by Caleb Rogers

Created on: May 03, 2008   Last Updated: May 07, 2008

Writing competitions are great for writers of any caliber. Are web-based competitions any different? Are they harmful to the writer's reputation, or will they help send the writer to new heights of stardom? One can argue that writing is writing, and any writing is better than no writing. After all, writers hone their craft by practicing it.

Other than methods of delivery, the web is no different than any other medium. The question then becomes, "Will this particular competition give my writing good exposure, or bad?" The difference between good or bad exposure can mean the difference between finding work and working in a restaurant. To really foster career growth, exposure of writing skills needs to be often, and it needs to be positive. Just writing and posting articles and stories to any site that will take them isn't the best way to foster positive exposure. Web-based competitions can be.

When faced with a web-based writing competition, research it. Ask questions like "Who are these people?" or "How long has this competition been running?" The answers to those two questions will shed some light on how the competition is viewed by the general writing public. Another investigation path is to see who has written for the competition in the past. Yet another clue is the prize purse. If the competition has a large prize supplied by writing industry sponsors, it's probably a safe bet.

Take a look at the competition in question. If it has been around for a few years, check the past winners, and anyone who placed. Do you recognize any names? Are there any "rags to riches" stories on the contest site relating how a past winner landed publishing contracts because of the work written for the contest? Have there been any famous writers who participated in the contest, or who write motivating pieces to get participants to keep writing?

Large prize purses aren't just thrown up by anyone. If the prize money makes your eyes twinkle, then it might be worth going after. Even though it is possible for a nefarious rich guy to throw up a lot of prize money just to ruin a writer's career before it gets started, that situation is probably rare. The one thing to look for is industry connections. Is this website connected to the writing or journalism industries in any way, or is the competition for a used car dealership down the street?

Even if a competition has no prize money, it may still be worth your time and effort. There are some web-based writing competitions out there with no prize money, but come with plenty of prestige and skill-building exercise. Take NaNoWriMo for example. NaNoWriMo is the National Novel Writing Month. It's an annual no-prize-money writing contest that has captured the hearts and minds of writers across the globe. Participants even receive pep-talk emails from bestselling authors throughout the contest. In this case, the lack of a prize does not diminish its usefulness.

The plain truth is that competitions are great for writers. Great exposure and the potential for paying gigs can be had by participants and winners alike. One will never know if one never tries. Remember that the web is just another delivery medium for the contests and information that has been around for years. Don't let a great opportunity pass you by because a competition is online. Get out there and write. That's what writers do, isn't it?

Learn more about this author, Caleb Rogers.
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