You May Already be Winner…

Writing contests seem to be everywhere, but is entering worth it?

There are several advantages to contests. First, you're guaranteed an audience. The judges have to evaluate each and every entry. Now sometimes that evaluation might be abbreviated: the first page of novel, the first 8 bars of a song, but every entry gets a look from the judges.

Second, award winners get attention. How many times have you watched a movie trailer that says "starring Academy Award Winner Tom Hanks" or "Winner of the Jury Prize at Sundance"? Success attracts attention, and we hope, more success. Being able to label your work "award-winning" gives you the proverbial foot in the door the next time you approach an editor or agent. It demonstrates that someone liked your work and so maybe s/he will too.

Third, as noted above, contests abound. Whatever you write, you could undoubtedly find a contest to enter. Wherever and whenever you write too. Some organizations hold contests as fund-raisers, others as a way to boost membership. Still others hope they might be the ones to discover the next great author, songwriter, screenwriter, etc.


How do I chose a contest?

I have some checkpoints I always consider.

• Ratio of entry fees to prizes: Do the prizes justify the expense of entering?
• Who are the judges: Research them, stick their names into Google and/or their work into Amazon.com or other online stores. Can you find anything on them?
• Are they trying to sell me something: Some contests want you to buy their anthology or whatever as part of your entry fee. Stay clear of these folks.
• Who are the past winners: Again do your research. Don't expect all these folks to be selling volumes or making millions but did anyone show up elsewhere on the web...in a good and professional way.

Where can I look for contests?

EVERYWHERE! Here are a few site I've used:

• Women on Writing
• Funds for Writers
• Memoirs, Ink
• ByLine Magazine
• Writer's Digest
• CNW
• Poets & Writers
• The Writer

You can always use Google too:

• Writer's Contests
• Songwriter's Contests
• Poetry Contests
• Screenplay Contests
• Playwriting Contests

Finally don't forget that conferences and workshops also often hold contests. Just keep your eyes and your mind open and "You Might Be a Winner..." sooner than you think.

Oprah picks...

Want to join in on Oprah's book club but don't know how?

It seems to be very simple...at least with her latest book, announced Janury 30. This will be a "web event," according to Oprah's website. The media maven and her latest fav, Eckhart Tolle, will teach a 10-week seminar on his book, A New Earth.



Participants sign up to become members of Oprah.com then click to reserve their "seat" on the book club page. There are other windows and menus to explain, instruct and enhance your "webinar" experience. (as the site calls it)


What's involved in this "webinar"?

There will be live classroom webcasts, a downloadable, interactive workbook, Q&A sessions with Tolle and Oprah, plus interaction with fellow readers and access to classroom video and "more!" Classes begin March 3 at 9pm ET.


What's the catch?

No catch. The only thing you have to buy is the book. List price is just under $15 but I found it on Barnes and Noble online for under $10 for nonmembers and at about $8.50 for members. Amazon.com listed it as currently unavailable, but I found it my local Borders, and with their member coupons, I could get it for 30% off this week.

You also have to download a media player. Accessible from the reservation page, it comes in both Windows and Mac OS versions and gives complete requirements and instructions before you begin downloading.

An Interview...with Me!

Just who is AmyM?

I've been a freelance writer and editor for nearly 25 years. I am a member of the Southeastern Writers Association, serving on their board of directors for 14 years as first the Publications Editor and then as Vice-President and Workshop Faculty Coordinator. I ran my own PR firm for 6 years which catered to non-profit organizations, arts groups and small businesses. Before that I worked at a children's theater as a publicist, script consultant and instructor.


Has AmyM been published? Where?

• Chocolate for a Woman's Soul series (3 books)
• Athens Magazine
• ByLine
• From the Heart II anthology
• Georgia Magazine
• Points North
• and other magazines and newspapers
  

What does AmyM want to do here?

My main objective is to provide useful and interesting information for writers and about writers. I hope to do this in the form of interviews with writers, Fun Facts, advice, and How-To features. I hope to post a few times a week once I get rolling.

I Write the Songs.....

Do you know these people?

Tom Higgenson, Shawn Carter, Chris Thompkins...

They're just a few of the songwriters nominated for Song of the Year at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards airing February 10 on CBS. On the surface, the Grammy's seem to be all about the performers, but without the songs, there'd be no performances. That's where these folks come in.

Tom Higgenson wrote "Hey Ther Delilah" for the Plain White T's. Shawn Carter, Kuk Harrell, Terius "Dream" Nash and Christopher Stewart penned "Umbrella" for Rihanna. Chris Thompkins and Josh Kear wrote Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats". Singers Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae round out the category, writing "Rehab" and "Like a Star" respectively.

Top Shelf...

What is the best selling book in the country?

It depends on whom you ask and what kind of book you're considering. The New York Times has 10 best seller lists, including Hardback and Paperback lists for Fiction, Nonfiction, Advice, Children's, Business, as well as for Trade Paperback (a larger format paperback, commonly used for literary titles) and Mass Market Paperback (A small format paperback edition). Thank you Judith Kelman's Writers' Room.

On the other hand, USA Today has only one list of 150 and all genres and editions are mixed in together. Amazon.com updates it's list hourly and like USA Today, everyone gets lumped together, including books that are not even available yet, based on their pre-order reservations.