As a contestant, I recall the scathing comments I received on my first contest entry. One judge said my heroine was TSTL. Heck, I was so new to the writing scene, I had no clue what those initials meant! My entry was torn apart by one judge who knew how to crumble a writer's ego with snide, condescending remarks. Another judge was less brutal and more instructional. Guess which judge I learned the most from?
Over time as my skill set improved, so did my scores in contests. I began to final and win. But the question remains, do contests help our writing careers? Sometimes, yes. An editor had read something of mine and liked my voice. The story was not quite right for their line, but the editor asked my agent if I had anything else she could read. My agent told her I was working on a paranormal that had won third place in the Golden Acorn contest. "Send me the first 3 chapters and a synopsis," the editor emailed immediately.
A Highlander's Beloved is now under contract with Random House. It was a whirlwind month as I worked like a writer possessed to finish the book for this editor, who'd asked for an exclusive. Would she have expressed the same level of interest if it hadn't finaled in a contest? Who knows, but I like to think it helped.
Yesterday, I received my paperweight prizes for winning first place with two of my novellas. The IDA's are for published authors. I think they're fabulous, don't you?
9 comments:
I have a lot of respect for contests and the folks who agree to be a judge for them. By the way, Vonnie, did you ever find out what "TSTL" means?
Thanks for the post. And, congratulations on the new deal.
Yes I did, Angela. My critique partner filled me in...Too Stupid To Live. Yikes!!! Talk about a lesson in character development.
Gee...My grandmother would say, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
I have entered and won contests, especially book contests. I have also judged for the Inspirational Romance Writers of America for the last three years. I love your post Vonnie!
Thanks!
Rebecca
A very good friend of mine and author came runner up in a competition. It was her first book and she ended up getting published by Samhein. Now 6 books later she hasn't looked back. I'd say it probably helped her out.
When do you expect your book with Random House to hit the shelves Vonnie?
Thank you, Rebecca. I'm so glad you stopped by. Judges can uplift a writer while still pointing out areas that need work. It's the wise judge who know that...and it took me a while to gain that wisdom. I'm betting you're an awesome judge.
Georgie, I'm sure your friend's finagling in a contest did help her on her road to publication. Random House tell me the book will be out in eBook late August of next year.
Vonnie, Great post. Like you, I've had judges that have helped me tremendously with positive comments, and a few that were so snarky I felt completely deflated. I've judged myself, and I think it's always better to point out where someone can improve.
I do think contest can be very helpful, not only with furthering a writer with publication, but helping them with their craft.
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