For every writer out there who gets a buzz from entering competitions and has the deadlines of the most popular awards in their diary, you’ll find another who isn’t keen on the idea. It might be self-doubt holding you back, knowing how many entries are received. You might be unsure about the benefits or think it’s silly to spend money on a submission when you could just email various literary agents.
We’re definitely all for making targeted submissions to literary agents, but we also know how tough it is out there, with many agents expecting you to have received acknowledgment for your work already – that’s why we started the BPA First Novel Award and the Pitch Prize. Whether you’re looking to test the waters before approaching the agents on your submissions list or you’ve already tried submitting and are looking at other routes to representation, there are many reasons to enter novel competitions.
Here are our top ten:
1. You can get your name out there
Winning a novel prize is a great way to draw interest to your work. It can help you build a following on social media and put you on the publishing industry’s radar.
2. It’s something to shout about in your cover letter
If the biographical section of the cover letter you’re sending to agents is all about your personal life and/or aspirations rather than your writing achievements, I’d encourage you to get out there and enter competitions. Even being able to say you’ve been longlisted for an award will help you to stand out and increase the chances that the agent will read on.
3. You can often receive feedback
Many competitions offer free or discounted feedback to every entrant. Literary agents rarely offer feedback and will only do so if it’s a near miss, so it’s a great opportunity to find out why you didn’t make it all the way and get the critique you need for a redraft.
4. There are chances to engage with the writing community
We always love seeing the way our entrants support each other on social media during the competitions. We post #BPAfavouritelines, our readers’ favourite first lines from entries, and these often get a big response. The Bath Novel Award posts readers’ comments on entries with Yes votes and a yearly round-up of the words that cropped up in the most titles.
5. There are often sponsored entries available if you can’t afford it
BPA offers free entries to writers on a low income or from communities currently underrepresented in publishing. Many other competitions do the same or have entries sponsored by authors and past entrants.
6. Agents rarely read past the first page of standard submissions – or even the cover letter
If a literary agent, or more likely their assistant, isn’t sold by the pitch in the cover letter, they usually won’t open the sample chapters, and if they do then they need to fall in love with the first page or they won’t be reading on. All agents work differently and the majority approach their submissions with a lot of enthusiasm, but the reality is that they don’t have time to read every submission all the way through. When entering a competition, you know that the work will be given a thorough read, usually by multiple readers.
7. You’ll be judged purely on the quality of the manuscript
Usually agents read through the lens of their own tastes. If it’s not a perspective they’re interested in, they’ve recently taken on an author writing in the same genre, or it’s a risky proposition for a potential publisher’s sales team, they’re less likely to consider it. With a competition, the judges will award the top spots to the best entries, and literary agent judges may pass the submission on to someone else in their agency who is a better fit.
8. It’s a chance to have your work read by an author you admire
Most novel awards are judged by a literary agent and an established author. It could be that an award is being judged by an author you love, so it’s worth checking the lineup for the main competitions each year.
9. Competitions give you a deadline and the knowledge your work is being read
It’s so hard to remain motivated as an unpublished writer. Competitions can give you a deadline for completing your manuscript, something to work towards. Just knowing your work is going to be read and considered (and hopefully enjoyed!) by another person can be a big lift.
10. The organisers will support and promote winners throughout their careers
We stay in touch with all our past winners and many from our shortlists and longlists. After finding an agent and securing a publishing deal, you’ll face another big task – promoting the book! Most competitions will be ready to give their social media following and mailing list a heads up when your debut novel and any further titles are released. They might also publish a review or a Q&A.