Episode 280 - Insider Tips from Writing Contest Judges with Clay Stafford

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Clay Stafford discusses INSIDER TIPS FROM WRITING CONTEST JUDGES, including what judges look for in submissions, such as originality, strong voice, and proper pacing. Clay shares insights into the judging process, highlighting the necessity of engaging the reader early, avoiding errors, and understanding the contest’s goals and audience. They discuss the importance of submitting polished work, ensuring the right contest fit, and the potential benefits of feedback from critique groups and editors. Clay also emphasizes the value of leveraging contest wins and placements to build a writer’s career.
 
Clay Stafford is a bestselling and award-winning author, poet, screenwriter, and playwright; film and television producer, director, showrunner, actor; book, film, and stage reviewer as well as public speaker. He has sold nearly four million copies of his books and has had his work distributed in sixteen languages. He is founder and CEO of the annual Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference and a contributor to Writer’s Digest magazine with his online column, “Killer Writer.”

Episode Links

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Referenced in episode:
Episode 271 - Tapping into Your Author Voice with Tiffany Yates Martin

Summary

This week on The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Clay Stafford about the art of crafting submissions for writing contests and the nuances that come with it. The discussion revolves around the key aspects judges look for across different contest formats, whether short or long fiction, and how writers can effectively prepare their work for submission.
 
Matty kicks off the conversation by highlighting Clay's extensive experience, noting his role as a bestselling author and founder of Killer Nashville, among other accolades. The episode delves into the criteria contest judges seek, such as originality, creativity, and a strong narrative voice. Clay emphasizes the importance of a distinctive voice, one that is authentic and engaging, as a hallmark of great writing.
 
The conversation touches on the importance of matching submissions to the right contest categories and understanding the platform where work will be featured. They explore scenarios where a piece may not align with the contest's core focus, like entering a mystery contest with a non-mystery entry. Clay underscores the necessity of writers thoroughly reading guidelines and selecting the right category for their entries, as misplaced submissions often get disqualified regardless of their quality.
 
Listeners are urged to consider the pacing of their stories, recognizing the difference between rushing through events and rambling without purpose. Clay explains that sometimes works feel compressed when they shouldn't be, and authors should trust in the natural pacing of their stories. Engaging and meaningful pacing helps keep the reader invested in the narrative.
 
Matty and Clay also discuss the value of revisions and feedback before submitting to contests. Clay advises writers to vet their work with friends, writing groups, or even professional editors to ensure the piece is polished to its best potential. He suggests writers should be their harshest critics before sending work to a contest, thus minimizing glaring errors that could easily eliminate an entry early on.
 
The episode further explores the strategic approach to contest entry. Rather than writing specifically for a contest, Clay argues for writers to create authentically and then seek contests that fit their work. This method helps maintain the integrity of the story and potentially increases the chances of finding a natural contest fit.
 
Another key point discussed is the reaction to contest rejections. Both Matty and Clay agree that rejection isn't always a reflection of the work's quality, noting that numerous factors, including subjective judge preferences and contest constraints, play a role. Therefore, receiving a "no" should not discourage writers but instead should be seen as a learning opportunity.
 
Finally, the podcast highlights the importance of making the most of contest wins or placements. Clay encourages authors to leverage contest success in their marketing efforts, using accolades as a tool to separate themselves in the crowded literary marketplace. Authors should celebrate and publicize these achievements, utilizing them as steppingstones to further opportunities.
 
In summary, this episode is rich with insights for writers looking to refine their craft for contest entries. Matty and Clay guide listeners through understanding contest criteria, perfecting narrative voice, ensuring proper category alignment, and the strategic use of contest recognition—all vital elements to succeeding in writing competitions.