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As an up-and-coming writer, do
you wonder why contests are so prevalent in the writing industry? Here
are just a few reasons that you might want to consider entering a
contest. More specifically, the prestigious Genesis contest with ACFW.
1. Contest judges, fellow writers and industry professionals, provide
feedback on your writing without the fear of rejection. Sending your
baby off to a complete stranger is frightening, but this contest gives
you time to make corrections before a publisher sees it.
2. Contests are often judged by published authors who have connections
to publishers. Judges can help you get your foot in the door if your
book is ready for publication. Chances are that author will tell his or
her editor about you.
3. Final judging is often done by an editor for a house you may be
targeting. This is a way to get your manuscript out of the slush pile
and in front of the editor.
4. Many publishers aren’t open to unsolicited manuscripts, and contests
provide an opportunity to bypass this system. (Writing conferences,
though expensive, are another route.)
5. Winning contests gets your name posted in various places, and
anytime your name is out there to be seen by publishers and fellow
writers provides an imprint. As your name gets seen more and more
often, it becomes clear that you’re serious about this trade. It gives
you recognition.
6. It feels good to win! Sure, you may not always get the feedback
you’d like, but writing is subjective, and seeing various takes on your
work provides a better idea of who your target market is.
ACFW’s Genesis Contest offers
unpublished authors the opportunity to compete in nine categories
within the Christian fiction genre. Here are this year’s finalists. The
winners will be awarded at this year’s conference
(http://www.acfw.com/conference), September 22–25 in St. Louis,
Missouri.
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Will your name be listed next
year?
CONTEMPORARY FICTION
Katy Pistole
Lori Stafford
Delores Topliff
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Pepper Basham
Mary Curry
Jessica Nelson
HISTORICAL FICTION
Johnnie Alexander Donley
S. C. Iles
Renee Yancy
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Sarah Ladd
Naomi Rawlings
Sherri Shakelford
MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER
Dianna T. Benson
Shelley Ledfors
Bethany Macmanus
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Kelli Hughett
Renee Ann Smith
Jan Warren
SPECULATIVE FICTION
Patrick Carr
Matt Jones
Christian Miles
WOMEN’S FICTION
Sally Bradley
Camille Eide
Karen Schravemade
YOUNG ADULT
Pepper Basham
Stephanie Landsem
Nicole Quigley
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