1. Don't seriously expect to win. Don't expect the winner to be the book you thought was best either. Tastes differ so much that it's very unlikely that either will be true.

2. I had some reviews from people who weren't in the contest and who I hadn't seen before on the site. I have no idea who or what they were. One at least was extraordinarily helpful. I can't honestly fathom why anyone would bother getting frinds and family to review (unless they were already site members). That sort of thing is crucial on a site like Authonomy but here I think it's futile, although the rather bizarre comment that reviews will be taken into consideration in the pre-selection process (which is a silly idea) might run counter to that.

3. The literary fiction genre has no separate category and so can only be entered in the main contest.

4. No.

5. People don't especially champion their favourites as far as I can recall.

worldbeat99 wrote:

Thanks Venator for your detailed response.  I've been on Authonomy and Amazon's ABNA site -- so this helps me get my bearings for Strongest Start.

I know what you mean about how tastes differ and sometimes the books you like can get overlooked in a contest.  At the end of the day, it all seems to motivate me to continue writing my novel -- so it's a win-win.  The contest is icing.

Dwight!  I just got your e-mail.  It went to spam, as often happens with the tNBW mailer.  Sorry!  Just responded!  I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you!

(I remember you from the ABNA Boards!)  Yippy, I knew I recognised the name.  Welcome, sir!

As with any type of contest where judges are concerned, it's all very subjective as tastes differ.  Case in point (I hope Caroline doesn't mind me using her as an example) The Coffee Lady was not a finalist in either 2008 with "The Coffee Diary" or in 2009 with "The Poppy Field"; but was a short list finalist both years in the Faulkner-Wisdom Award for novel-in-progress with almost the same length of submission (15,000 for Strongest Start; 12,500 for Faulker, which must include a synopsis). She got an agent and a publisher out of that contest.

Contests are great motivation, just to make us stop procrastinating, if nothing else. But you have to have the right frame of mind, otherwise you'll be discouraged if you don't make the cut, maybe even disgruntled and quit.

Perserverance and patience are required of any writer. Just keep everything in perspective. It's time consuming to try to read every entry in the Strongest Start, but you may want to make sure you read the six finalists to glean any helpful tips as to why these entries drew the contest readers into those stories, and possibly use what you discover there to improve your own work.

You have enough time to workshop your entry, since the deadline isn't until June 8th. Polish your chapters until they shine, and good luck in the contest.

knighthawk wrote:

I enter. I lose.

Your day will come, knighty.

Where contests often differ from what actually gets published is that publishers/agents are looking for what SELLS.  That might not be the criteria during a contest, (or it might, who knows)  Best to toss in your offerings and not worry about it too much, either way. 

I've never entered this contest either and I think it is great motivation, as is its purpose, but I am confused by the prize.  The goal of the contest is to get the site writers to polish their novel to the point that it will be so strong it will grab the attention of an agent/editor, but then the grand prize is a self-publishing package.  The prize and the competition seem a little at odds with each other in my opinion.

But it is good motivation to get and keep writing and polishing, so win or lose it does something for everybody who enters.

vern wrote:

I've been a WINNER in every contest I ever entered. Okay, I didn't "win the contest" necessarily, but I did WIN lots of fun and experience just for entering. I'm sure you will "win" also. Take care. Vern

I can do without that kind of 'winning'.

I do like the idea of this contest, its motivational factor. That's why I don't understand the categories. Either the reader (judge) is compelled to turn to chapter 4 (subjectively), or not. It shouldn't matter the genre. And seriously...Romance? That gives way to why not Humor? Or YA? Or Literary Fiction? Or Erotica. It's all about a strong start, no? You mean a strong start in Romance is different than a strong start in a Memoir? Seriously...Romance? Not knocking the genre--a story is a story--most have attractions, kissing, etc. And how are the judges to judge these things differently? How are they qualified to judge these things differently?

I love Venator's post. Funny. (And very spot on from my experience.) Knighthawk's, too.

Good luck, worldbeat99. In the past, a thriller has won, a science fiction, and a memoir. So who knows?

crazeesharon wrote:

The $500 and a professional editing (most run around $1,800 for a book doctor for a 65,000-word manuscript) is a great prize!  As far as the self-publishing: you may have written the strongest start to a novel, but it may not be commercial.  You may not get anywhere with an agent or a publisher, who is looking for that project they think will SELL, SELL, SELL. Then the self-publishing package is also a great prize to have, and an option for you down the road.

That is a great point and I honestly had not thought of that.

Worldbeat - back to your question no. 1.

-Read & review as much work on the site as you can.  You'll be amazed at how much you learn by critically thinking about the work of other authors.

-You may not win the cash prize, but you certainly have nothing to lose by entering.

-I entered Strongest Start for the first time last year, and became a member of this site thanks to the contest.  I did not win the cash prize, but joining tnbw turned out to be an infinitely better pay-off.  Whether or not you take home the 500 bucks, you will "win" in many wonderful ways if you use this opportunity to establish collaborative relationships with other authors on the site.

Good luck with your entry!

s_thatcher wrote:

vern wrote:

I've been a WINNER in every contest I ever entered. Okay, I didn't "win the contest" necessarily, but I did WIN lots of fun and experience just for entering. I'm sure you will "win" also. Take care. Vern

I can do without that kind of 'winning'.

I do like the idea of this contest, its motivational factor. That's why I don't understand the categories. Either the reader (judge) is compelled to turn to chapter 4 (subjectively), or not. It shouldn't matter the genre. And seriously...Romance? That gives way to why not Humor? Or YA? Or Literary Fiction? Or Erotica. It's all about a strong start, no? You mean a strong start in Romance is different than a strong start in a Memoir? Seriously...Romance? Not knocking the genre--a story is a story--most have attractions, kissing, etc. And how are the judges to judge these things differently? How are they qualified to judge these things differently?

I love Venator's post. Funny. (And very spot on from my experience.) Knighthawk's, too.

Good luck, worldbeat99. In the past, a thriller has won, a science fiction, and a memoir. So who knows?

Thatcher, you made me laugh so hard, wine came out my nose. Romance!  ha!  Still laughing. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

The chance at a 500 bucks and free comprehensive copyediting?... makes me wonder why any member wouldn't enter.   I'll take a free professional edit any day. 

Last edited by Jeni Decker (04-19-2010 06:30:06)

Jeni Decker wrote:

The chance at a 500 bucks and free comprehensive copyediting?... makes me wonder why any member wouldn't enter.   I'll take a free professional edit any day. 

You're one of the ones to beat, Jeni. What all are you entering? And you're absolutely correct. The contest is a great opportunity; and the prize is well worth the entry.

s_thatcher wrote:

Jeni Decker wrote:

The chance at a 500 bucks and free comprehensive copyediting?... makes me wonder why any member wouldn't enter.   I'll take a free professional edit any day. 

You're one of the ones to beat, Jeni. What all are you entering? And you're absolutely correct. The contest is a great opportunity; and the prize is well worth the entry.

I entered Engulfed and Peacock. (I need to get in there and edit chapter three.  It's a bit heavy on the science....I'm just dragging ass)  Having more fun writing with Kat at the moment.   That one's a pisser. 

Thanks for the compliment, btw.  Why are you not entering The American?  I can guess why you wouldn't enter Aurora (for the same reason I'm not entering The Wisdom of Repugnance again this year--both are too psychotic to be published by anyone other than a niche publisher with balls of steel.  In fact, I think if I self-published anything, it would be Wisdom of Repugnance.  I've TOTALLY got some funny ideas for promoting that one.  hahaha  I'd hit up every fetish site on the internet to put an advert! hahahaha