I entered two contests this week. One is where you enter your first 250 words for a Secret Agent to see if they’re hooked enough to ask for a partial. The other is where you enter just your first paragraph for the same prize. I don’t expect to win.
I entered because I’m not comfortable with my novel opening. In the first contest, I will get a comment from the secret agent and also comments from other writers. Maybe something said in those will spark an idea for revision.
The second one won’t garner me any comments, and I know the agent who’s sponsoring the contest won’t be interested, but you never know what other agents might peruse the entries. One of those agents just might find enough intrigue in my opening paragraph to contact me. It’s all about getting your work out there, right?
I’ve had my doubts, my “what if it’s garbage” moments while writing this novel, but not now. I know it’s good. I know a good portion of readers would enjoy it. I’m just having trouble selling it in my query letter. But I’ll get there. Until then, free contests can’t hurt.
It’s too late to enter the Secret Agent contest, but Nathan Bransford is taking entries until Thursday at 4pm Pacific Time. What do you have to lose?
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
It’s great to hear you speak so positive about your novel—- knowing that it is good. If you can truly feel that way about your work I firmly believe that is the first step to publication and it will keep you working toward your goal.
Good luck with this!!
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Thank you for your encouragement, Laura. It’s taken a lot for me to get to this stage.
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Hi Linda,
I think doubt is part of the game. We all feel it. I saw Barbara Taylor Bradford on Sunday Morning on CBS last week and she said she still feels that about her books.
About the contests, you never do know. I always say, the only way you certainly won’t win is if you don’t enter at all:)
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I also read that Anne Tyler regularly doubts that her story is any good. But, yes, you have to try.
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Good for you, Linda! I think just the act of putting your work out there deserves some level of celebration!
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I get all brave and do things like this, then soon after think, Why did I do that?! But if I want to be published, I have no choice.
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