I don't enter many writing contests these days because I am a freelance writer and want to be paid for my novels, short stories, articles, etc. However, I think contests are a good way to begin in the writing field.

I never entered those that required a fee of any sort. I'm suspicious of them. But that's just one opinion.

Jacqueline Seewald

Early in my writing career, I entered a contest in a local newspaper seeking Christmas stories. It was an on-line reader poll type of thing. I didn't win the contest but apparently the newspaper and a publishing company collaborated together to create an anthrology and my story was chosen. I was thrilled to receive a copy of the book with my story in it.

The following year, Nimbus Publishing contacted me and invited me to submit a story for their second volume of Christmas stories. This time I got paid plus a copy of the book.

My writing career has blossomed ever since and new opportunities are continually coming my way.

AnneMarie, how wonderful!

Jacqueline you might be surprised the amount of established writers that enter contests, for fun maybe but never win. These are authors with books out there in the stores and still don't win writing contests. So I would respectfully disagree that contests are just for beginning writers...

OK, ladies,

This is a fun topic and got me reminiscing. I've only entered one writing contest and it was on a whim. I was in high school and the school announced an annual contest known as the "Shaw Essay Contest."

I'd never heard of it before, though I was a senior, but I found out one got excused from 6th period to participate. And I happened to not be all that interested in World History, or whatever my 6th period class was. So I figured, "Why not?"

I still remember that the topic we had to write on was, "It's in the Air," and being a child of the 60s I wrote about how fighter jets were in the air, napalm was in the air, and finally, that love was in the air...

Danged if I didn't win!! Which was really fun, because I got to have my essay published in the local paper, and was feted at a luncheon. Plus my yearbook blurb says I'm the winner for 1970.

Anyway, all this got me to thinking about entering contests, and I discovered that both Writers Digest and The Writer have contests open right now...

You can find out about the Writers Digest contests here: Writers Digest Competitions http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions

And those sanctioned by The Writer are here: The Writer http://www.writermag.com/Market%20Listings.aspx?cat=Contest%2fAward

Hope that's enough variety to get all of you started on a winning effort!!

Anne

Wow! There is certainly something there for everyone who wants to enter a legit contest. Thanks Anne!

Sure, Chatty! Glad to help.

And, drum roll please, we are working on a writing contest for NABBW members, and it will be announced next week...

So keep your eyes open for that, too!

Anne

The more contests the merrier is my motto... Winning one every now and then would be nice too, LOL!!!

Right now I am waiting with baited breath for Aug. 31st and the Publishers Clearing House and winning $5000., a week. Yeah sure! I never win anything worthwhile. But I keep on trying...

Hey, somebody's got to win it, right? Might as well be you (or me!!)