A couple of weeks ago, I was searching for writers I'd met at the Willamette Writers Conference on Facebook. One fellow's name didn't come up, but Facebook provides "alternative possible spellings" of names. There, first, was the name of a fellow blogger who often commented on a blog I follow.
I know everybody.
At that same conference, most of the agents discussed the now invaluable tool of writers establishing their own platforms. Gone are the days when publishers promoted a new author or even an established midlist one. For more info on this subject and how to self-promote, I'd suggest J.A. Konrath's excellent blog A Newbie's Guide to publishing which ranges far and wide on the world of publishing as it exists today.
Since I'm now in process of finding an agent, I've been working hard on platform. But I also want to work different as well. In that vein, I'm mentioning (and listing to the left) different blogs and webpages that have contests or markets or agent and publishing news. My first listing is for a contest. The deadline has passed for this contest, BUT the agent will do more.
What do you think, dear readers? Useful? Something else might be more useful? Or something additional? After all, I know everyone.
An added PS: after your first few comments, I've decided to have a Sunday post with useful blogs, contests, etc. Thanks and keep those great comments coming.
A place about writing, editing and marketing for all creative people.Here's where there's recipes for success from a well published author, film editor and e-talent scout for Barbarian Books.
20 comments:
Yesterday I saw a long-time, but not seen for an equally long time, writing friend, who now has an agent who is marketing her two novels.
Publishers give good feedback but want to hear that the books have won contests or awards. Before they're published? Eeek!
So I say bring on the contest listings. We have to approach this from all sorts of angles.
There are sites where this information is already available where that is what they specialise in. Perhaps better to locate and highlight these rather than expend a lot of time building your own list. Just try typing ‘poetry competitions’ into Google to see what I mean. The same goes for places to send your stuff. Sites like New-Pages and Duotrope already do a sterling job and who really spends time looking at the columns to the left and right of a blog anyway? We have blinkers on. We jump straight to content.
What you could do, if you discover something juicy, is do a wee post, a couple of lines, pointing us in that direction.
Post the contests! I love entering contests.
Conda:
I have never entered a contest. Just afraid of putting my work out there too early, I suppose, or afraid I'll lose some unknown right to and I won't be able to recover it. But, by all means, post the list. In general, I think it's a good idea to have contests. Of course, you have to wait until the next decade to find out anything about your entry. But whatever.
Happy trails.
Oh my, scary, Kathy. From what all I'm hearing, I sometimes think the book has to be a bestseller before it even goes to a publisher! I keep reminding myself that's not true.
I love when that happens. It makes me feel like I belong here.
Jim, you are so right, that's actually what I was thinking and did not express well. Duotrope rules for short story markets, for example. I'm thinking I'll post a couple of the great ones I've found on Sundays, for a quick tidbit.
Aubrie, me too! I've gotten all sorts of excellent feedback, etc. from contests--sometimes even money!
Genial brief and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you for your information.
Swu--yeah, the wait can be forever, although some contests post when they'll announce--and good point about being careful to know what rights you may lose.
You're welcome anon.
Liosis--yes, this convergence of all things Internet makes me feel like I belong to a community, too.
I think a once-a-week post for blogs/contests/agents-looking-for-whatever is a great idea.
Sounds good to me, Conda, to offer these resources on your blog. You can have your readers contribute to this, too, so they will be more involved in it while providing you with new info.
I have often thought about pursuing an agent for my past writings, but making art has me going in a different direction, for now.
Yet the idea of re-visiting my novels and stories, gnaws at me....
Thanks, Carol, I've noticed how useful this info is on other blogs, so I'm giving it a try.
Sounds like a good idea, Conda. People will learn to come here and check for contests or other sites.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Lynda--you're wise to pursue the one creative endeavor at a time. My mom always said, "Jack of all trades, master of none and there's only so many hours in a day."
The problem with contest is it takes time and like the one I entered in the US, they didn't even send me any comment or acknowledgement for over 1 year. Just money cheerfully accepted. Very frustrating.
Really Angelic
Thanks Helen, and this from a gal who has a wonderfully context rich blog.
Enid, no kidding, it can be frustrating--and I'm not going to post any contests that you have to pay an entry fee for that very reason.
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