Contests

There are all types of contests out there for writers to enter, some free, some not. Since I never win writing contests, I usually opt for the free ones. "If you never win, why bother entering?" you ask.

Well, there is the off chance that I might place. I've placed third and had an honorable mention in two of Jason Evan's Clarity of Night flash contests. As a matter of fact, I've entered all ten of his contests because, quite frankly, I love the forum he's set up for them. Everyone gets to read all the stories and leave comments for the writers and even suggestions on how to improve the stories. Two of the entries (not mine) from past contests have been lengthen to novels and are being published this year. Jason's contest is more about the meeting and greeting of writers than the prizes. And writing a 250 word story is a challenge and a chance to stretch your writing muscles.

I entered Christopher Grant's contest at A Twist of Noir this year because he asked me to and I wanted to support his zine. I don't know how many people entered because of the plugs I gave the contest here on the blog, but I know that a lot of great stories came out of the contest. Stories that might never have been written, including mine.

Over the years I've entered contests at Crime and Suspense, on a couple of blogs, and at Tales From the Moonlit Path. Which is the reason for this post.

Tales From the Moonlit Path is sponsoring a new contest. The prize? A book of short stories by Charlotte Emma Gledson entitled "The Lonely Tree and Other Twisted Tales of Torment". This contest is about publicity for a new author and her book. That's always a good reason to enter a contest, right?

The contest is Tales of Torment and they're looking for stories under 2000 words. They want stories of torment, you know, tormented souls, why they're tormented and how they deal with their torment. As I said the winner gets a copy of the book and the rest of the winners get their stories published. Not a bad deal, you get to support a zine and another writer and write a new story that you might never have thought of. The deadline for the contest is May 12. Here's your url to the contest guidelines http://www.moonlit-path.com/contest-2-9-09.htm

And if you're just looking for something different to read, check out this short story by a writer friend of mine, Wayne Scheer. You've seen his stories around in places like MuzzleFlash and Big Pulps. Here's the url http://www.everydayfiction.com/starting-over-by-wayne-scheer/ Go on, its Saturday, treat yourself.

A Snoopy Dance for friend of the blog, Scott D. Parker, folks. His first published short story, You Don't Get Three Mistakes, has just gone live at Beat to Pulp and it's great! Here's the url http://www.beattoapulp.com/stor/2009/0426_sdp_YouDontGetThreeMistakes.cfm