Button Tapper » Writing Contests http://buttontapper.com Professional and creative writing by Laura Roberts Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:00:17 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 New writing contests featured at Black Heart http://buttontapper.com/2010/06/21/new-writing-contests-featured-at-black-heart/ http://buttontapper.com/2010/06/21/new-writing-contests-featured-at-black-heart/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:52:57 +0000 Laura Roberts http://buttontapper.com/?p=2294 For those looking for writing contests, there’s a doozy of a revenge fiction contest up now at Spinetingler. I’ve decided to add a new section to Black Heart entitled “Writing Contest of the Week” to gather up some of my faves, and they’re the first victims of my enthusiasm, so g’wan and check it out already.

And, if you’re so inclined, remember there’s a Dzanc Books Creative Writing Sessions special on now, with writing critiques for the broke-ass ($20 for 1 hour = amazing!). If you tell ‘em Black Heart Magazine sent ya, we’ll get one free hour to share with our readers and you’ll be entered in the draw. So tell ‘em! And then tell us!

I’ll be posting new contests every Monday morning over at Black Heart, to help all my writing pals kick the week off right, so ready your button-tapping fingers, your keyboard and your coffee machine of choice. And, for even MORE writing contests and related news, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, the next installment of which is poised to go out later this week.

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]]> http://buttontapper.com/2010/06/21/new-writing-contests-featured-at-black-heart/feed/ 0 2010: Time for a Short Story Challenge http://buttontapper.com/2010/01/08/2010-time-for-a-short-story-challenge/ http://buttontapper.com/2010/01/08/2010-time-for-a-short-story-challenge/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:27:46 +0000 Laura Roberts http://buttontapper.com/?p=1333 I’m constantly debating with myself whether or not it’s worthwhile to enter writing contests, since I hate paying the entry fees when I have no idea how many potential contestants I’m actually up against. It seems a bit unfair not to know your odds. I mean, even people playing the lottery can at least envision their one-in-10-million chances and decide for themselves whether it’s worth the buck or two to just go for it. Should short story writers not receive the same courtesy when they’re gambling?

Anyway, mostly I guess it comes down to two things: the cost of the entry fee and the amount of potential prize money. While NYC Midnight’s Short Story Challenge 2010 is a bit costly to enter ($49 US), it does offer a potentially meaty prize of $1,250 for the first place winner, plus $500 for second, $250 for third and $100 for fourth. Not bad, right? You could at the very least double your money if you took fourth place, so that seems pretty good. It’s just too bad they don’t offer you some kind of a freebie for signing up, so at least you could get something positive out of the experience if you lose. Y’know, a nice “How to Write Short Stories” e-book or some such? All the cool kids are doing it, after all. Just look at the recent Funds For Writers annual contest, where contestants could choose between NO entry fee or a $5 fee with the potential to win some helpful Tweetebooks. Now that’s news you can use.

But back to the NYC Midnight contest: If you’re interested in signing up, the deadline to mail in your payment is coming up fast. Wednesday, January 13 is the last day to register, and there are plenty of rules you’ll have to read too, so get cracking!

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]]> http://buttontapper.com/2010/01/08/2010-time-for-a-short-story-challenge/feed/ 0 Quickie update http://buttontapper.com/2009/11/06/quickie-update/ http://buttontapper.com/2009/11/06/quickie-update/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:02:32 +0000 Laura Roberts http://buttontapper.com/?p=903 Just a quick update to let my friends in Montreal (and elsewhere) know that I’m still alive and well, but I’m on a bit of an Internet vacation while we’re in the process of moving. Not sure how much longer that will take, as we’ve been visiting with my parents this past week, but will likely get to our ultimate destination by the middle of next week, and hopefully find a decent apartment by the end of that week.

We are currently at a Borders, looking at their maps, and I’m trying to find a reasonably-priced hotel and a self-storage for when we get there.

Oh, and as for NaNoWriMo? I must admit, I haven’t even thought about writing a word thus far. I may end up sitting this year out, what with all the other crazy stuff I need to do this month.

Anyway… wish us luck!

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