How to Submit to Contests: Behind-the-Scenes at the American Literary Review

By Anna Chotlos

Submitting to contests can be a fantastic way to get your writing out in the world. Beyond the prize and the confidence boost that comes with winning or being named a finalist, meeting a deadline can provide an extra jolt of motivation to finish a piece or shore up your determination to keep revising. Plus, many publications also consider contest submissions for publication in their regular issues.

How do you know if a contest is a good fit for your work? How do you appr...