Fiction Writing Contests Can Change Your Life

Have you tried entering a fiction writing contest? Fiction writing contests can be intimidating to a beginner. You might not think you are good enough to enter a contest. If you don't enter how will you know? Fiction writing contests help you gain experience in the fiction writing world. If you win, you get a fiction writing credit.

Types of fiction writing contests

There are several different types of fiction writing contests. You can find one for any genre from romance to science fiction. Some contests require a small reading fee. Requiring a fee isn't a way to rip off the writer. It ensures that everyone submits their very best work. The judges don't want to be bombarded with entries submitted without much thought or editing.

Prizes for fiction writing contests

Cash prizes are a standard incentive when you win a fiction writing contest. Other prizes include e-books, being printed in a magazine or being printed in a book. Winning some contests will only give you bragging rights. Those bragging rights can be counted as a writing credit for your portfolio.

Preparing for fiction writing contests

Before submitting your story to a fiction writing contest, have someone else read it for you. It is hard to catch your own mistakes. Your reader should be someone who is willing to tell you if your story has mistakes or needs work. Try to finish your story with enough time to let it sit untouched for a week or more. Go back and reread your story to see if you can catch any mistakes.

Fiction writing contests for beginners

Here are some fiction contests that are great for your first time. The best place to try your first fiction writing contest is the Accentuate Services writing contest. The themes for the year have just been announced.

What I like about this fiction writing contest is forum members are willing to help you out, even though you are the competition. You can post your entry and get critiques and feedback. You can incorporate that feedback into your story to make it stronger. Winners receive cash, merchandise and will be published in an anthology by Twin Trinity Publishing. Even if you lose, you win because Michelle L Devon will give you a brief professional critique.

Another fun contest to enter is the Writer's Weekly 24 hour contest. You sign up ahead of time and are given the theme on the day of the contest. You have 24 hours to write a short story. The contest is limited to 500 participants. There are over 85 prizes awarded include cash prizes for first, second and third place.

Fiction writing contests can change your life. For those that scoff at that statement, let me share my experience. I entered my first writing contest during Accentuate Services second contest. I made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated. Disappointed I decided to try again. I won first place in the third contest. First place means my name will be on a cover of a book. The book is due out this March. This fulfilled a dream of mine, but it didn't stop there.

The writing contest changed my life because it gave me enough confidence in my writing to take the next terrifying plunge. I quit my full time job as an accountant and have been writing full time. I would not have done this if it hadn't been for winning that fiction writing contest. Winning gave me the confidence to change my life. So I ask you, why not give a fiction writing contest a try? Please comment about your experiences. Good luck!