Comments on: How Writing Contests Can Kill Your Freelance Writing Career

By: Michelle Kafka

Michelle Kafka — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:12:07 +0000

I have entered a writing contest which was free. Entering the right writing contests can actually lead to more writing work/clients. I entered the Blue Mountain Arts/SPS Poetry contest and was offered to write for them because I was chosen as finalist. I have work pending as I type this. There are lots of poetry/writing contest tips on the “net.” And there are poetry/writing scam places to check out also just use caution and common sense when applying. It is a good feeling to be chosen as finalist.

By: K. Martin

K. Martin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:23:12 +0000

Most writing contests require a fee. Unless you trust the sponsors, who knows how all the fees they acquire are used? Sure, there may be a $100 prize (or $1000 or $5000), but if the contest sponsors are receiving who knows how much in fees, and the prize money is only a fraction of that, what happens to all the other money?

By: Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:59:15 +0000

The entry fee is a very good point. I can’t even imagine paying someone to read my work!

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:15:59 +0000

I’m all about recycling. The only contests I have entered in the last few years are ones that were for previously published material AND did not require an entry fee!

I do like the idea of entering a contest that is in a new genre than I normally write. But I am already so good at procrastination that I’m not sure I need any more excuses in my life!

By: Meryl K. Evans

Meryl K. Evans — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:47:12 +0000

Writing contests might be a good “project” for those who want to try their hand in an area they’ve never done. Some people do so well like Evelyn Ryan, the Mom in The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio — she saved her family by entering many jingle and poetry contests when they were popular in the ’50s.

Personally, I don’t bother. I’m lucky enough to stay busy with my clients. Once in a blue moon, I’ll find something fun and try it knowing full well that my chances of winning are marginal.

By: John Hewitt

John Hewitt — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:48:32 +0000

I haven’t entered a writing contest in years, unless you count my desperate desire to get comment of the week at The Comics Curmudgeon.

By: drbruce

drbruce — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:57:46 +0000

I agree with you on this. I’ve been creating websites for schools for years, as well as writing a few travel articles for print magazines and ezines. I’ve entered a few writing contests because I thought that I might get some exposure outside of the niche areas that I’m in (international education and life in the tropics). But, I’ve never really gotten much out of the writing contests. After just completing my first ebook, I’ve found a big spike in both my websites and several of my blogs.

For me the best approach seems to be to stick with my strengths and see where that leads me.