My local newspaper announced a writing competition, put on by a local writing group. It's for residents of St Clair and Talledega counties only (I live in St Clair, and neither one is a very populous Alabama county.)
It requires a $5 entrance fee, and first place pays $150, 2nd $75 and 3rd $40.
Two questions - would you pay to enter a local contest? And secondly, do you think a humor essay is an acceptable type entry in the narrative essay category?
I know the usual advice is not to pay to enter things, but this offers one feature I've never seen before - for a self-addressed stamped envelope you will receive judges comments on your entry. It's almost worth it to me to pay $5 to know WHY a story is rejected, if it is.
I was thinking of entering one of my humor pieces, but while it doesn't specify no humor, I don't know if it's normally well received in cases like this. All the entry rules say is "narrative non-fiction (personal essay or memoir)" There are also categories for short fiction and the 1st chapter of a novel.
Anyway, just wanted to ask advice, in case some of the writers here have experience with local contests.
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
I wouldn't pay any fees. But that's just me. It should be fairly obvious that the prize money is going to come from reading fees. I'm not saying that's not legitimate, I just personally don't like it.
But then again I'm something of a grump.
If I thought I had something good enough to win a contest, I'd just skip the contest and start submitting it to magazines.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
It's a newspaper, so a lot of my scam warnings are softened a little. It's only $5, you get something of value for that fee, and the $265 in prize money seems proportional to the fee.
I'd say it's worth it if you want the commentary. And humor is appropriate, I think, if it makes a point worthy of the essay.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Mmmm. . . I wouldn't worry so much about the entrance fee.
I'd worry more about submitting a work to a local market that could do as well or better on a broader level.
If you've got something laying around that has been rejected from all other markets, submit away.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
I haven't entered any local contests, but I have entered writing contests where I had to pay $5 or $10 to entered. $5 for a chance to win $150 wouldn't be a good deal if this was national, but a local contest isn't going to get as many entries so you have a better chance of winning.
If they say "narrative non-fiction" then a humor essay should be okay as long as its a humorous STORY, not just a collection of humorous observations or thoughts.
I'd say go for it. Worst that happens is you're out five bucks, best is you have a local prize win to put on your writing resume.
--Enigmatic
Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
There aren't that many paying markets for creative nonfiction. With that in mind, if I was in your shoes I would probably enter the contest. Five dollars is a little bit high of a reading fee for the prizes offered (compare Glimmertrain magazine, which has a $10 fee with a $1200 prize). However, since it is local there probably won't be as much competition.
You should also make sure that your essay is a "personal essay or memoir." As long as it fits that description, being humorous should be fine.
Also, I don't know if you're registered over at the writing forums, but there are some very good critiquers over there. There is a forum just for nonfiction projects. Be sure to have someone objective critique your essay before submitting.