tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post3856061857960909462..comments2024-03-28T08:09:24.086-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: 3 Ways Writers Can Make the Most of ContestsJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36369266517234962522010-04-22T12:48:46.904-04:002010-04-22T12:48:46.904-04:00I'm looking forward to your future post on con...I'm looking forward to your future post on contests available to writers Jody! :) Thanks for answering my question.CMOM Productionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04595915747223847421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24595133271331034752010-04-22T09:05:15.195-04:002010-04-22T09:05:15.195-04:00My entry into the only contest I've ever attem...My entry into the only contest I've ever attempted was a finalist, but a 511-word flash fiction wasn't really going to propel my writing anywhere in that regard. It was the basis for a regular short story and now my novel, "Dying Light", which is coming out in July, so I can't complain. But since I have been writing the novel and doing all the other things associated with getting it out there, I haven't really had a chance to do any other writing. I'll get back to it, I suppose. Plus I have a host of other short stories I should take a shot at sometime. I'll look around and see. I think I have a few that should get to the finals, if I do say so myself.<br /><br />The question then is how does one transform this near win into a personal win?SJ Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09304177082159067335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-24225753614296124352010-04-20T17:47:41.887-04:002010-04-20T17:47:41.887-04:00These are great points. I entered one and came clo...These are great points. I entered one and came close to being a finalist. The feedback was right on, and in fact, I had made some of the changes they suggested before they suggested them :)Carolyn Yalinhttp://carolynyalin.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-31290618378357234112010-04-20T16:00:28.358-04:002010-04-20T16:00:28.358-04:00I agree! As writers grow, our criteria for enterin...I agree! As writers grow, our criteria for entering a contest should change. Initially, we should look for contests that offer detailed feedback sheets. When our craft improves, we should enter contests where the final judge is an agent or editor we'd love to have. <br /><br />And I couldn't agree with you more on having the book finished!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4289710408260132512010-04-20T12:52:42.537-04:002010-04-20T12:52:42.537-04:00Well, Karen, that's perfectly true - if you do...Well, Karen, that's perfectly true - if you don't enter, you don't stand a chance! :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741255295792269043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-82697558328575194712010-04-20T12:29:20.920-04:002010-04-20T12:29:20.920-04:00I stopped in to brag that I won some contests late...I stopped in to brag that I won some contests lately, but mine were winning books--not writing contests, so darn. :(<br /><br />I don't enter many contests because I figure I don't stand a chance, but maybe I need to try a few. <br /><br />Great post!kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2134910896919933872010-04-20T11:23:20.109-04:002010-04-20T11:23:20.109-04:00Contests have served me well. I entered a number o...Contests have served me well. I entered a number of contests two years ago and learned heaps from the preliminary judges' comments. I spent time studying craft and learning to incorporate the suggestions I'd received. I rewrote one of my manuscripts last year and entered it in several contests to see if my writing had improved. The entry fared far better than I'd dared to dream and led to an offer of representation from my Dream Agent who was one of my final round judges.Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79131632676033828782010-04-20T10:09:15.502-04:002010-04-20T10:09:15.502-04:00Thanks for the informative post, Jody! I entered m...Thanks for the informative post, Jody! I entered my first big writing contest this year (the one through Amazon) and I think it's been a great experience so far. I only wish I had spent more time polishing the manuscript before I sent it in (it was fresh from NaNoWriMo and I got too excited about the contest) but I will keep this advice in mind for the future. Great story, how encouraging!Julie Daohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814052162359300933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4034624488452350162010-04-20T05:58:05.976-04:002010-04-20T05:58:05.976-04:00CMOM asked: What are some of the contests out ther...CMOM asked: What are some of the contests out there that you can suggest?<br /><br />My Answer: That's a great questions and will partly depend on what genre you're writing. Since I write historical romance, I looked for contests mainly through RWA (Romance Writers of America) and then also ACFW. Writer's Digest also sponsors contests.<br /><br />I've had several other people ask about contests and where to find them and it might be worth a future post! Thank you!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78467195936948795382010-04-20T01:27:02.377-04:002010-04-20T01:27:02.377-04:00Jody, I find the concept of contests interesting, ...Jody, I find the concept of contests interesting, especially regarding books. I've entered many contests for my newspaper and magazine articles, but this is a whole other matter entirely, and you're really the person who got me taking note of contests. Having seen how it propelled you forward, I definitely see the advantages. I don't know that there are equivalent contests in the genres in which I write, but it's worth checking into.Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-16977019400557736882010-04-19T23:04:45.288-04:002010-04-19T23:04:45.288-04:00You give solid advice. Unpublished writers keep b...You give solid advice. Unpublished writers keep being told to have a polished, completed manuscript. But often, we think it's shinier than it is. I guess that why beta readers and critique groups are invaluable to help us locate the flaws that we don't see.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-45573109260520454372010-04-19T21:01:20.956-04:002010-04-19T21:01:20.956-04:00I've not entered any contests...and now I thin...I've not entered any contests...and now I think I really should. As for feedback. I "love" it when I get feedback like, "I don't like the ending." Hmm, and what exactly is it about the ending you don't like? lol.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79269139259286379992010-04-19T19:15:53.729-04:002010-04-19T19:15:53.729-04:00What an awesome post!!!! I think this is a great l...What an awesome post!!!! I think this is a great learning experience for me and I am so glad I stopped by, I always love lurking over at your blog!!!<br /><br />I haven't finished my novel, correction I haven't revised which is why I haven't done a contest, however I am really considering it!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-91836071219529926182010-04-19T17:12:36.352-04:002010-04-19T17:12:36.352-04:00I'm just beginning to explore entering contest...I'm just beginning to explore entering contests (as a memoirist, creative nonfiction writer). As always, your words are very helpful. <br /><br />I know that any work I do submit for publication gets read by two or three of my most trusted readers before it leaves my hands.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2505366458583446002010-04-19T16:21:47.582-04:002010-04-19T16:21:47.582-04:00Very good info, Jody. As always. Where do you find...Very good info, Jody. As always. Where do you find the time to write these lovely posts? They should be a book in themselves. Call it, "Help! I'm a writer! What now?"<br /><br />I entered a humor contest but didn't make even honorable mention. Alas, there was no feedback, so I don't know what I did wrong. I'd love to have some tips to help me improve.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-28077591367721817462010-04-19T15:40:48.548-04:002010-04-19T15:40:48.548-04:00You made so many good points. There don't see...You made so many good points. There don't seem to be as many contests for PB's and chapter books, and I'm not as aggressive as I should/could be about digging them up. Your post makes me want to take better advantage, especially since I DO have a finished manuscript. thanks. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26406975471769161952010-04-19T15:14:32.354-04:002010-04-19T15:14:32.354-04:00This will be my first year to enter a contest. I&#...This will be my first year to enter a contest. I've only been writing now for about 16 months.<br /><br />Entered Genesis this year, and am entering the Arkansas Writers Conference too.<br /><br />The blank Scoresheet for Genesis, believe it or not, was an instructional document for me. It was after I submitted that I read it, and I could see a lot of things I should improve in my submission. <br /><br />Hoping I get some good feedback (constructive crit) from both contests - they each have a different novel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01741255295792269043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-36190309894801910222010-04-19T12:40:52.600-04:002010-04-19T12:40:52.600-04:00Contests must be a popular topic, since some of my...Contests must be a popular topic, since some of my favorite blogs are all discussing the same thing.Walt Mussellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07252729944233200374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-73619981998777210232010-04-19T12:31:17.539-04:002010-04-19T12:31:17.539-04:00I haven't submitted to any contests because I&...I haven't submitted to any contests because I'm always worried they're sketchy. I don't know how to discern whether they're reputable or not. I'd love to see you dedicate a post to finding worthwhile contests - your posts are always so thorough & helpful.Kirsten Leskohttp://disobedientwriter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-19612158500294576212010-04-19T12:20:52.678-04:002010-04-19T12:20:52.678-04:00I've always been kind of scared of writing con...I've always been kind of scared of writing contests, but because of all your encouragement, I'm going to finally get up the nerve to enter one or two this year. Thanks!Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-34062465986194300082010-04-19T12:07:38.778-04:002010-04-19T12:07:38.778-04:00I keep waiting for you to run out of ideas. And yo...I keep waiting for you to run out of ideas. And you keep coming up with such good helpful stuff!Sandra Heska Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13770393615748405966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12838970125529392792010-04-19T12:06:37.050-04:002010-04-19T12:06:37.050-04:00I've never entered a contest but it's cros...I've never entered a contest but it's crossed my mind. Now I know to really think it through before entering and make sure I get the most out of it. Thanks for these tips!Laura S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13934230198562773803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-66620621044367241352010-04-19T12:00:56.770-04:002010-04-19T12:00:56.770-04:00Great post, Jody! I entered only two contests -- S...Great post, Jody! I entered only two contests -- Surrey Int'l Writers' Conference Contests -- and finaled in both, but they weren't for novels and neither offered feedback. Knowing I had finaled provided encouragement but nothing else. The benefit was limited to polishing mss and learning the discipline of the process. <br /><br />I believe there are also contests that are not so reputable... ones that are mostly money-makers for the officials and are less than useful to the contestants. I think it's important to choose wisely both the contests to enter and the advice to take.Carol J. Garvinhttp://careann.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-63087750694197563602010-04-19T11:47:20.880-04:002010-04-19T11:47:20.880-04:00Jody, I agree with you that contests are a great w...Jody, I agree with you that contests are a great way to get noticed, even if a contestant is just longlisted and not in the top three postions, it is still extremely prestigious. <br />I have often seen in India that many of the winners get taken by publishers seriously and bag book deals after they have won a contest or two.<br />Rachna's Scriptorium<br />But then, many disappear, as though they were just a flash in the pan. That is sad, I feel bad that they were unable to utilize that exposure to the maximum.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-20310136280500483842010-04-19T11:45:27.991-04:002010-04-19T11:45:27.991-04:00I have. I've entered both the Amazon Breakthro...I have. I've entered both the Amazon Breakthrough Novel award contest and Genesis. I managed to place in quaterfinals for the ABNA, which is a culling from 10K participants down to 500. Next week there's another elimination round. The Genesis is new to me and I'm equally excited. I think it's a great thing for unpubbed writers. There's a lot of waiting in our world and this fills up the gaps nicely. =)Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.com