tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post4570430918557991037..comments2024-01-24T05:13:06.164-08:00Comments on Not Your Usual Suspects: About That ContestSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11286314155783213006noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-5631015150057523602012-03-20T12:58:37.577-07:002012-03-20T12:58:37.577-07:00Judging contests IS time consuming, but very worth...Judging contests IS time consuming, but very worthwhile. Not only do you learn a lot about your own writing from the 'mistakes" of others, but you have the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone else polish her writing career. A happy feeling<br /><br />I've never regretted participating in my RWA chapter's contests. In fact, as Maureen Miller comments, it can be fun!Jean Harringtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-65226098798144247192012-03-13T03:32:35.914-07:002012-03-13T03:32:35.914-07:00I haven't entered a contest for many years. I ...I haven't entered a contest for many years. I have helped judge a few though and the work involved is unbelievably time consuming. <br /><br />LOL at the feedback Maureen received. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05938431508430656253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-69081988701919283842012-03-12T15:51:37.728-07:002012-03-12T15:51:37.728-07:00Hi Elise
I suspect you won't find many that ...Hi Elise <br /><br />I suspect you won't find many that don't have an entry fee. But if you do, it would probably be fun to enter.CathyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04671747592743029540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-8383664226684632622012-03-12T13:28:13.834-07:002012-03-12T13:28:13.834-07:00I'll enter a contest if there is no fee attach...I'll enter a contest if there is no fee attached. Guess I'm just old-fashioned.Elise Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12111849185666548945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-28670652432500543272012-03-12T13:16:11.497-07:002012-03-12T13:16:11.497-07:00Hey JB and Rita
If you have a 'different'...Hey JB and Rita <br /><br />If you have a 'different' book (or character or premise) it can be a contest no-go. Readers either really like it or they don't. That sounds like your experience, Rita. <br /><br />And I agree with you on the time commitment (and it is a commitment, a way to help out other writers) involved with judging. It's one of the things that always annoyed me about on-line whining about a bad score. <br /><br />As far as the self-publishing aspect, I see contests as a fairly inexpensive way to see if your book is "ready" - and just as useful on the promo circuit as it was with the great agent hunt. <br /><br />My only caution there is, contest coordinators aren't dumb. We've had to disqualify one person who thought a Daphne final would make a lovely splash for her just-published story.CathyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04671747592743029540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-12805260879185278042012-03-12T10:58:13.493-07:002012-03-12T10:58:13.493-07:00Hey I deleted my other comment because it trippled...Hey I deleted my other comment because it trippled what I posted.<br /> Cathy,<br />I think we could write 1000 page book on contests. When I entered a contest in 2009 I think they were relevant. Now I'm not so sure. At the time they were a way to get your name in front of an agent or editor. These days many people feel an agent isn't necessary. And as you mentioned with the advent of self-publishing many go that route. And there are e publishers like Carina, where no story goes untold, that a good story even though it be outside the box, can reach readers. <br />Getting harsh feedback from a contest is training for what's to come. Agents and editors and then readers are going to be making comments about your book. We simply can't ever get away from that. <br />When contest I entered had three judges when gave me two points away from a perfect score. One gave me 15 points off the score in the third was less than half of the total score. One like something the other week didn't like and vice versa. It really was comical. The one that gave me that close to perfect score also made a comment this story will never get published.<br />I think being a finalist in a published contest can be great publicity for your book. If you are finalist the $20 or $30 entry fee is well worth getting your book splashed around a few places. I find it interesting that several contests say, "we take e-books." Yes many of them do, if you print the book up in trade size. For me that's like saying the good old boys club is now accepting women if, they shave their heads grow mustache and where a man's suit. If the book as an e-book it's an e-book. Don't ask that it be printed up.<br />I love judging chapter contests. But this year I won't be doing any as I don't have the time. I read each entry through at least three times more than likely five times. I judge based on the contest score sheets not what I like and don't like. When I score someone down, I give them the reason why. Frequently I can point them to research material that will help. Any personal likes or dislikes are put into the comments.Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09054306874904898496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-46471773356123221262012-03-12T10:56:24.765-07:002012-03-12T10:56:24.765-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09054306874904898496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-75205334584234752272012-03-12T09:15:55.488-07:002012-03-12T09:15:55.488-07:00I recently finished judging the first round of a c...I recently finished judging the first round of a contest because I wanted to "give back". It was WAY more work than I'd anticipated, so my hat is off to anyone who judges on a regular basis.JB Lynnhttp://jblynn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-53884402750983006552012-03-12T06:45:12.847-07:002012-03-12T06:45:12.847-07:00LOL - that's some really helpful advice.LOL - that's some <i> really </i> helpful advice.CathyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04671747592743029540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7545210782126483136.post-71006603219733657682012-03-12T05:18:26.757-07:002012-03-12T05:18:26.757-07:00I don't think I ever had a negative experience...I don't think I ever had a negative experience with a contest, other than the price of admission. :) <br /><br />I did submit to one contest a long time ago and the valuable feedback I received was, "You have a character named Alfredo. I didn't like that. It reminded me of Alfredo sauce." LOLMaureen A. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16432964748852427405noreply@blogger.com