I've had the privledge of scanning some of the entries to our So You Think You Can Write contest and I'm amazed, humbled and inspired by the ways people express themselves and by the passion poured onto each page. Keep them coming - the deadline is still a week away.
I see there are some comments and questions around eligibility for the contest. The restriction on writers "who have been published in book form" is a general guideline so that we have a somewhat level playing field. If you have published the odd article or a story years ago, you are probably still eligible. Send in an entry and tell us your publishing history on the cover sheet with your contact information. You've got nothing to lose but time and a bit of writing practice!
In another comment, Katrina Johnston brings up a really good point by questioning when a writer should stop paying to enter contests and expect publishers to pay for the work they publishers. How do we keep publishers from subsidizing their publications by holding contests and charging entry fees; basically getting content for free as well as cash in the door?
I think there are a couple of things each writer should take into consideration: what are you getting for your entrance fee and what are you trying to do with the writing? For a contest like Geist's postcard contest, the entrance fee gives you a chance at prizes that include publication and you automatically get a one-year subscription to the magazine just for entering the contest. When you look at the price of a year's subscription versus the entry fee for the contest, there is tangible value for your money. With a contest like the Three Day Novel, you would need to decide if the potential prize plus the support/sense of community and accomplishment are worth the entrance fee. This equation is more subjective and its value will be different for writers with different goals.
What you are trying to do with a piece of writing will influence your deicsion whether or not to enter in a contest as well. If you have laboured over a piece and burnished it and polished it to the point you think it is completely finished, you may feel it is worth more than the potential prize of a given contest. That is when you should be submitting the piece to relevant publishers for purchase. If you are looking for a deadline to meet and for a way to dip your toes into the writing/publishing world then the entry fee may feel like a good gamble. Pearl Luke, a novelist from Saltspring launched her career by entering Chapters/Robertson Davies contest for unpublished writers. (Note: Her website is a plethora of writing-related ideas, lessons, listings, advice and encouragement.)
No matter what the reasons for entering a contest be clear on what you are trying to acheive and whether the gamble is worth it. As Katrina also pointed out, there are exploitive publishers out there. Do some homework on any contest you are thinking of entering. If you can't find copies of the publication easily, don't send them money or your work. Make sure the prize is worth your effort and money. I wouldn't spend $25 to enter a contest where first prize is $50.
There is one more very local writing contest I'd like to tell you about. Phyllis Smallman, a mystery writer from Salt Spring Island, was good enough to let us know about West Coast Bloody Words, a conference for writers and readers of mysteries taking place here in Victoria in June 2011. Their short story contest is open to conference attendees and the entrants vie for the Boney Pete award in addition to cash prizes. (The Ghost of Honour at the conference is none other than Amour De Cosmos, founder of the Times Colonist.)
