Writing Industries Network - Latest Comments

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Blugo43 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:21:31 -0000

One has to wonder if these contests operated by universities with MFA programs only award contestants enrolled in other MFA programs. Think about it, if the winner is not a MFA student or graduate can't the argument that the expensive advanced degree is not necessary to produce good work and therefore a waste of time and money be made?

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Stefania Ghita — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:50:50 -0000

Hi, you're right, but who put price on what you mean? In these times everything is sold without scruples.Stefania Ghita

Re: Calling all poets – do you know about SoundCloud?

Michael Van De Kerkhof — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:33:34 -0000

Haven't thought about using SoundCloud, have used YouTube for this though, perhaps both would be a good option. Please check it out http://www.youtube.com/watc... and let me know what you think! Thanks.

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Flopot — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:53:18 -0000

You have to be a "schmuck" to pay people to laugh at your writing. Rejection is always annoying but imagine paying people to reject you. Fee-based competitions are a shady business model and on a bad day I would label them as rackets or ponzi schemes.

Re: A Year of Speculation

body care — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 10:33:37 -0000

Good pointers, I'll have to consider few of these as they are realy new for me. Many thanks.

Re: Writing by your wits to survive

Christinalawsonz — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:01:02 -0000

So impressed with your writing job. I am an article writer in a freelancer site. Been writing for almost a year. I get paid for every article. And honestly the payment is not enough.

Re: From first slam, to slam winner

Nick — Tue, 17 May 2011 05:43:52 -0000

Picture credit please, Damien... ;-)

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Jydog1 — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:30:13 -0000

Writers of the Future, for one. I'd say $5000 USD is significant. I was just in a book that started as a contest and have received $345 USD so far as they keep buying various rights. Try Google, it's pretty handy.

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Tonygutteridge — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:40:58 -0000

Hi Damien

The members of Grace Dieu Writing Circle would be grateful of a list of those competitions with significant prizes that don't charge a fee. Do you have one?

Regards.

Tony

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

damiengwalter — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:32:22 -0000

That's not really true Tony. There are many contests with significant prizes that do not charge a fee. So the question is, what are you really gaining by entering that contest, even if you win it?

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Tonygutteridge — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:26:47 -0000

Hi Damien

I agree that in an ideal world funds would always flow in the direction of the writer. However, the world is far from ideal and financial realities impact on writing just as most other walks of life. Without an entry fee there is no prize money.

Regards.

Tony

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

damiengwalter — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 06:19:20 -0000

Hi Angelina,

I think Wills key point was regarding contests that charged a fee, as distinct from contests in general. There is certainly a difference between the two.

Damien

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Angelinaneal — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:05:56 -0000

@Will,

I disagree with you on the competitions, there are many writing comps around that are genuine. Some are mainstream and some are genre comps, only this week I have seen Science fiction, erotica and romance writing competitions. The organisers have been universities, councils and a writers group. In my opinion they usually care about writers and are trying to offer them another avenue for their work.

Also, there are not many outlets for short stories these days, so its good to have somewhere else to send your work and just maybe someone will like it enough to give you a prize.

I have been lucky enough to win a short story competition myself, as well as having been a runner up, and it gives you a real boost to your morale as a writer. I'm sorry you feel you would never, ever enter a competition.

Angelina

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Damien G Walter — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 07:10:58 -0000

@Roy - I think your point about supporting small press publishers is valid, but wouldn't it be better if all the people who entered the contest actually bought their publications instead? Maybe Will's criticism is not so much of the publishers, but of the writers for paying to enter contests, but not buying or reading publications?

@Tony Gutteridge - You make a strong case for local groups running contests. But my worry is this sets a bad precedent for people moving on to professional writing. I feel awful whenever I see cases where people have paid thousands of pounds to be published by vanity publishers, who really are scamming people in my view. A few pounds for a contest might be justifiable, but really writers should stick to the principle that money should always flow towards them, they should never pay to be published.

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Tony Gutteridge — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:09:31 -0000

Hi Will, as the organiser of Grace Dieu Writers' Circle (GDWC) annual competition, which is now in its 7th year, I read your article with much interest. Just as in all walks of life, I'm sure there are unscrupulous competition organisers just out to make money from the activity, but there are also organisations and groups that run competitions for good reasons too. GDWC has, since its inception, had a commitment to promoting creative writing which it does through a number of activities including running workshops, holding speaker evenings and through the annual competition. It is our belief that competitions encourage writing and and give budding writers something to aim for. To win a prize in a competition or even to be short listed give entrants a real buzz, knowing that their writing has been both read and appreciated, more than you can say for many slush piles. I know this from the reaction I get when I phone our competition winners, they are delighted.

GDWC has made a surplus from each of the competitions we have run, but we do not now hold our meetings in the Bahamas! Each year we have increased our prize money to pass on this surplus to our much valued entrants.

Entering a competition is not necessarily about being published (although we do publish the winners work on our website, which hopefully increases the writer's exposure), but a test of an individuals writing in a competitive environment. To be acknowledged through a competition, whether as a winner or as someone shortlisted, adds to a budding writer's CV and helps them get their work in front of potential publishers.

As you can see. I have strong views on this area too, but diametrically opposed to yours.

Regards.

Tony Gutteridge

Note: GDWC is a writing group based in North West Leicestershire - www.gracedieuwriterscircle....

Re: Are paid writing contests scams?

Roy — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:51:28 -0000

Hi Will. I entered a poetry competion. It cost three quid to enter. I won 150 pounds, plus the knowlege that an internationaly renowned poet liked my work. I also got a gig at a festival out of it.I entered a pamplet competion. I didn't win. My money went towards supporting a small press publisher who would otherwise not survive. I do not feel I have defrauded myself.

Re: From first slam, to slam winner

damiengwalter — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:31:45 -0000

Indeed. Well done!

Re: From first slam, to slam winner

kathz — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:30:10 -0000

Well done, Nathan

Re: Hitler concerned about Save Libraries campaign

Info — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:50:50 -0000

Thanks, Phil, for creating the parody. It is now half way round the world on all sorts of internet sites I imagine.

Re: Who will be the 1st East Midlands Slam Champion?

Andrew Walton — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:03:35 -0000

I went along to one of the workshopswith Rob Gee and it was very inspiring and creative. This is my first ever attempt at live poetry, but we were quickly put at ease and given lots of useful and practical tips - from the writing process, to the performance. Will try to get along to Word to flex my poetic muscles more.

Re: Hitler concerned about Save Libraries campaign

damiengwalter — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:09:45 -0000

Thanks for the great video. Hillarious! And disturbingly close to the truth.

Re: Hitler concerned about Save Libraries campaign

Phil Bradley — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:13:36 -0000

Thanks - really interesting post. Just to let you know, I created the Downfall parody. Pleased to see your positive comments regarding CILIP as well.

Re: Your library needs YOU! How social media is saving libraries

damiengwalter — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:25:50 -0000

I think it's common for many libraries to block access to social media. It is often to do with the local authority networks that their computers are linked to. It's important for library staff and users to challenge that kind if thing. I always do when I encounter it.

Re: Your library needs YOU! How social media is saving libraries

Ivan Walsh — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 05:23:36 -0000

Here in Ireland... most schools and libraries block access to the sites. It's due to a combination of factors, such as lack of education for staff and also the tools to monitor activities without upsetting privacy issues.

Ivan