Many writers enter contests wanting to know how many submissions there are and what their odds are of getting in. I totally get it. As an engineer I love the numbers game. I love to know the percent chance I have. But here's the thing, in writing contests the number of entries doesn't matter. Let me repeat, THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES DOESN'T MATTER!
I know it's utter blasphemy, but it's true and here's why. When you enter a contest, it's not about the numbers, it's about putting your best work forward. The same as when you query. We don't tend to worry about the number of queries an agent receives so why would we worry about the number of contest entries? Maybe it's because there's a finite number of entries and queries are never ending. But one way or another it shouldn't matter. The reason? Because the goal is to present your most polished manuscript and pitch possible, and to follow the submission guidelines exactly. That's it. If you do that guaranteed your ahead of the pack both in contests and in the slush pile.
That said there's another element in querying and contests that comes hugely into play, subjectivity. The numbers could be in your favor, but if someone doesn't like your submission it wont matter. It sucks but it's the hard truth. You can't control subjectivity, so stop stressing over it! Your manuscript could be error free and you could be one of ten people vying for nine spots but if the contest judge, or agent doesn't resonate with your voice or story concept, that's enough to put the odds out of your favor. The fact of the matter is, not every story is right for every agent, reader, contest, mentor, critique partner, etc. And that's perfectly okay. There's isn't just one path to success, so if one isn't working try another.
I know we like the numbers and we often find solace in them. We feel like it's something we have some sense of control over in a situation we have very little. It's comforting to know the odds. Sadly, knowing them wont change a thing. The best we can do is follow the rules and submit our cleanest, most edited work. We keep learning and growing as writers and one day, we might be that one in a hundred or one in a thousand or even one in a million. But it will be because we worked hard and kept going, not because of the numbers.
Very true post! I've yet to enter a contest, though I've strongly felt the lure. But the ol' manuscript just isn't ready yet. Oh, well!
ReplyDeleteYes it's definitely hard to sit back when you are dying to enter but know your manuscript just isn't ready. That was me last year at this time. Props to you for waiting. Your time will come :)
ReplyDeleteGood point. The numbers sound horrible for querying, but it's really all about the manuscript.
ReplyDeleteyes those numbers can be downright scary at times! But you are right it's definitely about the manuscript.
DeleteVery good point! When it comes down to it, subjectivity just can't be 100% analyzed, as you can tell with some of the Netflix "If you liked x you will like y" suggestions which can be useful but never totally accurate. Because while I like rom coms, there are some that I hate so much for trivial factors that poor Netflix will recommend something like Four Christmases and I mark it NEVER. haha
ReplyDeleteThe other thing though, which I think needs a little more focus in the query arena, is that following directions and doing your homework is the most important thing a writer can do to beat the odds. I attended a conference where an agent told us the number of queries she got in a year. She then said that by sitting in this audience, having paid to come learn about writing and querying agents, we were already beating 50% of those odds. We were learning basics like go to a agency website and read their query instructions. Go to a workshop on how to write a query so you learn what works and what doesn't. So, so many of the queries in those scary stats are for books that the agent does not represent or they did not follow simple instructions like pasting the query in the body of the email vs. attaching as a separate document.
After that, subjectivity for sure. But at least you aren't getting an auto-reject for a query foul if you learn how it all works.
I love the netflix analogy that is a great comparison!
DeleteAnd I have heard similar stats from agents at conferences. 50-60% of there slush is people who don't follow the rules or submit things they don't rep. So the odds do help there but only a little. But I 100% agree follow submission guidelines, it can only help you!
When I began, _-years ago, someone told me the odds of being picked from slush were one in twelve thousand. I have no idea if this is even close to reality, nor should it matter. If you thought of the odds, you would never do it.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the odds are 100% it will be worth my while, and on the way even beat those one in who-knows-what odds of being picked from slush.
Aww I love this! that's the perfect way of looking at things. 100% worth it :)
DeleteHere's another tip: Check up on the actual agent/editor (Web stalk), especially read their most current interviews. Sometimes you get more specific info about how to approach them and what to submit. Sometimes it even varies from their house's guidelines. Such as one I recently found: the house says snail mail. The agent says email. I'm all about the email!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! (While thinking about it still, I will say that AFTER winning a contest, it's nice to know you weren't the only entry. Knowing you were "top" of 12,000 entries is a great feeling!)
ReplyDeleteYes it is a great feeling to know you "overcame the odds", but it's the opposite when you aren't picked whether you landed near the top or at the bottom. It's hard not to focus on the numbers. It can make you crazy.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice about web stalking. I've found that really helps too.