It seems there is some fine print for this contest that you might want to review before deciding whether or not to enter (entries begin January 23). There are some restrictions that may be of concern, including giving Penguin first and last option to publish, whether you're a winner or not; not being allowed to have an agent shop your manuscript until the contest is finished, whether you're a finalist or not; and, the big one, any contract for the winner is non-negotiable, and you will not get to know the terms until you've won. There are other concerns, as well. Check them out on The Passive Voice.
This is a great reminder that one should always read the fine print before entering anything. This includes any time you hand over your manuscript to someone, which is also why you should research agents and publishers. A highly recommended place to do this is Preditors and Editors. For those who aren't writers, this site is also for artists and composers, and is a truly fabulous resource to have.
Those are your helpful links for Thursday! Anything to share or other recommendations on researching agents, editors, publishing houses, etc.?
May you find your Muse.
16 comments:
Preditors and Editors is great. If you're looking for info on what to avoid, Writer Beware (http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/) is good, too.
It's crazy what you find in the fine print. Some contests sound so appealing and as writers we may get too excited and not read the details. Thanks for the reminder :)
Huh. I hadn't known that about the Amazon contest; not that I was thinking about entering next year, but it's still something to keep in mind for the future.
I've noticed other bloggers mention Preditors and Editors before. I'll have to remember the site!
Thanks for the post!
Hey Shannon:
Good advice about reading the fine print. Yeah, amazon takes alot of your ultimate bargaining power, but it might also give a writer a chance to be published by a big 6 publisher. The thing is, only 1% of writer will get that big book deal, and even of those, the average advance is less than what amazon is offering. I'm not saying everyone should enter the contest, but we all need to weigh the options.
I worried years ago about querying novels that I also had submitted to contests.
Preditors and Editors is wonderful. I've been visiting that site for many years.
Thanks, I had decided to enter this year, but after reading your post I think I need to do a little more digging before I make up my mind.
-Aaron
JE, thank you for the additional link!
Crystal, true, even beyond contests. I think we can have such a drive to get published, that it is easy to forget to check the fine print on all sorts of things.
Golden Eagle, it seems to be a good site. I just need to remember to consult it when it matters!
Julie, I think that's great advice! By no means do I think this means no one should enter the contest (or even that I won't). But it was a good reminder to check it. I'm actually a bit wary of advances, just from things I've heard about them. Pressure!
Medeia, sounds nerve wracking. Were you worried they wouldn't allow it?
Aaron, definitely research it! I'm not writing it off entirely, but I will be doing a lot of thinking and researching first.
I was pondering the Amazon thing. I'll have to ponder a bit more I guess. Also I'll have to check out the recommended website.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
Lee, me, too. I'm still considering doing it, but just want to look through everything when they open the contest up.
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