Top 12 Reasons to Enter Writing Contests

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Much has been written aboutentering writing competitions, so I've decided to add to the topic only with alist of reasons why it might be a good idea for you. There's no priority in thelist, for me; the headings are simply as they occurred when I sat down to dothis piece. But, for you, there almost certainly will be reasons that are moreimportant than others. Have a read and see what you think.
1.     Kudos:
Some contests are so well-respected by readers and the industry that becoming aprize-winner can truly alter the way you're perceived as a writer. Win theBridport, the BBC International Short Story, the Aeon Award, for example andyou'll gain a great deal of respect from readers and fellow writers.2.     Cash:
In these hard economic times, a bit of extra income is surely worthconsidering, isn't it? I won't enter a contest that asks for payment unless thetop prize is at least 20 times the value of the entry fee, as I don't considerit a worthwhile investment. But, win one of those contests and your income willdefinitely increase. For example, on 3 occasions I've won prizes in theWriters' Forum magazine short story contest, for which I paid entry fees of £6,and won 2 second prizes of £150 and a first of £300; pretty good returns, Ithink you'll agree. And, for those with even less to spend, there are plenty ofcontests that are free to enter - visit the Writing Contests tab above to finddetails and links.3.     Reputation:
Gaining a good reputation amongst readers is paramount to success in thewriting world. If you can claim to be a prize winner in any writing contest, itbrings such a reputation closer.4.     Exposure:
We all need to make ourselves known to both readers and the industryprofessionals. The way in which prize-winners of contests are publicisedensures them a wide audience and drives more people to their work.5.     Discipline:
Some writers appear to need motivation to encourage them to actually write,rather than just talk about writing. I've never needed such motivation andactually believe that if you do need it then you shouldn't be writing: dosomething you actually want to do instead. However, for those who do need somespecific aim for their writing, entering contests, with their deadlines, is a goodway to increase personal discipline and actually get on with the writing.6.     Experience:
Entering contests is a great way to gain more experience of the actual writingprocess. You have to produce your best possible work if you're to stand achance in a contest and this is an excellent way of honing your skills anddeveloping your story-telling faculties.7.     Verification:
Writing is an isolated act and it's often difficult to know how you're doing.You can, of course, join a writing group (I recommend you to do this, ifthere's a good, supporting group available), or become involved with a peergroup online. But entering contests, especially where the offer of a critiqueis included, will give you feedback. And, of course, should you win a prize,you have concrete evidence of your writing abilities. But, a word of warning:failing to win a prize doesn't necessarily mean you're writing is no good. Itmight simply be that the judge wasn't in tune with your story on the day heread it.8.     Broaden horizons:
It's very easy for a writer to stick to what he knows, to write only for thosegenres he's comfortable with. Entering themed contests is a way of breaking outof this self-imposed straightjacket and may even show you that you do well inother areas. Certainly worth a try. Who knows? You might become a best-sellingauthor or a world-renowned poet as a result!9.     Bragging rights:
No matter how shy or modest we are, we all harbour a wish to tell the world howgreat we are. What better way than to shout out to the world that you're thewinner of XXXX contest? Have a go and tell the world how good you are.10. Success:
Success, they say, breeds success. Get your entry out there and win a prize.Who knows what may result from that single success? It might just be the startyou need or, if you're already established, it may be the success that liftsyou from mid-range to best-seller.11. Attraction:
We all, well most of us, if we're honest, would love to attract the attentionof an agent or publisher (I'm not going into the self-publishing v traditionalpublishing discussion here - another time, perhaps). Imagine it: you're sittingat your desk, in your bed, at the kitchen table and there's a phone call or aletter from an agent asking if she can represent you. Wow! That's a feeling weall want to experience. I know; I won a prize in a playwriting contest andgained an agent as a result (I'm no longer with him, but that's another story).12. Excitement:
The buzz we all get from being acknowledge for our skill, that elation we all experiencefrom recognition, the simple excitement of opening that letter and having thecheque fall out. It's not just the money, is it? It's the fact that someone outthere, someone with judgement and taste, has decided that your story, poem,play, essay or whatever is something that stands out from the crowd. Your workhas risen above the rest and been selected as outstanding. That's something tobe excited about, isn't it?

So, you've reached the end. Have you been inspired?Are you going to enter a contest? I'll repeat what I said at item 2: if youwant to get on with it now, you could do worse than visit the page tab entitled'Writing Contests' above. Basic details and a link to the relevant website shouldprovide you with all you need to get started. Good luck, and let me know ofyour successes.And, as always, let me have your views by commentingon the post.
A silly question for you toponder: Why do toastersalways have a setting that burns toast beyond the stage where any decent humanbeing would eat it?