Competition Monthly: May 2021

23 May 2021

Looking at more competition rules and why it’s important to follow them

To reiterate what I wrote last month, it’s amazing how often competition rules are ignored. Is it because people don’t bother to read them properly or they think it doesn’t matter? Either way, a competition entry will fall at the first hurdle if the rules haven’t been followed. (Last month’s post, the first part on rules, can be found here.)

One rule that’s found on 99% of competitions is the word count. If the competition stipulates a minimum and/or maximum (more often the latter), then make sure your entry complies. A few contests will give a 10% leeway, but if it’s not mentioned, don’t do it. Be careful, particularly with flash fiction, to check whether the word count includes the title. It usually doesn’t, but very occasionally it does (as with the To Hull and Back competition below).

The most common format requested is Word document, either .doc or .docx. Other common ones are Rich Text Format (.rtf) and PDF. This will sometimes depend on whether you send it as an email, or as part of a form. Fonts and sizes aren’t always specified, but nevertheless keep to legible ones, for instance, Ariel or Times New Roman. Using something fancy like Blackadder, or overly bold like Impact, won’t make for easy reading for the poor judge. Although it’s less common, check whether a particular line spacing or margin width is favoured.

For those of us who submit short stories, articles and novels to magazines and publishers, we’re used to putting our details on the document. If a competition asks for the document to be anonymous, and they usually do, make sure you’ve not overlooked the headers and footers. This would incur an instant disqualification. Sometimes separate cover sheets are requested, or your details will go on an online form or on your email.

If a competition has a theme, stick to it. That may sound obvious, but having judged competitions myself, you’d be surprised how often the theme is ignored. Or it’s so subtle the judge doesn’t realise. Like the time I judged a competition with the theme of ‘Ten’. One story I read was about a football team who lost a player because they were subject to a red card. You might already get it – I didn’t until I told my husband and he pointed out they’d only have ten players left! Yes, too subtle for me, I’m afraid.

The best way I’ve found of making sure I follow all the rules of a competition is to print them up. I read them several times then underline them if they’re all in one paragraph. As I’m polishing my entry, I go through and tick each off as I’ve achieved it. That way I can be sure I’ve done all I can to prevent my entry being at a disadvantage.

This is my 64th Competition Monthly, and sadly my last. Happy writing everyone, and I wish all of you entering competitions great success in your comping endeavours.

Click April 2021 for posts detailing further competitions closing in June

Rolling Competitions

Writers’ Forum

Theme: Open, 1,000 – 3,000 words

Prizes: £300 / £150 / £100

Closing date: Rolling

Entry: £3 subscribers / £6 non

Competition Monthly: May 2021

Looking at more competition rules and why it’s important to follow them

This is my 64th Competition Monthly, and sadly my last. Happy writing everyone, and I wish all of you entering competitions great success in your comping endeavours.

Click April 2021 for posts detailing further competitions closing in June

Rolling Competitions

June Competitions

July Competitions

August Competitions

September Competitions