Why entering a writing competition late may be your best move yet

Apologies to my child for making her run up the hill to school. As Andy Gilbert says, 'Give yourself a deadline to stop planning and to start taking action.'

Forgive me. I arrive late for everything. Time slips away, and before I know it, I’m making my children run up the hill to school. One has asthma. It’s not a good look. However, when it comes to writing, there’s an enjoyable thrill to a deadline. I’m not a risk taker, nor would you ever find me on some outrageous roller coaster ride, but hitting send on a document with five minutes to go…I love it.

In another life, I would’ve been an academic. I adored being immersed in the teaching of English Literature and was the first in my family to go to university. When writing an essay, I found the strangest thing happened. I channelled a voice that was more intelligent than my own. Lost in the rhythm of typing, I put together words and phrases that, when speaking aloud, I never would’ve been able to access. An introvert at heart, writing enabled me to let go of all social constraints and experiment. I won an award for my contribution to work on the Brontes and miss those days of academic challenge. But what I never share is how I always started my essays the night before they were due in, sometimes, dare I say, after a great night out.

Pretending to be an academic at Gladstones Library, Wales.

If I could go back, I’d take it seriously. Because I am more serious now. But at twenty, I was invincible. I could, somehow, get in at 4am and start typing. I could press print at 3pm and, with only an hour to travel into university and submit my assignment, feel relatively relaxed. Although there was that one time the bus was late, so I rang for a taxi, time ticking, and waited to see which one would arrive first. As Douglas Adams says, ‘I love deadlines. I like the whooshing noise they make as they go by.’ If you’re going to leave things until the last minute, this can happen. It’s part of the excitement. Those of you who follow my personal account will occasionally see a photograph on Instagram with 5 minutes to go before a writing competition closes.

A deadline fuels my work. It creates a pressure that I struggle to manufacture myself. When there’s an external deadline, it counts. I know nothing happens if I set a deadline myself. There are no consequences, but when I entered a writing competition with only the first 5,000 words and was long listed, I wrote another 15,000 words in two days. I had no choice. I didn’t eat properly, lost a lot of sleep and by day three had visual distortions from eyestrain, so whilst I wouldn’t repeat the process in a hurry, that intense pressure left me with a good chunk of novel. It propelled my entire project forward.

As Nolan Bushnell says, ‘The ultimate inspiration is the deadline.’ It gives your writing journey a focus. For years I have used writing competitions to accelerate the progress I make on a novel. I refine the opening. Think about the reader. I write a synopsis that later serves as my North Star. Even when I don’t list, there is no part of this process that is wasted.

One of our own readers, author of ‘The Revels’ Stacey Thomas, encourages you to be brave because before being published she entered many competitions and ended up winning the ones she never thought she’d have a chance at. Whilst Venetia Constantine, another one of our fabulous readers and author of ‘The Last Starborn Seer’, entered many writing competitions and would encourage writers to use them to grow in confidence and nurture their talent. Finally, A. Y. Chao, #1 Sunday Times Bestselling author and reader for Ascent Novel Prize would like to remind you that there is no right way to write. So, if you’re not a last-minute addict like me, the most important thing is getting down your story in a way that works for you.

Stacey Thomas, author of 'The Revels' and reader for Ascent Novel Prize.

All that’s left for me to say is that Ascent Novel Prize is a dream come true. As a writer, I’d seen the good, the bad and the ugly with regards to writing competitions. I had a clear vision for what I needed as a writer, and I put as many of them as possible into this prize. What I didn’t have was the industry knowledge, which is why I sourced the best in the business. Liza DeBlock honed her skills selling international rights for major Sunday Times and New York Times authors such as Richard Osman, Claire Douglas, Abigail Dean and Saara El-Arifi. She is seeking writers who are ready to share their stories to a global audience but acknowledge that sharing your writing is slightly nerve-wracking. Delighted to be part of Ascent Novel Prize, Liza states: ‘I am delighted to be part of this prize and honoured to be one of the first people to experience your story. I love finding authors who have something beautiful to say, and that starts with trusting me to read your work.’

Literary agent, Liza DeBlock and judge for Ascent Novel Prize.

Aje Roberts, our other judge, is a senior commissioning editor at Tor. She has worked with some incredible authors, including R. F. Kuang, Rebecca Ross and Chioma Okereke. She is looking forward to reading diverse novels that pull her in. Her best advice for writers feeling nervous about entering writing competitions is to not stand in your way. Your writing is meaningful, worthy and deserves to be seen.

To those who have already entered, thank you for trusting us with your words. Our reading team consists of bestselling authors from a range of genres, and they’re waiting to read your work. There are three days left before Ascent Novel Prize closes for judging. If you haven’t entered already, now’s your chance to shine!  

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How to win a writing competition

Top tips from founder and competition addict, Hayley King.

Whilst there is no magic spell I can offer, below are actionable steps that will increase your likelihood of listing in any writing competition.

1. Research the prize.

   
   

I had a novel that shortlisted with Hachette UK and, feeling very pleased, I then expected it to do well in another, much smaller comp. When up against numbers for a regional competition, I felt confident in my chances. But, you guessed it, for that smaller competition, I didn’t list at all. As every writer is inclined to do, I decided my work and abilities had taken a sharp decline. After an hour of self-indulgent moping (which we’re all entitled to after a writerly disappointment!) I realised the words entered were the same. Like a reversal of a nasty breakup: it wasn’t me, it was them.

On closer inspection, a thriller writer judged this smaller writing competition. Previous winners were mostly writers of crime. And whilst this competition wasn’t advertised as such, if I had done my research, on both the prize and its judges, I would have seen that my novel wasn’t a good match.

You should never write to please the judges or readers of a prize. They are looking for your genuine voice and unique story, but a little research can help you enter the competitions that align with you and your words.

2. Enter many

   
   

Coming from a single-parent family, where the electricity could run out at any moment, I appreciate that this will be limited to finances. If you have any financial barriers to entering writing competitions, please reach out to the contest and explain your circumstances. You are not required to give your life story, but simply state the cost is a barrier to entry. Most reputable writing competitions have a number of sponsored places, including Ascent Novel Prize.

Finances aside, the more writing competitions you enter, the more your chances of listing increase. Once you have a novel that works, much of what follows is about increasing your chances of being seen, whether that be by agents, editors or future readers. To find great writing competitions, I recommend the wonderful website: newwriters.org.uk which lists opportunities in date order - ensuring you never miss one!

The first writing competition I entered was like taking a huge leap of faith and it is easy to forget the bravery needed to put your work out into the world for the first time. But when you’ve crossed that barrier, keep doing it! Share your work more widely, with beta readers and trusted friends. Enter competitions that suit the story you’re writing. When I shortlisted with Stockholm Writers Prize, I’d completely forgotten I’d entered. When you send your work out widely, the stakes are less, because you’ve still got other opportunities on the go.

3. How your extract starts and ends matters

   
   

Many writers strive for an attention-grabbing opening line, but it is the whole extract that counts. Every sentence must propel your reader forward. You must – as literary agent CeCe Lyra states – sprinkle curiosity seeds throughout your work. Look at the length of extract required and consider how your piece ends. You want to leave readers and judges wanting more. Don’t be afraid to cut from your work to end at a great place. When word count isn’t as much of a concern, you can always add these lines back in. At Ascent Novel Prize, we would never disqualify a reader for something like word count as we want writers to end the extract where they think is best. But check all competition rules carefully as not all writing competition are run this way.

4. Common pitfalls

   
   

A simple internet search will warn you of the pitfalls of opening a novel. These include starting with a character waking up, describing the weather or a dump of information. However, I recently saw an agent complain about the number of fantasy novels she receives that have a protagonist whose name begins with an A. (Yes, I have written a fantasy novel with a protagonist called Adalynn). Consider the other over-used tropes or features that may be contained within your work. Is your pitch unique? Is your prose free of clichés? In a world where AI can provide a regurgitated story, what makes your story unique is more important than ever.

Another common pitfall is not following the submission guidelines. Ascent Novel Prize would never disqualify someone for using the wrong font but in a highly competitive world, don’t let your writing be noticed for the wrong reasons. (Although nearly all submissions this year follow our formatting rules, so this advice is not for you clever lot!) 

5.   The magic of a beta read

Working on the same novel can make you word blind and whilst letting it rest and coming back to it with fresh eyes can work wonders, there is nothing like the feedback from a trusted beta reader. They will see things you would never think of. I once had a description of a pigeon flying at night – apparently, they don’t fly at night. I once had a character dominate a scene when they weren’t in the rest of the book. My protagonist started with a coat on, and now she’s adjusting the straps of her dress. The list of errors went on! Luckily, writers are the loveliest people in the world and if you offer to return the favour, it is easy to find beta readers online or through writing courses.

I found my tribe on Instagram, and we first bonded over books we enjoyed reading. For me, it’s essential that anyone offering feedback on my work enjoys reading. Consider what skills you’re looking for in a reader and begin your search! The Shit No One Tells You About Writing offers a beta-read match up a couple of times a year. I would advise giving your work to more than one writer, so that you can identify common errors and perhaps feedback that is closer to personal preference. But remember, you are the sole creator of your work, and you should only incorporate things that feel right for you and your story.

6. Compare your work to a published novel

Everyone is at a different point in their writing journey, but I believe all we need to do as writers is keep moving forward. Keep studying the craft and reading others. If your book were alongside other published work, would it compete? The most successful writers are the ones who identify a weakness and work hard to overcome it. For me, it’s my visual description when I open scenes. So, this is what I study when I read and one of my many rounds of edits is dedicated to this aspect of my writing. You can ask for no greater gift than knowing how to improve your story.

7. Celebrate the wins

   
   

Every listing counts, whether you’re in the top 100 or have an honourable mention. Enjoy the victories when they come because sometimes, they seem few and far between. To enter your work to be judged and scored takes a huge amount of bravery. But you’re in the game and one step closer to holding a published novel in your hands. Keep going, and even if you don’t list at first, know that every word you write counts, because someone out there is waiting to read your story, so you can’t stop now. You’re so close to making your dream come true! 

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The small joys of writing and the big joy of listing in a writing competition...

Hayley King: Founder of Ascent Novel Prize and competition addict.

There are a host of ways that we, as humans, express ourselves. I enjoy a good sing in the shower and when I was younger, studied art and textiles. The process of making something, even if (in my case) it’s destroying a song, is fundamental to who we are. But the thing I have come to love most of all about writing is its magic. When I sit down to write, it’s impossible to describe where my ideas, characters and worlds come from. It’s a particular form of alchemy I’ve fallen in love with as, I know, have you.

When I’m stuck on an idea or a plot point, the answer comes to me when I least expect it. These moments are gifts. A sudden revelation from some external muse. It’s the closest I get to believing in some innate power. When struggling with my writing, my subconscious is working on my problems. It takes the tangle I’ve created and performs a miracle, and all whilst I’m cleaning the kitchen, or taking the kids to school. Writing solutions can arrive with clarity, as if someone’s switched on the light or put down a path for me to follow. I have come to trust this process more in recent years because no matter how terrible the problem is, I always find a way through, whether that be deleting a scene, or changing a character. And yes, sometimes it’s not all rainbows. The way to fix a book can mean a rewrite, or a deletion of 40,000 words (special thanks to my writing buddies who nursed me through that dark night of the soul).

Gillian McAlister is a psychological thriller writer who shares her process openly on podcasts and social media. I love the honesty with which she shares the books she’s scrapped and the twists she couldn’t make work. I believe the small joys of writing come because the process is difficult, like fixing the last piece into an impossible puzzle. You did the work. You persevered.

Listing in a writing competition brings a different sort of joy. It’s external validation and there is no doubt it can be life changing. Your work is before agents and authors. You can use the listing when querying agents. It demonstrates that you’re putting your work out into a competitive field. Any listing is hard-won and, in my opinion, should be celebrated with gusto. But after the initial elation, it is the small, lasting joys that surprise me. After listing with several writing competitions, I gained confidence when turning up to the page and discovered a network of like-minded writers.

Writing can decrease our sense of isolation.

As Anne Lamott says: “Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation… It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea.” Through writing competitions, I have found many friends. We have shared our big joys and small joys together, for, in the end, one does not outweigh the other. Your innate talent and drive to write won’t always be rewarded by a placing in a competition, or an offer of representation from an agent, but the joy of writing persists. As did these friends.

When the Doubt returns, and that voice whispers terrible things, it’s your fellow writers who understand, and finding my writing tribe has been the biggest joy of all. To those of you who beta-read, stay in contact, meet up at festivals or simply like each other’s posts, you’re providing a safety net for what can be an isolating career. A couple of years ago, a friend from my writing group self-published her YA novel and there, in the acknowledgements, was my name. I cried, and yes, since having children, I’m a crier, what can I say? As the Sudowrite Blog discusses, writing the acknowledgements are a heartfelt nod to the village that helped you build your book.

It would be amiss of me not to quote my favourite ever acknowledgement in a book, from T. M. Payne’s ‘This Ends Now’:

“Two beautiful parents, Nelly and Micky Doherty. I never got to meet you, but I’m told that Susie has so many of your wonderful ways. Strength, courage, humour and devotion to family. The very best of people, the kindest and most loving. May you forever walk together, through your fields of gold. I want you to know that I will always look after your girl.”

If you are ever struggling with the process of writing or life in general, I suggest you turn to the acknowledgements page of any book to see the joy and strength your support can give and you can also receive in return.

There are small joys I cannot wait to experience as a writer, and I am eager to remember these alongside my larger, more glittering goals. I want to return to the page with a cup of hot tea, and I want to have my plot problem solved like magic. There is a wonder in what we do that writing competitions can never acknowledge, no matter how great the accolade. There is a skill in how you place words together, and a beauty in the message you want to tell. So, here I am, the founder of a writing competition, urging you to take pleasure in all the magic writing has to give. Because whilst winning a writing competition may change your life, so may the writing itself.

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