Sharpen These 6 Elements Before Entering a Book Writing Contest

You’ve written a great book. Should you enter a book writing contest? Winning a contest can catch the attention of agents and publishers for your unpublished book or attract readers to your self-published book.

Most contests, such as the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards, ask for several hard copies of your book. Contests for unpublished novels often require a synopsis and your first 5,000 words. If your work moves on to the next round, you may then be asked for the full manuscript.

A search for “book contests” returned 416,000 results. You can narrow your search by using a list like the NewPages Big List of Writing Contests. So what do judges look for in book submissions?

Judges review whether your hard copy front cover art reflects the story and that your title and name are clear. They review standard back cover elements: story description, testimonials, bar code, and author bio (unless that’s inside). Judges also note whether the spine contains the title and author.

One author submitted their self-published e-book I loved without a cover, which knocked down their score.

Judges verify your front matter’s order. They also review the presence and formatting of running heads and page number placement. Font size and type are important elements as they affect readability.

Formatting—such as when a different character’s dialogue or body language starts on a new line—often plays a significant factor in making the text easier to follow. Having a poorly formatted book lowers your score.

Most published works have minor errors—a dropped comma or a misspelling. Spell-check your work and review your punctuation and grammar. Consider hiring a copyeditor as more than a few errors will lead to a lower score.

The only time you want your writing to pull the reader out of the story is due to strong writing that makes the reader think (or so interesting the reader wants to reread it). Judges look for writing that keeps the eye moving, including:

Well-rounded characters that, again, inspire an emotional reaction—bad guys with admirable qualities (think Save the Cat!) and heroes with weak qualities (i.e., what the hero does in private)—will score higher.

Characters with interesting backgrounds or quirks also stand out and score higher. One despicable character I recall had a great sense of humor, which led to a higher score.

Judges must often read dozens of books in a short period. They may prefer fast pacing, varied sentence length, and surprising plot twists. They also review whether your book fits in with its genre expectations—for instance, does your mystery include red herrings?

Other features judges review:

Writing contests can help you reach your writing goals. Feedback, when included, can be an invaluable resource to help you know where to improve. Even better, winning a contest can help you build your platform.

Some contests offer early-bird discounts. Build your own contest database, then enter by your calendar’s deadlines. Be sure to read the entry guidelines and follow them. If you’re looking for feedback, verify it’s included—and best wishes as you prepare to enter your first or next book writing contest.