Confessions of a Contest Junkie: Tips and Tricks to Making Contests Work for You
OWFI January Virtual Workshop Transcript
January 4, 2018
Sabrina Fish
[5:56 PM]
I'm so excited by how many people are logging in for this chat tonight!
Vinita Eggers
[6:01 PM]
joined vw_jennifermcmurrain by invitation from Jack Burgos.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:05 PM]
Me too! Hope I don't disappoint and have to hide from social media for the rest of my life.
Sabrina Fish
[6:07 PM]
Psssshhttt...as if!
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:09 PM]
Haha!
Connie Miller
[6:29 PM]
Looking forward to this chat!
[6:30]
I have been following for a while but joined right now just to hear you!
Sabrina Fish
[6:30 PM]
Hi friends! From 6:30 to 7 is OWFI social time, so feel free to talk among yourselves. All conversations will need to end when I introduce Jennifer and get this thing going!
Shelley Pagach
[6:32 PM]
Hi everyone! Glad to be here!
Sabrina Fish
[6:36 PM]
*waves*
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:36 PM]
Oh my gosh, Connie I'm honored!!
[6:37]
Don't mind me, I'm just gonna eat dinner while we chat. Perks of a virtual workshop.
Robbie White
[6:38 PM]
joined vw_jennifermcmurrain.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:40 PM]
Where's everyone from?
Shelley Pagach
[6:41 PM]
Bethany, ok
Robbie White
[6:41 PM]
OKC
Connie Miller
[6:41 PM]
OKC
Robert Rubin
[6:42 PM]
My mama always said not to chat with my mouth full, but jokes in her I can just type with one hand.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:42 PM]
Shelley do you ever go to that Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge?
Robert Rubin
[6:42 PM]
Hi all, also from OKC
Shelley Pagach
[6:43 PM]
No. Sorry, I've never heard of it ?
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:43 PM]
I'm with you ... Rubin, enjoying some Apple BBQ chicken as we "speak"
[6:45]
Have any of you entered the OWFI contest yet?
Sabrina Fish
[6:45 PM]
I'll be one of those who enter at the very last second.
[6:45]
At least that's my typical M.O.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:45 PM]
11:58 pm on 2/1
Connie Miller
[6:45 PM]
Not yet however considering entering.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:45 PM]
What do you write Connie?
Robert Rubin
[6:45 PM]
Been looking it over, was trying to figure out what I should submit. I have a lot of flashfiction, but I'd used a 750 word count, and that's a lot of editting.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:46 PM]
Yes, but some of those might work for short-short story
Connie Miller
[6:48 PM]
Romance, mainstream literary, inspirational . I have entered The Writers digest annual contest several times. Twice came in the top 100.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:49 PM]
That's awesome Connie! You should definitely enter OWFI, we have lots of great categories that fit those genres.
Robert Rubin
[6:50 PM]
It took me a while of reading the contest rules to realize that the competition wasn't "Submit your *entire* manuscript". Once I found the first 25 pages for the novel section, I was a lot less intimidated/confused.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:51 PM]
Oh yes, I have a ton of started projects that I enter. People ask me how I can enter so many categories, but they can't see how many novels I've started and not finished. :grimacing:
[6:51]
I'll get to them ... one day.
Robert Rubin
[6:53 PM]
Ha, alas, but at least you've got range to work with! Mine are all in the same general genre of Sci-Fi/Fantasy, so I will probably focus on my currently finished project, and maybe a few other smaller categories.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:53 PM]
Series are all the range and the best way to get your name out there ... just sayin'.
Sabrina Fish
[6:54 PM]
Hey, there is a SciFi/Fantasy short category too!
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:54 PM]
Indeed there is!!
vickey malone kennedy
[6:54 PM]
joined vw_jennifermcmurrain by invitation from Jack Burgos.
Sabrina Fish
[6:54 PM]
I love series...but not the kind that end in cliffhangers.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:54 PM]
Oh no, I get all kind of angry if I feel the story isn't finished.
Sabrina Fish
[6:55 PM]
This short serial thing that some authors have been doing is SO frustrating.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:55 PM]
For those of you just joining us, we're just free chatting until we begin in a few.
Jack Burgos
[6:56 PM]
@owfipresident Sorry!
[6:56]
About my short serials. :stuck_out_tongue:
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:56 PM]
I can't get through my OCD quality control process to write a serial. I would have to have the whole thing written and edited before putting out the first. The small serial I write for Anna's Legacy is all rough draft and I cringe sometimes when I see what I've put out there, but that of course is free.
Julia Mozingo
[6:58 PM]
Hi, everyone!
Sabrina Fish
[6:58 PM]
Ha! I won't lie, Jack. I was enjoying myself and then bam, wait for the next one. However, I did still enjoy it. And yours isn't as bad as some have been.
[6:58]
Hi Julia!
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:58 PM]
HI!
Sabrina Fish
[6:59 PM]
Some of them are seriously just a few chapters of a whole story then you have to buy the next installment. Grrr.
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:59 PM]
Kind of like the old chap books, right?
Jax Cortez
[6:59 PM]
This is my first time here. Is this just chat or do I have to raise the volume for something?
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:59 PM]
You had to buy each chapter.
Sabrina Fish
[6:59 PM]
This is a chat
Jennifer McMurrain
[6:59 PM]
Just a chat Jax
Sabrina Fish
[6:59 PM]
Yes, I hate that, Jennifer.
Jax Cortez
[7:00 PM]
:+1:
Sabrina Fish
[7:00 PM]
Okay, folks. We better get this show started.
Jack Burgos
[7:00 PM]
This is just chat. And that's awful. At least I try to tell complete stories in each installment, with unresolved plot points and questions for the next book.
Julia Mozingo
[7:00 PM]
Yea, Jax! So glad you made it here.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:00 PM]
Okay, I'm ready :smile:
Jack Burgos
[7:00 PM]
gets quiet.
Sabrina Fish
[7:00 PM]
So I want to introduce our very own Jennifer McMurrain, OWFI PR extraordinaire, and ...
Sandra Lawson
[7:01 PM]
I've registered for tonight, but I must be doing something wrong. I can't seem to access the channel.
Sabrina Fish
[7:01 PM]
Amazon Best Selling Author and has won nearly 50 contests in the last six years, including 28 OWFI awards. She is an executive board member of OWFI and has published six full length novels and four novellas, and has contributed to five anthologies, two Chicken Soup for the Soul Anthologies, and one collaborative novel.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:01 PM]
You're here Sandra ... no worries, it's all reading
Elizabeth Cowan
[7:01 PM]
Hello everyone
Sandra Lawson
[7:01 PM]
Ahhh! Now I see it. Duh!
Sabrina Fish
[7:02 PM]
Tonight she'll be talking all things contests!
Diana Davis Baker
[7:02 PM]
Hi This is my first try.
Sabrina Fish
[7:02 PM]
So without further ado, everyone welcome, Jennifer McMurrain!
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:02 PM]
Hi everyone!
Sabrina Fish
[7:02 PM]
*applause*
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:02 PM]
I'm so happy to be here and talk to you all about contests!!
Connie Miller
[7:02 PM]
Welcome!
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:03 PM]
Okay, so in order for this to work I'm gonna type my workshop and then at the end we'll have questions.
[7:03]
Sabrina please remind me on how we do the question thing at the end?
Sabrina Fish
[7:04 PM]
Okay, so everyone hold all comments until after Jennifer's presentation. When she signals time for questions...if you have a question, type ??
[7:04]
I'll call your name, you ask your question.
[7:04]
Please do not talk over someone. Wait until I call your name.
Pepper Hume
[7:04 PM]
okay, I'm here. now what?
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:04 PM]
I will try not to go to fast, but if you're getting overwhelmed just type slow down and nothing else and I'll space out the paragraphs
[7:05]
Tonight I’m going to tell you how to make contests work for you. A lot of people enter contest with one thought and that is to win, but the truth is there are a lot of reasons to enter and some ways to edge out your competition.
[7:05]
Let’s start with the why.
There are a lot of great reasons to enter writing contests. First and foremost, there is the possibility of winning one. That’s a mighty fine feeling. Then, too, there is the cash reward. No need to remind you, dear hardworking writer, how splendid that cash reward is.
[7:05]
The prospect of winning is a huge reason why people enter contests. There is something to be said about the power of positive thinking and the optimism that comes with hope. It should send an electric buzz of excitement rushing through your body creating all sorts of positive endorphins.
[7:06]
This is called Confessions of a Contest Junkie so Confession #1: I believe I will win.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:06 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:07 PM]
If you write your entry with a positive frame of mind it’s going to be a much stronger piece than if you write it “knowing” you’ll lose.
[7:07]
If you do win, you could win money. What author doesn’t want a little extra cash flow? But the title and money are not the only reasons entering contests are beneficial. Some other reasons on why it’s a good idea to enter contests are:
[7:07]
1. 1. Gets your creative juices flowing
[7:07]
Please forgive the typos, I do my best editing after I hit send.
[7:08]
I used to write for a website called Clever Fiction. Now it wasn’t a contest per say, even though we fought for bragging rights on who got the most clicks/reads. Every week or so they’d put up three words and we were challenged to write a story involving those three words. It wasn’t always easy, but it was a great writing exercise on brainstorming. Many of those stories have gone on to win prizes.
[7:08]
2. Helps you set deadlines
[7:08]
Every contest has a hard deadline. You have to enter by this date or you don’t get entered. This is a good practice for when you have deadlines with your editors. It gets you into the habit of making sure you meet those deadlines. Editors/publishers are not going to wait forever for your book, if you’re an indie author then you have to set your own deadlines and your readers aren’t going to wait forever for your next book either. Setting and making deadline is just good practice.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:09 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:09 PM]
3. Helps you set writing goals
[7:09]
In order to meet your deadlines you have to set writing goals every day. Whether it be a word count goal or a time spent writing goal. This gets you in good practice for your everyday writing.
[7:10]
4. Helps you grow more confident in your writing skills.
[7:10]
You know that old joke, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.” The same goes for writing. The only way you get better at writing is if you do it all the time.
[7:10]
Side note: I am a firm believer in writing every day and I don’t believe writer’s block should stop you. Most blocks can be managed by writing through them. Believing in writer’s block is about believing in the impossible, I choose to believe in the possible.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:11 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:11 PM]
5. Adds to your resume
[7:12]
If you place, you can add the title to your resume which may result in helping you get other paying writing gigs.
[7:12]
6. Boost to your confidence
[7:12]
If you place, it’s a huge confident booster. This writing world is hard, so why not have a little extra boost?
[7:12]
7. Gains new readers
[7:13]
Every contest has at least one judge. That judge may not have heard of you until they read your entry. If they enjoy it, then you can bet your bottom dollar that they will find out your name and read more of your stuff. People like to hear award winning, that’s why so many people put it on their books. If you say award winning author, it’s going to get a lot more attention.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:13 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:13 PM]
8. Can open doors to writing opportunities
[7:14]
We don’t have to look very far for examples of this. How many times have we seen someone win at OWFI and the judge has written “Send this to me!” and that judge happens to be an agent and/or publisher? If you haven’t seen this happen to you or your friends, let me tell you it DOES happens. One year we even had a judge yell it out as the person was getting the award. Think of contests as another way to get your work out there.
[7:14]
You might also get that story published, even if it's not a first place winner. A friend of mine entered a story in the fiction contest several years ago. It didn't win, but it came in second. She asked if they'd consider publishing it, and they accepted it. The irony was that they'd rejected the same story just a year or so previously.
[7:14]
Then, too, there is the benefit of having an esteemed writer read your work. I have entered contests I knew were a long-shot, but I loved the judge’s work so much I didn’t care. I paid for the opportunity to have my story sit in the hands of one of my literary heroes, if just for a brief moment.
[7:15]
Winning a contest may include a public reading of your work, and/or a write-up about your winning in the local newspaper. We’re talking free publicity and who doesn’t love that. The winning can also lead to a feature story that may include your other work and get you even more recognition
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:15 PM]
Doug Penny
[7:15 PM]
joined vw_jennifermcmurrain.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:15 PM]
With so many people entering contests, and with most journals and literary organizations charging fairly high reading fees is the effort and expenditure truly worth it?
[7:15]
My opinion? Yes. Absolutely, yes.
[7:16]
Contests also tend to be more democratic than general submissions. Because names are withheld from the manuscript, an un-established writer is on equal footing with Mr. Top Dog Writer. The editors and judges won’t be thinking about that big selling name on the journal's cover to help sell copies. The work itself is the single important thing.
[7:16]
Entering contests can also keep things interesting. We can get really bored working on the same manuscript day after day. Taking a little break to write for contest can be very refreshing and help your muse out in the long run.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:16 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:17 PM]
Everybody good?
[7:17]
So you know the why, now let’s talk about how to give you the best chance at winning a contest.
[7:17]
I know, this is why you're really here. :wink:
Sid Martin
[7:18 PM]
joined vw_jennifermcmurrain.
Pepper Hume
[7:18 PM]
Switching to writing something else is also a good defense against writers block. If one door won't open, try another.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:18 PM]
Research the contest. – If you can look at past winners. This can tell you a lot of what the contest coordinators are looking for. For example, we have an annual contest in Bartlesville and you can go read all the past winners. If you look at them you will see that the majority of the pieces that won fiction are inspirational in nature. So if you have the opportunity to go back and look at the past winners, it could give you an edge, if you see a pattern. Also look at the amount of entries in previous years if it’s offered. If a contest has only a few entrants per year, you have a better chance at winning.
Doug Penny
[7:18 PM]
Just came aboard. Will try to catch up.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:18 PM]
2. Read the guidelines and follow them carefully. – According to Writer’s Digest you have a 90% better chance of winning if you follow the guidelines. Having judged the OWFI contest last year, I can speak first hand that if the rules weren’t followed you lost before you got started. It’s not because of bad writing, it’s because most contests follow a rubric and one of the factors on the rubric is if you followed the rules. If you didn’t and I had to give you a zero on that section because you gave me 40 pages instead of 25, then you’re starting 10 points behind everyone who followed the guidelines. If you didn’t give me a synopsis, which was required by the guidelines, then I had to give you a 0 on the resolution. That’s another 10 points lost and you’re 20 points behind. The guidelines are important and some are stricter than others. If there’s a long list of rules, print them out and just take it one step at a time. Don’t let the list overwhelm you when it’s simply a matter of taking each one individually.
[7:19]
Read that again, folks ... following the guidelines gives you a 90% better chance! 90%!!
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:19 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:20 PM]
Just came from a PTO meeting so I had to add some teacher memes.
[7:20]
3. Edit. – I’m not going to tell you to hire a professional editor, that would get very costly, very fast. Make sure you read through your submission at least twice, once being out loud. Then find a friend, that will be honest with you, to read it. Get that 2nd pair of eyes to catch all the stuff your brain fixed for you. It’s a scientific fact that our brains are miraculous and you might be the best grammarian in the world, but your brain will tell your eyes to see what’s supposed to be there. It fixes it for you.
[7:20]
Confession #2 – I always have at least one other person read my stuff for contest.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:21 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:21 PM]
4. Write strong characters – We are all voyeurs of sorts. Isn’t that what reading is? A look into another life. Make sure your characters are intriguing and fascinating and leave the judges wanting more of that character, more of your writing. If your characters stick in the judge’s head, if you make them think about your story even when they’re washing dishes, fixing the car, driving their kids to school… make your characters unforgettable and you will win.
[7:21]
Make sure you start strong as well. A few years ago Steven James gave a whole luncheon workshop on “Starting with the snake”. You’ve got to start with the action and hook your judges immediately. Pull them in and don’t let go until you know you’ll keep them hooked until the very end. If a judge has 30 entries to read and you’ve started slow, they’re gonna move on to the next before they even get into your story.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:22 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:22 PM]
Also avoid clichés like the plague. See what I did there. (I can't hear you laugh, but I know you're laughing :wink: ) We’re all tempted to use them because they’re well known, but unfortunately being well-known lacks creativity and you’re looking to stand out.
[7:23]
5. Write about the hard stuff – You really need to pull at the heart strings of the judges. You have to get them emotionally involved and sometimes even dive into the uncomfortable waters of controversy. This goes back to research, if you’re writing for a contest through a literary journal that has a political theme, then get controversial. Whatever you do, make sure the judge feels something. Remember that old saying, “no tears in the writer, no tears in the reader”? You have to have the feels to give the feels. Make the judge feels something and you will win.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:23 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:23 PM]
6. Write a twist/surprise ending – Fun fact, people love it when they think they’ve figured out the ending and then you throw a twist in at the end. Now let’s be clear, a twist/surprise ending is different from an out of the blue ending. The ending has to make sense. The judge has to be able to go back and see the clues. If the ending just doesn’t make sense, then it’s a gimmick. Most people hate gimmick, so be clever.
Winona Cross
[7:24 PM]
joined vw_jennifermcmurrain by invitation from Jack Burgos.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:24 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:24 PM]
7. Write, submit, repeat – We all know reading is subjective, as is judging. What one judge hates, another may love. You can’t give up on a piece just because someone else rejected it. Let’s be clear, you can’t win if you don’t submit. Where one year you might have a big ol’ goose egg as far as wins go, another year you may rake them in. Every year judges change … for example, I have a young adult manuscript that I entered in the OWFI contest for four consecutive years … three years it didn’t even get an Honorable Mention, year before last it won 1st place.
[7:25]
Confession #3 – I may tweak a submission over and over, but I never give up on it.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:25 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:26 PM]
I feel like I'm going fast, so I'm gonna pause for a minute or two and let some of the late comers catch up.
[7:26]
The transcript will be up even after the chat is over, so don't panic. You can study my wise words. :wink:
Jax Cortez
[7:26 PM]
I'm ok with the pacing! :+1:
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:26 PM]
I feel like I'm going fast, so I'm gonna pause for a minute or two and let some of the late comers catch up.
Winona Cross
[7:27 PM]
I made it! Thank you, Jack. Question: Tell us about how to integrate a beginning, middle, and end in a short piece. How does one know when the story is done, or if there is too much information that weighs it down?
Sabrina Fish
[7:27 PM]
We'll hold questions until then end.
[7:27]
Please
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:28 PM]
Okay we'll move on to the where and wrap up with some extra bits and I'll be available to answer all your questions. I'm not in a hurry, but I'm going to go read at 11, people, because ... priorities. :wink:
[7:28]
It is very easy to Google “writing competitions” and get gobs of lists. But you have to be careful, because not all writing competitions are created equal. Here are some things to look for.
[7:29]
1. What is the entry fee? - The entry fee should make sense in regards to the prize. If a contest is charging a $100 entry fee and yet only giving out a $100 1st prize, this should send up some red flags. A.) you’ll only break even, not get out ahead, plus think of how much money they’re raking in. They are having a contest strictly has a money making endeavor and you’re not likely to get much out of it in the end.
[7:29]
Does it come with a subscription? – Sometimes entry fees feel like a lot until you realize it comes with a subscription to the journal or magazine that’s putting on the contest. You can learn a lot from reading writing journals and magazines, so the entry fee may well be worth the cost of the subscription.
[7:30]
Or, you might want to put a cap on how much you’re willing to spend. If you can find a cap you're comfortable with for submission fees, you’ll feel a lot better about spending that money that’s already been budgeted for entry fees.
[7:30]
Of course, when you pay these fees, you’re also supporting literary mags, most of whom sponsor these contests precisely in order to attain the financial support that keeps their journals running. (Perhaps if more writers, ahem, subscribed to lit mags, such fundraising efforts would not be necessary…But I digress.)
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:30 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:31 PM]
2. What does the small print say? – Read the small print. Does the small print say they now own your work? Does it say they don’t have to award a prize? Does it require you to buy X amount of books if you win? These are red flags. Do your research. If it’s a big name publisher saying they own your book, it may not be a bad deal. If it’s a name you’ve never heard of and you check Amazon and their rating is in the millions, you probably don’t want to go that route.
[7:31]
Some fee-charging literary agencies conduct contests as a way of finding clients. One agency advertises a contest where the prize is agency representation; representation is indeed offered (to everyone who enters), but the catch is that it comes with a hefty editing fee attached. Another agency uses a false name to run its contest; entrants are told their work is “exceptional” and “referred” to the agency, which charges an up-front fee. Basically, they’re saying you’re work is great but it needs some editing that will cost you $300.
[7:31]
Vanity publishers may also use contests to draw in paying customers. The contest prize is a fee-free publishing contract–but if you don’t win, expect to be solicited to buy the publisher’s services … nonstop.
[7:32]
Then there are the contest mills, which make money on the front end, via entry fees. Some advertise enormous prizes–$15,000 for the winner, $10,000 for second place, and so on–with correspondingly high entry fees… But if you read the fine print, you’ll discover that the contest owner reserves the right to award prizes on a pro-rated basis–i.e., the prize amounts are determined by the number of entrants, thus guaranteeing a profit no matter what.
[7:32]
Similar to the contest mills are the awards mills, which also feature high entry fees (anywhere from $60 to $80), and dozens or even scores of entry categories. Awards mills tend to focus on small press or indie authors, who face major challenges in getting their work noticed, and hope that an award will help. Although there may be a real prize (money, gift certificates, consults with literary agents), winners just as often receive little more than an announcement on the awards organization’s website–thus enabling the awards organization to avoid cutting into the money it makes from entry fees–as well as the opportunity to enrich the organization further by buying adjunct merchandise, such as “Award Winner” stickers.
[7:33]
Contest and awards mills are not necessarily scams, since there usually are winners, who generally do receive the promised prizes. Even so, they exist primarily to make money for the organizations conducting them, and because of the probable lack of rigorous judging standards (judges are rarely identified, and in some cases may not exist at all), are unlikely to carry much, if any, professional prestige.
[7:33]
Confession #4 - I research every contest before I enter them.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:33 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:34 PM]
If you're questioning a contest, the best way to know if it's a good one is to type in the contest name into Google and then "+ scam" for example "Bob's Awards + scam"
[7:35]
Some websites that have great lists of writing contests:
https://thewritelife.com/writing-contests/
https://www.pw.org/grants
http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions
[7:35]
Sorry didn't realize it was going to throw up a big preview like that.
[7:35]
Can a writing contest be too big?
Doug Penny
[7:36 PM]
I like The Write Life. Good tips.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:36 PM]
Absolutely not. Just last year we had a member of OWFI, Vickey Malone Kennedy won the Writer’s Digest short story contest. Dream big. See Confession #1.
[7:36]
Other things to take into account:
[7:36]
1. Do you have the budget? – Entering contests is not worth going into debt. Think about the possible return investment. If it’s not worth it, don’t do it. Not even for the bragging rights. It needs to move your career forward in some way.
[7:37]
2. Can you use it elsewhere? – Can you submit it for publication? Will it work for Chicken Soup? New Yorker? Tin House? Glimmer Train? Always think of the bigger picture when you’re writing. It shouldn’t just be about the contest. Can you develop an anthology later? You don’t want it to just sit on your computer collecting cyber dust.
[7:37]
Confession #5 – I’m always thinking of the big picture when I write for contests.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:37 PM]
vickey malone kennedy
[7:37 PM]
thanks for the plug Jen. I would have mentioned it myself, but this is your show.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:38 PM]
Robert Rubin and I were chatting earlier and I mentioned that I have a bunch of novels started that I've entered into the OWFI contest. Now it might take me years to get to them, but I will and my catalog will be that much larger, especially since I have a head start.
[7:39]
You're welcome, Vickey ... that was a big win and we're so proud of you!
[7:39]
Extra bits:
[7:39]
1. Don’t forget about published book awards. The Oklahoma Book Award, the Texas Institute of Letters Awards, The Rone Awards … people like to see award winning on your books. And if you win a title like The Oklahoma Book Award, it can lead to national recognition.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:39 PM]
And Rone has an accent over the e if you're Googling it, but I can't seem to make that happen on my keyboard.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:40 PM]
2. Have fun! Entering contests should be a fun endeavor. If you find yourself being stressed out at the mere thought of it, then don’t do it.
Winona Cross
[7:40 PM]
I bought the WD publication with Vickey Malone Kennedy's story in it. Her story is great, but all of the stories are indicators of what the WD judges prefer.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:40 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:40 PM]
What happens when you lose?
[7:40]
Nothing.
[7:41]
Confession #6 – I don’t post about every loss on Facebook.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:41 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:41 PM]
If you lose a contest they don’t post the loser. No one runs around and does a silly dance and sticks their tongues out at you chanting that you lost. I don’t post on Facebook every time I lose a contest. That’s depressing. No one is going to see your score except for the judge. No one is going to shout to the world that you’re a failure. Take the loss as a learning experience. You should be learning from every experience and using every emotion to fill our writing. Are you mad because you got a bad critique? Use it! Are you excited that you won? Use it! Are you jealous because so-and-so won and you are a much better writer than that person? Use it! As writers everything we experience gets put in our books, including our losses.
[7:41]
What if you win?
[7:42]
You celebrate your booty off! It doesn’t matter if it’s a big award or a small award, celebrate! Go to dinner! Get ice cream! Buy a new book! Post it on your social media … BE PROUD! You’ve earned it. This job can be hard enough, take the time to celebrate every win.
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:42 PM]
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:42 PM]
Confession #7 – I celebrate every win with dinner out with my family.
[7:42]
Not only do I want to bask in the win, I want my young daughter to see an example of putting yourself out there and succeeding.
[7:43]
In the end, you’ll decide what’s right for you. Are you content to ignore contests and simply submit to magazines or write for publication only? Or do you want to go for the gold? (Or the silver or bronze.) Hopefully, with the tips I’ve given you today you’ll want to enter more contests and not only will you be a better contestant you’ll be a better writer.
[7:44]
Okay, that's it for the workshop portion, I am open to questions ... this is your time, no question is silly, and I will answer everything to the best of my ability... except for legal questions ... I'm not a lawyer and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Sabrina Fish
[7:44 PM]
To ask a question, type ??
Pepper Hume
[7:44 PM]
HOW do you research contests beyond the scam check? Where do you look for info on a specific contest?
Sabrina Fish
[7:44 PM]
I'll call you're name and then you can ask. That way, we don't have anyone getting missed.
Robert Rubin
[7:44 PM]
??
Sabrina Fish
[7:44 PM]
Robert
Pepper Hume
[7:45 PM]
??
Sabrina Fish
[7:45 PM]
Pepper After Robert
Robert Rubin
[7:46 PM]
So, using the OFWI contest as an example, is it typical that you might customize the synopsis based on the genre? Like I if I submit a piece in SCI-Fi and Horror, should the synopsis emphaisize different things? Or should I stick to what I want to publish with?
Winona Cross
[7:46 PM]
??
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:46 PM]
Let me clarify ... are you trying to enter the same piece in both categories?
Sabrina Fish
[7:46 PM]
Winona after Pepper
Robert Rubin
[7:46 PM]
Correct, if a piece would work for both
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:47 PM]
Okay, first due to the rules, you can't enter the same manuscript into different categories. BUT if you could then yes, you would want to lean your synopsis to strongly fit the category.
Sabrina Fish
[7:47 PM]
Go ahead Pepper
Pepper Hume
[7:47 PM]
HOW do you research contests beyond the scam check? Where do you look for info on a specific contest?
vickey malone kennedy
[7:47 PM]
??
Sabrina Fish
[7:48 PM]
Vickey after Winona
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:48 PM]
I'm glad you re-asked that Pepper ... honestly the best way to find contests is via word of mouth. If someone has a great contest and a positive experience than that is the best way. Other than that, just Googling, ask people on Facebook or other social media. Twitter is a great way, if someone hates something, they'll be on Twitter. :wink:
Sabrina Fish
[7:48 PM]
Go ahead Winona
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:49 PM]
Don't be shy, just ask ... today it's easier than ever to get in touch with folks.
[7:49]
Oh and also look for a list of winners, if there isn't one ... HUGE red flag
Doug Penny
[7:49 PM]
??
Sabrina Fish
[7:50 PM]
Doug after Vickey
Winona Cross
[7:50 PM]
I entered a contest with a 2000 word count. The judge said I told too much beyond what the story was initially about--how a couple met. How does one know when to stop? What is too much?
Sabrina Fish
[7:50 PM]
Go ahead and have your question ready folks
[7:50]
Go head Vickey
vickey malone kennedy
[7:50 PM]
I ran into an incident a few years ago where a piece entered in the contest was published post entry, but before the contest was judged. How do you avoid having those entries disqualified?
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:52 PM]
Winona, that's a hard question to sum up in just a few sentences and without reading your piece ... make sure you have a absolute ending ... There are some thing to be said about open endings, where you let the reader decide, but these are really tricky. Most judges don't like it if the story feels incomplete. You have to make sure you have a strong start, middle and a definite conclusion. Even if you might make it into a novel later.
[7:53]
Make it complete, give them some feels, and hopefully that will garner you some awards, Winona.
[7:54]
Specifically for OWFI, the piece can't have been accepted before Feb. 1st. After Feb. 1st then you're good to go. As for other contests you just have to look at their guidelines.
Sabrina Fish
[7:54 PM]
Go ahead Doug
Doug Penny
[7:54 PM]
I appreciate all the advice and tips. I've talked to many frustrated entrants in the past. Will the judges give critical feedback?
Diana Davis Baker
[7:55 PM]
??
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:55 PM]
When we get judges we do include in their contract that they give critical feedback. It's one of the perks of entering the contest. Now we can't guarantee that you're gonna like what the judge has to say, but we do hope they aren't mean-spirited (and yes I know from experience that some judges can be total harsh.) We also can't guarantee that the judge will follow the directions, even though we (our wonderful VP's) try very hard to make that happen.
Sabrina Fish
[7:55 PM]
Go ahead Diana
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:57 PM]
Backtracking a little @Winona Cross, it sounds to me like your piece was probably too detailed because you were in a novel frame of mind. For short stories you really have to get to the action, climax and resolution fast. It's a total different beast than novel writing. If the story can live without it, cut it. I'm hoping I'm helping with your question.
Diana Davis Baker
[7:57 PM]
I hope to enter a number of categories in the OWFi - will each category have someone to consult so I will follow the guidelines.. Thank you for all the info!!
Jennifer McMurrain
[7:58 PM]
We will have help hours, both on our slack platform and on our Facebook group page for you to ask questions and get answers in real time. Our first one starts tonight at 8:30. We are happy to help, just don't post any of your stories on FB, we don't want them to be considered published.
[7:58]
Hold on and I'll grab the other Help Desk hours from my folder
[7:59]
Thursday, January 4th 8:30 pm until 10:00 pm
Tuesday, January 9th 8:30 pm until 10:00 pm
Wednesday, January 17th 10:00 am until 12:00 pm
Tuesday, January 23rd 8:30 pm until 10:00 pm
Monday, January 29th 8:30 pm until 10:00 pm
Thursday, February 1st 10:00 am until 3:30 pm, 7:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
[8:00]
Thank you all for being here! I do hope that the information I've given you helps. :smile:
Sabrina Fish
[8:00 PM]
Thank you all for coming! And thank you Jennifer for giving this workshop to our members for FREE!!!
Sandra Lawson
[8:00 PM]
Wonderful presentation. Thank you so much!
vickey malone kennedy
[8:00 PM]
Excellent job. Thanks.
Jennifer McMurrain
[8:00 PM]
I'm still available to answer questions, just wanted to get in a thank you in case some people needed to jet at 8. :smile:
[8:00]
Thank you :heart:
Doug Penny
[8:00 PM]
Thank you, Jennifer. I'm liking the new member- friendly OWFI.
Julia Mozingo
[8:01 PM]
Thank you, Jennifer. Great information!
Shelley Pagach
[8:01 PM]
Thanks Jennifer! That was wonderful!
Jennifer McMurrain
[8:01 PM]
You guys are making me blush. :heart:
Winona Cross
[8:01 PM]
Thanks, Jennifer. You did answer my question perfectly as well as setting me up with one of my OWFI entries.
Mary Lane
[8:01 PM]
:+1::+1::100:
Jennifer McMurrain
[8:01 PM]
Awesomesauce @Winona Cross!!
Doug Penny
[8:01 PM]
Hello Winona! (fellow Academy Grad)
Sabrina Fish
[8:01 PM]
The next virual workshop will be March 29. Speaker TBA
Staci Mauney
[8:02 PM]
Great job, Jennifer! Thanks for all the info!
[8:02]
And the cute photos!
Winona Cross
[8:02 PM]
Hi, Doug! Good to see you. Have you rounded up any dinosaur bones lately?
Connie Miller
[8:02 PM]
Thank you Jennifer!
Sabrina Fish
[8:03 PM]
Feel free to hang around and chat either here over on the General channel. We really appreciate your time here tonight.
Jennifer McMurrain
[8:03 PM]
Thanks @sdmauney!!
