  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: spidey  
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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey , and I'm your Editor this week. I'd like to discuss Entering a Contest. |
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Entering a Contest
A step-by-step guide
Entering contests have many rewards. It gets us thinking, writing, and improving, and of course, there's the contest prize itself! 
Step 1: Finding a Contest
There are lots of ways to find contests on Writing.Com. Here are a few:
 "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" [E] is a great place to start! This is where open and active contest links are placed. To find this list easily, click on "Contests" from the navigational list at the top of each page, or click on "Things To Read & Do" in the Site Navigation Tool to the left.
Contest Genre - Browsing the "Contest" genre is another way. Click on "Genres" from the Site Navigation to find items which list "Contest" as a genre. (Remember, "Contest" should be used for contests, not contest entries!)
Forums - Try clicking on "Forums" from the list at the top of each page. Many contests are held in forums, so a good deal of the results may be contests. You can also try sorting the list - try "Newest First" to get a look at the newest created forums. You might even get a sneak peek at contest that isn't officially open yet!
Advertising - Keep your eyes peeled as you travel the site. There are a ton of places for hosts to advertise their contests, like sponsored items, billboards, highlighted items, blogs, signatures, and even handles!
Step 2: Reading the Rules
Once you find a contest you're interested in entering, read its rules. I can't stress this enough. Read the rules once, twice, three times. You don't want to be disqualified by an oversight! Some things to keep an eye out for:
Ratings - Some contests accept only specific rating ranges. Be sure your entry falls within the contest guidelines (and on a related note: Be sure your entry is rated correctly! To be sure, view "Content Rating System (CRS)" [13+]).
Length - Many contests include a word count or line count limit.
Newly written - The purpose of a good deal of contests is to inspire new work, so often the "newly written for this contest" rule is used.
Prompt - Be sure your entry follows any given prompt!
Editing - Some contests don't allow editing once submitted. Others don't allow editing once judging has commenced.
If you're unsure about any of these rules, email the contest host!
Step 3: Perfecting your Entry
So you've read the rules and written an entry. Your job is done, right? Not exactly. Now it's time to read over your work with a fine-toothed comb. Read it over and over and over, checking for typos, spelling mistakes, grammar errors. Our eyes can sometimes gloss over these on a computer screen, so it's a good idea to print it so you can read it on paper. Reading your entry out loud can also help you pinpoint those slippery slip-ups.
Another way to perfect your entry could be to encourage reviews of your work. That way you can get a general idea of what a reader (and a prospective judge) might think about it. Use auto-rewards, advertising, review forums, enlist the help of friends and fellow writers - whatever it takes to get your story read and to get quality feedback.
Some contests do not allow for editing once submitted, so you may want to do these above steps before submitting your entry to the contest.
A tip: Consider adding a link to the contest in your item. It can help your readers understand your entry (particularly if there is a specific prompt), plus it gives more exposure to the contest.
One more tip: Take a look at past winners in the contest. It might give you an idea of what the judge looks for or the quality of writing that typically excels in that particular contest.)
Step 4:Submit your Entry
Again, there are often rules for submission. For forums, there may be a specific post title you'll have to use, for instance: "Entry - Name of Entry" may be required. Check the rules.
Also, many contests prefer the "Bitem" link for entries. What is bitem? Well, each item you create in your port has an ID number. To use bitem, you'll type {bitem:#######} and replace the #'s with the ID of your item. (Still confused? See "The illustrated guide to linking" [ASR] for a detailed description)
Step 5: Waiting for Results
Perhaps the most difficult part of entering contests is waiting to hear how your entry did. Though many judges give reviews of entries, don't expect it every time.
While you're waiting, it's a good time to read and review your fellow entries! It'll pass the time, and there are tons of rewards for reviewing others' work!
Step 6: Results are in!
So either your entry has a place among the winners or not. Don't determine your writing's worth based on one contest. Judging is very subjective, as it should be. What thrills one judge may not be another's cup of tea. Don't let it discourage you!
Always keep on writing!
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Contests & Activities :
Just a few contests & activities I've come across on the site. Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
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My last newsletter gave information on Spring Cleaning. 
spidey, I absolutely love spring cleaning articles, and your suggestions were good. I've begun a little cleaning myself. I appreciate your plugging of my rewarding reviews item. Thanks! ~ esprit 
You're very welcome, and thanks for the feedback!
Cheers for featuring "Invalid Item" in your newsletter, it's appreciated by all involved. ~ c.t.moon
You're quite welcome!
Question to think about: What inspires you more to enter a contest? Is it the prompt or the prize?
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Contests & Activities: April 22, 2009 Issue [#3007]
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