Today, I'm thrilled to announce The Write Practice Writing Contest, our first official writing contest in over two years.
But first let me tell you that this is not your average writing contest.
A New Kind of Writing Contest
Click here to see all the details of The Write Practice Writing Contest »
Like many writers, I've submitted to my share of writing contests. The competition was fierce, and while I managed to have a few successes, honestly I came away disappointed, with little to show for my effort and no idea why some stories were awarded and others weren't.
So when we decided to launch this writing contest, we decided we wanted to do something different.
We wanted to create a writing contest in which every writer gets feedback on their short stories.
A writing contest in which every writer has a chance to get exposure.
A writing contest in which every writer gets published.
In other words, we wanted to host the kind of writing contest we would like to participate in.
A Writing Contest in Which Everyone Gets Published
That’s why we decided to host a writing contest that was different in three important ways:
- A writing contest in which everyone who enters gets published
- A writing contest in which every writer who enters gets personalized feedback
- A writing contest in which every writer can get premium instruction to help them write the best story they’re capable of
See the full rules and guidelines here »
How to Enter the Writing Contest
To enter The Write Practice Writing Contest, we ask to write a new story up to 1,500 words long based on the contest theme, First Meetings, that spark between two characters whose relationship will mean something bigger than themselves, for better or worse.
After you finish your story, you will get a chance to workshop it within the Becoming Writer community, getting personalized feedback to help you make your story better.
After making your story as good as it can be based on the feedback you received, you can you submit your story to our contest judges.
Our esteemed judges will then choose two runners-up, who will each win a new Kindle, and one grand prize winning story, who will win $250 and featured publication here on The Write Practice.
But the twist is that ALL the writers who submit a story to the contest, not just the winning story, will be published if they choose. This is your chance to show off your best work and get the exposure you deserve.
I hope you'll join us!
I am very excited about this. Let’s get writing!
Let’s do it Mitch!
I’m feeling pretty happy with how things are going so far 🙂
I’m excited, excited and, to be honest, I’m scared as well. But, I do believe that all of this is a good sign whatever happens. Mainly, because I have already learned some brand new lessons about writing and how to approach fiction writing. Thanks and will enter! KEn
Great, Ken. It will be fun to see your writing in the contest.
Wow, this is scary. I might even join that!
You should, Miyo.
Who’s allowed to participate?
Everyone, Tal! Hope to see you in the contest. 🙂
Thinking about a opening sentence. So far not much.
How about helping me and others ? Post yours in the reply section
Fun idea Jodie!
Great idea!
Opening sentence: “I rub my eyes to take another look because I’ve never seen this woman before in my life and yet I have.”
Every one!
This is scary but I just joined!
Good for you, Collis. It’s good to be a little scared, but you’ll do great!
I’m sorry I comment here but I really want to know… who’s alowed to enter the contest? thanks 🙂
YOU are Tal. 🙂
Thank you Joe; I’m looking forward to doing well!
I’m excited for you too Collis, good luck 🙂
Ah, thank you Mitch!
Must we be local? I live in Europe, but would be interested.
All writers from all locations are welcome!
Are amateur writers welcome to participate?
Absolutely Stephanie.
Must be in English? 🙂
Good question. Yes, since the judges speak and write in English, we do require pieces to be submitted in English. Sorry Tal, but maybe you can find a translator?
English isn’t my שפת אם but I’ll manage 🙂
Sounds great, Tal!
English isn’t my native language but I’ll manage 🙂
I saw your post get closed for being in the wrong place – maybe try here —
https://disqus.com/home/channel/bookclub/
Thanks! 🙂
OK shaking in my boots but just entered. I do have a question. Do we submit a weekly submission since we’ll be with becoming writer?
Yeah Miriam! It would be so great to have you. And yes, since you’re getting 6 weeks in Becoming Writer, you’re more than welcome to participate in the Becoming Writer Challenge during this time (1 finished writing piece per week, turned in by Friday). It’s not a requirement, but we’d love to have you.
Thanks for sharing! I’ve never entered a writing contest before. http://www.rebeccakrusee.com
Of course, Randy. Thank you for reading and (hopefully) for entering. Excited to see your story.
I assume that current members simply make a submittal to the contest forum?
Hey Gary. Becoming Writer members have full access to this contest! You can check out the guidelines in the community forum. Thank you!
How can the entry end May 15? That is what the guidelines say?
I saw this too, Christine. I think they might have forgotten to change the date at the bottom of the page. The real dates are:
“Enrollment deadline: To participate, you must sign up by Monday, August 10. Your story will be due for workshopping on Thursday, August 20. Your final submission is due Monday, August 31.”
Thank you for pointing that out, Christine. It’s been fixed. The correct end date for enrollment, as @disqus_X6bDaNOpsq:disqus said, is Monday August 10.
Do you accept children’s stories?
All stories that follow the contest theme are welcome, Christine. 🙂
This sounds pretty awesome.
You would be most welcome, Tom!
Wow, thanks for sharing. This sounds like an awesome idea.
This might seem like a daft question, but I just wanted to make sure before signing up. As all of the fees etc are in dollars, I wanted to double check that the competition was open to writers from outside the U.S. I’m from the U.K. and didn’t want to enter, only to find out that I can’t haha.
Good question Ria. Yes, writers from outside the US are very welcome. The entry fee is in dollars because we’re in the US, but we already have several writers from many different countries.
Thanks, Joe. I just wanted to be certain. I’ll get registered asap
You sure do! I’m from Australia, and I’ve found it very easy so far 🙂
How old do you have to be to enter?
So could this possibly be a father-son dynamic? Argument or something?
As long as it involves a first meeting (birth?).
Maybe the first meeting between coach and player during the first practice or just after the preseason?
Could you do a sports thriller?
Sure, why not?
Hello, does the contest cost anything to enter?
It does, Bob. The entry fee is $20, but it includes books and bonuses worth $37. You can see all the details here: https://thewritepractice.com/members/writing-contest
I am an amateur. Is paranormal mystery accepted?
Yep!
Do both the characters have to be people? Can one be an object or a place with human-like qualities?
It’s up to you and what you think would make the best story, Kimberley.
I have a question
I can’t participate if I don’t speak english?
Yes, unfortunately this is an English language contest. If you can get someone to translate your story, you’re welcome to submit.
Joe, I have a question regarding the short story. I understand that the rule of plot for all of us would be to create a new story with the plot first meetings, the number of words allowed is only 1,500? This cannot be over that or under? Please let me know. Thanks, KEN
Cannot be over, Ken. Thanks!
It’s mentioned that the judges will choose a winning story and runners up from the genres, fantasy, science-fiction, thriller, horror, and romance. Does this mean that if your story is in a different genre it’s less likely to be chosen?
In this contest, all genres are welcome. There won’t be a penalty. Write in whatever genre you like!
Profanity is fine. No erotica, though.
I just signed up late afternoon yesterday. What if my story is not finished for workshop?
Exciting Stephanie! Welcome to the contest. You still have 9 days before the story is due to the workshop, so my suggestion is get writing!
If the story is not submitted for workshop, can it still be submitted for the contest?
Hi there. I joined the contest on August 10, but due to an illness, was unable to post my story until today (which I understand is the deadline). But I can’t sort out how to submit my story anywhere for the workshop process – can you please provide some guidance for me? Thank-you.
OK, I managed to find my way back through an old email – I must say, though, it’s not very obvious, how to get to the page, it would be nice to have a link here on this page; maybe there is one and I just don’t see it?
Anyhow, now that I’ve uploaded my story, it’s showing in about 8 different fonts, even though I saved it in one font before importing it. And when I go into the “Edit” function, there seems to be a function to do everything – except change the font. So apologies for my 8-fonted story – I don’t know why my story is uploading in so many fonts, or how to change it into a single readable one!
Hi Joe, I was wondering when and how are the results going to be published? Do we get an email or should we just keep checking Becoming Writer?
Thanks 🙂