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This Way Be Dragons: How to Evaluate a Publishing Contest

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Contests can be a great way for authors to get professional critiques, or get published, but contests also offer scammers and vanity presses a chance to take advantage of unwary writers.

So … beware!

Before you enter a writing-related contest, consider the following:

Always read the fine print.

In this case, that means the contest terms – no matter how long (and boring) they are. In most cases, entering a contest means you agree to the terms as written – whether you actually read them or not – and those terms are a legally binding contract. Read the terms, and do not enter if you see anything that you consider unacceptable or inappropriate.

Beware of copyright grabs.

Unscrupulous contests try to take ownership of entrants’ copyrights via copyright grabs (or “assignments of rights”) in the entry terms. Don’t enter contests that require you to assign your copyright to the contest sponsors (even for a limited term). The copyright should always remain yours and yours alone.

“Winning” should not cost you money.

Some contests require “winners” to purchase something—most commonly, copies of an anthology or the winner’s published book. Generally, this is a sign of a scam, or at least a contest designed to take advantage of author-entrants. Winning should never, ever cost you money.

If the prize is a contract, ask to see it . . .

…Or at least make sure that the terms are reasonably negotiable. Don’t agree to contracts sight-unseen, in a contest or otherwise.

Consider entry fees carefully.

Contests should not be money-making endeavors for the organizers, though sponsors do have a right to cover costs. Slightly higher fees are reasonable when the contest includes a personalized critique, a copy of an anthology composed of winning entries, or something of similar value. Consider whether or not you feel the contest is worth the price of entry.

Evaluate the contest sponsor.

While not an absolute indicator of contest quality, the sponsor’s identity is an important factor. Contests sponsored by reputable publishing houses or professional writing organizations are often (but not always) more reliable than those by sponsors without significant publishing experience.

Look out for “perpetual online publishing.”

Sometimes, the contest rules allow the sponsor to publish the winners’ works (and sometimes, all of the entries) online, either temporarily or on a permanent basis. Once a work is published online, its marketability drops significantly—sometimes completely—especially if the work can remain on the sponsor’s website forever.

(Note: most contests do involve publication of work in one way or another – review the contest terms carefully, and use good judgment about the rights you license and the way you grant them.)

When in doubt, get a second opinion.

If you don’t understand a contest’s terms, or if anything about the entry process seems unusual, get a second opinion from a lawyer, a literary agent, or an experienced publishing professional before you enter. After you submit your entry, it may be too late to change the consent you’ve given.

Investigating contests before you enter can help avoid a host of problems and regrets. Although it’s always exciting to win—or even to have a chance at winning—something in the publishing world, it’s better to lose a reputable contest, or to walk away without entering, than to “win” at the cost of your wallet or your rights.

Have lessons to share from your own adventures–and misadventures–in publishing contests? The floor is yours.

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About Susan Spann

Susan Spann writes the Hiro Hattori Novels (Shinobi Mysteries) featuring ninja detective Hiro Hattori and his Portuguese Jesuit sidekick, Father Mateo, who solve mysteries set in medieval Japan. Her first novel, Claws of the Cat: A Shinobi Mystery (Minotaur, 2013) was a Library Journal mystery debut of the month and a finalist for the Silver Falchion Award for Best First Novel. Her fourth Hiro Hattori novel, The Ninja’s Daughter, releases August 2, 2016 from Seventh Street Books. Susan is the 2015 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year, and also a transactional attorney whose practice focuses on business and publishing law. She founded and curates the Twitter hashtag #PubLaw (for Writers), where she answers questions and provides information about publishing business and legal issues. When not writing or representing clients, Susan enjoys traditional archery, reading fiction and nonfiction, and raising seahorses and rare corals in her marine aquarium. She lives outside Sacramento, California, but you can find her online at http://www.SusanSpann.com, on Twitter (@SusanSpann), or on Facebook/SusanSpannBooks.

Comments

  1. Thanks for the useful summary; wish I’d had it a year ago!

    I would add to check carefully to see if you can decline the prize if you win – or you’ve already signed that right away.

    And to make sure they can’t alter your work without your permission. Even if you lose a prize you’ve ‘won’ because you find something out after entering, and decide not to allow them to make changes, it is better than having something go out with your name on it which some ‘editor’ has bowdlerized.

    • It’s very true that authors need to read the contest terms carefully, to ensure things like unauthorized changes or edits are also not allowed. Good call!

    • Writer Beware is a great resource. I’d forgotten they had that contest warning post live also (though I read it when it originally posted, several years ago). There are far too many scams in publishing, contest and otherwise, and as you mentioned it’s so, so important for writers to be watching out for themselves and their rights.

  5. I recently entered a Writer’s Digest competition. Did I just waste my time, story, and entry fee?

    • Writer’s Digest tends to be a reliable sponsor, though as an attorney I must say that I can’t answer this question without seeing the actual terms of the contest you entered. Only evaluation of the actual contest terms and conditions will tell you whether or not you should enter.

      I recommend that you go back and review the terms of entry, so you know your legal rights and where you stand. I also recommend you not panic before you read the contest terms, as Writer’s Digest is a respected industry publication. You’re probably fine (but, again, I can’t give a legal or other opinion because I haven’t seen the contest terms).

  7. Thank you for these helpful tips, Susan. I’ve shared this post with my social network.

    I’d add: If the only benefit in winning is increased visibility ensure that the publisher has a larger social network than you do.

  9. I have also entered Writer’s Digest contests, but the pay pal went to Written Word – I am going to check it out on the Writer Beware. Thank you for this very valuable piece.

  10. Thanks for the great advice. I have entered a few poetry contests and was pleased when I came third in one, 4th in another with my being third in my latest contest. As far as I know I have had no promblems with the two sites I used.

  11. The unanswered question is whether contests are worth the time and money to enter even if they are legitimate. After all, sending a query or manuscript to an agent or publisher is a contest in itself. You’re competing with all the other books they’re considering.

 

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