Show Notes
Writing competitions. Clearly they’re not all made the same. Some are free, some are costly, some are actually impossible for mere mortals to enter due to their criteria. The prizes vary too. From small cash prizes, to publishing deals. Today, we’re asking the question… on the whole, if you’re serious about being a writer… are they actually worth it? Are they worth the money, the - let’s face it – likely disappointment, the effort and most importantly of all… the time? And the biggest question of all - are there any quantifiable things you can do to help nudge your entry to the top of the pile? We consider such things as: Where’s the best place to send your piece? Maybe a competition isn’t the right destination? Maybe it’s a literary journal instead? We get some top notch insider insight, from Bath Flash Fiction Award past winner and judge - Kathryn Aldridge-Morris to get the skinny on what works and what doesn’t. What will wow the judges, what will make them spit their tea out and what will make them slide you into their shortlist. https://www.kamwords.com
Plus we hear from fabulous literary agent Joanna Swainson from Hardman & Swainson, for an agent’s eye-view. https://www.hardmanswainson.com
Finally, the winner of a competition who we suspect is quite glad she entered DFB & Arvon Search for a Storyteller prize, because it won her a publishing deal with David Fickling Books – Miranda Moore. I can personally recommend her excellent YA book, A Beautiful Terrible Thing. Yes, devastating & emotional, but also joyful & redemptive. https://www.mirandamooreauthor.com
And speaking of competitions… look out next week for our BRAND NEW POETRY COMPETITION!
We’re too good to you. Seriously. We are.
Lovely episode art by Katie Rand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Failing Writers Podcast
Competitions, as previously discussed on this pod, are an amazing way of giving you an opportunity to both really think about your novel and your pitch... but also potentially to bag yourself a chance to get in front of some big, powerful, important, cape-wearing Mavel-comic-like-superheros of the industry. Today we focus on The Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. An award that's launched the career of many a successful writer. So let's have a chat with some of those people... those caped crusaders on the inside. Because.... don't know about you.... but Tommy and I feel like the more you know... the more you get a sense of what you need to do to get on in this biz! Here's the link: https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/fictionprize So get the first few chapters of your manuscript licked into shape... perfect your blurb... and your synopsis... and get ON IT! Listen to these people! They want to read your stuff! And you've got good stuff!
Our £500 flash fiction competition sponsored by the lovely folk at SCRIVENER is in full swing and requires your urgent involvement! If you fancy having a go at a 300 word, birthday-themed story, listen to episode 15 of this series, for the lowdown. Then go to https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com and click on the competition banner for all the finer details. Deadline is Monday 19th of October, midday GMT! Also, the first 150 entries will get a free audiobook from the ethical audiobook company: Libro.fm For 20% off Scrivener, go to https://www.literatureandlatte.com and use the code failing
First things first. Our Big Flash Fiction Competition is Awaaaaaay! And a special big ole THANK YOU to Scrivener for sponsoring it! If you fancy 20% off their wonderful and frankly invaluable writing app, git yourself to https://www.literatureandlatte.com Pop in the code ‘failing’ and Bob’s yer nuncle!
Ya know what they say. When one door closes another door opens. And following the joyful culmination of our poetry competition comes.... OUR MASSIVE ANNUAL £500 FLASH FICTION COMPETITION - Sponsored by Scrivener! Scrivener? Yes, of course. The wonderful writing software Scrivener. Which you should quickly go and buy a copy of, before you do anything else, in order to make the writing of things easier, more intuitive and less brain-hurty. It's an invaluable writing tool trusted by top writers for 20 odd years! (And also us two… but, you know… don't let that put you off - it's not Scrivener's fault, is it?!) Well OK then. Sure, why not? We'll let you use our special secret code and get 20% off... Just go to: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/ and use the code: failing No problem. Now, where were we? Ah yes! Our big, annual, £500 flash fiction competition… Which we're renaming The AMAZING writers flash fiction competition, in honour of our frankly magnificent listeners. YOU. Yes! I'm talking about YOU! If you're up for getting involved, which of course you are, just go to https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com/flashentry And don't forget to listen to this episode for all the details including the special phrase you must include in your story!
It's time for us to reveal the winners in our rather spontanious poetry competition.