Contests for self-published authors?

[John]

Ok, I'm a new author, self-published. I would like to have my work considered for awards. Okeydoke, that seems understandable. Now, how would I do that?
Has anyone had good experiences with contests that will judge self published books? NOTE: not interested in mills that charge large entry fees.

Any legitimate contests out there? I can do a google search, but I'm interested in anyone's actual experience.

thanks in advance

[Alex]

Hi John,

I've done quite a bit of contest 'research' and a fair amount of entering of contests. In a nutshell, writing contests generally break down into two categories: 1. Published books (usually no 'self pubbed' accepted); 2. For 'emerging authors' whose entry novel has never been published (but ok if it's been self-pubbed for most contests).

Once you get past that basic divider, then you will find that there is a very slim pool of contests to enter, and most are based on genre. As far as I can tell, if you write romance/romantic suspense, you've got a whole slew of contests to enter, thanks to the RWA main contest (Goldenheart) and its branch affiliates individual chapter contests.

There is a minimal number of contests outside of RWA and if you google 'writing contests' and surf your way through the results you will find some. You might want to make yourself a spreadsheet for the ones that fit with your work, because they are done annually and all have entry deadlines that you'll want to keep on your calendar.

[John]

thanks, Alex. My first book is a short story anthology so it rarely fits into any of the contests I'm finding so far. Further, I find most have hefty entrance fees (from 50 to 250 dollars) which ain't happening.
My guess is that there are no or hard to find contest with small fees.

[Richard]

My experience, too, is that the $20 reading fees/donations/subscriptions can really pile up each month. Before you submit, find out who the judges are and if they write or if they represent writers, find out which genres are their favorites or their strong points. If not yours, pass on it.