The Writing Jobs

Before entering any writing contest that offers lucrative prize money, a promise to get published, or other enticing awards, read the fine print. All of it. In this case, the contest is sponsored by Sobol Literary Enterprises, a new organization described in the press release as "a venue to discover talented, unknown fiction writers and help them get the recognition they deserve." In truth, Sobol is planning -- in fact, requiring -- that they be the agency representing the ten winning manuscripts. Winning novelists can terminate that agreement nine months after the contest's end, but it's a pretty important detail and is mentioned only in the "FAQ" section of their website, not under "Awards and Prizes."

Perhaps this is because Sobol is brand new and has never sold a book. Still, some experienced publishing professionals are involved, so it's entirely possible that they will become a successful agency. But they aren't one yet. And if another agency approaches you during that nine months -- likely if you've won a $100,000 literary prize -- too bad, unless you can put them off.

"If they've never sold a book, how can they offer huge award money?" you ask. The answer: in part, by charging an exorbitant entry fee of $85. Is it worth shelling out for the chance to win a $100,000 literary prize? Look at it this way: your odds of winning that prize will likely be 1 in 50,000. That's the maximum number of manuscripts this writing contest will accept, and given their substantial publicity, and the fact that writers can submit more than one novel -- at $85 apiece-- they'll probably reach that limit. Further math reveals your manuscript's chances of winning any of the top ten prizes to be 1 in 5,000.

I'm not telling you not to submit your manuscript for the Sobol Award. If you can afford the entry fee, and you're willing to commit to being their client for nine months, go for it. But always look before you leap. Writing contests abound; most call for some sacrifice or commitment on a writer's part to be eligible. Most have entry fees. Before spending a bundle entering every contest you can think of, especially those that sound too good to be true, investigate. Find out who's running the contest, and whether they're solvent enough to pay the winning writer(s). If it's a long-running prize, it's more likely to be reputable.

Try to find out who will be reading and judging your manuscript. The Sobol Award promises "at least two evaluations by qualified readers drawn from librarians, booksellers, and editors working under the direction of Weeks [Brigitte Weeks, chair of their panel of judges and prominent book industry veteran]." But what does "working under the direction" mean? Brigitte Weeks will not be reading 50,000 manuscripts. Your first reader will be a lot lower on the publishing totem pole. He or she may be 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. In any contest with many entrants, the readers will be numerous and who-knows-how-qualified.

The bottom 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 may be a better use for that $85. Or maybe not. If you think your manuscript is brilliant enough to win the Sobol Award, I wish you good luck!

Lisa Silverman is a freelance book editor and works in the copyediting department at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, one of New York's most prestigious literary publishing houses. She has also worked as a ghostwriter and literary agent representing both book authors and screenwriters. She founded http://www.BeYourOwnEditor.com in order to provide writers with free advice on both writing and the publishing business.