What I Learned from Judging a Writing Contest
Some takeaways for writers plus TONS of writing links and resources!
*For writing news and resources, scroll down.*
I was asked to judge a short story contest!
Judging a writing contest: this was a first for me! I was quite flattered when Bethesda Magazine asked me to be a judge for their annual short story contest.
I was assigned the high school category, and last week the other judges and I got together to decide on the winners.
As a person who has entered many writing contests, it was interesting to be on the other side.
Here are some takeaways I thought you other writers might be interested in…
1. Short stories written by high schoolers tend to be really dark.
I was not surprised by this, having taught high school students, and having been a creative-writing teen myself. But I would estimate that at least forty percent of the short story submissions I read ended with someone dying. There were also stories of war, abuse, neglect, and incredibly unsupportive parents.
Makes me wonder why I’ve been told by editors that my YA novels are “too dark.” Seems to me nothing is too dark for high school readers...
2. It’s really hard to pick a winner — it’s all so subjective!
I gravitated towards the contemporary stories (especially ones that were weirdly original), and maybe I didn’t give the sci-fi/fantasy or the war stories as much consideration because those genres just aren’t my jam. Meanwhile, one of the other judges admitted she gravitated towards the fantasy stories.
And also, how were we to pick just one first prize winner? Pick the story with strong, elegant language but an unoriginal plot? Or pick the unique story with a compelling voice but zero plot? OR pick the story with decent writing, a decent plot, and a decent voice? Even with judging criteria, it’s nearly impossible to rank creative short stories.
3. The judges had to compromise, which meant some favorite stories didn’t even end up placing.
I came to the meeting with my top two stories. One of them, after our long discussion, ended up placing third. The other didn’t place at all. Another judge came to the meeting with her top story, and it was one of my least favorites. It, too, didn’t end up placing.
Think about all those times you didn’t win a writing contest. Who knows, there might have been someone behind the scenes championing your story. Someone like me saying, “yeah, I know it was really weird and ended abruptly, but it was so original. I loved the premise and the voice.” I really wish I could reach out to the kid who wrote that weirdly-awesome story and tell them, don’t worry, I see you. I championed your story. Keep writing. You’ve got potential.
4. My number one turn-off? Confusion.
I can’t even remember how many total stories I had to read, but it was a lot. One night, I ended up reading about twelve stories in a row and my brain got mushy. If I couldn’t follow what was happening, if the writing was confusing — either intentionally so or not — I was much more likely to put the story directly into the no category and move on to the next.
Curious about what we chose? The winners of the contest, after being given some light professional editing, will be featured in the July/August issue of Bethesda Magazine.
This Mama is Lit!
I continue to enjoy cohosting the
podcast This Mama is Lit! I especially love this recent episode with Sarah Sawyer, author of the literary suspense novel The Undercurrent. Such an interesting discussion about the different bodies women inhabit and the way motherhood can interrupt and/or transform creative work. Be sure to check it out and subscribe to the podcast!Writing News & Resources:
For All Writers:
An incredibly helpful post about big-picture revisions: The Ten Structural Edits I Most Often Suggest from
.The Hedgebrook Writing Residencies for Women Application is now open (deadline April 14).
- ’s post Some Very Basic Basics About Writing Novels is such a delight.
The Key Publishing Paths 2025-2026 from publishing guru
February Submission Calls from Angelique Fawns. All are paying, no-fee opportunities!
Ever wonder why it takes so long to publish a book? Evelyn Skye has the answer.
The Writers Center website is a GREAT resource for finding grants, fellowships, residencies & retreats, publishers (who publish non-agented authors), and literary journal opportunities.
Writing Workshops offers lots of online classes in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, picture books, and the business of writing.
Check out the meet-up group called Shut Up & Write. There are in-person chapters all over the country, as well online events.
Looking for places to submit your writing? Check out NewPages and Sub Club.
For KidLit Writers:
Literary Rambles has information on kidlit agents and agent interviews. Plus contests and giveaways.
Here’s an incredible list of upcoming events for KidLit writers!
Check out SCBWI (The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for events, conferences, critique partners and more. (Picture book through YA.)
For Querying Writers:
Free online event Feb. 21 from Courtney Maum on how to prepare you manuscript for querying.
My friend
’s debut YA novel is coming out next February with Whimsical Publishing. And guess what, Whimsical is currently open to manuscript submissions, no agent required. Check out their submission guidelines for more info.And here’s a list of other small publishers that do not require agents.
Andrea Bartz has a list of successful query letters (including mine!).
I occasionally choose a subscriber for a FREE submission package critique. Send me your query and first two pages, and, if I chose your submission, I will send you feedback on both. Fill out the form here.
Writing Conferences & Events:
Recently two separate people recommended this online writing conference to me: Women in Publishing Summit, happening March 5-8, 2025.
The Women’s Fiction Virtual Summit is happening June 21-22, and from now until March 5 they are open to workshop proposals.
Publish Now! A One-Day Conference about getting published is happening at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, MD on Saturday, March 8.
The enormous AWP conference (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) will be held in Los Angeles this year, March 26-29.
If you live in the DC area, this comprehensive Calendar of Local Literary Events, compiled by Washington Independent Review of Books is overwhelming and awesome.
Live in the mid-Atlantic region and looking for a writing retreat get-away? The Writer’s Retreat at Good Contrivance Farm north of Baltimore is open year-round. The only requirement for this peaceful retreat is that you use the time to work on your writing. Spaces normally book about two months in advance.
Thinking about going to a conference or applying for a residency? Check out the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.
The James River Writers Conference in Richmond, VA will be held Oct. 4 - 6. They also have a best self-published novel contest — applications due February 28.
The Annapolis Book Festival will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The Writing Day Workshop “How to Get Published” Conferences are affordable and helpful. Plus, sign up for pitch sessions with agents for $29 a piece. For online conferences, attend from anywhere in the world! Check out the upcoming conferences:
I’m going to Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention in New Orleans September 3-7! See you there?
Writers Digest offers loads of virtual conferences on a variety of publishing and writing craft topics.
For more writing conferences, check out this list or the free searchable database on Poets & Writers.