The Right Time to Enter a Writing Contest

Have you considered entering a writing contest? Writing contests can have a huge impact on your writing journey: they can be a source of motivation, and provide experience, connections and a confidence boost.

But when is the right time in your writing journey to enter a contest? You want to make sure you are at a stage where you have the best chance of success and can best take advantage of the benefits of entering. There are some questions you should consider to help you decide if the right time is now.

Do You Feel Ready?

Do you feel ready to enter a writing contest? Some writers may start looking at writing contests but feel unprepared or overwhelmed. Ask yourself: do you have a piece of work that you have redrafted and edited ready to submit? Or do you have an idea you would like to start working on specifically for this competition?

Many people suffer from a lack of confidence. Contests are a great way to gain more experience but also to get your work and name out there. Start with a small competition that is free or inexpensive to enter and work your way up from there. Don’t forget to look out for competitions that cater to niche genres or subjects that you might enjoy writing about.

Are You Ready to be Rejected?

Rejection comes hand in hand with writing contests. No one can win every writing contest that they enter and many of these competitions will have thousands of entrants. You need to be able to accept the fact that you may not win and be sure that you will be able to bounce back from disappointment. It can be hard to get into this mindset at first because we are so close to our writing, but once you do, it becomes a lot easier to enter contests with a positive mindset.

Not many writing contests offer feedback on your writing. That's one stand-out difference with the Page Turner Awards. We offer editorial feedback from a professional editor, plus private feedback from our judging panel. This helps writers to hone and tone their writing and find out what industry experts think would improve their chapters and give them a better chance of success. 

How are You Approaching Writing Contests?

Some writers write because it is what they are good at or because it is a way to make money, but others write because it is their passion. Writing contests are a great way to fuel your passion and to grow as a writer. Those who write passionately are most likely to succeed because their enthusiasm and dedication will come through in their writing. Try not to let the pressure or expectations of a writing contest distract you from your love of writing; think of a contest as just another stage in your writing adventure.

We encourage you to start researching, thinking about and entering writing contests. Hearing what other writers have to say about their experiences might help you to decide when it is the right time to start entering. Many Page Turner Award winners have shared their inspirations and experiences for you to read online.

You never know where a contest might take you, what doors it might open or how it might inspire your writing. Contests shouldn’t be a frightening affair, they are a chance to exercise your skills and passion as a writer. We wish you the best of luck!