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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Reasons To Enter A Free Monthly Writing Contest

By Paulette Mason


A simple internet search gives writers access to many contests catering to all sorts of styles and genres. Whether you are a new writer or a more experienced one, you will find one suitable for you to enter. Entering a free monthly writing contest gives you the opportunity to win prizes and offers a way to build recognition. All that is required of you is your time and effort.

As there are so many contests, one has to be selective when choosing which one to apply for. The genres covered vary from mystery, science fiction and romance to non-fiction, travel writing, stories for children and memoirs. You need to find the best fit for you. If you are a newbie, it may be preferable to start small and progress on to larger contests as you acquire more confidence. Reading past winning submissions can be helpful in making a decision.

Entrants are bound by the rules and conditions of a particular contest and so it is important to read these carefully before submitting your entry. You have to know what is expected of you as an entrant. Your work must be original and some contests do not accept submissions that have ever been published elsewhere. You should also be fully aware of what rights the sponsors have over your work once submitted.

Before you submit your manuscript, you also need to follow the guidelines given. This may require you to set it out with double spacing and you may not be allowed to exceed a certain word count. If you do not follow these guidelines, there is every chance that your submission may be rejected before the judges have even read the content.

Another consideration is editing. It is essential to do a spell check and edit your work before submission. This will ensure that judges have a favorable first impression. A manuscript full of unnecessary errors can put them off before they even begin judging the 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.

Some contests are held by magazines and they offer subscriptions as prizes for winning entries. They also publish winning entries in the magazine and this can bring recognition. Even if a small prize is offered, this still means that others have read your writing and seen its value. There are several contests that offer very good prizes, including sums of money which can be a great incentive to writers struggling to make a living.

As long as you understand what the sponsor requires of you and what they are able to do with your submission, there is no risk involved in entering such contests. Submissions can often be emailed to the sponsors together with a name, address and telephone number. The fact that no entry fee is required means you do not have anything to lose and much to gain. Even experienced writers enter such competitions for the worthwhile prizes and recognition offered.




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