What do you think of twitter and blog contests? Miss Snarks 1st Victim is doing another round of secret agent critiques. People submitted their first 250 words and she posts them on her blog. At first anyone can critique them. After that agents come through and comment on entries they like, ask for submissions or whatever.
She was going to post 50 but only 40 people submitted. Now, I know not everyone has a ready manuscript that fit the qualifications, still, it was a little sad not more people took advantage of it. I think she has a form to submit entries so it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes either. That's less time than it takes to get a query ready to go.
Are these type of contests the way of the past? Or are people just not hearing about them? I should have posted or tweeted some sort of link or reminder to help spread the word but honestly, I didn't even think about it. And that's a problem.
If you want, you can head over and read some entries, and read the critiques of any in your genre or that you think you can learn from. Maybe, you'll be ready to submit next time around.
I think people still like them and some people actually get their agents from doing the contests. It could just be a slow time with spring breaks and the Easter holiday. I know my blog is a little slower.
ReplyDeleteAnd all the people preparing for A-Z
DeleteI think people are not hearing about them. It seems like so many people want to get published, I think if people knew there were opportunities to get an excerpt of their work critiqued for free, they would go for it.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I feel bad I didn't promote it.
DeleteI didn't hear about it. I think we are so overwhelmed with information anymore, it's hard to keep up.
ReplyDelete(But don't feel bad- I should read her blog more often, then I'd have known.)
It is hard to keep up with everything. And it was pure luck I stumbled on this.
DeleteI didn't hear about it. Sadly, her blog was one of those I gave up because ... we can't read them all, right. The list I have now is overwhelming. I'll go check it out, though. Don't feel bad. You have enough to do.
ReplyDeleteI only check her blog sporadically so it was just lucky that I even saw this. It is a good resource though.
DeleteI think it's a communication issue. There are so many voices out there that it's hard to hear through all the noise. Contests are awesome, but to get the participation they have to be shouted from the rooftops in a huge marketing campaign. *shrugs* That's what's changed.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Collier
Wow... that surprises me. I remember when I used to submit, you had to enter wishing the first few seconds or you'd never get in...
ReplyDeleteI think people just got tired of not getting in and when you read the agents comments, they're not all that helpful. Remember writing is subjective. If you don't have the 'Right' premise/trend, you'll never win it.
I've never really been one for entering contests like that. I'm not sure what it is, but I don't think I've ever really felt like a huge part of the blogging community, and it almost feels as if it's not my place to enter those types of contests.
ReplyDeleteSpesh, I didn't think to promote it either. As for keeping track of what is out there I have the Sub It Club as a feed on my blog. She does a great monthly roundup. https://subitclub.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy these things but now I don't have as much time, and I don't make time for them because I know all the commenting would take hours... Depends on who hosts it, though. I'd enter a Miss Snark or Janet Reid contest, for instance, because the feedback would be valuable.
ReplyDelete