Announcing a New Writing Contest (Over $400 in Prizes)

by Joe Bunting | 74 comments

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.

The Write Practice 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!

Ready to enter? Click here to sign up for The Write Practice Writing Contest. I hope I see you and your story in the contest! Good luck!

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris, a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

74 Comments

  1. Mitch Hamilton

    I am very excited about this. Let’s get writing!

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Let’s do it Mitch!

    • Mitch Hamilton

      I’m feeling pretty happy with how things are going so far 🙂

  2. Kenneth M. Harris

    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

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Great, Ken. It will be fun to see your writing in the contest.

  3. Miyo

    Wow, this is scary. I might even join that!

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      You should, Miyo.

  4. Tal

    Who’s allowed to participate?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Everyone, Tal! Hope to see you in the contest. 🙂

  5. Jodie

    Thinking about a opening sentence. So far not much.
    How about helping me and others ? Post yours in the reply section

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Fun idea Jodie!

    • Tom Farr

      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.”

  6. Jodie

    Every one!

    Reply
  7. Collis Harris

    This is scary but I just joined!

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Good for you, Collis. It’s good to be a little scared, but you’ll do great!

    • Tal

      I’m sorry I comment here but I really want to know… who’s alowed to enter the contest? thanks 🙂

    • Joe Bunting

      YOU are Tal. 🙂

    • Collis Harris

      Thank you Joe; I’m looking forward to doing well!

    • Mitch Hamilton

      I’m excited for you too Collis, good luck 🙂

    • Collis Harris

      Ah, thank you Mitch!

  8. ADominatrixInDublin

    Must we be local? I live in Europe, but would be interested.

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      All writers from all locations are welcome!

  9. Stephanie

    Are amateur writers welcome to participate?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Absolutely Stephanie.

  10. Tal

    Must be in English? 🙂

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      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?

    • Tal

      English isn’t my שפת אם but I’ll manage 🙂

    • Joe Bunting

      Sounds great, Tal!

    • Tal

      English isn’t my native language but I’ll manage 🙂

    • Tal

      Thanks! 🙂

  11. Miriam N

    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?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      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.

    • Joe Bunting

      Of course, Randy. Thank you for reading and (hopefully) for entering. Excited to see your story.

  12. Gary G Little

    I assume that current members simply make a submittal to the contest forum?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Hey Gary. Becoming Writer members have full access to this contest! You can check out the guidelines in the community forum. Thank you!

  13. Christine Cassello

    How can the entry end May 15? That is what the guidelines say?

    Reply
    • Joan

      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.”

    • Joe Bunting

      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.

  14. Christine Cassello

    Do you accept children’s stories?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      All stories that follow the contest theme are welcome, Christine. 🙂

  15. Tom Farr

    This sounds pretty awesome.

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      You would be most welcome, Tom!

  16. Joan

    Wow, thanks for sharing. This sounds like an awesome idea.

    Reply
  17. Ria Angharad Nichols

    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.

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      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.

    • Ria Angharad Nichols

      Thanks, Joe. I just wanted to be certain. I’ll get registered asap

    • Mitch Hamilton

      You sure do! I’m from Australia, and I’ve found it very easy so far 🙂

  18. Amelia

    How old do you have to be to enter?

    Reply
  19. William E Daye

    So could this possibly be a father-son dynamic? Argument or something?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      As long as it involves a first meeting (birth?).

    • William E Daye

      Maybe the first meeting between coach and player during the first practice or just after the preseason?

  20. William E Daye

    Could you do a sports thriller?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Sure, why not?

  21. bob ADAUTO

    Hello, does the contest cost anything to enter?

    Reply
  22. Bobby

    I am an amateur. Is paranormal mystery accepted?

    Reply
  23. Kimberly

    Do both the characters have to be people? Can one be an object or a place with human-like qualities?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      It’s up to you and what you think would make the best story, Kimberley.

  24. Bruna Sayuri

    I have a question
    I can’t participate if I don’t speak english?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Yes, unfortunately this is an English language contest. If you can get someone to translate your story, you’re welcome to submit.

  25. Kenneth M. Harris

    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

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      Cannot be over, Ken. Thanks!

  26. Kayla

    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?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      In this contest, all genres are welcome. There won’t be a penalty. Write in whatever genre you like!

  27. Joe Bunting

    Profanity is fine. No erotica, though.

    Reply
  28. Stephanie

    I just signed up late afternoon yesterday. What if my story is not finished for workshop?

    Reply
    • Joe Bunting

      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!

  29. Stephanie

    If the story is not submitted for workshop, can it still be submitted for the contest?

    Reply
  30. Jennifer

    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.

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      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!

  31. Yoanna Novakova

    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 🙂

    Reply

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