Could it be that Paul Garside is absolutely right? This whole so-called competition idea seems to be nothing but exploiting people's genuine wish to write and trying to hook them into writers' workshops
Could it be that Paul Garside is absolutely right? This whole so-called competition idea seems to be nothing but exploiting people's genuine wish to write and trying to hook them into writers' workshops
I feel inclined to agree with Lindy. And to me the whole benefit of a competition is to encourage me to write, and write to a deadline. I don't really expect to win, I just like the experience of entering. :)
Anything is possible, but I don't believe it - it's part of Bloomsbury Publishing and the site is free, there is no obligation to join, enter a competition or buy anything - in fact they send people a free book and you don't even have to accept that. Yes you can buy tickets for workshops etc, but what company wouldn't advertise or promote their wares? Just clicking on Facebook bombards you with ads.
The comps have been running for years and hopefully will carry on, although W and A May have second thoughts after all this hullabaloo!
If websites like this were not around, what would people do to obtain feedback and dip a toe into the writing world? People would complain that it was a closed book industry (pardon the pun) where only those who knew people in it would get anywhere.
Mistakes happen, this was a big one, but it shouldn't take the shine off the authors who were short listed and placed.
I'm not being deliberately polemic, This is just my own humble opinion and I just think the criticism is a bit unwarranted and at the end of the day, if people can't deal with the fact their story didn't get short listed, how will they cope with any rejections they may receive if they submit their novel / other writing work?
Happy Saturday!!