Writing competitions 2022

Types of Writing Competitions in 2022

Short Story Contests

Short story contests invite writers to showcase their creativity within a limited word count.

These competitions often have specific themes or topics, enriching the challenge.

Common Features:

• Word Limit: Typically between 1,000 and 7,500 words.

• Thematic Focus: Many contests enforce specific themes, enhancing creativity.

Examples of Notable Short Story Contests:

1. The Narrative Prize: Offers $4,000 for the best story.
2. American Short Fiction Prize: Rewards the winner with $1,000.

Poetry Competitions

Poetry competitions vary in form, challenging writers to express profound emotions and ideas with brevity and precision.

Key Points:

• Form Variations: Many prizes accept traditional forms like sonnets as well as free verse.

• Judging Criteria: Focus on originality, emotional impact, and technical skill.

Popular Poetry Competitions Include:

• The Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships
• The Walt Whitman Award with substantial recognition and publication opportunities.

Novel Writing Challenges

Novel writing challenges focus on longer formats, often providing a unique platform to support budding authors.

Important Points:

• NaNoWriMo National Novel Writing Month encourages writers to complete a 50,000-word draft in November.

• Prizes may include publishing deals, mentorship, or cash awards.

Quick Facts:

• In 2021, approximately 400,000 participants in NaNoWriMo completed their novels, showcasing the event’s popularity and supportive community.

Screenwriting Competitions

Screenwriting competitions focus on crafting scripts for film and television.

They often emphasize originality and strong narration.

Typical Features:

• Page Limits: Around 90-120 pages.

• Genre Specifications: Some contests seek specific genres, such as drama, thriller, or comedy.

Noteworthy Competitions:

• The Nichols Fellowship in Screenwriting: Offers $50,000 to a talented writer.
• The Page International Screenwriting Awards: Rewards both emerging and established screenwriters.

Notable Writing Competitions to Watch

The Bridport Prize

Renowned for poetry and short stories, this prestigious competition offers significant cash prizes and publication opportunities.

Prizes:

• Short Story: £5,000.
• Poetry: £5,000.

Legacy: Established in 1973, the Bridport Prize has helped launch many careers, with past winners achieving international recognition.

The Ghanshyam Das Tapaswi Prize

This competition promotes literature in South Asia and supports new and unique voices in writing.

Awards Include:

• Cash prizes.
• Recognition in literary communities.

Objective: To enhance literary awareness and foster emerging writers.

The Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition

One of the longest-running writing competitions in the world, aiming to discover talented, unpublished writers.

Categories:

• Manuscript Length: Up to 4,000 words.
• Multiple genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry.

Notable Prizes:

• $5,000 cash prize and publication in Writer’s Digest.

The Bath Novel Award

A must-watch for fiction writers, this award focuses on unpublished debut novels.

Awards:

• £3,000 for the overall winner.

• Opportunities for mentorship from industry professionals.

Statistics: In 2021, over 1,500 entries were submitted, demonstrating the award’s popularity.

How to Enter Writing Competitions

Understanding Submission Guidelines

Each competition has specific submission guidelines.

Reading them carefully is essential to avoid disqualification.

Key Components:

• Format: Required font, spacing, and layout.
• Deadlines: Submission dates can vary greatly.

Crafting Your Manuscript

A well-crafted manuscript is crucial in competitions. Follow these steps:

1. Edit and Proofread: Ensure your work is free of typos and grammatical errors.
2. Seek Feedback: Get opinions from fellow writers or critique groups.

Statistics: Over 70% of submitted works are disqualified due to format issues alone.

Tips for Presenting Your Work

Catch the judge’s eye through professional presentation.

Important Aspects:

• Use a clear cover page with essential details.
• Format the document according to guidelines.
• Submit by the stated deadline.

Benefits of Participating in Writing Competitions

Gaining Recognition

Participation opens doors to recognition within writing communities and beyond.

Potential Outcomes:

• Publication opportunities.
• Networking with industry professionals.

Building Your Writing Portfolio

Competitions are excellent ways to build a diverse portfolio.

Why it Matters:

• A strong portfolio showcases versatility.

• Engaging in various forms enhances writing flexibility.

Connecting with Other Writers

Competitions foster a sense of community.

Tools for Connection:

• Online forums.
• Writing workshops and events.

Data Flash: Participating in contests leads to networking that can significantly advance a writer’s career.

Preparing for Success in Writing Competitions

Setting Realistic Goals

Establish clear and attainable targets.

Examples of Goals:

• Complete a manuscript by a certain date.

• Enter a specific number of competitions each year.

Scheduling Your Writing Time

Creating a dedicated writing schedule enhances productivity.

Tips for Scheduling:

• Set aside daily or weekly time slots.
• Eliminate distractions during writing time.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is invaluable for improvement.

Ways to Get Feedback:

• Join a writers’ group.
• Utilize online critique platforms.

Statistics: Writers who seek feedback report a 40% improvement in their submission success rates.