Writer Advice

WriterAdvice’s Scintillating Starts Contest is back, and hopefully it’s better than ever. To keep up with the changing world of publishing, we’ve made the following adjustments:

$5 for logline or pitch only.

$10 for query or cover letter only. If you’d like me to review a whole book proposal instead of a query, please inquire first, telling me briefly what the book is about.

$15 for up to 1250 words (5 pages—double-spaced). I say 1250 words because most agents know whether they want more or not after reading that much. 

Why not get some advice from a professional editor and writer before you submit? 

I will respond as a potential agent seeking work in your genre, saying why I might contact you and what (if anything) trips me up. As a writer, editor, and reviewer, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. In the role of an agent, I consider what will be easy to sell to a publisher and what will be a challenge. I look for authenticity, originality, and reasons to keep reading.

Perks for you: 

• If you’re one of our winners a part of your story, even a teaser like a pitch, will be published on our Winners Page if you give your permission. Agents will love that you’ve received this recognition. They’ll consider your work more closely.
• If your work isn’t quite there, you’ll get tips to make it better.

We’re open to all prose and eager to share our reactions for your consideration before you submit to agents.

This contest opens on July 1, 2024, and closes on September 2, 2024. Please use the black submit box towards the bottom of the page at https://writeradvice.com/latest-contest-information/ to send us your work. If the Submittable box doesn’t work or sends you to a different contest, please contact me immediately. If you send the work in other ways, we’ll ask you to resubmit using Submittable.

Questions? Please use the contact box on the home page.

SUBMISSIONS: All entries should be submitted through Submittable, using the link towards the bottom of the page. Please scroll down and use the link below.

JUDGES will be selected from previous prizewinners. You can read their pieces by clicking on Prior Winners (top right hand box on the home page).

PRIZES: If we publish your work, you will be financially compensated.

If you have questions or comments, click on the Contact Box on the home page and send them. 

Tips for Success:

1. Let readers care.
2. Leave out details that don’t help you tell this story.
3. Know why your story is unique. (If you don’t know, ask your characters.)
4. We only need your contact information instead of a whole query letter, but if you want to send your query, we won’t stop you.
5. NOTE: We had an excellent piece that did not win an award because it was too long. The length matters! Following directions matters.
6. We like double-spaced manuscripts with standard, one-inch margins.
7. We prefer an easy-to-read font.
8. Please use the Submittable box below. Manuscripts sent in other ways will not be read.

FOR BEST RESULTS:

1. Include your name, contact information, and title on the Submittable form, but include only your title and pitch or query or opening in the actual submission so it remains anonymous. Please leave the header and footer blank.
2. Since we judge these anonymously, you don’t need a cover letter that includes more than your contact information. If you are a finalist, we’ll ask for a bio.
3. Pleasedouble-space your submission. We recommend that you use a 14-point font that is easy to read. Cambria, Ariel, and Verdana are all good. If you forget, we may fix it for you.
4. You own the copyright. If we publish your work, the rights still belong to you, though we ask you not to resubmit to anyone other a publisher or agent until 90 days after it appears on Writer Advice. Please give us credit if it is published elsewhere.
5. Simultaneous submissions accepted. 
6. If your work is accepted elsewhere, please notify us immediately.
7. We prefer unpublished work, though we do accept stand-alone excerpts from work seeking a publisher or agent.
8. Please hit the contact button and ask questions if anything is unclear or missing. Thank you! 

Names of all winners will be announced on WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com in early October or—worst case later. 

E-mail questions but not submissions to editor B. Lynn Goodwin through the contact button on the home page.

COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS CONTESTANTS:

“Thank you for your great advice. I appreciate it and will use it to improve my writing.”  –Shelley Malicote

“Your suggestions for improvement rock.”  –Shelley Stutchman

“WriterAdvice.com is one of my all-time most reliable and accessible sites for writers. I use it—and recommend it to my clients.” ~Carolyn Howard-Johnson, multi award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers (http://howtodoitfrugally.com), poetry and fiction

“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve told about the great feedback you give to folks no matter how many entries you get.”   –Bill Buschel

“It’s such a refreshing experience to have some exchange — as most submissions disappear into the either like rogue satellites.” –Charles Watts 

“Your insights are excellent” –Dan Dubelman

“You are the first professional to offer feedback and your encouraging words have given me additional motivation!  It is reassuring to know that I was on the right track; you have a remarkable ability to give constructive feedback in a positive way (and you are absolutely correct). I look forward to submitting more stories and continuing to improve.” –Jamie Fouty

“I learned about this contest from the Submittable page. I then checked out your website and felt comfortable submitting my story as you seem like someone who genuinely wants to help and advise others.” –Roger Yetzer

“I’m always striving to improve my writing, and feedback from editors like you make it much easier to do so.”  –Margarite R. Stever

“Many thanks for your response, from it, I can tell you’re very good at what you do.” –Kisa, Visually Versed

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to read and analyze my work . . . It’s not every day a contest gives you comprehensive feedback instead of a simple yes/no!” –Lena Crown

“Thanks for the wonderful feedback, never, never, got that before in thirty years.” –Jenny Hickinbotham

We want to share your stories about your publishing journey and your writing life here. Write to entertain, to enlighten, and to advise (but not preach). Write to share your gratitude, amazement, and disbelief.

Share the good, the bad, and the silly, but don’t share them all in one submission. Think of a blog post or a short-short story. No epics.

No fiction here. These are real-life stories ranging from 250 to 750 words. Less is more. Make your point clearly and move on. 

Who knows what your experience might inspire?

New submissions will be added quarterly. Send through Submittable,  <!-- Link to the Writer Advice submission manager. --->

<a target = _blank href="https://writeradvice.submittable.com/submit"><img src="//manager.submittable.com/Public/Images/submittable-submit-button.png" alt="submit" border="0" /></a>

$6 submission fee covers our time, possible editing, and the decision-making process.

You get a credit for your resume plus a brief bio and the satisfaction of sharing your experience Sorry that we do not have the income to pay you at this time.