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So, how can you improve your chances of winning a writing competition? The answer, quite simply, is: read the rules. It’s a fact that between a quarter and a third of all competition entries are disqualified before they’re even read because people have failed to study and follow the rules. So if you make sure that your work is presented and submitted in the way asked for, you’ll already have beaten up to 33 per cent of your rivals. But what are these all-important rules that can make or break a competition entry? They do vary from competition to competition but usually cover the following areas:
So, how can you improve your chances of winning a writing competition? The answer, quite simply, is: read the rules.
It’s a fact that between a quarter and a third of all competition entries are disqualified before they’re even read because people have failed to study and follow the rules. So if you make sure that your work is presented and submitted in the way asked for, you’ll already have beaten up to 33 per cent of your rivals.
But what are these all-important rules that can make or break a competition entry? They do vary from competition to competition but usually cover the following areas:
Presentation: Stories must be set out in double line spacing, on one side only of white A4 paper and must be clearly numbered and catchlined on every page. Most competitions insist that entries be typed. Poems should be single spaced with an extra line between stanzas.
Length: Entries mustn’t be longer than the stipulated length. The word limit is often 2000 words or 40 lines of poetry.
Originality: The story or poem must be the author’s own work, and not have won a prize in another context or been previously published.
Anonymity: The work should be anonymous. There should be no identifying marks on the text and the author’s name and address must not appear anywhere. (This is a safeguard so that the judge will view all entries on their merit and won’t be influenced by knowing who wrote the piece.)
Relevance: The work must be on the theme stated in the competition details – if a set theme is given. And, if the rules ask for a short story, there is no point in submitting a piece of non-fiction.
These rules don’t sound too onerous or difficult to follow but people ignore them in droves. Maybe writers get too excited and forget to read the rules, or leave it to the last minute to enter and haven’t time to study the paperwork. Remember, the rules apply to everyone. Every time writers ignore competition rules they are automatically disqualified and lose their entry fees. You have to admit, it does seem a rather elaborate and pointless way to throw away money!
These rules don’t sound too onerous or difficult to follow but people ignore them in droves. Maybe writers get too excited and forget to read the rules, or leave it to the last minute to enter and haven’t time to study the paperwork.
Remember, the rules apply to everyone. Every time writers ignore competition rules they are automatically disqualified and lose their entry fees. You have to admit, it does seem a rather elaborate and pointless way to throw away money!
And it’s not just the rules. There’s also a certain etiquette that you should follow when entering competitions. Here are just a few points to bear in mind:
Don’t send the same story or poem to several competitions at once. If two rival competitions selected your story you could find yourself in an embarrassing situation; no prize money and blacklisted by both in future years. And don’t think no-one will notice – it’s surprising how many judges adjudicate for more than one competition and keep an eye on the winners of other major competitions.
Don’t send the same story to the same competition two years running. We certainly tend to use the same judges; so they will probably remember your work. If they didn’t like it last year, why should they change their mind this year?
Proofread your work carefully before sending it in. Nothing puts judges off more than poor spelling, illogical punctuation and unappealing presentation.
And never submit a story or poem which you have already had published elsewhere or which has already won a prize in an earlier competition. Someone, somewhere will recognise the work when the list of winning entries is published and you’ll be stripped of your prize. It’s not something you can easily live down.
So, when you enter The Writers Bureau competition this year, follow these tips and you’ll significantly improve your chances of carrying off one of the prizes!
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