Writing Competitions

Since I have no previous publishing credit, I've been told I should write a few shorts, enter into competitions, and try to get work published in whatever way I think possible. This might make me more appealing to agents and publishers. At the very least, it gives me something to put in my Bio.

With all that in mind, an online friend sent me this link

Writers Digest Annual Writing Competition

I've never subbed to a competition before and I am wary of just sending my work out. I'm sure you all know how that is. I've got a short 2k word memoir that I could submit to this but that little voice in the back of my head (paranoia maybe) keeps telling me to hold off.

So I guess I want to know how legit this is.

It appears to be hosted by Outskirts Press , which as I understand it, is a Vanity Publisher.

Anybody out there in the internet void ever submitted to this competition? Is this legit? Should I bother?

I sound like such a newbie don't I?

5 comments:

Tess said...

I have not, but it would be easy to do a search and find out what rights you are required to give for their contest. For example, I have had mag articles published and they were 'partial rights' - meaning I could rework the idea and submit it elsewhere or use it in a novel (with just a letter to the magazine and their approval). If you are reuired to give 'full rights' then you should understand that you would have to really, signifcantly change the material to use it elsewhere.

Something to think about.

Jessica Nelson said...

Hmmm, that's tough. I'd suggest looking through the archives of either Janet Reid's blog or Writer Beware Blog. I'm pretty sure I've heard of this competition but I can't remember where.
Also, I don't think pub credits are such a huge deal. They look good, true, but in the end it's the story that will grab someone. :-)

Jody Hedlund said...

I've heard of this contest, but haven't entered it. I did enter two other ones earlier in the year and am waiting back on the results. I think it's a great idea to start building a publishing history to include in a bio. I don't have much extra time to devote to this, but I have had some articles published for children. Anything helps to show we're serious about our writing!

Katie Salidas said...

Great point, I'll go through some old post on Writer Beware and Janet Reid.

I'll look through the rules too and see what rights I am giving away by subbing.

A little publishing credit might be good.

Great points all around. Thanks ladies!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

I think that is a safe contest, from what I've heard. But it would be good to research it. Good luck! Have you been to Miss Snark's First Victim blog? She has contests all the time with agents.

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.