Unfortunately, the Web also makes it easy for predators to take advantage of writers who yearn for prizes and recognition. While there have been few cases of outright "scams" (contests that take a writer's money and refuse to provide the promised prizes or publication), there are others that aren't quite what they claim to be. Fortunately, the Web also offers several excellent "warning" sites that can help alert you to potential problems.

When a Contest Isn't a Contest

Recognizing the difference between a legitimate contest and a more shady operation isn't always easy. For example, many writers are concerned about entry fees -- but the presence of a fee does not mean that a contest is a "rip-off", and the absence of a fee doesn't guarantee that a contest is legitimate. Many literary organizations, for example, support themselves in part through contest entries, while other competitions use entry fees to fund their prize purses.

A more important question to ask, therefore, is "what is the fundamental purpose of this contest?" Is it to recognize and reward literary merit, or is does the contest serve another function? For example, a number of publishers host "contests" for which the "award" is an advance and a publication contract. This type of contest is really just a thinly veiled means of getting writers to pay a "reading fee" to have their manuscript considered for publication. Other competitions are hosted by individuals (such as book doctors or writing "coaches") as a means of promoting their services.

One type of contest that has generated considerable controversy and criticism over the years is the "vanity anthology" contest. Such competitions generally charge no entry fees and offer extravagant prizes. Their primary purpose, however, is to persuade entrants to buy the anthology in which their "winning entry" appears. One of the best-known examples of this type of "contest" was the company variously known as the International Library of Poetry, Watermark Press, Poetry.com, and more. The company (now apparently out of business) claimed to select "winners" on the basis of merit - but in reality, every entry was a "winner" and published in the latest anthology, the objective being to convince the "lucky winner" to buy one or more expensive copies of said anthology. Thankfully, the International Library of Poetry has vanished and Poetry.com is now the website of a very interesting poetry community, but that doesn't mean you won't run into similar scams elsewhere.

Warning Signs

Following are some indications that a contest is less than legitimate:

1. Everyone wins. By definition, a contest isn't really a contest if every entry wins, regardless of quality. Make sure that entries are actually judged; be cautious if the sponsor won't provide information on who the judges are. If no one loses, winning means nothing.
   
   
2. The entry fee is exorbitant. Fees for poetry, short fiction and nonfiction contests typically range from $5 to $15, while fees for novel and screenplay competitions range from $25 to $50. Be wary of contests that charge significantly higher fees. Also, check the ratio of the fee to the prize: Stay away from competitions that ask you to pay $20 for a prize of $50. (However, the lack of an entry fee is still no guarantee that a contest is legitimate!)
   
   
3. All entries are considered for publication. Make sure that a contest's "entry fee" isn't actually a "reading fee" -- for example, when a book publisher hosts a "contest" in which the "prize" is a contract and an advance. Many publications also host "contests" in which all entries (not just the ones that win cash prizes) are "considered" for publication; this is just an easy way to get content without having to pay for it. Make sure that you'll receive some form of payment if your entry is "accepted" for publication, even if you're not actually a "winner."
   
   
4. The contest claims rights to your entry. Stay away from any contest that claims any rights to entries, whether those entries win or not. In particular, avoid contests that claim all rights. Again, these are generally mechanisms to gain free content. I also recommend avoiding competitions that claim all rights to winning entries, unless the publication is highly reputable.
   
   
5. The prize is "publication" in a low-quality periodical. The appeal of "getting published" draws many writers to competitions, but there is no value in being published in a periodical that has no respect in the writing or literary community. Find out where and how winning entries will actually be published. Does the publication go out to paying subscribers? Is it available in libraries or bookstores? Or will your entry simply be published on an obscure web site?
   
   
6. You have to pay for a copy of the publication. Most legitimate competitions will send you a copy of the publication in which your winning entry appears. If you have to pay to receive a copy, chances are that you're dealing with some type of vanity publisher.
   
   
7. The prize depends on the number of entries. Some competitions offer extravagant prizes, but explain in the fine print that these awards depend on the number of entries. In reality, the total "purse" is usually far less than what has been promised. This type of competition is commonly offered by an individual or business that uses the contest as a means of attracting clients.
   
   
8. The competition is run by a private individual. Most reputable competitions are run by organizations: literary groups, magazines, and publishers. Be wary of contests that are offered (and often judged) by a single individual. While such a competition isn't necessarily "illegitimate," neither is it likely to be a worthwhile writing credit, and it can be much more difficult to claim your prize if the individual decides not to pay up.

The good news is that the vast majority of the hundreds of writing competitions listed online are legitimate -- and some can be an important boost to your career if you win. With a little common sense, you can easily filter out the contests that are "too good to be true."

Scam-Busting Sites

13 Warning Signs of a Bad Poetry Contest

https://winningwriters.com/the-best-free-literary-contests/contests-to-avoid/warning-signs-of-a-bad-literary-contest

What to watch out for before sending that poem -- or that check.

Web Resources that Help You Identify Scams

https://winningwriters.com/resources/category/scam-busting

Writer Beware

https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/contests/

SFWA's page for illegitimate contests and vanity anthologies

Find Out More...

• A Beginner's Guide to Writing Competitions, by Dawn Copeman
  
  
• Choosing a Writing Contest, by Tammy Mackenzie
  
  
• Contesting: Why and How, by Kathryn Lay
  
  
• Through Judge-Coloured Spectacles: How to Win a Writing Contest, by Sue Emms
  
  
• Writing to Win, by Moira Allen