The new Sobol hand whereas novelists was officially announced on September 13, and it sounds pleasure in a writer’s dream at first glance: all authors who advance a manuscript must be both unpublished and unagented. ‘Hey! That’s me!’ you respond. Plus, the top prize is $100,000, with runner-up awards of $25,000 and $10,000, along with $1,000 for seven other entrants. And you get to show an ‘Award Gala,’ probably with famous writers! Famous people are always case galas. however don’t rush to their online page yet: since science of this award matchless got out grease July, it’s become apparent that the devil may be in the details.
Before entering any writing contest that offers profitable prize money, a security to get published, or inconsistent enticing awards, illustrate the statuesque print. All of essential. In this case, the contest is sponsored by Sobol Literary Enterprises, a new organization described grease the press release as ‘a venue to discover talented, secluded fiction writers and help them get the recognition they deserve.’ sway truth, Sobol is making plans — in fact, requiring — that they enact the agency representing the drop-dead gripping manuscripts. Winning novelists can terminate that contract 9 months coming the contest’s end, but it’s a comely important detail and is mentioned only in the ‘FAQ’ section of their website, no longer under ‘Awards and Prizes.’
Perhaps this is because Sobol is brand new and has never sold a book. Still, some experienced business experts are involved, so it’s entirely possible that they will become a successful agency. But they are not one yet. And if an alternative agency approaches you right through that 9 months — likely if you’ve won a $100,000 literary prize — hugely bad, unless you can land them off.
‘If they have got never sold a book, how obligatoriness they offer huge award money?’ you ask. The answer: in part, by means of charging an colossal entry fee of $85. Is it worth barrage out for the chance to win a $100,000 literary solace? appearance at it this way: your odds of winning that prize will subsequent be 1 in 50,000. it is the maximum number of manuscripts this writing canvass will accept, and given their substantial publicity, again the fact that writers albatross submit more than one untried — at $85 apiece– they’ll obscure reach that limit. extra math reveals your manuscript’s chances of winning any of the top ten prizes to be 1 in 5,000.
I’m not producing you not to submit your manuscript for the Sobol charity. If you boundness afford the entry fee, besides you’re willing to commit to being their client for nine months, workout for it. however at all times look before you leap. Writing contests ripen; most call for some sacrifice or commitment on a writer’s component to perform suitable. Most have entry fees. Before spending a bundle entering every contest you can think of, especially those that sound too good to be true, request. Find out who’s running the contest, and whether they’re solvent sufficient to pay the winning writer(s). If it’s a long-running prize, it’s more budgeted to be reputable.
Try to find out who commit be reading and judging your manuscript. The Sobol Award promises ‘at least two reviews by qualified readers drawn from librarians, booksellers, again editors working below the direction of Weeks [Brigitte Weeks, chair of their panel of judges and prominent book industry veteran].’ But what does ‘working beneath the direction’ mean? Brigitte Weeks will not produce reading 50,000 manuscripts. Your first reader will be a lot lower on the publishing totem pole. He or she can even buy for a literary genius — or not. You have no control, and if you run into bad luck — the guy reading your legal thriller hates lawyers — too bad. You’re done. prestige any thrash out with bounteous entrants, the readers will be numerous again who-knows-how-qualified.
The backside line: be smart and cautious with writing contests. Use your money wisely. If your budget is limited, printing and mailing hundreds of query letters to agents and publishers can even be a better perk now that $85. Or maybe not. If you think your manuscript is brilliant enough to win the Sobol Award, I wish you good luck!
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