[Let me preface this article by saying that usually, I can take criticism, and I can take it well. I took it in college. I took it (in bushels) in graduate school. I took it from studios and producers who later ended up not giving a shit. Hell, I even take it at my job...every day. And usually, I take it with a smile. Or at least a half-hidden grimace. Because most of the time criticism helps more than it hurts and is an essential part of being a writer. Okay. Now that we're clear...]
For most of my writing career, I’ve entered contests. While some of them are designed to take your money and nothing more, a lot of writing contests – espescially the ones that include feedback – are a good way to actively let the world know who you are and what you do. They can be great resume boosters, and sometimes even lead to contacts.
These days, I still enter the occasional contest, but have also started to work for a few, providing the oh-so-important feedback. So I know how it works. I know that sometimes readers get slammed with entries and have to juggle their judging along with their own work. I know that sometimes, most of what they have to wade through is awful. I know they often do it for so little pay it’s laughable. But I also know that they freely sign up for all of it.
Which is why I was so pissed when I received coverage on a script of mine from a certain contest that shall remain unnamed. Actually, pissed is an understatement. Slamming-cupboards-looking-for-nothing-in-particular-kind-of-angry is more like it. Read more »
