Search results
- Most writing contests are legit. But some contests you can be pretty sure are scams from the get-go. Look out for excessive fees, rights grabs, and puny prizes.
annerallen.com/2022/02/publishing-scammers-how-to-stay-safe-2/
People also ask
Are writing contests legit?
Are literary contests a scam?
Are short form contests a scam?
Is a poetry contest a scam?
How do I choose the best writing contests?
Where can I check if a writer has a contest?
May 5, 2019 · Contests are especially good for short form writing: short stories, creative essays, and poems. Short form contests do have their share of scammers, like the venerable poetry anthology scam, but a good percentage of short form contests are likely to be legit.
There are hundreds of writing contests. Most are real; some are prestigious. But some are fake. While fake contests don’t make up a huge proportion of the total, there are enough of them to warrant caution. And even if a contest is legitimate, winning may not do anything to build your writing resume.
- Are the sponsors on the up-and-up? Look for contests sponsored by nonprofit literary groups, established publications, reputable publishing houses, colleges, and universities.
- Have you read the rules carefully? Make sure the contest rules state the following: deadlines, eligibility, format, fees, prizes, circumstances in which prizes will or won't be awarded, judging, and what rights, if any, you're granting.
- Is the entry fee reasonable? Most contests charge fees, usually ranging from $5 to $25. For one thing, it's time-consuming to administer a contest, but sponsors may also want to make a profit.
- Who's doing the judging? Judges should be published writers, past contest winners, editors at publishing houses, or representatives from known literary organizations.
Dec 17, 2023 · Some are outright scams or ripoffs. A few examples, drawn from Writer Beware’s files: A prestigious organization contacts you to let you know you’ve been nominated for an award. All you need to do is become member of the organization…for $99. But wait!
Jun 8, 2024 · Some people think that any writing contest that requires an entry fee is a scam, and that the only prizes or awards worth winning are the ones that are bestowed without any effort (aside from ...
More Scam-Fighting Resources. Warning signs of a bad literary contest. Sites that warn against scams. We suggest you avoid the following contests and organizations. Many appear to be disguised vanity publishers, whose goal is to sell you expensive personalized products and attract you to conferences.
Feb 20, 2022 · Most writing contests are legit. But some contests you can be pretty sure are scams from the get-go. Look out for excessive fees, rights grabs, and puny prizes.
