Fiction Submissions Checklist
By Helen Sears
The quality of submissions we’re receiving for the contest makes taking a turn at editing something we all look forward to. Thank you to everyone who cares enough about solid writing to submit a piece for consideration!
We receive so many good entries it’s difficult to choose just one with the designation of “winner.” At the same time, we’ve noticed that several of the pieces miss the top slots because of similar revision “soft spots” which may have been overlooked when redrafting.
Because we are students of writing and consider ourselves on a continuous learning path, we want to offer some of the elements in our own work we wrestle with when approaching the last drafts: (these apply primarily to prose, poetry being a country all its own)
- Whatever is mentioned first has great weight in setting up the “contract” with the reader. Stay true to it and weave it throughout the piece, even if in subtle, slant ways. Develop this concept or image, then come back to it at the end in a way that completes its arc.
- Every detail should have its own arc (pattern of development) within the story, but always in conjunction with the main arc: images, descriptions, dialogue. This provides movement within the piece in addition to the main arc.
- Decide where to linger. These are opportunities to emphasize a moment by slowing the pace down via greater detailed reactions, descriptions of objects noticed by a character, gestures.
- Put dialogue and its connected action in the same paragraph. This helps the reader keep track of who’s speaking and moving.
- Avoid clichés by any possible means, both in narrative/dialogue and plot. This includes any element that is too predictable.
- Endings: as our faculty members say, endings need to surprise, yet seem inevitable. Special care to give an unexpected twist or dimension, yet click perfectly into its prepared place, provides more satisfaction for the reader. And setting up an ending is as important as the ending itself. A final lingering to notice things with changed eyes or enlarged scope adds depth and resonance. Everything in the story beginning with the first word needs to work up to the ending.
Thanks, again, for submitting your good work. We look forward to the contests ahead!
(note: do not use the comments area below for submissions. We mean it. We will immediately delete submissions posted as comments.)
Hi,
May an author submit a prose AND a poetry piece? I see you request ‘no multiple submissions’, so I’m just checking.
Thank you.
You can submit prose one month, and poetry the next, but not during the same month. Exactly right, no multiple submissions.
Hi,
Are authors allowed one poem and one fiction piece, or one piece overall?
Thank you,
Jane
We only choose one entry each month. It all depends on who knocks the judges socks off first. Why not submit one of your pieces next month, that way you won’t be entering against yourself. (A person can win twice, or more, after all.)
Thanks!
Hi,
Do you offer feedback on submitted material?
Thanks
Gary
Hi, thanks for the inquiry. Generally, we don’t offer feedback, though it can vary from judge to judge.
Is this contest open for Indian nationals?
Yes, we get submissions internationally.
Is it acceptable to send in an entry under a pseudonym?
It’s entirely up to the submitter. Since there’s a $50 prize, you’ll also need to note you prefer to be published under a pseudonym, and supply your real name and address so that, should you be chosen as a given month’s winner, your prize can be correctly administered.
I thought the competition closed 10/31/09? I was about to submit but your website now says:
“The submissions mailbox is now closed. Please check back November 1.”
See the Student Choice Contest Rules. The mailbox will reopen November 1, and early in the month is the best time to submit. Good luck!
I would want further information on competitions. Thanks
See the Student Choice Contest Rules
I just wanted to check that I’m able to enter from the UK and make sure I don’t have to be a student to do so! I’m a bit older than that. Do I take it that the only rule is that it can’t be a work that’s been previously published, but the writer can have had other work published?
Many thanks,
Steve
Steve, you’re right on all counts. You don’t have to be a student, and you can be a published writer. It’s only the contest piece you submit that has to be previously unpublished.
Hi I am Chanaria so how do i do the contest exactly please tell me and i will try to get back very soon Signed,
a 13 year old
Chanaria, check out this link to the Contest Rules. The mailbox for March is now open. Good luck.
I’m trying to submit a story for this month’s contest and I get: “The February Mailbox is now closed. Please visit us again starting March 1, when the contest mailbox reopens.” It’s now March 2.
Thank you! I don’t know why this happens — I post the page, and it reverts to an old one. A WordPress glitch? I’m so glad you called it to my attention — should be fixed now, please try again. Apologies.
well i am far away from the us, i’m in mauritius. is it still possible for me to enter? and i have one more question please, where can we get a submissions form?
is the info to be submitted about the newspaper etc to send the press release to mandatory or optional, i.e., if one wants the winning to be certified?
Press release info is optional. Good luck with your submission.
Is there a specific theme to write about for August?
The theme for August is listed on the student choice contest page.
Please refer to the contest rules and submission guidelines. They are in the pull down menu under student choice contest.
Is there a theme for August? Or are we allowed to submit whatever genre we want?
Are extracts from longer pieces acceptable? Thank you.
Please refer to the contest rules. They are in the pull down menu under student choice contest.
Hi,
In the contest rules it says to name the organization or newspaper to send the story to if you win but I don’t understand what you mean. Could you please explain?
Thank You
“and the writing organization or newspaper to send the press release”
If you are part of a writing organization, such as Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, or have a hometown newspaper whom you would like to be notified should you win this contest, you would include this information at the end of your entry. A press release about your win would then be sent to either the organization or the newspaper. I hope this answers your question.
I want to enter the same story but for the September contest… Is that allowed?
I also forgot to write the name of the story when I sent it in but included all the other details… Is that okay?
Thank you for answering my previous question.
We have a different judge each month, so it should be OK to submit the same story. Should your story be selected as the winner, you would let us know the title of the story at that time.