Literary prizes are not only cultural thermometers, reflecting the zeitgeist, but also have the power to propel unknown writers into the limelight in a way that used to derive from book reviews, now sadly diminished in authority and significance.The example he uses, Miguel Syjuco, is an expat Filipino from Manila who moved to Montreal. He spent years getting rejected by both literary agents and publishers. Then Syjuco entered his then-unpublished novel for the Man Asian literary prize. And won. It also won the Palanca Awards that same year, 2008. Now he’s on a promotional tour in the U.S.
The Asian Booker was amenable to unpublished entries in 2008. Unfortunately, it no longer is.
Do you know of prestigious awards that are open to unpublished authors? Ones that could propel a writer’s career to another level? Do you enter those contests?
One of the biggest awards here in Australia for unpublished manuscripts is the Australian/Vogel Literary award. With a prize of $20 000 and publication it is a HUGE contest to win and has launched the careers of some of our biggest authors, like Tim Winton.
ReplyDeleteAnd YES, I would enter. Hell yes. Any chance to have my manuscript before the eyes of editors and publishers. Even the finalists of this comp go one to find publishing contracts. Who wouldn't want that?
I know St. Martin's/Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic runs a contest for unpubbed mystery writers that's very popular.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I don't know much about this topic at all - interesting stuff Helen!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the St. Martin's contest, Elizabeth. But had not heard of the Australian one mentioned by Tabitha. If I can find out more about that one, I'll put it in my newsletter and up on my site.
ReplyDeleteI see occasional contests, but often I'm so busy with my own writing projects that I don't have time to prepare customized contest entries. I also find it's hard to write that way, to suit the contest's objectives. But if the very right one came along, I'd give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteWriter organizations have contests each year in various categories, such as "Best first novel," "Best short story," etc. Organizations such as the Western Writers of America Spur Awards (contemporary writings as well as the Old West) and Women Writing the West Willa Awards. Also the David Awards, Press Women and countless others, including state and local literary awards.
ReplyDeleteNot at book level yet...but the first thing I EVER had published was a winning contest entry at Writer's Digest...and boy did it ever spur me on. I'm like Tabitha. Why not?
ReplyDeleteEntering contests is a good way to get feedback, validation, sometimes money, recognition and more. Choose wisely, though. And know why you're entering.
ReplyDeleteI write mystery novels and forgot to list the mystery genre awards: (brain dead this morning) The Agatha, Edgar, Anthony, Lefty, Malice Domestic and others. Also, the prestigious Wrangler Award for western historical books. Every genre has its own awards and they're impressive to list on your queries to agents/publishers.
ReplyDeleteJean
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-Jean-Henry-Mead/334147262834?filter=3
You have to love Robert McCrum. Side note: he and his wife used to work out at the spa/gym where I part-timed as a receptionist. He was always perfectly British: super polite with a hint of grump!His wife is American and she's lovely, too.
ReplyDeleteAnyway! I can't think of any prizes (major ones) opened to unpublished writers. But I do think he's right - prizes can definitely make you.
I know Writer's Digest has numerous contests. Never entered, though.
ReplyDeleteAt our SC Book Festival two of the five authors on a first novel panel had there books published because they won a contest. Heidi Durrow with The Girl Who Fell From the Sky won the Barbara Kingsolver Bellwether Prize for Fiction and the other was Brian Ray with Through The Pale Door won the SC Arts Commission First Novel Prize. They each paid $40.00 to enter and had their book published. I don't know about tours etc, but they got lots of publicity, let me tell you! It took Heidi 12 years to write her novel, much less for Brian.
ReplyDeleteI've entered two contests, but I'm not big on them. They can pay off, but I've heard horror stories of winners that lost big. So I usually avoid them.
ReplyDeleteY'all are coming up with some very interesting contests!
ReplyDeleteAs a voracious reader, I am always looking at the books that win awards. Of course we all see the big names that win the awards, but I like to look at the names that I do not recognize that have won an award. It's nice to see new writers get a break and a bit of recognition AND yes, readers pay attention to these! now I'm writing all these suggestions down for my someday novel! Great post Helen!
ReplyDeleteI've been considering entering various contests, most of which require an entrance fee, but I can't tell which would be considered important to an agent/editor.
ReplyDeleteIs there a site that rates the contests in this manner? Or shall I just enter the ones I think I might have a chance winning?