Literary Awards - The Olympics for Writers

Okay, so maybe it’s not the 2012 Olympics, but for writers, the quest for the gold is always out there – dangling its shiny image in front of us. Literary awards can boost an author’s fame or at least get him or her recognized to some extent. The categories seem endless and the contests appear everywhere, but at what price?

Some are outright scams while others are indeed genuine, such as the legitimate state authors’ associations and venues such as Writer’s Digest. The scams are usually media promotions designed to fatten the coffers of the promoters. One surefire way to check is to visit the website “Preditors and Editors” at pred-ed.com.

But even with legitimate contests, is the prize worth the entry cost? Writer’s Digest charges as much as $150 for entries, coming in on the high side. Other contests have entry fees that range from $20 – $75, depending upon the genre. Usually, the costs are lower for shorter, un-published works.

But let’s face it, a gold seal on the cover of a book does indeed attract readers. I’ve watched this phenomenon myself at book signings and festivals. For an author, it’s like getting the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.” It reassures readers that the book has merit. And of course, promoting that meritorious book on an author’s website is invaluable.

I held my breath when I entered my first novel, The Face Out of Time, in the 2011 AZ Authors Literary Contest and was ecstatic when it took an award. Of course, I wasn’t paying any $150 for an entry fee, but still, that whole process of having someone judge your writing can be nerve-wracking.

So, here I am again, biting my lip and awaiting the results for the two 2012 contests that I decided to enter. It’s a long wait – decisions will be announced in October and November. If it’s good news, I’ll blast it all over my website and social media. And if not, well…I’ll quietly keep my mouth shut, work even harder to perfect my craft, and hopefully do better the next go-round. After all, isn’t that what Olympians do?