Contests

I consider myself a very fortunate person, blessed in many ways. Not only do I get to do what I love, which is write (not full-time yet, but there’s always hope), but I get to read….and not just books that are already published, but books that aren’t yet (but hope to be).

Each year, my local RWA chapter hosts a writing contest. For a nominal fee, aspiring writers as well as multi-published writers can submit the first twenty-five pages and synopsis of their novels for a chance to win the grand prize…which is (drum roll, please) having their entire manuscript reviewed by two professional editors! I’ve been participating in this contest, as both an entrant and a judge, since I joined the chapter…and I love it! One year, I was fortunate enough to final in the historical category and have my novel requested by an editor (you don’t know what joy that was for me!). That book is now published.

I’ve read some fantastic entries, stories that have finaled or placed and been requested by agents and editors and those books are now available for the world to see. It’s a fantastic opportunity…for everyone; beginners as well as more established writers, and judges too. I learn a lot by judging this contest. And I learned a lot by entering it. The feedback from the judges was nothing short of fantastic and so very helpful!

So do you see why I consider myself fortunate?

As always, happy reading!

Marie