Pros and Cons of Entering Writing Contests

Writers are often urged to enter contests. Somebody has to win so why not you? Take a chance along with a thousand or more other writers. What are the odds you'll win? Should you try? Or not? 

There are things to consider when you enter your work in a writing contest. Here are just a few:

• If  I enter my story in the contest that will not announce winners for 6 months, then I cannot submit it for publication. Do I want to tie up my work for that long?
• How do I know the type of writers that enter this contest? Can I actuall compete with them?
• Is there a fee to enter?
• How much is the fee? Is it exorbitant? 
• If I enter 5 contests and pay an entry fee for each but win nothing, where am I? 
• Do I know if the contest is legit?
• Have I checked for validity of the group behind the contest?
• Does the contest pay winners? Or just publish the winning entries?
• If they only publish, not pay, winners, why am I paying a fee to enter?
• How high a fee should I  be willing to pay? 
• How many contests per year should I enter? The free ones? The ones with entry fees?
• Should I enter smaller contests first and progress to the bigger ones? 
• Should I skip the small potatoes contests and aim for the big one with the big prizes? 

/There are also good reasons to enter your work in a contest. Consider these:

• If I place, it's a good thing to be able to tell an editor later when I submit the same story for publication
• It's good practice for submitting to editors later
• You might actually win first, second, third or an Honorable Mention
•  Enter the no fee contests and you have lost nothing, but they usually have lower amounts for prizes. 
• You can't win if you don't enter
• Winning a writing contest looks mighty nice in your bio
• It's fun to take a chance and see how your work stands up to others (We sometimes forget that writing should have some fun in it)

As for no-fee or fee to enter, that is something each person needs to determine. I have entered both types of contests, have placed in some, and got nothing in many. If you do enter your work in a contest, be sure to read the guidelines and know for sure that your piece fits. Best of luck to all who give it a whirl.