tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post3961365593448209331..comments2024-02-12T15:15:51.364+02:00Comments on The Five Year Project: Annalisa Crawford on Reasons to Enter Writing CompetitionsMisha Gerrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-77582391993834014102016-02-20T12:10:52.822+02:002016-02-20T12:10:52.822+02:00Hi Misha - Annalisa has some very relevant ideas a...Hi Misha - Annalisa has some very relevant ideas and her recent post is important too.<br /><br />If one doesn't enter then there's never a chance or that occasional acknowledgement of a job well done - practise is the important bit - so writing and entering then the habit sets in. I'm sure going local, helping out hospices etc .. will open doors - over time ... cheers and so well done Annalisa - have good weekends - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-75501953607634231762016-02-19T16:01:59.426+02:002016-02-19T16:01:59.426+02:00Denise - thank you. I've found a few Australia...Denise - thank you. I've found a few Australian contests that look quite good. I use competitions for stories that don't fit anywhere else.<br /><br />Rachna - a 100% success rate! Awesome :-)Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-63123486089893792692016-02-19T15:59:37.116+02:002016-02-19T15:59:37.116+02:00Wonderful post! I've entered a few competition...Wonderful post! I've entered a few competitions (and just recently sent one in!), but I've never won. They are great opportunities. Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-33931324476291346912016-02-19T12:03:35.990+02:002016-02-19T12:03:35.990+02:00I have entered just one competition and luckily fo...I have entered just one competition and luckily for me won the special prize for my short story in that competition. I am just too lazy to enter competitions.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-11199117465087072622016-02-19T02:22:36.040+02:002016-02-19T02:22:36.040+02:00Congratulations again, Annalisa. I have many of th...Congratulations again, Annalisa. I have many of those opinions re contests. They are quite expensive if you live in Australia with the current exchange rate if entering an overseas comp. I prefer to submit to magazines where I get a good amount per story and don't have to pay. I find it hard to access competitions that suit what I write. Ah, everything takes time. But it is one way to get noticed and looks good in a query letter and as you say, if you win enough, or are short-listed enough times, it may lead to publication. Nice thought. :-)<br /><br />Thanks for hosting Annalisa, Misha!<br /><br />Denise Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-69069569655517727502016-02-19T00:18:21.181+02:002016-02-19T00:18:21.181+02:00Julie - I know. I'm inspired by it too. If I c...Julie - I know. I'm inspired by it too. If I can do it, anyone can! Definitely give it a go!<br /><br />Rena - but like I commented to Liz, 7 places (and only two 1st places) since 1995. But 7 more than if I hadn't entered :-)Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-39818078407038371462016-02-19T00:11:54.182+02:002016-02-19T00:11:54.182+02:00Ha! I agree with Liz! You like entering those cont...Ha! I agree with Liz! You like entering those contests because you win them (no wonder given your amazing writing!). On the other hand, you can't win unless you enter. Renahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02767762370997304308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-20734186401338257592016-02-18T23:54:36.204+02:002016-02-18T23:54:36.204+02:00I'm still so inspired by your Costa experience...I'm still so inspired by your Costa experience! I entered a few contests years ago and haven't tried again, but maybe I should give it a go. I need to branch out and try more things. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-34745698159254207522016-02-18T23:10:23.617+02:002016-02-18T23:10:23.617+02:00Murees - thank you :-) There's nothing to be a...Murees - thank you :-) There's nothing to be afraid of, contests are usually judged anonymously anyway! <br /><br />Nicola - a shortlisting is fantastic... better than a longlisting... (which is also good because at least you get a mention) Here's to many more!<br /><br />Madilyn - Diane also said winning the right one can launch a career. Spending an evening researching them might be interesting. Like I mentioned in the post, some are completely free!<br /><br />Elizabeth - ah, but the point is, I don't win often. In fact, I've only placed 7 times since 1995!<br /><br />Terry - that's the one I think can appeal to a lot of people. Good luck, if you give it a go :-)<br /><br />D.G - thank you. Ah, I may have a guest post somewhere else tomorrow all about rejection ;-)<br /><br />Joanne - thank you. I like to call it stubbornness ;-)<br /><br />Neurotic - it's always worth checking out the judges!<br /><br />Mark - thank you. You only have a chance of winning if you enter! "A few" is a good number :-)Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-22924725910760296392016-02-18T22:01:31.579+02:002016-02-18T22:01:31.579+02:00Great points Annalisa:) I often have to force myse...Great points Annalisa:) I often have to force myself to enter contests, but am usually glad once I've done it. I've only won a few though:)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-86625497664058718102016-02-18T21:47:47.534+02:002016-02-18T21:47:47.534+02:00I have entered a few contests, but I haven't w...I have entered a few contests, but I haven't won one since I was in high school, unfortunately. But I didn't consider the fact that literary agents were judging some of the entries; that's definitely something I'll keep in mind in the future. Neurotic Workaholichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775298184138766683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-25648595790211607172016-02-18T20:49:56.930+02:002016-02-18T20:49:56.930+02:00enjoyed the virtual visit - thanks for hosting Ann...enjoyed the virtual visit - thanks for hosting Annalisa who provided such good advice. She is proof that perseverance (and superb writing) can pay off. Excellent postJoannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11604494404874408870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-28153185055668149212016-02-18T20:33:53.878+02:002016-02-18T20:33:53.878+02:00Congrats Annalisa and thanks for all the competiti...Congrats Annalisa and thanks for all the competition info. I've entered a few contests, but haven't placed - which does tend to turn one a little sour especially when it costs dollars or pounds in the UK. For one thing, there aren't many Canadian contests that are appealing ( I know of one or two) and American contests sometimes are limited to US residents. Haven't tried any UK contests. Maybe one day I'll think differently. . .when I have more time to spend.D.G. Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-28776597794974867872016-02-18T18:40:24.218+02:002016-02-18T18:40:24.218+02:00I've never entered a competition. I always fig...I've never entered a competition. I always figured researching them took as much time as researching markets to send my work to, and earning a publishing slot was sort of like winning a competition anyway.<br /><br />But as you indicated, Annalisa, there are solid reasons to consider entering a competition. The one that I think that possibly carries the most weight (beyond a major prize and publication) would be: "A lot of the larger competitions these days are being judged by literary agents and publishers. They are not just judging the competition, they are looking out for good writers. Even if you don't win, they might see your name, and they might be interested in you."<br /><br />Wishing you continued success in your efforts!Terry W. Ervin IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561009802388207515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-86591556801038371902016-02-18T18:13:58.321+02:002016-02-18T18:13:58.321+02:00Of course Annalisa likes them...she wins them!! Wo...Of course Annalisa likes them...she wins them!! Woo hoo. <br /><br />I hardly ever enter. I should, but I'm so lazy. I never do the proper research to know what's up. Elizabeth Seckmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00045076826326574984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-77259929310001785022016-02-18T17:26:24.212+02:002016-02-18T17:26:24.212+02:00I second Diane's comment. There are a lot of s...I second Diane's comment. There are a lot of scams here.. everyone is trying to get their quick fix and all that. So yeah, I just tend to avoid contests. Also, I just don't even have the money for an even 5 dollar entry fee. Now, if I got something published in a magazine, maybe I'd use that money t enter a contest, but it really just seems wonky to pay to have someone look at your stuff like that. I dunno.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-3010952662729219632016-02-18T16:06:06.519+02:002016-02-18T16:06:06.519+02:00I pick and choose the comps I enter. Not got anywh...I pick and choose the comps I enter. Not got anywhere so far but I did get a short list mention for a writing magazine once. Thanks for the interesting post. Nicolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674648154579013578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-22058469195546839762016-02-18T15:59:05.431+02:002016-02-18T15:59:05.431+02:00I think you are amazing, Annalisa. Personally, I&#...I think you are amazing, Annalisa. Personally, I've been too much of a coward to enter. I like cheering for awesome people like you instead:)Murees Dupèhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11781339206465690961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-71409062838318244802016-02-18T15:35:33.646+02:002016-02-18T15:35:33.646+02:00Thanks for hosting me today Misha, I love visiting...Thanks for hosting me today Misha, I love visiting your blog :-)<br /><br />Thanks Diane. A lot of the British competitions are international, so perhaps all you US folk could just pop across the pond.<br /><br />Here's a fantastic list of comps that I forgot to add to the post:<br />http://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2015/12/01/short-story-competitions-in-2016/<br />Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190412120537448720.post-82872966744984833622016-02-18T14:16:59.409+02:002016-02-18T14:16:59.409+02:00Winning the right one can launch a writer's ca...Winning the right one can launch a writer's career.<br /><br />Sadly, there are a lot of scams here in the US, and ones that are a lot more expensive than that. Research each one carefully.<br /><br />Congrats on your 3rd place entry, Annalisa.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.com