Writing Contests, Part 1

If you write poetry, short stories, novels, essays, nonfiction, or memoir of the best literary quality you can produce, the best source for finding honest contests is Poets & Writers Magazine. This magazine (which used to be called Coda) roots out scams and sinks them into the deepest hole in the Atlantic Ocean. The magazine comes out every two months, and you can find it in any decent library. Or you can buy it at newsstands or bookstores. I subscribe because it doesn't cost all that much and it's more convenient.

The first part of P&W contains articles, many of which are useful. But everyone knows that the really good stuff comes after the articles. That's where the contests are listed. Most of the contests are sponsored by literary journals, usually those published by colleges or universities. These contests often charge reading fees, which are used to provide the prize money and keep the journal alive for another year, given that most journals could not survive from subscription fees and the few ads they sell. These reading fees are the only exceptions I know of that do not ring the warning bells for the many scams out there.

Writing Contests, Part 2

The listings begin with the section labeled "Deadlines (Grants & Awards)." Read each listing carefully. In most of them, you'll find a website spelled out where you can find detailed guidelines for the contest. Before you pay a $15 reading fee, make sure the prize is worth the investment. Also, check to see if your $15 will buy a copy of the issue that contains the prize winner. If so, you'll at least get something for your reading fee.

After reading "Deadlines," continue on to the "Classifieds" and look for "Contests." Here you'll find contests sponsored by independent literary journals that are not usually associated with colleges or universities. The prizes offered are usually smaller than those offered by the more prestigious journals, and, therefore, the reading fee should also be smaller. Don't shell out $15 if the prize is only $100.

NOW COMES THE REALLY BAD NEWS: Your chance of winning any of these contests is about as likely as winning a lottery. I've been writing for 30 years. Dozens of my stories and essays have appeared in magazines, anthologies, and literary journals. A university press published my well-received but seldom-purchased family memoir. A small press released my personal memoir in 2006. In all these years, I've won only one contest, and the winning prize amounted to $250.

If you want to make money, get a good job and do your serious writing after work, after the children are in bed, after you help clean up the mess, and after you tell your spouse how much you love him or her.