Amber Byers is the head judge of the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest, an international writing contest celebrating creativity and community. She blogs regularly at Living a Life Imagined, which is dedicated to positivity and authenticity. Amber’s published works include The Magic Door Origin Story, which is a sci-fi story inspired by her childhood, and Sophie and Spot, which won a Gold Medal from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

With so many writing opportunities to choose from, you might be wondering why you should spend your time and money on a writing contest.

Whether you’re just starting out or are a regular at the writing competition scene, this fascinating corner of the writing world offers a host of benefits for writers from all backgrounds.

Maybe the novel you’re currently focused on is taking forever and a day to finish. Or you’re trying your hardest to complete your first, second, or third book. Or maybe you’re burned out from your career as a technical writer and the thought of writing anything makes you want to take a nap.

Now is the perfect time to enter a writing contest.

Focus and Accountability

I have yet to see a writing contest that doesn’t have a deadline. And these are no ordinary deadlines. Unlike your deadline to your editor, client, or boss, which may be flexible with or without a penalty, contest deadlines are the blink-and-you-lose-the-opportunity kind.

It’s the difference between agreeing to meet your friend for a three-mile run at 6:00 a.m. and signing up for your local 5K. If you oversleep the first one, chances are, you can apologize and reschedule for the next day. But if you miss your alarm for the event, well, that race has already been run.

Why should this appeal to you?

Because we all need different levels of accountability at various stages of our writing career. There is something powerful when we surround ourselves with that level of committed energy. Any excuses are out the door.

Pro Tip: Because these are firm deadlines, it’s important to realistically assess whether you can actually write a submission in the time provided before you sign up. Fortunately, you can choose from contests that offer a range of time frames—anywhere from 24 hours to a year to receive your prompt and submit your piece.

A Breath of Fresh Air

So you’ve found a contest that gives you the right amount of time for you. Your calendar is marked and you’re ready to dive in. Now what?

This is where the beauty of a writing competition happens. Rather than juggling the normal day-to-day demands that clutter our workspaces and personal lives, entering a contest gives you a chance to narrow your scope and focus.

Suddenly, the only task you have is to create this one entry. As you start to write, everything else can fall to the side.

If you’re currently working on another big writing project, this may seem counterintuitive at first. Chances are, the weight of that manuscript has been following you around with questions like “Am I making enough progress?” and “Will this be good enough?”

But when you turn your attention onto a different project—even just 100 words on a new topic—those worries fade into the background. And after you finish and return to your original project, something magical will have happened.

Not only will you return with fresh eyes, but you’ll bring the deep work that your subconscious was doing while you were focused on other things. This can lead to huge breakthroughs with your original project, especially in places where you’ve been feeling stuck.

Pro Tip: This little writing trick is a gem to remember anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed or dreading a large project.

Sharpen Your Skills

One of the most common reasons people enter writing contests is for the joy of writing. While this may seem obvious, each contest provides you with an opportunity to practice your craft. And the more you do it, the better you’ll get.

Many writers recognize that the real competition is with themselves from one round to the next. Each time you participate in a contest—whether a new one or an old favorite—you pick up new tidbits along the way.

This comes in many forms in a contest. First, the act of creating provides you an opportunity to play around with words. Maybe you’ll write in a new genre. Or maybe you’ll try out the advice you learned from your writers’ group in a low-pressure context. The page is your playground.

Second, a lot of contests share entries that were selected as a winner in previous rounds. Reading similar works is a great source of inspiration.

As a writing contest judge, I’ve read thousands of entries for the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest. It was through this process that I was finally able to put into words something that has always drawn me in to a piece—writing in second person.

Once I could name the element that’s always captured my attention, I began intentionally playing around with this point of view in my own writing. And what a delight that has been!

Finally, some contests offer a chance to receive feedback on your entry. Whether the critique comes from the judges or your fellow participants, this can be another valuable way to hone your craft.

Pro Tip: Remember to play! Notice whether you’re approaching the experience with a heavy heart or a sense of lightness and joy. Then follow those places of joy.

Find Your People

One of the biggest myths about writing is that you have to do it alone.

Building a supportive team around you helps you stay inspired and get the boost you need when your writing journey gets a little rocky. While you can always curate your own community, sometimes it’s nice to step into a welcoming environment that’s already established.

And writing competitions are a great place to look for your team. Contests often come surrounded with people who understand the highs of a perfect sentence and the lows of a plot that’s going nowhere.

Connecting with these people is a chance to swap stories, share frustrations, and encourage one another. When you find a contest with an inclusive community, you not only find a sense of belonging but you also connect with a beautiful group of writers who cheer on each other’s wins.

Contests vary a lot in terms of how much interaction is provided, so be sure to do a little research ahead of time to find the best fit. On the low end, some contests only offer an opportunity to submit your entry and then come back months later to find the winners listed on the website.

Others have a thriving community with opportunities to meet the judges and your fellow writers. The Twisted Tournament offers a contest that is judged entirely by participants. It offers multiple forums to share your story, connect with beta readers, and exchange feedback.

At Tadpole Press, we offer monthly Community Write-Ins for writers to get some face-to-face time with our judges. Each Zoom session brings together writers from around the world for quiet writing, inspiring prompts, and writing activities.

Pro Tip: Be aware of stepping into the wrong community. Your gut usually has the answers you need and can help you hold tight to your vision when people with strong opinions try to sway you.

Something Bigger Than You: Supporting the Literary Arts

In addition to all the personal benefits that can come to you as a writer, consider the organization you’re investing in. We all know that where we spend our dollars and attention impacts the type of world we live in.

For those writing competitions that charge a fee to enter, check out the organization. What do they stand for? Do their values align with yours? Will you be happy to support their mission regardless of whether you win or not? If so, consider that an added benefit.

While entry fees are typically not tax-deductible donations, many literary organizations use competitions to fund their prize money and operations such as magazines, workshops, or scholarships to writers in need.

While you will, hopefully, benefit directly from your experience participating in a writing contest, know that you are also contributing to something bigger than yourself.

Pro Tip: When searching for a good match, consider how you’d feel if your entry was selected as a winner. Find and share the contests you’re thrilled to shout about from the rooftops rather than ones that make you cringe.

So Why Join a Writing Competition?

Because it’s a fun and creative way to sharpen your skills, deepen your focus, and build community. And it might just connect you with a whole new world of opportunities.

So the next time you see one, don’t hesitate to jump in, write, and grow!

Not Sure Where to Start?

Check out the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest to give it a try. Or head over to our winners page for incredible stories full of inspiration.

And if you refer someone who submits a winning entry, then you will also win $10 USD. So please share the contest with any friends, colleagues, or neighbors who might be interested. Thanks and happy writing!