For Writers
For Delmarva Organizations
For Readers
Of Interest
Support Us
Also may be
of interest:
Book Publishers


Writing Contests

Don't denounce writing contest - sure, some are scams and you have to pick and choose carefully. But many contests provide prizes, prestige and usually publication with some offering book contracts. Competitions are good practice for you and, in some cases, they improve your chances of being published since the entries are usually fewer than the submissions a journal may receive. They provide information and kudos for for your portfolio that may mean more than clips, and start you on your way to professional writing.

To choose the right contest, read last years winners and make sure it is the right type of contest for you. Look at cost - some charge a fee, others do not. If cost is a deterant, consider entering one a quarter or so. You should not be required to purchase anything to enter and the entry fees should be low in relation to the prize offered. Read the contest rules carefully.

If you like a particular journal or magazine, check with them to see if they run a contest, many do. Local and regional writing groups often run annual contests as well. Of course one of the best ways to judge a contest is through networking with other writers, and checking the many writers support sites and blogs.

Here are few resources to get you started - both big and small!

Awards database includes details about every writing contest we've published in Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year.

 

Search for: competitions in
Search results powered by firstwriter.com - Competitions, publishers, agents, and more

 

Although they may not be scams, many of the organizations listed below appear to be disguised vanity publishers. These publishers hope to sell you expensive personalized products and seats at conferences. Others of thse charge membership or service fees where the benefits are questionable or even free elsewhere. Even if you win something, they will not look good on your resume to more traditional and reputable judges, critics, editors, and publishers.

The Amherst Society
Cader Publishing
Circle of Poets
Famous Poets Society
Iliad Press (an imprint of Cader Publishing)
Iliad Literary Awards Program
International Library of Photography (aka Picture.com, affiliated with Poetry.com, read public comments)
International Library of Poetry (aka Poetry.com)
International Poetry Hall of Fame (aka Poetry.com)
International Society of Poets (aka Poetry.com)
JMW Publishing Company
League of American Poets (poetryamerica.com)
The National Archives
The Nashville International Song and Lyric Competition (aka Paramount Group)
National Library of Poetry (aka Poetry.com)
Noble House (an affiliate of Watermark Press and Poetry.com, see a spoof contest entry and response)
Paramount Group
Picture.com (aka International Library of Photography, affiliated with Poetry.com, read public comments)
Poetry.com (see spoof contest entries and responses, see convention report)
Poetry Laureates
Poetry Press
Poetry Revival Contest
Poetry Unlimited
The Poets' Guild
PoetsOnly.com (see spoof contest entry and response)
The Poets' Workshop (www.poets.com, aka Poetry.com)
Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum
Stamford Research
TA.TI. Edizioni
Watermark Press (aka Poetry.com)
White Oak Press (aka Poetry America)

 


Copyright © 2009 by Delmarva Discussions, Inc.. All rights reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced, reprinted, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording,or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Delmarva Discussions, Inc.

Designed by PRWorks