If you are looking for fiction writing contests you have stumbled across a great site to help you in your search. It can be as easy as typing in 'writing contests' in your search browser but then you have to sift through all the sites yourself. We have made links available that should cut down your search time immensely and also offer some advice about contests in general. We also have a wonderful selection of articles to read on every topic to do with writing from freelance writers to writing web blogs.
A fiction writing contest, even if the deadline for this year has passed, is usually repeated every year. This gives you time to get ready for the next contest. You can also find sites that are dedicated to writing contests alone and that are constantly updating their website with the most current contests and corresponding deadlines.
In your zeal to find contests and get your writing submitted don't let your common sense go out the window. Like everything else in life, there are fakes-contests that aren't real and only want one thing, your money. Some contests are set up by 'literary agents' and 'publishers' that will offer their services or a contract as the winning prize, but be careful to read the fine print.
There are contest scams and writing 'contest mills', which make money via your entry fees. Some advertise huge prizes in the thousands of dollars but the entry fees are very high $25 or $30 or more. In the fine print on these contest rules you will see that the contest owner can reserve the right to award prizes based upon the number of entrants, or a on a pro rata basis. So they are still making money and limiting the prize to retain a profit.
Many writer's magazines and writer's groups offer monthly contests and although they aren't scams, since winners really do receive prizes, they are still considered fakes, since they exist for no other purpose than to make money. The most common fake contests are those that are run by anthology companies. They accept any entry and can work in any genre from poems to short stories, but they are never made available to the public. It is only printed if you, the entrants, purchase it. There is no literary credit involved since anyone who pays can gain entry.
There are still legitimate contests out there but you need to consider the following points before entering them:
- Who is running the contest? If you don't recognize the publication or group and can't verify who they are, don't enter.
- If the contest is free, there is nothing to lose from entering, but still read the fine print to determine what rights you have to your piece.
- How often do they run their contests? Every month might signal a scam.
- Are the rules clearly defined? A legitimate contest will list the guideline from deadlines, format, fees, prizes and more.
- Who are the judges? If they prefer to remain anonymous that doesn't mean the contest isn't for real but if you recognize a judge's name that lends credibility to the contest.
- What is the prize? If it is a large amount of money, beware. It could be a scheme to make money from you and your entry fees.
- Always read the fine print. If you are required to give up your copyright you might lose all rights to the way they use your story, even to them using it without your name.