its next home, you’ve moved forward in your writing journey.
Now it’s your turn. Pick one contest that excites you, polish your work, and hit submit. You never know where that single entry might take you. Subscribers to Write with Harte can access the growing library of tools and resources, including the list of contests. If you’re not subscribed, you can do so below. If you are a subscriber, check your Write with Harte email for the password to the Resource Library.
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