On Submitting My Work To Writing Contests

I have no problem writing all the time. But submitting is a whole other story. I feel bad but clearly not that bad.

The thought of submitting seems so daunting. I need to break it down into smaller steps. I should start somewhere.

For me, the act of starting anything tends to be the hardest part more often than not. Once I start however, I find that the work isn’t so bad.

I’m not sure how I managed to submit stuff in the past. The first time was about six years ago. I entered a contest just for fun. Little did I know I’d end up being published.

Last year I submitted a story right before exam season. As you can see, I had my priorities straight. It worked out because I got the story published and didn’t fail any of my exams.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any negative consequences if I don’t submit. I have a lot to gain, but nothing to lose. Perhaps I should create my own consequences for being a lazy potato.

I like to think I’ll figure things out. I’m still learning, and I have more to learn.

At the very least, I know what I want to accomplish. Now I just have to get to work.

I’m Submitting My Writing Again

It’s about time.

As a 21-year-old, I’m not a teenager anymore. So I’ve become ineligible for a lot of contests I’ve submitted to before. But I don’t feel like an adult either. I’m not a professional writer.

I have a ton of poems I’d like to get published somewhere. Hopefully, something works out.

In addition to my creative writing, I’ll try to write an essay every now and then for scholarships. I’m still a student. I graduate next year though, which kind of freaks me out.

I love but also hate not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Nevertheless, I’m excited to see what’s in store.

These days, I feel more motivated. I want to do more and do better.

If I want to have something to show the world, first I need to show up.

Poetry Contests 2016

In honour of National Poetry Month, whip up a poem and send it out!

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Title of contest: 2016 CBC Poetry Prize

Type of entry: 400-600 words; unpublished and original obviously

Deadline: May 31, 2016

Fee (if any): $25 CAD

Prize (if applicable): $6,000 if win it all, publication, writing residency

Qualifications/Restrictions: Canadian citizens and/or permanent residents

Additional notes: They also host a short story and creative nonfiction competition every year

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Title of contest: Sentinel Literary Quarterly Poetry Competition

Type of entry: Under 50 lines

Deadline: May 31st, 2016

Fee (if any): £4

Prize (if applicable): £200.00

Qualifications/Restrictions: Your poem shouldn’t be considered for publication elsewhere or accepted either

Additional notes: Ensure you haven’t published the piece on your blog

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Title of contest: Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

Type of entry: 250 lines or less; published or unpublished

Deadline: September 30, 2016

Fee (if any): $10 USD per poem

Prize (if applicable): $1,500, publication

Qualifications/Restrictions: None, really

Additional notes: Tom Howard accepts any style or genre; Margaret Reid accepts a poem that rhymes or follows a traditional style

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Review the complete rules and guidelines if you plan on submitting. Remember that dates, fees, and prizes are subject to change.

I have no control over anything. If I did I would shower all writers with bills and books. Although the latter might hurt a little.

Poetry Contests 2016

Looking for poetry contests with a 2016 deadline? You’ve come to the right place.

Title of contest: Prism Poetry Contest

Deadline: January 15, 2016

Fee (if any): $35 Canadian entries, $40 US entries, $45 Int’l entries (each entry comes with a one-year subscription or extension of the magazine)

Prize (if applicable): $1,500

Qualifications/Restrictions: Submit up to three poems with each entry.

Additional notes: They accept online submissions and they also have a Short Fiction contest with the same deadline (sorry about the late notice)

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Title of contest: Junior Authors Poetry Contest

Deadline: March 31, 2016

Fee (if any): None

Prize (if applicable): Publication, signed paperback copy of “Polly Wants to Be a Writer: The Junior Authors Guide to Writing and Getting Published” OR “The Naked Storyteller” (winner’s choice), 30 minute private coaching session OR LTC Insider Plus+ Membership (winner’s choice)

Qualifications/Restrictions: Anyone between the ages of 11-21

Additional notes: I’ve entered and placed in the Short Story Contest so I can vouch for its legitimacy

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Title of contest: Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest

Deadline: April 01, 2016

Fee (if any): None

Prize (if applicable): $1,000

Qualifications/Restrictions: Submit one poem, maximum 50 lines

Additional notes: You can submit published or unpublished work

If you plan on submitting, remember to read over the complete rules and guidelines. Good luck!

Writing Contests And Competitions

I’ve been meaning to do a post like this for a long time. I finally got around to it.

Rachel compiles a bunch every month on her blog. Kudos to you and thanks for inspiring me!

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Title of contest: The Bazaar of Bad Dreams

Type of entry: Fictional story (max. 4,000 words)

Deadline: December 18, 2015

Fee (if any): None

Prize (if applicable): Publication, a chance to attend a masterclass

Qualifications/Restrictions: UK residents

Additional notes: King is King

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Title of contest: Poetic Power Poetry Contest

Type of entry: Poem (max. 21 lines)

Deadline: December 23, 2015

Fee (if any): None

Prize (if applicable): Publication, free copy of anthology, special recognition in the book and possibly on their blog

Qualifications/Restrictions: Students in grades K-12 in Canada and USA

Additional notes: They run fall, summer, and spring contests

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Title of contest: Poetic Power Essay Contest

Type of entry: Essay (max. 250 words)

Deadline: February 18, 2016

Fee (if any): None

Prize (if applicable): Publication, free copy of anthology, special recognition in the book and possibly on their blog

Qualifications/Restrictions: Students in grades 4-12 in Canada and USA

Additional notes: I’ve entered and won so I can vouch for the legitimacy of this contest

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Title of contest: L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest

Type of entry: Science fiction or fantasy stories (max. 17,000 words)

Deadline: Quarterly on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1

Fee (if any): None

Prize (if applicable): Prize every three months: $1,000 for first place, $750 for second, $500 third; Annual Grand Prize: an additional $5,000

Qualifications/Restrictions: Amateur writers

Additional notes: They have another contest for illustrators

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Please do check out the complete rules and guidelines if you plan on submitting. I’ve condensed a lot of the information so I don’t mean to mislead anyone.

I hope this helps! Good luck and work hard.

Hunting For Scholarships

Opinion: Hunting for scholarships is harder than hunting for writing contests.

A part of me is tempted to enter more writing competitions instead. I’ve had more luck with that. Finding and winning. Fact: I’ve earned money writing.

This just proves I’m a better writer than I am student. Which is a good thing because I want to be a writer for the rest of my life, but I don’t plan on being a student forever. At least not in the traditional sense of the word. Of course, I will strive to learn and improve. Just not in a jail. I mean classroom.

5 Things Writers Should Look Out For

The Internet is great—for the most part. Aside from the frauds, scams, and lies that seem to populate the Internet in mass numbers, the Internet is an awesome tool because most writers use it on a daily basis. Navigating this minefield is tricky though. These are things you need to look out for.  

1. First the world is filled with tons of misinformation. Sometimes the truth is bent slightly while other times what seems to be genuine information turns out to be a complete fabrication. Always, always, always ask yourself, “Is this too good to be true?” If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Learn to dispel myths, detect lies, and determine what is real and what is not.
2. Next beware of contest scams. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing contest and competitions. It’s what I started out doing in the beginning before I started a blog. I still send my work into credible, trust-worthy contests occasionally, usually at the end of the month or when I have free time. But I’ll digress no further. Some contests are absolute scams so check out the contest beforehand. Ask yourself: who or what is in charge of the contest? Are there clear rules? Is the language vague or ambiguous? Who’s judging and are these judges qualified? Is there a reasonable prize? Before you decide to submit your work anywhere, read the FINE PRINT. Know what’s in store. Know what you’re getting into. Don’t just blindly jump out of the airplane with your eyes closed without a parachute. Make sure you know what you’re doing. Above all else, consider whether entering the contest is even worth it before you pay a hefty entry fee to find out you’ve been scammed, ripped off, cheated, lied to, tricked, deceived.
3. Be wary of people without qualifications. Simply put, don’t hire or work with somebody without proper qualifications. Professional agents, editors, and publishers will have qualifications, an education of some sort, references from people they’ve worked with in the past, testimonials from real people, etc. It’s nothing personal. It’s business. If you don’t trust them, don’t hire them. When in doubt, get out. Fast.
4. People promising quick, get-rich solutions. There is no miracle, no magic way to publish 10 books, gain 10,00 followers, earn 100,000 dollars except through hard work. Anyone who promises you will get rich fast is lying through their teeth. Life doesn’t hand you success on a silver platter. You need to work for it.
5. Careful anytime someone asks for your money. Professional writers should get paid to be published. You shouldn’t have to pay anyone to get published. So when someone says, “HEY, PAY ME A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO GET PUBLISHED!” You know you’re in for trouble.

Be smart, work hard. Find out the truth, be as educated as possible, question the suspicious, seek out facts, and protect yourself. Don’t let this happen to you. Look at everything through a magnifying glass. Seriously.