Tag Archives: writing contests

New writing contests featured at Black Heart

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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.

2010: Time for a Short Story Challenge

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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!

3-Day Novel countdown

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I’ve come up with a title and general idea for my 3-Day Novel. I’m calling it Escape From Montréal, and it’ll be exactly like Escape From New York, except everything will be completely different.

Currently, I’m envisioning it as a sci-fi tale, set in the near future. The heroes of the story are artistic souls, trapped on an island that’s stuck in the 1960s and slowly crumbling. Kinda like real-life, 2009 Montréal. Call it a satire, if you will. (Juvenalian, not Horatian. See: A Modest Proposal)

"Monorail to nowhere" by Flickr user Farid!

“Monorail to nowhere” by Flickr user Farid!

I’m not big on outlines, but I should probably come up with one, to keep myself on track. In the meantime, check out my post at Gifted Travel on Post-apocalyptic Montréal, which explains a bit of what I’m thinking about doing.

I’m still pondering whether or not to pay the $50 entry fee and actually compete, versus doing this merely “for fun.” I mean, generally speaking, I’m against paying contest entry fees. They should be paying me for my work, not the other way around. However, if I were to win the contest, the prize is publication. Just playing devil’s advocate, though, I’m sure there are plenty of good writers out there who are gunning to win this thing, and since it’s my first time, I’m not even sure I will cross the finish line. I like to dream big, but sometimes there’s a limit to human endurance, y’know? Anyway, I guess my point is this: if my book is good enough, it will be published regardless, so entering a contest where the prize is publication is a bit moot.

I mean, if everyone at least got a t-shirt or a free book or something for their troubles, I wouldn’t mind paying the $50. But currently, I could use the $50 myself in plenty of other ways. Also, if something comes up work-wise, I will have to let the novel go by the wayside, and I certainly don’t want to spend fitty bones for nuthin’.

So that’s settled. Any other 3-Day Novelists out there? What’s your title? Got an outline? Talk to me! Also, you should follow me on Twitter here.