One of the ways that an unpublished author can attract some attention to their work, possibly get feedback and maybe win a prize is by entering competitions. If nothing else, to be long or short listed gives you a confidence boost. I worked for me, although even then it was still a while before a UK publisher was willing to take a chance on a genre that mixed crime and romance.
Of course you do have to get onto the long/short list! But that is down to writing the best book you can, making sure that you meet all the competition criteria and presenting your work in a professional way in whatever format the rules require. Debut contests are usually looking for potential, not perfection - although if you can produce that, it will be welcome!
If you live in Wales, are unpublished and write crime, you might like to consider the Gwobr Nofel Gyntaf/Crime Cymru First Novel Prize., which is open now and closes on 1st September. There are two sections - Welsh and English, judged separately.
Crime Cymru is a collective of crime authors with Welsh connections, and is offering a fledgling writer the chance of winning a series of mentoring sessions. There is only one first prize winner, but if that's not you (this time) there is still the chance of appearing on one of those encouraging short lists.
The entry fee is £10 and you can find the details HERE
I was one of the judges in the initial stages for the English language side last time the contest was run, and have volunteered to do it again this year. I am looking forward to it. The quality and variety of the entries was impressive. It was not an easy choice. Every one I read had potential, although they were very different. Some were further along the way than others. I hope those contestants will be trying again with a new entry.
Maybe one of the entries I will be reading this year will be yours?
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